Chapter Twenty-Three
The prisoners had been turned over to the constable, and while Flaherty was anxious about his wife, he needed to ensure that extra men would be guarding them. He asked the constable, “How soon can the prisoners be transported to London?”
Seamus answered for the man. “I’ve sent word to His Grace of the situation, and that I’m needed to help guard the transport wagon.”
“I’ve sent a missive to Coventry,” Tremayne added.
Relief smoothed over the worst of Flaherty’s concerns regarding Judson and his men. “Thank ye, but are ye certain ye can be gone that long from yer duties, Seamus?”
“Aye. Between our O’Malley cousins, and the added men we’ve recruited to double as guards when the situation arises, the earl and his family are well guarded.”
Flaherty nodded, and could not help but wonder if Seamus would be as confident in taking a detour to drop off prisoners had he still been stationed at Chattsworth Manor.
Obviously the stations being swapped between James Garahan and his brother Seamus had worked out well.
Flaherty could not begin to imagine what would have happened had Earl Lippincott, Coventry, and King not managed to convince the viscount to apologize to his eldest brother.
Seamus was the most stubborn of the Flahertys.
“Tremayne, I trust that Coventry will be amenable to yer taking a bit longer to arrive,” Flaherty said.
“Aye. The captain’s been hinting at something he and His Grace have been planning. Not quite certain of the details, though Coventry has mentioned that it involves Bayfield, Hennessey, Masterson, and myself.”
Flaherty glanced at his brothers, who by turns either shrugged or shook their head.
“If it involves the duke and the captain, it will end up involving the sixteen of us at some point or other. Until then, we will either be kept guessing…or see what our wives will be able to pry out of Miranda Coventry and Her Grace.”
Rory smiled at Dillon. “I’m thinking our wives would be up to the task, as they’re constantly sending letters to Wyndmere Hall and the duke’s other properties.”
Dillon sighed. “Me wife’s father has contacts in the War Office, though, as I married his daughter without asking his permission first—her safety was me priority—I’m thinking I’d best wait before asking him for any favors.”
Tremayne snorted with laughter. “The duke holds each of you men in high regard. Eventually your father-in-law will come around and realize he’s outgunned by your higher-ranking connections.”
Dillon shrugged. “I’d rather work me way onto his good side.”
Rory nodded. “I’m thinking a grandson may tip the scales in yer favor.”
Dillon blinked, then asked, “What if we have a daughter?”
Seamus clapped a hand to Dillon’s shoulder. “Ye’ll be blessed. Now then, Fenton is champing at the bit to get to Dr. Wolcock. Dillon, why don’t ye carry Nate? Rory, ye can take his ma.”
A few moments later the transfer was made, and the Flaherty brothers made their way to the physician’s cottage.
The doctor opened the door and stared at the men standing on the other side. He stepped back and motioned the Flahertys inside. “Set the lad over here on the chair by the fire.”
“Not without my mum,” the boy protested.
“Of course. It’s Mrs. Pritchard, is it not?”
“Aye, Dr. Wolcock, but we won’t need your assistance,” the woman replied. “I can take care of Nate if someone will take us home.”
“I’d feel better if the doctor tends to yer wounds, Mrs. Pritchard. There was trouble—me wife, Nate, and his ma were held against their will,” Flaherty explained to the doctor. “Their wrists are raw from their bonds.”
Dr. Wolcock glanced at the gathered men. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend your wake, Flaherty, and doubly glad that it was a ploy to rout out Judson and his men.”
“Ah, ye heard about that?” Flaherty asked.
“The whole village knows,” the physician confirmed. “How many men does the constable have guarding them?”
“Half a dozen,” Dillon answered.
“And which Flaherty brother are you?”
“Me name’s Dillon. I’m stationed at Summerfield Chase, guarding the duke’s sister and her husband.”
The doctor nodded as he washed his hands and set out the items he would need to take care of Nate and his mother. When he glanced up, Flaherty’s other brother said, “I’m Rory and am stationed at Wyndmere Hall.”
“Isn’t that in the Lake District?” Dr. Wolcock asked, then paused and frowned at Eileen. “Why didn’t you tell me you have a head injury?” He motioned for Flaherty to set her on a chair next to Mrs. Pritchard. Before Flaherty could speak up, the physician asked, “Did you fall?”
“She did not,” Flaherty murmured.
“I take it from your tone that she was struck. Where and how long ago?”
Flaherty’s heart began to pound at the clipped questions, and he wondered if he should have headed straight to the doctor upon rescuing Eileen. “She—”
“Mayhap a few hours?” his wife answered. “First I headbutted Selkirk, then was struck on the back of the head and the temple, when I lost consciousness.”
“How long were you unconscious?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know,” Eileen replied.
The physician nodded. “Was your vision blurry when you came to? Were you seeing double?”
“No and no,” she answered.
“Did you vomit?”
Flaherty watched a delicate blush color his wife’s cheeks and hoped her temper wasn’t on the rise.
“I’m thinking her head’s as hard as me own.
” Eileen’s soft laughter soothed a bit of his worry for her.
“I’m more than familiar with caring and treatment for head wounds, Dr. Wolcock, but would be grateful if ye’d confirm that ’tisn’t serious. ”
The doctor was examining Eileen’s eyes closely while peppering her with questions Flaherty hadn’t thought to ask. Thankfully, the lass wasn’t dizzy, and the pain wasn’t searing, but there was a dull throb where she’d been struck.
“A fortnight of rest will be among my instructions, which I expect to be followed to the letter, Flaherty.”
“Aye, Dr. Wolcock.”
“Now then, if you men would not mind lending your assistance, I could use another log or two on the fire, more water for the pitcher, and someone to tell Doonan his daughter is here.”
“I’m a married woman now, Dr. Wolcock,” Eileen said. “There is no need to bother my father.”
The doctor shook his head. “Just as stubborn as your father. If I do not tell him, and he catches wind that you have been carried here on horseback—”
The heavy knock on the door interrupted the physician. “Come in!” he called.
Doonan glared at Flaherty upon entering. “Not even one full day in your care and my daughter’s been injured? What happened to you protecting my daughter with your life, Flaherty?”
“This is not his fault,” Eileen insisted.
“It’s mine, Mr. Doonan,” Nate said as he rose from his seat. “The bad man—”
“Judson,” Eileen interrupted, “told poor Nate that he would kill him, and—”
“Do unspeakable things to me, Mr. Doonan,” Mrs. Pritchard said. “I am so sorry that this has happened. Judson used my son and me to lure Mrs. Flaherty away from the duke’s manor house.”
Doonan nodded, then glanced from his daughter to Flaherty and his brothers. “As I know you two were guarding Judson and Balfour, I cannot take me anger out of you, but your brother is another matter.”
“Do be quiet, Da,” Eileen said. “You’re making my head ache more than it already does.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I trusted Flaherty to protect you.”
“And I had to interrupt his first day married to yer daughter earlier this morning, because we needed his and O’Malley’s help when we got word from the constable that Selkirk and Talbot had escaped,” Dillon said.
“And yet those two managed to get away?” Doonan asked.
“Enough,” Dr. Wolcock said. “You’re upsetting my patients, when what they need is quiet and rest. If you cannot stop with the accusations—which are not helping the situation—then I’ll need you to leave.”
Doonan nodded, then turned to glare at Flaherty. “But I’m not apologizing.”
“That’s it, Iain. Dillon, show Doonan out,” Dr. Wolcock said.
“But—”
“You had your chance. I won’t have my sickroom turn into a courtroom, or worse—a donnybrook. I’ll speak to you later.”
Dillon motioned for Doonan to precede him out of the door.
“Thank ye,” Flaherty rasped. “I know I’ve failed in protecting ye, lass,” he told Eileen. “But it won’t ever happen again.”
“Fenton, you did not fail. There are times when our plans are upended by those who have bad intentions toward us and evil on their minds.” She turned to Nate.
“You are so brave. You did your utmost to protect your mother. No one should have to be put in the position you were, making a choice about protecting someone they love, knowing it could mean harm to another.”
“Then you aren’t mad at me?” the boy asked.
“I’m proud of you,” Eileen answered.
“I am too,” Flaherty added. “For the way ye stepped in front of yer ma when I questioned ye in the cave. Me wife has the right of it—ye’re brave, Nate.” He nodded to Mrs. Pritchard. “Ye’re raising a fine boy. If ye need anything, all ye have to do is ask, and I’ll see ye receive it.”
“Thank you, Mr. Flaherty, but I’m certain we will be fine.”
“Just Flaherty,” he told her. “Don’t let yer pride get in the way if ye need help.”
“She won’t,” Nate answered for his mother.
“There’s a lad,” Flaherty said.
A short while later, their wounds had been inspected, treated, and wrapped. “We’ll follow ye to the manor house,” Rory said as he bent to gather Nate’s mother in his arms.
“Thank you for your assistance today, Rory,” Mrs. Pritchard said, stepping just out of his reach. “And you, Dillon. Come, Nate.” She stood and held out her hand. “Time to go home.”
“Ye’re coming with us,” Flaherty told her. “Ye’ll be safe at the manor house, and I know Eileen and Mollie would enjoy the company.”
“We cannot stay at the duke’s estate,” she protested.