As Charlotte was mixing, she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Danielle, one of the many kitchen servants who worked at the manor and one of her friends. "You're up early, this is a first" she teased, shaking her blond braid. Charlotte nodded.
"Slipped up in front of the Master, I dropped a bowl in front of Miss Emilie and later told her that Master Percy was in the cellar. He hauled me to his office where he keeps that awful whip, just smacking it against the side of his hand and lecturing me. I thought he was going to have me drawn and quartered, but he cut my pay and confined me to the house" she said. Danielle gave her a sympathetic look.
"Dropping a bowl is silly but usually not something he gets that angry about. Hard luck, most unfair. How's Miss Emilie doing?" she leaned in, in a soft tone. Charlotte shook her head.
"Lordship said if any gossip went out, especially about her, he'd blame me. I am not getting him angry again" she said, mixing furiously.
"Come on, I won't tell anyone, I promise" Danielle begged. Charlotte smiled.
"She's all beaten up, swollen. She was carried in by some young lord, not Percy. Her clothes were ripped off; all she had was her shift and bloomers. I helped her change, put her into fresh undergarments and a dressing gown. She had huge bruises on her, as if she had been kicked and punched. She's also hysterical, every little noise makes her cry, I dropped a bowl and she acted like the house was burning. She is panic-stricken half the time; she had to be drugged to keep her quiet. She even called for her dead mother, poor little lamb" Charlotte said, feeling more important. Danielle grinned.
"It sounds like she's turning out like her sister, a pity, it only happens to the nice ones" she said in a tone that indicated how little pity she had. Charlotte nodded.
"Today's your free day, isn't it? Why are you still here?" Charlotte asked, noting Danielle was still in uniform. The girl smiled again.
"Well, I need a favor. My day is today but I need to go in two weeks to my sister Louise's wedding. Your day works out perfectly, I am begging you to let me go that day. I'll switch with you, I'll take your day and you can have some fun. It's not like you were going to be able to see your family anyway, you'll see them in three months for your next day off" she wheedled. Charlotte laughed and nodded.
"You'll take all my chores though, well, goodbye!" she said as she ran off. Within a few moments, she was out of the house. She was going to enjoy the day, she knew she was.
Danielle nodded and finished making the breakfast. She didn't remember her promise not to breathe a word to anyone and by the time the food was cool enough to eat, half the house knew how sick Miss Emilie was. "Did you hear Miss Emilie was carried in by some lord barely dressed?" she said to every eager ear. "She was raving, had to be sedated" she said to another audience. "She called for her dead mother" spread the rumors. "Bruised and beaten, all alone, who knows what happened?" came the last damning bit. She began working on some other work, forgetting to get Miss Emilie's breakfast. As she walked past, she called to Dessau. "I'll be replacing Charlotte today, if anyone asks for her" she said, going to clean the bedrooms upstairs. She decided to begin with the young mistress�s room, but when she stepped into the room, she found the lifeless bloody form that was the Lady Emilie. Danielle stumbled backward and screamed. She continued screaming as she ran out of the room.
Blakeney heard a scream from Emilie's room and saw a maid dash out and run right into him in her efforts to flee. He shook her, shouting, "Stop screaming, girl! Get a hold of yourself!"
Danielle looked up at him terrified. "...blood..." she squeaked. Blakeney shoved her aside and dashed into the room, seeing Emilie's crumpled form on the floor and blood all around. "Get the bloody doctor, girl!" He yelled at Danielle and picked Emilie up off the floor and laid her on the bed. "Oh, Emilie! I'm so sorry! Emilie, are you all right!" Guilt and grief welled up in him.
Danielle was shocked by the sight of Emilie's broken bloody form on the floor and terrified when she ran into Lord Blakeney, who appeared like the devil himself and shook her mercilessly. Moments later he was shouting her to get the doctor which she did, after telling everyone she met that Emilie had been murdered. She reappeared with the doctor several minutes later, flushed and excited. Charlotte had been having all the fun up here, and now Danielle was getting a juicy taste of it. The lord of the house was bent over Emilie and the young master was no where in sight. She wondered if Percy had done his aunt in.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Andre had not been fool to storm into the house, when he reach the landing he tied his steed to the rail of the steps leading to the front door, grabbed the package that had been intended for that household. And hurried up the steps hoping for the goddess of luck to present him an opportunity. He knocked on the door prepared for any reception; if necessary he would press the manner of the bill to gain access.
Dessau, who had been frozen by the scream on the foyer, shortly thereafter heard a knock at the door and went to answer in a daze. There stood a boy with parcels under his arm and before he could say a word, Percy dashed up the steps behind Andre and pushed his way past them both, knocking Dessau over. Andre helped Dessau to his feet as the later stared up after Percy. Using the opportunity, Andre said, "I have been ordered to speak with the lord of your household." Dessau showed Andre to the parlor, at least this would allow him to stay here so that he could determine what was happening. Andre stood in the parlor clutching the parcels, and listening, after some time he heard footsteps outside and a distinctly female call softly, "Ester! Ester!" with the answer, "What�s going on, Danielle? I thought I heard you scream." in response. "Lady Emilie is upstairs, nearly murdered! I've been sent for the doctor!" The fainted as they moved away. Murdered? Andre though. If only he could get upstairs.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Upstairs, Lord Blakeney sat by Emilie�s side, trying to clean up the blood from her face with his kerchief and waiting for the doctor. Tears pressed at the back of his eyes. When Percy arrived, Blakeney hardly took note of him, not seeing the sweat or grass stains on the boys clothes. For all he knew Percy has just returned from his room. �The doctor is coming,� he said, but if it was meant for Percy or Emilie it was difficult to say.
"But he's not getting here fast enough!" The fifteen year old croaked out, swallowing back his fear. "Be right back, don't MOVE." He commanded his father, darting out of the room, momentarily. Soon, Percy returned with a basin and cloth, hoping to at least ease the pain somewhat until the doctor arrived. "There are rumors flying everywhere, father. You don't even want to know half of what I've heard just being downstairs for two seconds." Percy threw a glare at his father but not before he began sponging Emilie's face down with the cloth- just the act kept him calm for his father and the rest of the household who were seemingly in a panic. "Any ideas of what might have happened or why?"
Blakeney said nothing to this question, he continued to hold Emilie's hand and watch Percy swab her head. He was cold with shock and fear of the consequences of his actions. Moments later the doctor arrived behind Danielle and Dessau followed behind them, looking for an opportunity tell Blakeney about the boy in the parlor. The doctor stood looking around the room, saw Emilie, the pool of blood on the floor and the drops on the bureau near it. He took a seat beside Emilie and began to ply his trade, dismissing all Danielle, whom he instructed to aid him and change the patient's bloody stained clothes.
Blakeney bit his thumb and looked at Dessau, "When the doctor is finished, have a maid in there to clean up that mess and have Charlotte come up to tend to Lady Emilie immediately."
"Yes, sir," Dessau replied, with a slight pause, he hadn't seen Charlotte all day. "And sir, there is a young in the parlor waiting for you."
Blakeney wondered if Cristof had returned, what would his reaction be if he knew what had happened? Blakeney motioned for his son to follow him as he descended the stair on the way to the parlor. "What humor have been circulating?" Blakeney asked his son. He know his little talk with Charlotte would have put an end to that.
Cold, very cold. Something was touching her, it was cold. Where was she? When Emilie had been a very little girl, she had once been swept under a wave. She remembered feeling black weightlessness, just like she felt now. She tried to remember, what happened? Someone tall, very tall. She remembered feeling small, helpless. "I am sorry, sir" she thought. She just couldn't remember anything, her head hurt. She opened her eyes and saw the doctor's eyes standing over her, sponging her head. She tried to speak and after breathing a bit she managed to stammer out. "What...happened, doctor?" She just remembered feeling horrible about herself.
The doctor put a restraining hand on Emilie to prevent her from possibly sitting up, "I was hoping you could shed some light on that, Lady," the doctor said in a low comforting voice. "It looks like you hit you're head. Would you like for me to call Lord Blakeney?"
Emilie was prevented from sitting up. Lord Blakeney, did she want him to come? She didn't know, she couldn't piece anything together. "I...don't know, my head hurts. Did I hit my head? I think so. Yes, I...fell...I think, I can't be sure" she said quietly. Everything seemed so hazy. She noticed her clothes had changed and the maid near her was holding bloody clothes. "Lord Blakeney?..." she said, confused. She couldn't put her finger on any thought. She knew who he was, she just couldn't get her thoughts together. She looked up at the doctor with tears in her eyes. "Everything is a blur, I am so afraid, what's happened? Everything is familiar but I can't seem to..." she said, starting to sob. Danielle watched wide eyed as Lady Emilie began to cry. The girl couldn't remember her own family, she was mad! She grinned and hoped she could get out soon, she had so much to tell.
The doctor frowned at this response and frowned even more when he saw the grin on Danielle's face, "Go fetch, Lord Blakeney!" he commanded. Perhaps the site of her brother-in-law would be sufficient to jog her memory.
Danielle nearly skipped out of the door, such was her excitement. She skipped down the stairs and assumed a more solemn _expression as she approached the parlor, where she spied Lord Blakeney and Percy talking before the door of the parlor. She cleared her throat walked up to them and curtsied, saying "Lady Emilie is awake, milord. The doctor is asking you to come."
Blakeney felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead and folded his hands behind his back to conceal their shaking. He nodded and dashed up the stairs, with Danielle following at his heels. She had to know who the attempted murderer was.
Emilie wanted to sit up, to look around the room but the doctor kept his hand on her head, making her stay down. She didn't try and fight, her whole body hurt. Scraps of memory floated around in her head. "Yes, my dear, punished. I've been too lenient with the both of you," she remembered someone say, a hard cold voice, she remembered being afraid. A crash, yes, a crash, there was a crash, but it was not her, something broke. What broke, was it a plate, no something she loved. "I have treated you like a daughter, and you act out like this, try and manipulate me?" She didn't remember why, what had she done? "If you know what's go for you, you'll not make a peep, hear?" a voice said. Emilie was confused, she didn't know what had happened. "It's no wonder your parents sent you to me. Well, things are going to change." The voice had said to her. Her parents? Who were they? "If you don't quiet down I'll break your little neck!". "No, what happened? I...can't remember" she muttered and just then Lord Blakeney walked in. It was him, he was the tall person standing over her! He was the one who yelled at her! The events of the morning finally slid into place with a sickening thud. Everything, every painful word he had said to her ripped into her again. Everything had been her fault, she was the girl no one wanted. Even her own father hated her. She felt so alone and vulnerable, especially since the person with all the power who also had just threw her into the vanity table was standing in her room. Emilie closed her eyes and shivered into her bed, clearly afraid of him. She wanted to say so many things but all she could manage to stammer out was "Sir, I'm sorry" in a fearful tone and wait for him to come over. She was sure he'd drag her out of bed and into the basement but she almost didn't care. Emilie was just exhausted now, the last three days made her feel weak and at that moment, she just wanted...comfort.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Inside the parlor, Andre concentrated all his attention on the low voices just outside the door, straining his hearing to grasp as much as possible. A man's voice asked about humors, later a woman said that Emilie was awake, that a doctor was with her and identified one of the voices as that of a "milord", most likely Lord Blakeney himself. He heard the steady pound of footfalls fading into the distance. That left one more just outside, was it Percy or Dessau or someone else? He wondered what he should do... should he investigate? If he did he would most likely be whipped... but what should he do?
Lord Blakeney had paled in Emilie's presence, what would she say? What if she mentioned what he had done, would the doctor see it as an accident. All she said was, "Sir, I'm sorry," in a fearful timid tone. He sat down beside her, slightly more relieved.
"No need to apologize now, Emilie," he said, taking her hand in his. "Just get some rest." The doctor carefully watched the situation as a detective might a crime scene, he feared that accident happened to often in the Blakeney household.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Downstairs, Andre continued to stand listening, this inaction was unbearable. Moments later Dessau reentered, "His lordship will see you momentarily."
Andre seized upon the situation, "Is Lady Emilie in? There is a package that I am to deliver to her personally..." Andre saw Dessau's lips tighten. "... and I just heard one of your maids say that a woman was murdered."
Dessau stiffened, "There has been no murder, messier. Lady Emilie took ill yesterday and is to see no one."
"But, I heard a scream," Andre pressed, watching to make sure he didn't push too far. "I'm certain that it must have frightened Lady Emilie and perhaps this gift might calm her down. The sender was very insistent that I give it to her personally."
Dessau licked his lips and thought, that if the boy left under the circumstances he might spread the rumor that some foul play had been perpetrated. "I will take you to her if you give me your word of honor no to speak of what you se to anyone."
"I swear it," Andre said honestly. Dessau opened the door and beckoned Andre to follow. The two proceeded upstairs to Emilie's bedroom, when he reached the door and entered Dessau gasped at the sight of Blakeney whom he thought was downstairs in his study talking to his son. Andre peered in and nearly gasped himself at the sight of Emilie and the room, fortunately he kept his shock to himself.
Emilie allowed milord to take her hand, but she was still terrified. If she didn't need to apologize now, she'd be dealt with later. The doctor was still keeping her in one position, flat. She couldn't rest, wondering what her punishment was to be. "Am I still to be punished, sir?" she asked, tears in her eyes. She then noticed Andre and Dessau at the door. She wished she could gesture to Andre to run, but she knew my lord would see. In a weak tone, she gave him a sad look and asked "What are you doing?", not wanting Andre to see her in this helpless state, beaten, swollen and injured.
Andre inched a little further into the room, noting the cold glance from Lord Blakeney. "Forgive me, Lady Emilie," I was sent with gifts for you and told that I must give them to you directly and gifts for your sister which I am to give to Milor Blakeney, from your nephew milor Percy." He wonder how much more he should say.
Blakeney's anger rose at the site of a stranger peering into his sister in laws room, then when she addressed him by his given... Blakeney's eyes narrowed. "You know this boy Emilie?"
Andre bit his lip at the sound of his name and Blakeney cold searching glance. He wondered what he should do next, he knew it was inappropriate to enter a lady's room and knew that his safety depended on the next few minutes. He held the packages out to Danielle to take, who hesitantly accepted them and gave the boxes to Emilie.
Emilie wished to God she could evaporate on the spot but she was covered in blankets and trapped. She racked her brains, trying to think of what she could say. "Yes, sir, he is a tailor's assistant, he...made a delivery to the house once" she meekly stammered as she took the packages.
"When was this?" Blakeney asked coldly.
Andre saw Blakeney�s hand clench as he spoke. "I pasted Lady Emilie and the gentleman who purchased these gift a couple of days before this, twas merely hours after he purchased these gifts from my master, milord," Andre replied. "They pointed me to this household, where one of your maids took them and said the bill would be settled later." Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a trace of blood on the floor with bits of splintered wood eclipsed by furniture and the worried and solemn face of the doctor. He wondered how many of Emilie's bruises were acquired after her return, but did not dare look directly at the nobility.
Emilie nodded, wanting to kiss Andre for thinking of such a good story. "It was when we ran away, sir. Percy and I rode off and met Andre nearby" she said softly, wishing she could sit up, it was nerve-racking to lie there like that!
Blakeney was silently staring at the boy, the story did fit and made his mind wander back to his errand son who in all likelihood convinced her to go out to her doom. He was suddenly aware that the boy might see in that room the evidence of his temper, what might get out because of this boy.
He temper flared, how dare this boy be here! Putting him in such a position.
"So you think that that encounter gives you the right to force your way into a lady's room?" Blakeney said in deadly tones. "Have you no respect for her reputation and honour? How dare you!"
Andre blushed at the accusation, but he knew the risks in coming. "I humbly beg pardon, milor!" he finally got out. "Twas never my intent to dishonor the noble lady." Unconsciously he retreated a step.
Emilie saw a storm starting. "Please sir, he just wanted to give me the packages, that's all" she begged. She tried to sit up but the doctor was keeping her down. She didn't want anything to happen to Andre, he was so nice!
Blakeney bore down on the poor boy, "Does your master teach you to act in so disgraceful a manner? Does he condone your dishonoring his clients?" He struck Andre across the face and glared at him defying him to defend himself. "A lashing is in order, young man! To satisfy the lady's honour and to teach you your place!"
Andre looked Blakeney over quickly, he was faster than the older man and if necessary could defend himself, but something in Blakeney's look and words told him that if he refused, more worse was in store... not just for him, but for M. Planchette as well, and Emilie may be the recipient of the lord's anger should Andre refuse. He swallowed quickly, he had never been dealt a thrashing before. "I swear on my honour that I had no intention of dishonoring the lady, milord. However, if her and your family's honour can be redeemed by a thrashing, then I shall most willingly bear it. My employer is a man of honour and prizes it in his employees. I would not wish you to think otherwise of him for my action, milord." Andre bowed his head as signal for his acceptance of Blakeney's grim demand.
Emilie almost leapt up from her place on the bed when Andre was slapped but the doctor firmly held her down. "I am sorry, my lady but you are injured, as your doctor, I must insist you remain lying still for your own health" he said to the girl who was fighting him with every weak fiber. "I can't let him get lashed, he didn't do anything" she wept but the doctor held her quite adamantly. "My lady, there is nothing you can do to help the boy, now lie still before you get worse" he said in a low voice, aware of the double meanings. Emilie didn't listen and sat up defiantly, though she was dizzy. "I can't let this happen!" Finally the doctor walked behind her and held her arms tightly. "Hush, my lady before you make things worse for him. Please, don't make me sedate you, you're very fragile now, you must rest and not get anymore shock to yourself" he whispered, as Emilie was trapped in his grasp. She twisted and turned but was helpless. Alas, the position she was being held in allowed her to see everything going on. She watched painfully as Andre gallantly agreed to face whatever Lord Blakeney decided. A twinge of guilt coursed through her, Percy never stood up for her like that and it made it even worse, a common boy was behaving more like a Baronet then the actual one. She wished she could do something to help poor Andre, he was so special!
Andre cast a quick imperceptible look at Emilie, hoping that for her sake that she would take the doctor's advice, but did not dare say a word that might further provoke Blakeney. He wondered if his action had served to help or harm Emilie's cause.
Emilie noticed Andre's quick look at her and her heart broke. She wasn't sure if he was asking for her aid or telling her to stay out of it. She tried to move again and felt the doctor's hands tighten on her arms. "Sir!" she began pleadingly but heard a whisper from behind her. "I apologize, milady but one more word or movement and I shall be forced to sedate you, I'll not have my patient worsen over the transgressions of a delivery boy, is that clear? You are in very poor health and you should not even be sitting up. The last two days have been most detrimental to you and we don't need anymore. You will therefore stay quietly and trust in your guardian. I wish you didn't have to see this, it's not beneficial for your state but his lordship is within his rights and you'd best not interfere with matters you don't understand. So I am trusting you to conduct yourself as a proper lady. He's just some peasant boy anyway." He said to a gloomy Emilie and turned to Danielle.
"Now, you, girl, put a pillow under my lady's head," he directed and as he moved Lady Emilie's arm a bit, he noticed there was a large bruise there he hadn't noted the day before. That settled it; she was not getting involved for this common boy, even if he had to tie her there. He leaned close as if to check the bandage on her head and then whispered even softer "If you have any friendship towards the boy, you'll not make this harder on him. All your pleading won't save him and he knows that. It will only make his lordship angrier with him. He seems honorable and he won't want you getting injured on his account".
Emilie hung her head and looked at Andre apologetically and stopped fidgeting. The doctor nodded and patted her hand. He then gently but firmly leaned her back into the pile of pillows Danielle had made for her. Emilie was furious at the way she was being treated, but she couldn't fight much longer. She didn't want to be sedated, so she allowed herself with a heavy heart to be propped up by pillows, so that she could see everything that was going on. Doctor placed a strong hand on her head, which would keep her down; he could feel how tired she was. He looked up at Lord Blakeney. He actually agreed with his lordship on the matter, the boy shouldn't have been up here but worried what affect it would have on my lady but on second thought, seeing it would make sure she didn't worry in some room far away and then try and see what happened. "Shall I take my lady Emilie out of here while you take care of the matter?" he wanted to ask but if Lord Blakeney had pronounced judgment in her presence, he obviously wanted her to see this. More the worse for the poor girl. Emilie waited in horror, racked with guilt as she watched the scene unfold.
Andre wanted to give Emilie a little smile to let her know that she shouldn't feel guilty for the situation, that it was going to be alright, and that he appreciated her concern, but wisely prevented himself from doing so. As it would bring down worse on him.
Blakeney paused a moment at the doctor's question, it wasn't common practice to undertake such matters in a lady's bedroom and it might upset the girl to watch... However, Blakeney needed Emilie to believe that he would not let anyone harm her in this house, he remembered to vividly the previous day's episode when the girl was terrified that her assailant had entered the house. Furthermore, she might be more prudent in the future before allowing anyone, even her own nephew, to enter this chamber. "No, doctor, Lady Emilie is the offended party and she should see that her honor is going to be offended. Dessau, bring me my crop," he said and dismissed Dessau. He would deal with Dessau later. Despite, his anger at the actions of the young delivery boy, Blakeney did admire the boy's sense of honor, this boy was willing to bear a beating in order to protect his and his master's honor... if only the same ran true in his own household, Blakeney thought as he stood stock still watching the boy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Percy started when he heard the voices raise in the next room. His father had blown him off AGAIN! Maybe the best solution would be to simply lock himself down into his cellar and disappear forever. Well, maybe not that... but at least, temporarily. Percy found himself begin to shake. Timidly, Percy hid behind the door and listened to the sound of a slap- which very well might have been him if his father knew... anything about everything...
Dessau ran to his master study and grabbed the master's riding crop and in addition the payment for the bill that Charlotte should have paid out when last the boy came. Perhaps if the boy were paid, he would not mention how easily he had given into his part in the fiasco. As he was returning, Dessau spied the young lord would appeared to be hiding less his father come after him. The boy's eyes seemed to linger on the crop in Dessau's hand and so to alleviate the boy's concern he muttered, "It's for the delivery boy." Then hurried back to his master.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Blakeney took the crop from Dessau and tested it's weight in his hands. "Dessau, hold the boy's hands and brace him against that chair." Dessau did as he was asked, even though the precaution was unnecessary, Andre would have stood there without the need of support or restraint. Blakeney gave a test swing and was satisfied with the result. "What say, twenty lashes for your actions and for your master's honor?"
Andre nodded, he worried that his voice would betray his worry. Twenty lashes! He wondered how he would fair under so many considering the reactions of those around him and in memory of what he had seen on both Emilie and Percy. But there was little choice he had to the matter and would bear the punishment as best as possible.
With Dessau brace the boy's wrists, Blakeney down the crop heavily upon the boys back, then after a moment more, seeing that the boy did not buckle, he brought it down again. He continue in this manner and as he was doing so he thought of all that had happened over the last few days, the argument with his son, his wife's relapse, the attack on his sister-in-law and his anger at not having dealt with the rouge responsible, the incident with Percy and Emilie... all the feelings of these events pour out through the crop in his hand.
Andre tried to brace himself for the worst and it was this preparation that kept him on his feet after the first blow, which sent a shock of pain throughout his body. He clenched his teeth and wondered if he could last under nineteen more of these. The second was worse. Andre tried to count, but found that it made the situation worse, so he tried focusing on riding and on conversations with friends... anything to take his mind off of the pain that racked his small frame. Despite all his efforts, the pain seemed greater and greater with each blow and the blows seemed to come faster and harder... perhaps it was his imaginations. He tried remembering lines from plays: Titus's lament at rape of dear Lavinia, Viola's musing over Orsino, Othello's betrayal..., from poetry: "True, a new mistress now I chase, the first foe in the field; and with a stronger faith embrace a sword, a horse, a shield. Yet this inconstancy is such as you too shall adore; I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more." Anything to distract from the pain that course through his body. How the mind races in such circumstances of heightened excitement! It seemed that the beating took an eternity... how many was that? How many more were there? Andre knees slowly and quite against his will buckled, had not Dessau held firmly onto his hand he may have fallen. The room around him seemed to darken, when a voice called out. He was vaguely aware of it, but could not focus on the words.
Blakeney was suddenly aware of a voice calling loudly, "Milord!" Blakeney turned to the voice and saw an expression of horror and concern on the doctor's face. He peered at him quizzically. "Milord, forgive me but I fear you've given the lad more than his twenty." Blakeney looked down at the boy at his feet, who, though now on his knees, seemed to be making every effort to return to his feet, his shirt a bloody mess. When the blows stopped, Andre tried feebly to stand when a deeper voice, breathing hard, and quite close, answered.
"Quite right," Blakeney said, a little absentmindedly. It hadn't meant to loose control like that. Andre focused all his energy into listening now, "Dessau, see to the boy." The boy? Were they still about him? Was more to come?
Andre felt his wrists released, and he tried supporting himself on the piece of furniture he had been bracing. He felt hands grope under his arms and helped him painfully to his feet. He was being half lead, half carried out of the room.
He wandered out of the room and found himself in his wife's room. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore, Tessa," he whispered to his sleeping wife.
