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fallen with them. It looked like he was dividing it into trash and what might still be useful. Eddie pushed
himself upright.
 I ll go help Neville, he said.
Jenny went back to check on Rashid. He hadn t regained consciousness, but his breathing had become
more regular. Again she sniffed his lips, found his breath as sweet as that of any young creature. For the
first time, she was conscious of him as a young man, and was glad the candlelight hid her blush.
 See if you can get Rashid to swallow a little water, Jenny suggested to Stephen.  Just a little. We don t
want to choke him. Later, if he needs a stimulant, we ll give him a bit of whiskey.
By way of reply, Stephen reached for his canteen. Reluctant to go to where Captain Brentworth hovered
over Lady Cheshire, Jenny paused.
 Do you need anything, Stephen? I have some powders that will help with stiffness and pains.
 Later, he said.  After all, if we can t find a way out of here, my bruises will hardly matter, will they?
Jenny had been trying very hard not to think about how trapped they were. She hadn t inspected their
prison, but from what she could see, they were at the bottom of a very deep well, its sides cut from the
living rock.
 Take it anyhow, she said, offering a dose on a folded slip of paper.  If we do find a way out, those of
us who are sound are going to need to give everything we have.
Then, her own words a rebuke in her ears, Jenny crossed over to Brentworth and Cheshire.
 Captain Brentworth, Lady Cheshire, Jenny greeted them, taking refuge in formality that was surely
absurd considering the situation.  Are you injured?
Captain Brentworth shook his head.
 Just banged up a bit, scraped on the sand. Audrey, though . . . She s bleeding terribly.
Lady Cheshire s skin looked very white in the candle light.
 I seem to have a bad cut along my arm, she admitted,  and to have banged my head rather hard. It
aches terribly. How is Sarah? And Rashid?
Jenny reached for the arm Lady Cheshire held so guardedly, feeling the other woman fight the impulse to
pull it back.
 Not well, Jenny replied, knowing she was being cruel, but unable to stop herself.  Rashid won t wake,
and Mrs. Syms has lost her mind. She also broke her collarbone in the fall. She seems to believe she is in
England, and keeps talking to someone named Nathan.
 Her late husband, Lady Cheshire said softly.  Poor woman. Wrap my wrist up, won t you, and I ll see
what I can do.
 You ll do her no favors bringing her back to this, Jenny said, indicating their prison with a toss of her
head.  Perhaps now that I m here to hold your hand, Captain Brentworth could help Uncle Neville check
our situation.
Captain Brentworth drew himself up, then let out his breath in a great, gusty sigh. Jenny thought he was
probably in more pain than he was admitting, but was being strong for Lady Cheshire. That would
probably be better than any medicine she could give him.
 Quite right. I ought not need to be told my duty by a slip of a girl. If you will excuse me, Lady
Cheshire?
 Of course, Robert.
Lady Cheshire turned her head to watch him go, or perhaps merely to keep from watching Jenny work
on her wounded arm. The skin was badly abraded, and needed to be daubed with water and alcohol
before it was wrapped.
 You re lucky not to have a break, Jenny said. Then she forced herself to be kinder.  We re all lucky.
The sand isn t soft, but it gave a little when stone would not have done so.
 Rashid is the only one still unconscious? Lady Cheshire asked.  Good. And everyone can walk?
 Uncle Neville s ankle is swollen again, Jenny said,  but he can manage with someone to lean on. We
may even be able to rig a crutch, if he didn t bring his other one into the chamber.
 Other one?
 He twisted the ankle earlier, Jenny said,  trying to find water. Stephen nearly died from dehydration.
We didn t have your advantages.
Lady Cheshire neither acknowledged, nor ignored the rebuke.
 I am certain that is so, she said.
 Jenny, Stephen called.  Rashid is coming around.
 I m almost done here, Jenny said.  Don t let him move until I ve had a chance to check him over.
She hurried then, her animosity forgotten in this new demand for her skills.  There, she said, finishing the
bandage on Lady Cheshire s arm.  I can give you a stronger dose that will deaden the pain, but it will
make you sleepy, or I can give you a weaker powder that will blunt the edge of the pain, but not take it
away.
 The weaker powder, please, Lady Cheshire said.  I think I should have my wits about me . . . for
dealing with Sarah.
Jenny wasn t sure that was what the other woman had meant, but she was willing to let the matter go. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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