Young Dewhurst had been in the middle of taking a nap when the Ffoulkes arrived. Curious as to what had been going on, Tony blinked a few times and slowly sat up, wearily making his way out of the room and to where Sir Ffoulkes' was. "Ello?" Tony asked softly, gently tugging on the elder mans' sleeve. "Wha's going on?" The poor boy was still half asleep as he stared up at his current guardian.
Sir Matthew looked down at Tony. "Michelle was attacked at the Blakeney Manor," he said. "Currently, we are waiting for Andrew to get Docteur Jacquot to look at her
Startled, Tony glanced up at the man to make sure that he had heard correctly- Michelle- attacked at his cousin's home? His eyes went wide with curiosity and fear. Ralph wouldn't let him go within two INCHES of Blakeney Manor so he could visit his cousin. "I uh- is she alright? I'm sorry, I don't mean to bother you.."
Sir Matthew put a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "She will be fine, it will just take time for her to heal. Time and rest. We will know more about her injuries once Docteur Jacquot has a look at her."
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Dr. Jacquot was sitting beside a warm fire, drinking a fine burgundy when he was urgently summoned to tend to the young lady Michelle. The portly doctor hurried to her side and frowned as he examined the vicious bruises. "Don't worry, mon chere!" Jacquot reassured her. "I'll see you better in no time!" He gently tended to her wounds and mentality wished that the villain who inflicted them to a most unpleasant end.
Sir Matthew came into the room with Dr. Jacquot, quietly asking Tony to remain outside for the time being. Michelle revived slightly, and gave a soft moan as the doctor took care of her cuts and bruises. Oh, it hurt so much! Her father gently took her hand and held it, sitting in a chair next to her bed.
Jacquot gently and carefully examined the girl's wounds. "My poor petit!" he muttered. "Well, I'm happy to see that no bones are broken and that there is very little likelihood of permanent scarring, mon chere! But you'll need lots of bed rest! Some good food! How did this happen? And did the miscreant live after Andrew finished with him?"
"Unfortunately, Andrew wasn't there at the time," Sir Ffoulkes replied, gently smoothing his little girl's hair. He looked at Marie, "Marie, would you get her some food, please?" Marie nodded and curtsied. "Oui, monsieur," and hurried out of the room. "I hurt, Father," Michelle mumbled, eyes opening slightly.
"That will go away with time, chere!" Jacquot said gently, then looked through his bag and produced a small glass bottle with white pills inside, this he handed to Lord Ffoulkes. "Give her two of these after she's eaten, they will decrease the pain and help her to sleep."
Sir Ffoulkes nodded as he took the pills, which he looked at and set on the table next to Michelle's bed. Marie came in, carrying a tray with some bread and broth. "Michelle, we need you to sit up a little more," her father told her, gently lifting her up and putting more pillows under her back and head. He took the tray, gently spooning some broth into her mouth, which she drank down obediently, as much as it did hurt. Her normally fair face was covered in purpling bruises, and it hurt her to move. Her corset rubbed uncomfortably against various bruises and cuts as she moved, even though she could tell it had been loosened slightly. Her father could tell she struggled to stay awake, but gently continued to feed her.
As soon as she finished the broth, Michelle's father gave her the pills with a little bit of warm milk to help her swallow them, as well as to help her sleep. He carefully lowered her, and she quickly fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. Her father sat up with her the entire night, watching over her.
