“I don’t feel fortunate.”
“It will be all right.” Valentine smoothed Julia’s hair from her damp face. His concern was sweet; a reminder that her brother wasn’t afraid to show how much he cared.
“You’ll be fine in no time,” he promised. “I’ve seen this done before and every patient made a full recovery. Isn’t that correct, Mr. George?”
“Indeed they have.” The rumble of Walter’s voice against her face had the immediate affect of calming her panic. She turned her face toward Julia.
“No limit of movement whatsoever afterward,” Rigby crowed as he moved around her sister-in-law. “You’ll have no trouble holding your babies when they come.”
The mention of babies brought a smile at last to Julia’s face. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Mr. Rigby and Valentine moved into positions to reset the bone. Melanie turned her face into Walter’s chest as a sickening crunch filled her ears.
Walter squeezed her tightly. “She’s fainted.”
Unwilling to move, Melanie clung to Walter a little longer. He drew circles on her back and pressed a kiss to her hair. “The worst is over.”
“Best get her up to bed and comfortable before she wakes from her faint,” the apothecary suggested.
Walter set Melanie aside as Valentine lifted Julia into his arms. She did not stir and, with Walter’s guidance, he removed his unconscious wife upstairs to their bedchamber.
Melanie drew in a steadying breath then faced Mr. Rigby. “Thank you, sir.”
“It is my pleasure.” He glanced at her curiously. “I thought you were made of sterner stuff.”
Melanie shook her head quickly. “I never know what to do.”
“Best remember to send for me when you have a need then. I was expecting you to faint.” He collected his bag. “I’d best be on my way, but I will return tomorrow to check how she’s doing.”
As soon as Rigby went out, Linus Radley appeared on the front step, his eyes wild. “I came as soon as I heard. What has happened to my sister?”
“A fall.” They had not spoken since she’d refused him, but she could not deny him the chance to comfort his sister at a time like this. “They say she will recover, Mr. Radley. Valentine is just settling her into bed upstairs.”
She gestured for him to enter. He held his hat awkwardly and stared at her. Melanie took his hat just as Walter returned. “Radley,” he said in a tone that was both cautious and belligerent.
“George. I’ve come to see my sister.”
“Upstairs to the right. She was just coming round as I took my leave.”
Radley took the stairs two at a time in his hurry.
Alone at last, Melanie locked the front door and pressed her head against the wood. She should have done something for Julia, but as always, her fear prevented her from acting.
“Mellie?”
She flew into Walter’s arms and hugged him tight. “I should have helped.”
“No. She is Valentine’s wife. It is for him to fret and worry and comfort her when she is sick or afraid.” Walter cupped her face. “Just as I comforted you.”
He bent his head and kissed her brow.
Melanie curled her fingers into his lapels. He was more of a comfort to her now than he would ever realize. Even she had not understood until this moment how much she’d come to rely on him. He drew her into the parlor and pressed her into the chaise. When he took a place beside her and caught up her hand, she clung to him.
He shifted closer. “I expect this will curtail Julia’s adventurous nature for a while.”
“She’s never been hurt before.” Melanie bit her lip. “The odd scraped knee, but never like this.”
“No. She has been very lucky. I hope this misadventure will put an end to her escapist tendencies.”