Chapter 3
Outside, with the party looking for Charles Blake.
'This is a ghastly business' said Robert 'Carson, did Mr. Blake say where he might walk to?'
'No my Lord, he did not.'
There was a shout from Tom; 'I think I've found him, he is on the bench' Tom and Evelyn ran over to the bench, where, indeed they found Charles. 'Heis just about consciouses shouted tom again. Charles moved his lips and spoke almost too quiet to be heard 'Mary? Where is she?' tom replied, 'she is still at the house' by that time Carson and Robert had joined them. Robert knelt beside Charles 'My poor chap. Evelyn go back to the hose and see if the doctor has arrived and send back James and tell Molesly to take James place.' Evelyn began to jog back to the house, returning again in a few minutes with both Thomas and James. Between Tom, Thomas, Evelyn and James they lifted Charles and carried him to the house and up to Charles' room.
There was a knock n the door and Cora entered with the doctor behind her. The doctor examined Charles for what seemed like hours. 'The wounds are superficial, nothing that won't heal quickly. He will need to rest for tonight and obviously be cleaned up.' 'Thank you doctor' replied Robert, 'Could you speak to Lady Mary and tell her this, I'm not sure if she will believe it from anyone but you' 'of course my lord'
Down in the library, there was almost silence, Mary holding her tea in her hands, not drinking. Edith with a hand gently placed around her sisters shoulders and rose was quietly fidgeting. The doctor said, addressing Mary, 'Mr Blake's wounds are superficial. It will heal within a few days. He is resting now' Marys voice had gone unusually small 'May I see him?' she asked specifically to her mother. Cora nodded in reply and Mary left the room.
'Thank you doctor' Cora said when her daughter had left. 'Will you stay for some tea?'
'No thank you, I better get back.' And he turned to leave and was let out of the house by Carson.
Mary entered Charles room and went smoothly to his bead quietly dismissed the maid, who was cleaning his face and arms, and sat beside him. She held his head and cleaned his face, all of her coldness gone. He opened his eyes, at the new touch and smiled and whispered 'Lady Mary Crawley seen here doing her unusual duties of caring for the needy' he chuckled at himself. 'Ah, laughing at your not so witty remarks? You must be felling better!' she smiled and held his hand slightly tighter.
Robert spoke 'we shall go down now, leave you two alone.' He smiled. 'Thank you,' Mary said 'I cannot thank you enough for finding him.' They all smiled and Robert squeezed her shoulder gently as they left.
'I was worried Charles, so worried.' Tears began to fall again and he lifted his hand to wipe them away. He placed his hand against her cheek 'I am fine, no need to worry, and my love. It was Gillingham wasn't it.'
He searched her face for a reply. She nodded. 'I knew he doesn't like our engagement, I never thought he would do this.' He smiled and his eyes started closing, Mary gently bent down to gently kiss him. He smiled at her kiss and allowed himself to sleep. Mary found a blanket in the wardrobe and covered him gently with it. She closed the curtains and turned to the door and went out silently, wishing tonight was a dream, a horrible dream.
