Page 9 of The Lady and the Lion (Victorian Outcasts #9)

She believed their doubts were justified. “You won’t let me see him.”

“And you trusted me enough to ask me to take him here.” He pointed a finger at her.

She held his stare. The captain was right although she hadn’t had any choice. “Fair enough. You’re right. I jumped to conclusions.”

“I wonder why,” Dobkins said in a low voice.

Captain Jackson ran a hand through his messy hair.

“He’s resting. His blood must get rid of the morphia, cocaine, and all the other drugs Cade gave him before we can start discussing his future.

Cleansing the blood from those poisons is a nasty affair.

And it’s a long one. Trust me, you don’t want to see him while he’s in that state. ”

A thud came from the bedroom.

“What’s happening?” She sidestepped him.

He blocked her path. “You must leave.” His tone was all harshness.

All the worry she’d accumulated that day burst out. Maybe the captain was trustworthy enough to keep Lion Boy at home, but what if the captain had hurt him?

She had to see Lion Boy even if for a moment. “Let me see him.”

“No.”

“I’m just going to say hello and then leave.”

Before he could stop her, she darted past him to the bedroom, taking advantage of the captain’s sluggish movements. Drinking heavily didn’t work in his favour.

“Don’t!” He tried to grab her arm.

She flung the door open.

Lion Boy was tied to the bed with thick ropes while he thrashed and writhed, kicking the bedsheets. His head moved from right to left. His mouth was open in a silent scream. Sweat glistened on his skin, and his pupils were so large the amber colour of the irises wasn’t visible.

She gasped. “What are you doing to him?”

“You cruel man!” Dobkins rushed to the other side of the bed and pulled at the knots. “This poor young man has seen enough.”

“He is in withdrawal, from the drugs. I have to tie him down. He could overpower me and run away. It’s for his own good.” The captain took Vivienne’s shoulders and pulled her back from the bed. “I didn’t want you to see this.”

“You’re torturing him!” She shrugged herself free.

“Good Lord.” Dobkins put a hand on her chest, staring at Lion Boy with horror.

“Stop it, you two!” The captain stepped in front of Vivienne.

“He would have hurt himself. His body makes involuntary movements. He isn’t in control.

He can get seriously hurt, and I warned him.

He knew what was going to happen. I told him exactly what I needed to do to cleanse the drugs from his blood.

I explained to him what would happen, and he said yes .

He agreed. His body craves the morphia, and right now, he’s in pain but barely conscious.

I can’t untie him. Trust me. I know what I’m doing. ”

Vivienne fought the burning tears as she closed her hand around Lion Boy’s. “I’m so sorry.”

The fact that only raspy noises came out of his mouth made the scene worse. He had to be in great pain. His clouded eyes fixed on her, or so it seemed.

“How long will it take for him to get better?” She stroked Lion Boy’s knuckles.

“I can’t say for certain. Two or three weeks, if he survives,” the captain said.

“What?” She faced him, closing her hand around Lion Boy’s.

Captain Jackson held up a hand. “I discussed that with him, too. He’s aware of the risks, but unless he takes them, the drugs will kill him.”

Lion Boy exhaled and stopped squirming, his chest rising and falling quickly. He turned his head towards her. His eyes cleared, and his lips parted, but she couldn’t understand what he was trying to say.

“He needs water.” Captain Jackson gently lifted Lion Boy’s head and helped him sip from a glass. “Slowly. That’s it.”

Lion Boy sagged against the captain, his mouth still moving.

The kindness with which the captain was taking care of Lion Boy and his silent desperation to speak tore out a sob from her.

“Leave.” Captain Jackson nodded towards the door. “He deserves to keep his dignity. You can see him when he’s better.”

Dobkins had stepped away. Vivienne cast a last glance at him, a long moment, before leaving the room with Dobkins on her heels. The captain shut the door behind them.

“What can I do for him?” Vivienne asked.

“Stay away. It’s better for now. There are too many police around, which could go on for days, and a lady visiting this area might attract attention.

I examined him. His vocal cords are badly damaged.

An infection, most likely from a serious bout of influenza, is my guess.

He was probably a child. He doesn’t remember much. ”

“It’s a miracle he survived,” Dobkins said.

“Exactly, which makes me think his family didn’t. Once Lion Boy became an orphan, Cade might have become his guardian, and the bastard saw an opportunity there.”

Vivienne swallowed past the lump in her throat.

The captain’s expression softened. “It would be good if you could try to find a way to teach him to read and write after this is over, so he can communicate with us. It’s a nightmare to ask him only questions he can answer with yes or no.”

“Do you know his name?” she asked.

“He doesn’t have one.”

A shock of stillness went through her.

“I thought to call him Samuel,” he said in a low voice.

“Why Samuel?” Vivienne wiped her eyes.

Dobkins stared at Captain Jackson with something like respect. “Because it means ‘He listens’.”

“Lion Boy liked it.” He lifted a shoulder. “The lad might be speechless, but I’m sure he can be heard by those who want to listen to him. Now, please leave. If something happens, I’ll let you know.”

Vivienne nodded. “Thank you, Captain. Please keep him alive.”