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CHAPTER 32

“Where is she?” he panted.

Robert slammed open the door, not bothering to remove his coat as he ran up the stairs past three footmen and a maid carrying a tray.

He skidded to a halt in front of Georgiana’s door, grabbed the handle and pulled it open.

A small hand landed on his arm. Robert looked down at it and then up at Daisy’s solemn face.

“Is she…?” he could not even say the word, his heartbeat accelerating erratically.

He prayed that he was wrong about the curse he believed hung over his head and killed any female who came close to him.

“She is not dead, but she has been injured,” Daisy said in a quiet, reassuring tone.

Robert wanted to believe her, but he could not until he laid eyes on Georgiana himself. “I need to see her.”

“The doctor is bleeding her.”

“I do not care.” He took a step forward towards the bed. The doctor had drawn the curtains around the bed for privacy.

Daisy gasped as he drew back the curtain. There was a deep gash on Georgiana’s temple, and she looked pale and ill. Her eyes were closed.

“Dear God,” Robert exclaimed as his heart sunk in his chest.

The physician looked up. “Never fear, I have treated most of her injuries. I am confident that she will make a full recovery.”

“What happened?” Robert asked.

The physician pointed at Daisy. “She can tell you better than I.”

Robert immediately turned to Daisy. “Tell me,” he said urgently.

Daisy nodded. There was a sheen of sweat across her forehead and she looked terribly anxious. “I was not with her, but the coachman told me what happened.”

Robert nodded. “Well then, tell me.”

Georgiana stepped into the carriage after giving Selina one last hug. It had been too long since they had enjoyed one of their tete-a-tetes. It was a different kind of satisfaction to have these frank talks with Selina.

“Let us not leave it so long until our next meeting,” she had said after giving Selina a kiss.

Selina smiled. “Yes. It was lovely to see you and hear how well you are doing.”

Georgiana could not stop smiling as the carriage rocked its way home. Although the streets were not as crowded as they could be, they were still treacherous for a coach and four such as theirs. If they were not dodging little boys darting suddenly across the road, the coachman had to skirt precariously around potholes made deep by the recent heavy rains.

They were traveling along a reasonably stable portion of road when a dog darted into the street and startled the horses. They reared back, causing the carriage to sway and overturn.

It happened so quickly. One minute she was sitting with her head against the window, looking out and daydreaming about what she and Robert might get up to in the evening, and in the next she was being buffeted violently from side to sideand slammed from one end of the carriage to the other. Then everything went black, and she knew no more.

“The coachman brought her back here and explained everything to me,” Daisy said. “I sent a message to you and the physician right away.”

“You did well, Daisy. Thank you,” Robert said quietly.

Daisy nodded, blushing slightly. “I am glad I was here to help.”

The physician straightened up. “Well, I have done all I can. All we can do now is wait.”

“Thank you, good sir. We appreciate your help.” Robert extended his hand, and the physician shook it while also bowing.