Chapter Nineteen

P atience wrung out the cloth in the basin filled with cool water and placed it over Asher's forehead. He had been burning up with a fever for the past several days. In his delirium, he constantly called out her name and she took some comfort knowing he wanted her by his side. Thankfully, his fever had broken, but she would continue to worry over his health until he finally opened her eyes. In the meantime, she constantly sent a prayer to the heavens in between her acts of care for the man she loved.

Dr. Thornberry inspected the wound at Asher's side and replaced the bandage. Wiping his hands on a towel, he took off his spectacles and stood. "You saved this man's life with your quick thinking, Mrs. Moore. Most ladies wouldn't have ruined a petticoat to use as a makeshift bandage."

Patience ran her fingers down Asher's cheek. "I couldn't allow the man I love to bleed to death, Doctor. The clothing can be replaced but Lord Rowley cannot."

"Your compassion toward your patient is to be commended, Mrs. Moore. I was right to hire you for my practice when Mrs. Dove-Lyon made the suggestion. I'd be honored if you'd consider staying on. I could use the extra help," Dr. Thornberry said with a hopeful gaze in his eyes.

"I'll have to discuss the matter with Lord Rowley. Since we have come to an understanding, I'm not certain he would wish me to continue to work," Patience replied, although the thought of continuing to remain helpful to the doctor held some appeal.

"Just so you know the offer stands, Mrs. Moore. You're welcome to work for me at any time or for however many hours during the week you might be available."

Patience nodded. "Thank you for the consideration, Dr. Thornberry. I'll send word as to my decision as soon as I'm able." She bit her lower lip while her eyes returned to Asher laying pale on the bed. "When will he wake?"

"You know as well as I do that these things happen in their own time, but I have a feeling he'll be up dancing a lively quadrille with you in no time. Just give him a chance to recuperate," he said in an encouraging tone. "You know where to find me if you need further assistance. Otherwise, I'll be back in a week to see how his wound is healing."

"Thank you for all you've done for him, Doctor," Patience replied as she escorted the man to the door.

Patience returned back to her patient to once again take the cloth from Asher's forehead and dunk it in the basin of water. Once it was replaced, she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. When she opened her eyes, she was pleasantly surprised to see he was staring at her with a smile.

"I think I must be dreaming," Asher said before reaching to take her hand.

"You gave us all quite the fright, my love," Patience replied as she studied his features as though to memorize them. Bending forward, she pressed her lips lightly on his own. "You still have a slight fever, but Dr. Thornberry says you'll recover in no time. Do you remember what happened to you?"

His brow furrowed before he raised his hand to the back of his head. "I remember leaving the Lyon's Den and then being hit over the back of my head."

Patience nodded. "That would explain the wound you have. But what happened next? Dr. Thornberry told us you looked like someone had beaten you… prior to stabbing you with a knife, that is."

"Us? Who else knows of what happened to me?" Asher struggled to sit up, frowning when he was unable to accomplish it. "I feel as weak as a newborn kitten," Asher complained before he asked for some water. Patience helped him sit up and held the glass to his lips.

"Cassandra, of course. You're at her house. Your friends the Marquis of Saxon and Wickes have both inquired here as to your health, along with the Earl of Blackthorn, your mother, and your brother," Patience began but looked at him sheepishly trying to find the words to continue.

"Bloody Hell… what are you not telling me?" Asher asked and Patience knew he wasn't going to like her answer.

Patience patted her hair into place before she blurted out the news. "The incident was reported in the Teatime Tattler on the front page, I'm afraid. Naturally I was seen helping get you into the carriage outside the Lyon's Den. They reported you were too drunk to make it home. They didn't bother to recount that Cassandra was also there, so we were chaperoned the whole time."

A groan left him. "So basically, all of Society is talking about us over their morning tea," he proclaimed in frustration.

"Yes, and since you haven't been seen leaving, they are reporting the worst-case scenario," Patience answered him softly.

"Let me guess… I've been taking advantage of you and your reputation is now in tatters," Asher said with a worried frown.

"I've been through worse," Patience said trying to reassure the man she loved that everything would be okay. "I don't care about any of that, Asher. It's not important."

"It's important to me," Asher proclaimed squeezing her hand.

"We can worry about my reputation another day, darling," Patience answered before addressing her true concerns. "The constable has been here daily hoping you would wake up so you can give him details of your attacker. Do you remember anything else?"

Asher rubbed his hands over his eyes and then leaned his head back on the pillows. "There were several who grabbed me and took me into the alleyway between the buildings… not the side with the entrance for the ladies," he began as he appeared to concentrate on the past events.

"It's very dark on that side of the house, isn't it?" she asked with worry.

"Yes, but I barely noticed considering the beating they were giving me once they hauled me there."

"Was one of those assailants the one who stuck you with the knife?"

He placed his hand on his forehead before he swore and then apologized for his outburst. "I'm sorry… I just can't remember what happened after that or who stabbed me."

She caressed his cheek. "Don't fret over the details for now. It will come back to you."

"You seem so certain," he replied in a hushed whisper, and she could see that he had just about exhausted whatever energy he had to give.

"I am certain, just as I am certain that I'm not leaving your side," Patience exclaimed giving him an encouraging smile.

"Considering Society will be saying a simple carriage ride is what made our marriage, I think it's safe to say you're now stuck with me, Persephone," he teased giving her a taste of his old self.

"In this world or the next, I will always be happy to be with you, Hades," she said placing another kiss on his lips. "Now, rest, my darling, and sleep well knowing I'm watching over you."

He closed his weary eyes and Patience, true to her word, continued her vigilant care of the man she adored. She could only pray Asher would remember who tried to kill him. Until the assailant was apprehended, no one was safe.