Christmas Ghosts at the Priory by Fenella J Miller

Author:Fenella J Miller [Miller, Fenella J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-27T18:00:00+00:00

He came around to find himself stretched out on a bed of straw in an empty stable. His man was kneeling at his side.

'You stay put, my lord, I sent Bobby for the sledge. You've a nasty gash on your forehead from where you fell. I reckon you've got the concussion as well.'

'Is the door to the gatehouse locked?'

'It is, right and tight. There's something nasty living in there, sure enough. We never saw nothing but I felt it when I dragged you out.'

Garrick was finding it easier to breathe. There was a makeshift bandage around his head and he raised his hand to touch it. It came away stained red. He needed sutures in the injury. He hoped there was someone living here who could do this as no physician could be fetched with the snow so deep.

One thing was certain, his grandfather would never have arranged this union with Eloise if he'd known the true state of affairs at the Priory.

*

Eloise was admiring the garlands that had been stretched out across the floor in the orangery when a footman rushed in.

'Miss Eloise, his lordship has had an accident at the Priory and they are bringing him back on the sledge. He will require stitches in his wound.'

For a moment she was unable to comprehend what she'd just been told. Then her head cleared and she took charge.

'He's too large to convey upstairs to his apartment without mishap so we must prepare a place to put him in one of the smaller reception rooms.'

In her search for a music room she'd discovered several small chambers and, if she remembered correctly, one of them already had a daybed of sufficient length to accommodate him. She pushed aside her fears and concentrated on the task in hand.

Until that moment she had been unaware Garrick had gone out and she swallowed a lump in her throat. Bates, the housekeeper, arrived at her side.

'They are preparing what I'll need, miss, and I have instructed for them to be brought here to this chamber. I've stitched up many cuts and gashes over the past years but never treated anyone but servants and outside men.'

'His lordship will be pleased you're experienced in this matter. If you weren't, Polly would have had to sew him together.' This sounded so ridiculous they both smiled.

'The message from the stables said his lordship had stumbled in the snow and hit his head. He's not comatose so I don't think it can be anything too serious.'

'I can hear the sledge pulling up outside.' Eloise gestured for the housekeeper to go. 'I'll remain here – please assist in any way you can.'

Two maids were busy putting the linen on the daybed and a footman was rearranging the furniture to her satisfaction. A side table had been placed adjacent to the chaise longue ready for the items the housekeeper would need.

'Bring a jug of watered wine – make sure that it's warm.' The footman nodded and went to fetch what she'd asked for.

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