Thank you all for your great and positive reviews and reaction to this story – they really mean a lot.

Disclaimers: Thanks to Mrs Gaskell and the BBC and to Heidi Thomas for the use of some of her dialogue in this chapter


Chapter 2 – An unfortunate occurrence

The very next day Mr. Carter made it his most pressing priority to visit Captain Brown at the railway works. He had slept but fitfully, the urgent matter of the mortgage on the estate causing him to toss and turn for most of the night, sleep only finally arriving as he imagined a pair of deep brown eyes regarding him with concern, and then a cool hand upon his brow.

He had awoken with fresh determination to solve both of his current dilemmas; to find new sources of income for the estate and to start to determine the extent of his feelings for Miss Galindo – and vice versa. He was not entirely sure that there would be a happy outcome to either of his problems but that would not prevent him trying.

The site of the railway was a scene of the utmost chaos and confusion, or at least it seemed that way to Edward. However, amidst the confusion there did seem to be some sense of order at least to the men that worked there. Accosting one fellow, who was dusted head to toe in white chalk so much so that he resembled a ghost, he was soon pointed in the direction of Captain Brown.

"Ah Mr. Carter, you've come to see the progress being made I imagine? And perhaps to inform me that Lady Ludlow has relented?"

"Lady Ludlow will not sell one single acre in her lifetime," he said as they began to walk away from the scene of the explosions that punctuated their conversation.

"Railway money has a way of talking. She may be deaf to it but there are those that listen. There will be a line to Cranford yet," Captain Brown said as he paused to survey the scene, "It may take longer, it may require more engineering, but it will get there."

"And I will be glad, in principle at least," Edward said in all honesty, "but is there no other way for Hanbury to profit from the railway? Can we not sell you timber, or fodder...or tools?" he said with increasing desperation.

"Could you supply us with the quantity we need?"

"I don't know."

"I'm afraid you do know Mr. Carter," Captain Brown said not unkindly, "and the answer is that you cannot."

He opened his mouth but any reply that Edward had been about to make was swept away as a violent explosion erupted behind them. He felt himself being lifted and thrown through the air by some unknown force, as if he weighed no more than a feather. Still deafened from the hellish noise he finally crashed into a hard surface, rock raining down around him, and screaming with pain as his leg was crushed by he knew not what.

For a moment everything was quiet and he thought he must still be deafened by the explosion, but gradually noise began to permeate his consciousness, men shouting and running and finally hands removing rocks and dragging him away. Pain seared through him like a knife cutting through butter and meeting no resistance. And then he felt nothing as he tumbled into blackness, his final thought being the thought of all men in their most desperate hour. God help me!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Miss Galindo tied her bonnet and paused as she contemplated her reflection in the mirror. Turning from side to side she critically evaluated her features before grimacing and then pinching her cheeks to inject a little colour into her pale complexion. Perhaps she would take a brisk walk to Hanbury to learn if Mr. Carter had been successful in his dealings with the railway company. She smiled and chided herself for making excuses; she could no longer deny that the thought of seeing Mr. Carter again gave her a warm glow of anticipation.

Finally content with her appearance she stepped into the street, only to be assaulted by the sound of shouting and confusion. Several men were running in the direction of Dr Harrison's house as a cart bearing a solitary body clattered hurriedly down King Street, also coming to a halt outside the young doctor's house.

A strong sense of foreboding gripped her and would not let go as she tentatively began to walk down the street. Later that day, when she re-examined her actions she would still not be able to explain exactly how she had known that it was he who lay on that cart. But suddenly the apprehension and dread had crystallised into utter certainty and knowledge. Casting all propriety aside she ran as fast as her skirts would let her to reach his side and she arrived just in time to see Dr Harrison and Dr Marshland emerging from the house.

"There's been an explosion at the railway works," the driver of the cart said breathlessly, "two men are dead including Captain Brown. I've brought you Mr. Carter 'ere," he said before finally collapsing.

She watched in appalled helplessness as the battered and bleeding Mr. Carter was helped into the house. She knew nothing of logic at this moment; she only knew that she had to follow him and offer what help and comfort she could. Laurentia had never had cause to enter Dr Harrison's house before but she quickly found the room where he was being examined and she discreetly stood to one side and watched.

Dr Harrison quickly and efficiently examined Mr. Carter for injuries, other than the injury to his leg which was immediately obvious. "This is not your blood I think?" Or at least he fervently hoped not.

"I was nearby a horse…when the gunpowder went off," Edward stammered but then winced with pain as the doctor pressed a particularly sensitive area.

"We'll need to bind that to stop the bleeding," he said probing. He turned his attention to Mr. Carter's right leg which had sustained noticeable and serious injury. Whilst being obvious that the leg was badly broken, on further examination he detected both good circulation and reflex actions; there was still a good chance to save this man's leg.

"Your leg is badly broken and you will need an operation to reset the bones. Soon. Do you consent to that?"

He nodded, "If you will do it." He had seen the fine work the doctor had made of Jem Hearne's broken arm and if there was anything to be done for his leg, he knew that Harrison was the man.

"Miss Galindo, can you send to Hanbury Court for a quantity of ice? We need to bring the swelling down before we can proceed."

"Of course."

The doctor continued, "And see if a message can be sent to Miss Mary Smith. She has assisted me before and showed great common sense."

"Miss Galindo?" Edward whispered.

"Yes?" She moved closer to him. She was but a little reassured by the doctor's assessment but tried not to betray her feelings of anxiety to Mr. Carter – he needed positive thinking now, not girlish hysteria.

"When you are done running his errands, come back to me with a pen and ink."

"Of course." She smiled reassuringly and left the room.

As soon as she had gone he gave in to the tortuous pain and gave free rein to the cries that he had been trying to hold back on her account.

"Here, this will ease the pain," said Dr Harrison as he carefully administered some opium – just enough to keep the patient comfortable for now.

Frank Harrison left the room as the opium began to take effect. Although he was sorry for Mr. Carter's injuries, at least here was a patient he could help. At this very moment his beloved Sophie was ill, possibly dying and there was nothing he could do! He found Jack tending to another injured worker and beckoned him over.

"Jack?"

"What about the leg?"

"I can save it," he announced,"there's good circulation, no compound fracture. Both tibia and fibula are broken, but they appear to be clean breaks. It will be extremely painful to reset the bones but at least he should have full use when it is restored. What about you?"

"Some minor injuries mostly...and they brought Captain Brown's body," he reported.

"Cause of death?"

"Massive head and chest injuries, nothing could have saved him," he said shaking his head, "we should make the body presentable...for the family."

"Of course," agreed Frank, "but the living must have priority over the dead."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Laurentia quickly returned with pen, ink and paper, after first having dispatched a man to Hanbury Court with the terrible news. She had no doubt of Lady Ludlow's response and fully expected her to descend on Dr Harrison's house with all possible speed. The ice had already arrived and been carefully placed around Mr. Carter's injured leg to reduce the swelling. While she was relived that his leg was not to be amputated, a leg broken in two places was no small thing and he must be in immense pain. With a deep breath, she composed her features into their usual calm demeanor and entered.

As she had suspected, he stated his intention of dictating his last will and testament to her, to which she strenuously objected.

"There is absolutely no need for this Mr. Carter and the effort will only sap your strength."

He smiled drowsily at her, the combination of opium and the ice now packing his leg had reduced his pain to an almost bearable level, "Miss Galindo, would you fight me to the doors of Heaven itself?"

She snorted, "Doors of Heaven indeed, you are going nowhere near those doors today," she bristled. Especially if I have any say in the matter.

"Indulge me, please?"

She was just about to deny his request on morbid grounds when he caught her hand. He was trembling slightly but his grasp was still warm and firm as she looked into his eyes. They were dark with emotion and she had a sense of how easy it would be to lose herself in their depths.

She nodded, "Very well, if you insist."

He took a deep breath and began dictating. He had thought about this carefully even before the accident and he considered his bequests not especially complicated. He realised now how remiss he had been in not making a will before but thankfully it was not too late. He may not want to touch the money himself, but he could still use it for good if he died. If he died...God knows he did not want to, but he was intelligent enough to know that he still could, it was still possible that he might not survive. He gazed at her as she scribbled down his every word, her hands working efficiently even as she frowned slightly and a small crease appeared between her brows. If he did die, she would be his only regret.

"And that is it," he said finally, his voice still groggy with opium, "Everything accounted for. It must be signed and witnessed."

"Mr. Carter, I would be a find clerk if I did not know the form of such a thing," she said firmly but gently. "Shall I ask Dr Harrison?"

"No," he slurred, "I don't want him to know I saw the possible end of this." He winced as a spear of intense pain shot through him, "You sign it."

There were tears in her eyes now as she made to sign the will as requested. "I'm a fool for indulging you, Mr. Carter. There is no possible end. You have injured your leg, it will be righted. That is all." She said the words like a mantra, believing that if she sounded convincing then surely all would be well.

She moved towards him, resting the paper on a book and gently placing the pen into his hand. "Now, put your name here, above mine."

Emotion threatened to overwhelm her for a second time as she placed the pen in his hand. She kept her eyes on his hands as she blinked back the tears, not daring to meet his gaze. Such strong beautiful hands, she thought as she clasped one with her own, her thumb caressing his as he struggled with his signature.

Edward almost cursed in frustration at his weakness. What had it come to when he couldn't even sign his own name? But as her soft hand curled around his, the frustration changed into gratitude that at least he had had this moment alone with her. As she looked down at the will, he took the opportunity to drink in her features, trying to brand them onto his brain so that he would never forget, would always have her image in front of him, all the way to Heaven if necessary.

The clattering of a coach and four announced the arrival of Lady Ludlow and she lost no time in sweeping into the house, her face clearly expressing her deep concern. She caught a glimpse of Mr. Carter's intense gaze directed toward Miss Galindo but merely nodded to herself in understanding. Extreme circumstances brought out extreme emotions, of that she was well aware.

"I brought brandy too and a quantity of linen." She said depositing the items with the grateful Dr Harrison and immediately moving to Edward's side.

"You know as well as I, that these are gestures made in place of an apology," she said gently.

"We spoke in anger to each other that day. I am sorry," he said, glad of the chance to right his wrong.

Another painful spasm ripped through him and Dr Harrison moved forward once more to administer opium.

"You must conserve your energy, Mr. Carter. I will speak with Dr Harrison after the procedure and arrange for your return to Hanbury as soon as he permits."

Lady Ludlow gently touched his shoulder, probably the first time she had ever been so familiar with him. In reality her heart was torn with guilt; he would not have been at the railway site were it not for her actions. As she left the room she was determined that she would somehow repay him for his sacrifice. Hanbury without Mr Carter's presence – it was unthinkable.

As Lady Ludlow left the room, Laurentia moved to his side once more, "I could stay...if you like?"

He shook his head; the very thought of her witnessing his pain was abhorrent to him and he would protect her sensibilities at all costs.

"You must attend...Lady Ludlow," he stammered.

"Very well," she said, "but we will talk later...after the procedure."

His eyes followed her until she left the room but then flickered closed as he prepared to face the ordeal ahead.

"Ready Mr Carter?" Dr Harrison said, "This will be extremely painful, but I hope reasonably quick. Dr Marshland and I will restore the bones to their correct position. Once in position we will bind and splint the leg to keep the bones in place."

Mary Smith placed the wooden bit in his mouth and held his shoulders down while one doctor grasped him at the ankle and the other by the calf. Edward's repeated screams of agony rent the air as, with some considerable force, they manipulated the broken bones against the resistance of sinew and muscle, forcing them back into their original position.

As the doctors continued to work, repairing any lacerations and then binding the leg tightly, Mary noticed that Mr Carter was quiet. She removed the bit from his mouth and bent to listen for sounds of breathing.

"Is he alright?" said Jack.

...to be continued