Justins jaw tightened. He flicked his gaze upward to his wifes face and, though it was turned away into the shadows, a discolored swelling along the clean, firm line of her jaw was visible to him.
Those bruises were made by a mans hands, Mr. Randolph. A large mans hands.
Justin glanced at the doctor who had followed him into the room, then leaned forward and pulled the covers back over Elizabeths slender form. I am a large man, Doctor. He turned and faced the physician. Be done with innuendodo you accuse me?
For a moment the two men studied each other and then the doctor shook his head. No, Mr. Randolph, I do not. His voice was noticeably warmer. I confess that was my first thought,
but, having witnessed your reactions, I am now convinced it was not you that harmed your wife. He stepped forward and nodded toward the still figure on the bed. There is further evidence of mistreatment. Her right wrist is swollen and discolored, and there is a nasty lump on the back of her head.
He picked up his black bag and started for the door. Her right knee is badly bruised also, but I do not believe the injury is serious. He reached for the doorknob.
Doctor, wait!
Thaddeous Allen stopped and turned to look at Justin.
You havent told me what is to be done for her.
Only that. The physician gestured toward the bed. She needs rest. In these situations of cruel treatment I have often found there is great stress placed on the nerves and emotions. Unfortunately, we know little about such things. He glanced over at his patient and then returned his gaze to Justins hard, set face.
It has been my experience, Mr. Randolph, that when a person is subjected to treatment such as your wife has obviously suffered, it leaves a bruise on the soul that takes much longer to heal than the physical ones. You may need to give her a good deal of love and understanding to bring that healing about.
The doctor shifted his black bag to his other hand and pulled the door open. Good evening, Mr. Randolph. May God grant your wife a speedy recovery. The door closed with a soft click behind him.
Justin stared at the closed door. Love and understanding, indeed! He turned and looked down at the slight rise in the coverlet that was caused by Elizabeths body. One bruised, creamy-white shoulder was exposed to the cool night air. He walked to the bed, pulled the coverlet over her shoulder and gently tucked it under her swollen jaw. What had happened to her? Why had? Abruptly, he chopped off the thought, spun on his heel and strode to the door. He had been ensnared by compassion oncehe would not allow it to happen again. Never again!
The fire flared brightly in the draft as Justin yanked the door open and stepped into the hallway. It flickered wildly as he slammed the door closed again, then settled to a steady burn that warmed the room with soft golden light and lent radiance to the pale face of the young woman lying comatose on the bed as his angry footsteps faded away.
Chapter Five
Elizabeth jolted fully awake. Was she married to Reginald? A wave of sickening fear drove her lethargy away. She threw the covers aside and lunged to her feet, then halted as pain streaked through her body and the room started to spin. She groped wildly in the air for support and her hands closed on soft, warm flesh. A startled scream rose in her throat.
Here nowyou got up too quick-like. Small, work-roughened hands eased her gently back down onto the bed and smoothed her petticoats around her legs. There. Youll soon feel better. The dizziness will pass. Its only cause you stood so fast. The softness of a blanket brushed her chin as it was tucked around her shoulders. Elizabeths eyes prickled with hot tears. How could she escape with someone watching her? She drew a deep breath to quell the nausea that had accompanied the dizziness, and opened her eyes. They focused on a round face topped by gray hair. Shed never seen the woman before. Where am I?
Youre at the Wetherstone Inn. My husband owns it. The woman smiled. An a proper fright you gave him last night when Mr. Randolph come carryin you in. He thought thered been an accident.
Wetherstone Inn? Mr. Randolph? Who? Oh! Elizabeth bolted to a sitting position. The judge! And that strange marriage proposal. Yes. Yes! She had married a man named Randolph last night to escape Reginald andand what? Her heart fluttered wildly. She shut her eyes trying to remember. What had happened after the ceremony? Why was she here? And where was this Mr. Randolph now? She could vaguely remember him climbing into the carriage and thenthen nothing. Oooh!
What is it, dear? Are you feelin poorly? The woman gently brushed a clinging tendril of hair from Elizabeths temple. You lay back an rest. Ill go fetch Mr. Randolph an
No! The woman glanced at
her sharply and Elizabeth made a valiant effort to control her sudden panic. II mean, that wont be necessary. Im fine. Truly I am. The dizziness has passed. Its only that I cant seem to remember
Remember? The woman snorted the word. My stars, child, how would you remember? You were fainted dead away! Josiah said when he opened the door you were hangin across your husbands arms like a limp rag doll. An your Mr. Randolph, well the womans lips twitched with amusement Josiah says he was shoutin an stormin an hollerin for Josiah to help him. Hah! The snort was louder this time, and filled with lofty disdain. As if Josiah ever knew what to do about a woman. The woman chuckled gleefully. Oh, I wished Id a been there! Josiah says Mr. Randolph was in a proper broil. There aint nothin so helpless as a man with a sick woman on his hands.