Forged In Love

Chapter Ten

Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Henry watched as Lottie's horse reared up as if spooked and, Lottie went flying backwards off her horse. She almost floated in the air before crashing to the ground. At that moment, sound came back to him and everyone was moving at normal speed. In a flash, Henry was off his own horse and running to Lottie. When he reached her, she wasn't moving. Henry knelt by her on the ground and checked to see if she was still breathing. By that time, Edward and Arthur both came to kneel by them. Henry didn't pay them any attention as he checked Lottie over for any injuries. As he turned her head towards him he saw a trickle of blood from Lottie's temple.

"What the hell happened? Did anyone see?" Asked Edward.

"Something spooked the horse, but other than that I don't know." Answered Arthur.

"There were too many people crowded around to see anything. We need to get her somewhere she can rest. Is there an inn?" Asked Henry.

"Yes, my lord. Just this way. Arthur, you gather the horses and follow us."

Henry scooped up Lottie as though she was a bag of feathers and went with Edward in the direction of the inn. He was worried that she hadn't woken up and the gash on her head didn't look good. Henry had seen his fair share of men not wake up after being thrown from a horse. Head injuries were always tricky. The best thing for her right now was a place to rest and for him to dress the wound. Never had he ever been so thankful to have been in the service, otherwise he may not know what to do.

Edward was already making arrangements with the innkeeper when Henry walked through the door. For an older man, Edward could move very quickly. Henry, however, did notice how winded the man was.

"Just follow the maid, Sally, up the stairs, sir." Instructed the old innkeeper. Henry nodded his head to the man in thanks and followed Sally to a cozy room at the back of the inn. It was quiet and dark. This would work nicely.

"Before you go, could you please undress the lady down to her shift?" Henry could do it, but it would be better if the maid did it. He stepped outside and waited. Sally was very quick and gentle.

"Could you also bring hot water and bandages?"

"Yes, my lord." With that the maid scurried away and Henry went into the room. He opened the window for more light. He would need to properly clean nd dress her wound. How could this happen? None of the other horses reacted to anything or the crowd. Lottie did say she didn't leave the village often. Maybe her horse wasn't used to all the excitement. Henry's gut told him something was happening here and until they left he had better keep a sharp eye out. He would hate to think someone was trying to harm or even kill his bride-to-be, but that might just be the case.

There was a knock at the door and the maid came in with the supplies. Edward and Arthur followed into the room behind her.

"Has she stirred at all?" Asked Edward. Henry just shook his head and set about tending to her wound.

" I don't like that at all. I will send for the doctor."

"Lottie's going to be ok, isn't she?" Arthur looked like he was going to be sick with worry. He had known Lottie all his life, she was a sister to him.

"Come on son, let's go fetch the doctor. That's all we can do right now." Edward ushered his son out of the room.

"Oh, Lottie, you can't do this to me. I know we've only just met, but so much has happened already, and you've worked so hard for these people. You can't leave them now. You have to wake up. I want to know you better and see what kind of adventure being with you is." Henry had spoken very quietly and calmly while wrapping the bandage around her head. Lotties breathing was even as was her pulse. Her color looked good and, as far as Henry could tell, nothing was broken. Those were all good things, now if she would just open her eyes. Minutes ticked by, but to Henry it felt like hours. Where were they with the doctor? Henry stood up and paced around the small room, but of course that didn't help. He sat back down just to stand up again and move to the window to watch for them from there. Then, after what seemed like a lifetime, Henry spotted Edward and a woman. That was definitely not the doctor. In a flash they were up the stairs and at the door. Henry ripped open the door with a look of malice on his face.

"My lord, before you say anything, the doctor was gone and only his wife was home. She is a healer and very trusted by the local people. The doctor and his wife usually work together." All the anger deflated out of Henry. Of course, Edward wouldn't bring an unqualified woman to help his mistress. Henry should have known better, but he was so worried about Lottie.

"I apologize, Edward. You know these people better than I do and, of course, you wouldn't do anything to jeopardize Lottie.I should've trusted you."

" You needn't apologize, my lord. I know how worried you are. Now let's get out of Mrs.Longbottom's way." Edward pulled Henry over to the small table and chairs in te corner of the room and poured him a glass of bourbon. Henry downed it in one gulp.

"Where is Arthur?"

"He went to sell the sword. We saw the earl while we were trying to find the doctor. Lottie wouldn't want to miss the delivery time. He said when he came back he was going to check on the horses once more."

"You're right, Lottie would be upset if the earl wasn't taken care of." Henry never took his eye off the healer as she went about her business. She was making a poultice of some kind and applying it to her gash. Then she pulled out a small bag of leaves and began brewing tea.

"What sort of tea are you brewing?" Asked Henry.

"It's a mixture of a few different herbs but mostly willow bark for the pain and chamomile to keep her calm. And i will leave some with you to give her throughout the night. It's very important that she gets it. It will speed her recovery."

"How do you know she will recover? I have seen many that didn't."

"She still shows signs of reaction. If she didn't react to anything at all while unconscious, then there would be no hope."

"You are certain of this?"

"Yes. I know you are worried about her, but I know what I am doing." Mrs. Longbottom walked over to him and placed the satchel of herbs in his hand.

"Make sure she takes it."

"Yes ma'am."

"I will return tomorrow morning to check on her. If anything changes between now and then, be sure to come get me." And with that Mrs.Longbottom left. A few moments later, Arthur came running into the room with something in his hand.

"Father!" He almost shouted, but remembered Lottie.

"What is it my boy?"

"While I was checking on the horses and getting them settled, I found this stuck on the neck of Lottie's horse." Arthur held his hand out for his father and Henry to see what he found.

"Is that what I think it is?" Asked Edward.

"Yes, I believe it is Edward. A dart."