Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
“Well, everything looks much better, my lady. You have done exceptionally well, allowing yourself to heal.” Mr. Bennett commented in approval as he put away his tools.
Agnes sighed in relief and put her foot down, thankful that he was able to confirm what she had been telling the entire household for over a day now.
“It was not difficult – given that everyone seemed to be against my efforts to do anything other than sit or lay down,” she grumbled with a pout.
“It was all for the best, as you have healed up quite nicely. It seems you were in very good care.” The physician smiled at her kindly.
The lady thought about her caregivers and how they had been overly willing to shower her with attention and assistance and blushed as one particular person stood out amongst the others.
Silas had been an unexpected nurse during her time incapacitated.
After they had spoken about the issue over the saddle, he had produced a small container from his pocket and offered it up to her.
She had stared at the item and then at him in confusion, lips twitching in amusement when he sighed and said,
“For your ankle. It will help relieve some of the pain or discomfort.”
She shook her head and said, “I was already prescribed something for the pain. I’ll be fine –”
“Trust me, this will grant you relief faster.”
Reluctantly, she had nodded and held her hand out, expecting him to hand it over, surprised when he pulled his hand back and stated.
“Let me do it.”
“What?” she squawked, blushing deeply.
“I’ll apply it for you. If you will let me.”
She paused, not wanting to refuse his offer but unsure if she could stand him touching her. At the end of the day, she could not bring herself to say no, nodding again slowly. He nodded back and settled down at the foot of her bed next to her injured ankle.
“I’ll be gentle,” he promised, opening the container and coating a finger in the salve.
She closed her eyes and waited for a sting of pain, shivering when all that she felt was the cool substance that met her skin.
Cracking one eye open, she apprehensively watched him rub the ointment over her ankle in circles over the bruised and slightly swollen area.
His touch never faltered, but still, it remained consistent with the barest pressure, working over her skin with a gentleness she did not think he possessed.
When the area had been completely covered, she discovered that whatever it was that he had rubbed onto it had a numbing effect, and she could hardly feel any aches in that area.
“That’s… remarkable.”
“I know,” he muttered, covering up the container and putting it into his pocket. “I’ve used it before, and so I know just how well it works.”
She wanted to ask him why he had to use it, but he then rose and told her to get some more rest and left her alone, with her pounding heart and flustered thoughts as company.
He had come on the second day to repeat the same process and check on her well-being, asking her if there was anything she wished for or needed.
When she had mentioned a book, just to see what he would do, he had gone to the library himself and retrieved it.
His care and concern warmed her heart considerably, but she did her best not to show it or think too much of his actions, worried that he might disappoint her again.
She had gotten her recommended two days of rest and had even added another day to keep her guardians from fussing over her, and now that she was better, she had no reason to rely on him. Agnes felt relieved that she could return to her duties with Scar and finally –
“Aggie, darling!” Arms wrapped around her and pulled her close to an apple scent she knew all too well. “You are up and about again! How wonderful – and not a moment too soon!”
Agnes sighed at her godmother’s theatrics and prayed she would not regret asking what she was about to.
“Why do you think so?”
“Oh, Alexandra and I had been complaining about how hot the weather was for a few days, and today, we thought it would be a splendid idea to have a light brunch outside. And we wanted to bring you and the Duke along, as well – you know, the more, the merrier.”
Agnes knew her godmother well enough to understand that there were two points to this grand idea, the first being that there was definitely more to this outing than she was willing to reveal and the second relaying that although the offer had been given gently, Agnes’ attendance was mandatory and there was no room for refusal.
Still, like the brave young woman her father had taught her to be, she attempted to talk her way out of it.
“I do not think that would be a good idea, Godmother. You see –”
“We’ll be leaving in half an hour. If you wish, you can change into something more comfortable.” Lady Anna beamed at her and walked away.
Agnes watched her until she was out of sight, and then she sighed, praying to God that this outing ended as painlessly as possible.
“I said I had work to attend to,” Silas grumbled, doing his very best to mask his annoyance.
“And I heard you – all of the five times you mentioned it,” his grandmother smiled brightly as they walked towards the gazebo a little ways from the mansion, the pretty pale pink and baby blue structure sitting nicely on the luscious green grass.
“I’m sure it won't notice you are away for a single afternoon.”
“Grandmother –”
“Silas, save your breath. We have already arrived, and there is nothing that stubborn mouth of yours can say that will convince me to let you return – to your study of all places, goodness. So, smile and behave.”
There was a threat in that statement that told Silas it was really in his best interest to do as she wished, and he conceded, allowing her to pull him closer, inhaling sharply when he realized that Agnes and her godmother had already arrived and were waiting for them.
“Hello, dearest,” the Dowager Duchess smiled at her friend and kissed her cheek, turning to Agnes to do the same, her gaze softening as she said, “I am quite relieved to see that you are up and about again. We were all so worried about you.”
Agnes’ heart warmed at the soft words the older woman had said to her, and she reached out to hold her hand.
“I am so sorry to have worried you. I promise I am feeling much better.”
“You should have still added another day to your bed rest, just to be on the safe side,” Silas grumbled, reaching for a glass of cherry juice.
His grandmother kept her smile on her face as she reached out and pinched him, causing his face to contort in pain as he pursed his lips to keep himself from crying out. Agnes rolled her eyes and folded her arms.
“You would not have been satisfied unless I spent an entire month confined to my chambers. I am fine – and I need to resume training for Scar if he is to win the competition.”
“Scar will do fine, with or without your fussing. You should prioritize your well-being,” Silas stated, rubbing the sore spot on his arm.
Agnes snorted. “We have already lost three days of progress that would have been made. Perhaps you do not see its importance because you have done this several times before and have won, but this is my first time ever being associated with a horse competition. I want to make sure that I do everything in my power to ensure that the horse in my care comes in first place.”
“You are quite passionate about this,” the Dowager Duchess noted with a hint of amusement in her voice.
Lady Anna sighed in a resigned manner, eyeing her goddaughter in a judgmental way as she said, “It is because horses are involved. This child is nearly obsessed with the creatures. If she is not watched closely, she could live in a stable.”
“Oh, Silas has attempted to do that before. It did not bode well for him, and he returned after a single night spent in a stall.” Alexandra nodded as though she were sharing some devastating news.
Silas choked on his drink and began to cough, turning to his grandmother with wide eyes to beg her not to continue the tale. Agnes beat him to it, eagerly enquiring,
“What happened? However, did he come up with that idea?”
“You know how young boys are – always believing that they are capable of whatever it is they put their precious little hearts to.
It was just shortly after he had received Scar as a birthday gift.
He was so attached to the horse, desperate to spend his every waking hour with the creature, and one night, he announced over dinner that he, henceforth, would be dwelling in the stables.
His grandfather had nodded seriously and wished him good luck, and he had been so happy to gain his approval of the ridiculous idea.
I tried to convince him that it was a bad idea, but you know children and how stubborn they can be.
“And so I let my precious little man do what he wished. The next morning at breakfast, he appeared at the table, covered in bug bites, and his grandfather asked if he would be moving back into his chambers, and he said yes. We never heard a word about it again.”
Silas groaned, pressing his face into his hands. “Why must you hate me so?”
“That was a charming story. I would’ve never imagined that you would be so committed to something.” Agnes teased.
“If it is about horses, his world would light up over it,” Alexandra assured.
“Agnes is the very same,” Lady Anna added, then momentarily paused thoughtfully before speaking up again. “It is odd that you both have not decided to ride together. Perhaps you can share your equestrian knowledge.”
Agnes blinked, panicking as she waved her hands to dissuade her godmother from the idea. “No, that is not –”
“That is a wonderful idea, Annie. They should ride together.” The Dowager Duchess nodded in support, waving over a servant. “Tell Simon to fetch two horses from the stable and to bring them over to us so that the Duke and Lady Agnes can ride around for a bit.”
“Grandmother, please –”