She cried out, half because of the sharp pain that shot across her hand, causing blood to trickle down her finger and half because no one seemed to notice her agony.
Alice had spent the better part of her life enjoying being overlooked, Cora had been the center of attention at every party and dinner. Alice had always been the one who no one ever noticed; she had always felt a sense of safety in that fact.
She walked behind her sister, behind Duncan, as she was used to doing. When she accidently shifted her hand against something sharp and blood prickled from the wound, not one member of the party turned back to take notice of her pain.
But when Alice felt someone lightly take hold of her wrist and lift it for inspection, she realized that someone had noticed her, someone she had barely noticed herself.
She stared through watery eyes as the native examined the wound, then without a word motioned for her to sit, pouring a small splash of water across the cut.
She hissed as the water stung her wound, only to watch as Uncas frowned, "It will only pain you for a moment."
Alice watched with a measure of anxiety as the rest of the party slowly disappeared from view, it wasn't until she heard the soft tearing of cloth that she returned her attention to her doctor.
"I'll check it again in a few hours, but it should not become infected." he said, wrapping the fabric gently around her hand.
Alice watched to speak, she wanted to thank him, she wanted- oh god! She did not want to cry in front of him.
A fresh stream of tears fell from her eyes as he finished securing the makeshift bandage. Uncas lifted his eyes to her, still kneeling in front of her, and moved his hands to cradle hers.
"It will be over soon," he spoke so gently, so clearly, Alice was shocked that such a man as he could provide her with comfort.
"Thank you." she managed.
Uncas stood then offered a hand to help her stand.
"Go slow, Miss, we are making good time."
"I cannot see my sister and-" Alice started, fear radiating in her voice.
"You do not need to worry." he offered her a brief smile, "I can hear them even now."
Alice fell silent as they began again, falling a step behind him, careful to keep her eyes to the ground, yet still they would also fall upon the stranger in front of her.
"Thank you." she said after a few moments.
Uncas spared her a glance over his shoulder. "You have already thanked me, you do not need-"
"Thank you for noticing I needed help and thank you for noticing…. me." Alice interrupted quickly, eyes fixed on the grass at her feet, pretending she didn't feel the way her cheeks burnt.
Alice forced herself to lift her eyes to him, and was shocked to realize that for the first time in her life, she was happy to be noticed.