Chapter 8
Albert Goddard
I ran past my family after the servant told us to follow him. I knew it was Abigail and I was praying that Mr. Gray was with her. Helen was keeping pace with me, no doubt trying to calm me down. But it wouldn't happen. My little sister was hurt, possibly paralyzed from the pain in her back. I would never relax until she was well again.
"Albert," Helen called breathlessly, reaching for my hand. I paused, allowing her to take it. "Rushing into that room will do her no good. You acting like a mad man will not heal her any faster, do you understand?" She said as the rest of my family rushed past us.
"She is my twin, Helen. When she is in pain, I am in pain." I said, looking past her. "Then you need to remain calm so Abigail can remain calm. She is a strong woman, and has gotten a lot stronger since you've been away."
"You are wise beyond your years, Helen." I said, pulling her towards the door my family entered through. The sight before me was enough to bring me to my knees. Abigail was covered, head to toe, in ice as Mr. Gray was rushing around her. Helen brushed past me, discarding her gloves as she intercepted her brother.
"Has her fever broke?" She asked, placing her hands on Abigail's head. "Not yet, the ice was just delivered. Helen, she needs morphine."
"Why does she need morphine? She's asleep already, isn't she?" I asked, moving closer to her bed. Mr. Gray looked up and stepped in between me and the bed.
"She needs to stay asleep if she is going to overcome the pneumonia. It's her only chance." Mr. Gray said, rubbing his hands over his face. "I suggest everyone finds a place to sleep tonight. I will do my best to get the fever to break by morning, but I cannot promise this."
"I am not leaving Abigail." I said, looking at my parents. "Go and rest, I will sleep tomorrow." My family reluctantly left the room, not wanting to leave Abigail in the state she was. But none of us were of any use to her sleep deprived. Helen came to me, taking my hand in hers, and led me to a chair near the bed.
"Relax, Albert. All we can do is wait." Helen whispered to me. She tried to pull away, but I held onto her hand, pulling her close to me. "Stay, please." I whispered.
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The three of us slept for a few short hours before Lord Clark came into the room with another doctor. Helen was still asleep on my shoulder when the door opened. I glanced at Victor, who's head was resting on Abigail's stomach. I noticed that his hands were loosely clasped around hers and my heart stopped. Was Victor falling for Abby? Lord Clark moved around the bed and placed his hand on Victor's shoulder, jolting the man awake.
"How is she, Gray?" He asked quietly. Victor ran a hand over his face, brushing against some of the stubble on his chin.
"She woke twice during the night. A coughing fit both times. Her fever has gone down some, but not enough." Victor said while looking at Lord Clark. The Lord motioned for the doctor to come to the bed.
"Who is he?" Victor asked, moving to stand in front of my sister. "Victor, you cannot work on Abigail as a patient, not with you in this state. I brought in my personal physician to care for Abigail. It is better this way."
"I can't stand by idly whilst someone else cares for her. I won't be able to remain calm." Victor said, grasping for Abigail's fingers. "Tell me you haven't called on the authorities." Lord Clark shook his head and Victor sighed in relief.
"I left that decision up to you. You and I both know the truth, but I cannot keep them at bay forever, Victor. You will have to hand yourself over soon." Lord Clark said, clasping Victor's shoulder once again. Victor turned away from Lord Clark as the doctor came to the opposite side of the bed.
Victor placed his lip near Abby's ears and said, "Darling, you must wake up." He pressed his nose against her cheek, gently nudging her to wake. I watched Abigail roll towards Victor as she began to cough violently. Victor placed a hand under her head and another around her waist before lifting her into sitting position. I moved to help Victor, but stopped when I saw the look on his face. He was fighting the pain in his heart, of whatever internal war was going on inside of him. His face showed his vulnerability, mixed with love and compassion for Abigail. I would have no problems with Victor marrying my sister.
"Victor," Abby wheezed between coughs. Victor slid on the bed behind her, making her rest against his chest. Her coughing began to subside some, enough for her to finally breathe. Victor pressed a kiss to the side of her head before saying,
"Abigail, David brought his personal physician to help heal you. I am going to let him take care of you, with my help." Victor said, glancing up at me. I gave him a nod as I gently nudged his sister awake. Helen slowly stirred to life, looking at me with tired eyes.
"What is going on?" She asked me quietly, rubbing her eyes gently. "Lord Clark brought in a new doctor for Abigail. Victor is trying to explain it to her." I whispered, reaching to smooth some of Helen's hair down. The two of us watched at the Doctor examined Abby, under Victor's scrutinized watch. Abby was barely awake as the new doctor took her vitals and discussed the steps Victor took over the past day. After his examination the doctor declared that what was being done was the best we could do.
"I shall be back in an hour. Make sure she rests and has fluids." Doctor Stratton advised as he left the room with Lord Clark. Victor pressed a kiss to Abby's head as she fell asleep once more, this time in his arms. Lord Clark slipped back in the room, sitting on the edge of the large bed as he looked at the four of us.
"Have faith that Abigail will be alright, and I am sure that you will not stand by idly while she is taken care of." Lord Clark reassured us, but mostly Victor. Helen squeezed my hand as she stood, looking at the people before her.
"I want to know why Victor is a wanted man, David Clark. He's never told me the whole truth, but I know that you will." Helen said, placing her hands on her hips.
"Helen, we will discuss this later. When everyone is conscious and lucid." Victor said, looking at his sister with steely eyes. Helen raised her chin to her brother, daring him to fight her. "Helen, this is the end of the discussion."
"Fine," She growled, letting go of my hand. Helen stormed from the room, slamming the door shut behind her.
"I will follow her." I said, moving out after Helen. I made it out of the room quietly, to make sure that Helen could not hear me. She was angrily pacing the halls, muttering in a thicker accent than I have ever heard her speak in.
"Helen," I whispered, touching her shoulder as she came past me. She jumped out of her skin, her eyes wide and welling with tears.
"Why won't he talk to me? I only want to know the truth. I'm his bloody sister!" She cried, wrapping her arms around herself. I moved to hug Helen, but she backed away from me as tears came to her eyes.
"No," She said, shaking her head. "You're just going to tell me I'm over-reacting." She whispered. I reached out and grabbed Helen's wrist, tugging her to me gently.
"I would never patronize you like that, Helen. You may be young, but so am I. I would never fault you for being emotional over your brother. He's all you have." I whispered to Helen as she pressed her face into my chest. "I never had the chance to tell you last night; you were the most breath taking creature on the floor." Helen raised her chin and smiled at me.
"That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever told me." Helen said into my chest. I took her chin in my hand and raised it gently, making her look into my eyes. "May I kiss you, if that's not too forward of me?" Helen raised herself onto her tiptoes and kissed me, placing her hand on the back of my neck. I fisted my hands in the material of her gown, to pull her closer to me. I knew I was falling in love with her, and perhaps I already was. I knew that there was no going back after this kiss.
"Helen," I whispered as I pulled away from her. She smiled at me, her eyes lit with excitement. "I think I'm falling in love with you." Helen pulled down on my neck and pecked my lips softly.
"Unlike my brother, I will admit that I have fallen in love with you, Albert." Helen whispered. I took Helen's hand in mine as my family began to pour into the halls.
"Albert, is everything alright?" Papa asked, coming over to us.
"Yes, Papa, everything is alright. Abigail has fallen asleep again. Lord Clark is inside with her and Victor." I said, squeezing Helen's hand. Papa nodded and moved past me, my mother trailing behind him. I had never seen her so distraught. Robert had emerged from his own room, looking disheveled and distraught.
"Is Abby alright? David told Lou and I what happened last night. I need to know that she's alright." Robert said, his eyes wide with panic.
"Abigail is fine, Lord Duvall. She is resting and in the most capable hands." Helen soothed. Robert let out a sigh of relief.
"I don't know how you are staying so calm, Albert. That man in there killed an innocent solder. Lord knows what he could do to Abby." Robert commented.
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Hello lovelies!
Sorry this update took so long to get here but it's finally here! My first semester of college has been insane, but I absolutely loved it! I promise that there will be more updates for all the stories you guys are waiting on! And I'll have some great news to share with you guys soon!
Lots of Love,
DoctorWho