The Spy Who Loved Her: Once Upon an Accident, Book 3 by Melissa Schroeder

his mother’s voice. “No. He was stabbed. Jack, if that is the brute carrying him, pulled it out and the bleeding has stopped.”
    She paused as Jack carried him up the stairs to the front door. With each step, the ache in his shoulder burned, a spark of pain shooting through his body. It took all his energy to keep himself from losing the contents of his stomach right there.
    “Stabbed?” His mother’s voice had risen, desperation threading her tone. “Bloody hell. Get him inside.”
    “Lady Adelaide, you need to step aside for us to do that.” Anna said the words firmly, but he could hear the compassion beneath it.
    “Of course. Higgens, call Doctor Timms.”
    “Oh, and we will need some good cloths and warm water.”
    He would not have Anna in his sick room. He would not lose his dignity. It was bad enough how he had embarrassed himself in front of her already. He lifted his head to tell her just that but his vision faded again and he felt himself slip under.
     
    “Thank goodness he passed out again,” Anna said.
    Lady Adelaide sighed as Jack removed Daniel’s shirt. “I am just glad you were there when this happened. Who knows what would have happened.”
    “We would have taken care of him just fine,” Jack said.
    She glanced at the man who was a strange companion for Daniel to be sure. He wore simple clothes, his demeanor was as if he worked for the Bridgertons, but she did not recognize him. He was small in stature and had a face that was quite unpleasant to look upon. His gaze moved from side to side as if he were waiting for the next attack.
    When he pulled the fabric free of Daniel’s body, she gasped. Bruises marred his flesh, bright purple and yellow over his torso. They were at least a few days old.
    “What in the world happened to him?”
    “Oh, you know boys.” Lady Adelaide sounded as if she were trying to avoid the conversation.
    “Yes, but he is a bit past the point of being a boy, is he not?” Anger surged at the complacency in the room. It was as if his mother did not care. What in heaven’s name was going on? She picked up the cloth and dipped it in the warm water.
    “It is decidedly odd because I have never known Daniel to be into that part of town.”
    “I am sure that he had a reason to be there.” Lady Adelaide sounded even more distant than before.
    She wanted to argue with her, but the older woman’s position, and the fact she was a friend of her mother’s kept Anna from doing that. She pressed a cloth gently around the wound to clean it.
    “It does not look all that bad. In fact, it isn’t that bad at all. A good stitching is all it needs.”
    “I am glad to hear your analysis, young woman, but I am sure that Lady Adelaide would like to hear from a doctor.”
    She glanced up at the older gentleman who came into the room. She recognized him immediately. “Dr. Timms. I am sure you are sick of seeing me.”
    “Lady Anna?”
    “Yes. I was checking on the children tonight. We had another one come down with fever, but he is doing just fine. Nothing too high.”
    He smiled as he came toward her. He was her favorite physician to use and although she knew he only did it because of her position, she truthfully didn’t care. He showed a respect for the boys that most doctors did not.
    “Ah, well I am here. I will be happy to take over.”
    She frowned at him, not wanting to leave Daniel. She glanced back down at him, worried about the pallor of his skin. Anna looked up and opened her mouth but Lady Adelaide stopped her.
    “Oh my goodness. Look at your dress.”
    Anna looked down and saw the smudges of dirt and blood on her ball gown.
    “Oh, I really hate to see that. Your mother will be wondering what happened.” She moved around the bed. “Whatever will you tell her?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I would hate for anyone to find out about Daniel. Do you think you could…”
    She glanced at the man in question and without hesitation said, “Do not worry, Lady