When they arrived at the hospital, they ushered her immediately into a private room, David staying outside. Less than thirty seconds later, the door swung back open.
"The Princess is instant, sir." A nurse was addressing him. He could hear Eleanor's raised voice saying his last name. David nodded, sliding into the room, staying out of the way. She immediately focused on him, not caring about the looks from the staff. The nurse continued on with her questions, took Eleanor's stats, and then told Eleanor that a doctor would be in shortly. She left with instructions that Eleanor change into a gown. Eleanor made no move to do so.
"I...I'm fine." She told him, her lower lip starting to tremble again, her eyes getting watery. He was at her in two strides, folding her up in his arms, holding her tightly. She smelled like metal and smoke and had glass in her hair.
"I thought…" he started, a lump forming in his throat. She nodded.
"Me too." Her whispered reply was muffled by his jacket. He stood back a fraction, his hands moving to her face, looking at her, his blue eyes searching. There was some blood on her face from the cut at her eyebrow, but her eyes seemed clear and focused. Her face was a mess; the airbag powder and her makeup all smeared and runny.
"Let's get you into this gown so they can check you out and we can go." He straightened up, helping her off the exam table. She made to go behind the curtain and he went with her, holding the gown and fuzzy socks. She undressed and his eyes were all over. There was no sign of injury, but she seemed to be moving a bit slower than normal.
"I can't believe you're fine." He said, hands on her. "The suv flipped over…" she just nodded and he helped her into the gown.
The doctor came in shortly with the nurse. They wanted to run her through a ct scan to make sure there was no internal bleeding. She started to protest, but gave in when she caught David's dark glare and clenched jaw.
"Then, I can go?" She asked. The doctor replied affirmatively, only if it came back clear. The nurse started puttering around as David answered a text from Tom. He was there with a car. David told him to come in and where to find them and shortly, Tom was there. The doctor and nurse left, saying someone would be back to take her for the scan.
David and Tom started talking animatedly about the scan and security and what if someone saw her and all sorts of scenarios. Eleanor stood slowly and went to the lavatory while they argued. David's eyes glanced over toward the loo, but then he turned back to Tom. They finally hashed out a plan and she still hadn't come out.
Tom put up his hands, indicating he didn't want to, but David obviously was going to go in. He knocked lightly, but she didn't answer. He opened the door a crack, peering in. The lump immediately returned to his throat as he saw her.
She was standing in front of the sink, frantically scrubbing at her face with some paper towels. When he opened the door, she turned her face to him, her hand in mid air. Her huge green eyes were red and teary and when she saw him, the tears started falling.
"I can't get it off… I can't...the dirt." She cried.
"It's from the airbag." David whispered, his hands on her. "Let me do it for you, love." The paper was falling apart, so he used the edge of her gown, dipping it under the tap and adding some soap. Her sobs had turned to hiccups. He was able to wipe it all away and soon her face was clean. She wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing tight.
His chest was tight and the lump was firmly in his throat. He knew it then. He loved her. He fucking loved her and he had almost lost her. He wasn't going to say it, not now, not until he knew it wouldn't freak her out. Not in the middle of a tiny loo in a hospital room, with Tom just feet away.
They stood, hugging in the lavatory, until she was calm. He explained to her what they were going to do and that he and Tom would be with her the whole way.
"I'm not scared. I've had a ct scan before." She replied. "Crashed into a tree whilst skiing on holiday when I was thirteen."
"You're such a snob." He replied, trying to lighten the mood; finally finding his voice and making sure it was calm.
"Am not. I didn't add that it was in the Swiss Alps and they flew me in a helicopter. That would be snobby." She finally smiled and his mission was accomplished.
The scan was clear, so she was able to dress and leave with a small bottle of pain medication and instructions for someone to watch her for any signs of concern. David held the door and soon they were headed back to the estate, Tom driving and David up front.
"They want you at the big house." David told them, looking at his mobile. "Mike says your brother has been calling you." Eleanor looked around, patting her pockets.
"My mobile…" she couldn't find it. "I...I was texting you before the crash." Her words came out as breaths. David's blood pressure started to rise. He looked at Tom.
"When you came to get us, was the wreckage still at the site?"
"They were investigating." Tom replied, nodding. David instructed Tom to head that way.
"Don't worry, I'm sure it's locked." Eleanor said from the back. They pulled up to the crash and sure enough the investigators were still there, measuring and taking photos. There were two tow trucks, but neither vehicle had been loaded up.
David got out and approached. Tom and Eleanor watched as he pulled out his police identification and motioned with his hand toward the wrecked Land Rover and then back to the vehicle where Eleanor and Tom were. Then, he went to the still upside down suv with the investigator accompanying him. Both bent down, with the investigator crawling inside. Soon, the man returned with the mobile in his hand and he and David walked back to the waiting suv. David made a motion for Eleanor to roll down the window, his face dark.
"Your highness," David started after the window was down. "He wants to insure that this is your mobile and not the Duke's." The investigator handed the phone out to her and she easily unlocked it. The home screen was a photo of her and her brothers at Christmas. She looked at both men with raised eyebrows.
The investigator was satisfied, but said someone would come by for a statement. Everyone satisfied, they continued on, no one speaking.
"I'm walking the long way, I need a cigarette." She told them, making for the gazebo instead of going right inside when Tom pulled into the big gravel drive. The men nodded, but David soon caught up to her. They didn't speak until they got to the gazebo where she stood on the bench and reached up to the rafters, feeling around. She soon came down with a pack of cigarettes and a lighter wrapped in a plastic zip top bag.
"Me, Harry and Camilla hid them all over." She said at his look. "Gran and dad hate that we smoke." She lit a cigarette and took a long drag. She stood back up on the bench to return the little package and then they resumed their walk.
"I want to tell them." She said, pausing on the path and turning to him. "The accident...I thought...we were flipping over and I really thought we were...that was it." The tears were back and he pulled her close, not caring if anyone saw. They were off to the side of the big house, so there was a bit of privacy.
"Just think, love." He smoothed her hair out of her face, leaving his hands to linger. "I'd never tell you what to do-" that got him a look and a watery smile. "I just mean in regard to your family. I'd never want to come between you and them. But, let's feel it out, the situation with your grandad; tensions are high…" David trailed off, his eyes on hers.
"I just want to be with you." She said it on an exhale of smoke and it came out breathy. He replied that he knew and kissed her forehead. Then, he held her hand tight and they walked the rest of the way quietly.
He left her at the door to the house, nodding to the uniformed officers. He faffed around outside, wondering if he should walk back to Amner or go find Tom or what. They were supposed to head back to the City tomorrow. He decided to wait in the suv with Tom. They were both scrolling on their mobiles, doors open, when Eleanor barreled out of the house, her face the angriest either man had ever seen.
"Let's go. We're back to the City." She opened the back passenger door and slammed it closed. She looked right at David. "I told them. Better get on that paperwork."
