The Duke had carried Arabella to her chambers. He and the Abbess stayed with her as the doctor removed the bullet and stitched up the wound. Arabella awoke once, however she fainted again while the doctor was removing the bullet. Now she was tossing and turning from the fever that ravaged her body. Her body writhed about in pain as she cried out several times. Alexander felt helpless, he couldn't do anything for her but hold her hand and whisper comfort. He would have given anything to take away her pain. He fell asleep in the chair next to her, his head laid upon the bed, her hand still in his.
It was early morning when the fever finally subsided. She layed there so peacefully now. The rosy color was starting to return in her cheeks and she was no longer crying out in pain. He sat there next to the bed watching her. She looked so beautiful, so angelic. He was starting to care for her, in fact he believed he was falling in love with her. It sounded crazy because he hardly knew her, in fact he knew very little about her. However, when she was lying there on the brink of death, he realized he didn't want to lose her. His heart belonged to her now. He has the deepest need to protect her.
He had to get to the bottom of this, he had to find who was trying to kill his sweet Arabella. His Arabella? Well she was, he thought angrily, and nobody was going to harm her again. At least not as long as he had breath in his lungs, of that he was certain. He got up from the chair, kissed Arabella on the forehead and went to find Marcus.
Alexander found Marcus in the front parlour of the Abbey. He was pacing up and down the length of the room, he stopped when he saw the Duke.
"Your Grace," he bowed. "How is lady Arabella?"
"She's finally out of the woods, the fever finally subsided. The doctor said she was lucky. Thankfully the bullet didn't strike any main arteries. Did your men find the man responsible for this?" Asked the Duke.
"I'm sorry your Grace, he eluded my men once again. I did get a chance to question Jemmy after he ate and had time to rest. The child is very resourceful, and brave. He was more concerned for Arabellas safety than his own. I'm sure he will be happy to know She will be alright. However, what he had to tell me was quite disturbing, your Grace."
"Please, call me Alexander, Marcus. I consider you a friend now."
"I would be honored, I have come to consider you a friend as well," replied Marcus.
Alexander poured them both a glass of port and gestured for Marcus to take a seat. He sat himself down in the chair opposite of Marcus. "Please tell me what you have learned."
"Well," started Marcus. "We searched the shack he kept Jemmy in, inside and out. We found nothing of any significance though I'm afraid. We did retrieve a knife with some sort of design on it, but no intials or any clue to tell us who our gentleman kidnapper is."
"What do you mean by gentleman?" Asked the Duke.
"It appears your Gra..Marcus corrected himself, Alexander, that our villian is a man of good breeding. According to Jemmy he was a gentleman. He said that the man was dressed like a nob, and spoke like one as well."
"I'm not really suprised," said the Duke. "I myself was thinking it was someone from the upper class. Someone that will inherit if Arabella doesn't return to society."
"Was Jemmy able to give you a description of the man?"
"Yes, a rather good one in fact. He said he was a tall, older man with sand colored hair, and blue eyes. There was something else that Jemmy said, that I found rather interesting. He said the man kept mumbling something about getting back to France, and that he was running out of time."
"Does that mean anything to you?" Asked Marcus.
"France? Are you certain he said France, Marcus?"
"Quite Positive. I asked him twice to repeat it. I had assumed Arabella was born in England though. What puzzles me, is how does a child from France end up being raised in an Abbey, as an orphan?"
"Good question," replied Alexander. I believe we need to have a chat with the Abbess. After we get some answers Marcus, there may be another party to speak with."
What was even more intriguing, thought Alexander, was that at this very moment, the other party was now visiting Asterley Park. One person in particular stood out in his mind.
Alexander and Marcus left the parlour and headed to Arabellas room. Abbess Helen had some explaining to do, and many questions to answer. Alexander didn't believe in coincidence.
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