Page 76 of Head Room

That produced a guilty shifting of feet among the other men, who apparently hadn’t noticed the battered state of the hands their charge held so still in her lap.

“Now, let me see what we have here.”Gilliam cupped a hand under her chin and raised it.She didn’t resist, but she didn’t aid him, either.

Ransom tried to see around the doctor to get a better look at the face he’d caught only glimpses of through the screen of matted hair.But Gilliam’s bulk blocked him.“Ah, you’re a child.A poor mite of a thing.And had a hell of a time of it now, haven’t you?”The doctor’s large hand tipped the girl’s head and Ransom could see discoloration and swelling under the dirt that spread from the lower part of her right jaw down the side of her neck.It must have been a hell of a blow to have the swelling still evident when the bruising was fading.

Gilliam released her chin, and her head lowered immediately.But the doctor, apparently, had seen enough.

“One of you bring her to my quarters.Then, Captain, I want a detail to start hauling and heating water for a bath—” He studied her again.“—Make it enough for two baths, one to get the dirt off and one to get clean.And a couple more men to check at the trader’s to see what he has in the way of clothing that would suit...uh, what is her name?”

“Maggie.Maggie Gregson.”

The answer from over his shoulder drew the doctor’s eyes around to Ransom.

“Miss Gregson.”

“Mrs.Gregson,” Ransom said.“She’s widowed.”

“Is she then?”The doctor’s gaze sharpened.He cleared his voice.“Well, we’ll see about all that after she’s cared for.”As if he could change the state of her widowhood.“Any questions, Captain?”

“No, sir, but—”

“Good.Then, Fletcher, you bring her along to my office.And — ah, Major Brand, didn’t see you in the dark corner there.You could be of aid if we need sign language.If you don’t mind, sir,” he added with belated and half-hearted attention to military courtesy.

“Not at all.”

“Now, young lady, you get out of that thing.”

She didn’t lift her head or give any other sign of hearing, but one arm immediately crossed over her chest and her other hand grasped the material of her rough buckskin dress tight against her.It was an instinctive and expressive gesture of self-protection.

The doctor stopped in mid-stride, let his hands drop slowly to his side, then half turned back toward the doorway.Ransom caught the look exchanged between the major and the surgeon; they all knew the significance of her action.She clearly had understood the doctor’s words.

She wasn’t talking, but she was listening.

Ransom suspected it wasn’t much of a shock to Major Brand, but the doctor was clearly surprised.

“I thought Captain Reigert’s dispatch...Well...”He cleared his throat and glanced back at the woman, who stood motionless in that same defensive pose.“We’ll get Polly in here.The sergeant’s wife.She’s a very good sort of woman.But—” He spoke more sternly, yet not unkindly to the still figure.“—after she helps you get cleaned up, I’m going to examine you.No shilly-shallying.”

He paused a moment, as if expecting an answer that did not come, gave an explosive snort and walked out of the room without a word.He could be heard from the outer room ordering someone named Bailey to go get Polly right away, then to bring hot water.

When Polly arrived, she looked around the room, clicked her tongue, muttered something under her breath, then said, “Gentlemen?”

She was inviting them to leave.

Ransom and Major Brand obeyed as Bailey arrived with hot water.In a moment, he emerged again, opening the door to a vignette of Polly staring down the doctor.

Ransom thought the major’s mouth might have moved under his mustache.

If so, it was neutral when the doctor followed Bailey out, and Polly closed the door behind him.

“Things to check on,” Gillam said as he left the room.

With Brand apparently immersed in the study of the titles of the small pile of books on the doctor’s desk, Ransom spent the slow-passing minutes trying to tell what was going on in the other room.For the longest time all he caught were wisps of Polly’s voice, more the feel of a murmur than words.Then what might have been the splash of warmed water.At least it wasn’t furniture breaking or screams.

That’s what it would have taken to be heard over Dr.Gillam’s return just then.

“Fletcher!What is this I hear?”he roared.

“Sir?”