Elizabeth looked around as she sat on the railing of London bridge. The organized chaos of the river Thames where the vessels were somehow able to dodge each other on its way to its destination. It was through her uncle that she developed a love for this particular part of town. He brought her along on board one of his merchant ships. He educated her on the world of commerce and since then her appetite for learning this subject was unquenchable. She read books. Examined all sorts of merchandise and met people from other countries. She felt a slight pang of guilt in leaving in such a way. She stared at swirling water below and a vision of her father with outstretched arms beckoned her. She smiled at him and said, "I'm coming Papa!". Then she pushed off.
She held her breath in anticipation of meeting her watery grave, but it never came. Instead, she felt a hand gripping her wrist jerking her back up towards life. She yelped in pain as her body slammed against the stonework and hit her head in the process. Then darkness claimed her.
Ian Bainbridge was glad to be back to his beloved England. His tour of the continent has been quite enjoyable but knew that all the fun carefree lifestyle must come to an end. He is faced with a decision between two prospective employments. Though both are desirable situations, one of them is in Scotland away from his beloved uncle. He went for a walk as his usual habit leaving Cheapside and crossing the London bridge as his usual route. On his way back he leaned against the rail and watched ships and smaller vessels litter the Thames. He always wonders where these vessels are going. Then he looked further down his path and spotted a woman sitting on the rail. For reasons unknown to him, he walked briskly towards her as if sensing an impending doom. A voice in his head said, "Hurry. Save her." He picked up his pace, almost running.
Everything happened in a flash. He stretched out his hand and connected with Elizabeth's wrist. She yelped in pain. He heard her arm popped, and her body slammed against the stonework hitting her head against it rendering her unconscious. The weight of her body threw Ian off balance, but he fought his hold on her as he braced his body against the stonework less, they both go over. He slowly pulled her up by the wrist working his way to her upper arm until he could wrap his arms around under hers and around her chest to embrace her to safety. Soon he was able to do so, but her dress was snagged into the crevice of the stonework. He kept pulling her away until it ripped free. Leaving a large piece of her hem behind.
Once he had her in his arms, he wedged her body between the stonework and himself while he removed his coat. He wrapped her body in it and made a quick assessment. He noticed that her breath smelled slightly sweet. He pried her eyes open revealing pinpoint pupils and she's shivering. Her pulse is slow. It's quite obvious to him that Elizabeth ingested laudanum. He needs to bring her home quickly out of the elements. He held on to his precious bundle and lengthened his strides. All the while wondering what could have gone so wrong in this woman's life that would make her wish for death.
Mr. Jacobsen had just sat down to tea when he spotted his nephew hastily making his way home. He quickly got up to open the door. Without a word. Ian carried his bundle up the stairs and into his chamber. He laid her gently. He went to wash his hands when he ran into his uncle in the hallway. He pointed at the spot of blood on the crook of Ian's arm. He looked down. Then looked at his uncle and ran to his bedroom. He turned Elizabeth on her side to examine her head, parting portions of her thick brown curly hair to determine the location of her wound and severity. and found a small gash and it's still bleeding. His uncle brought some cloth for him to use to apply pressure.
Mr. Jacobsen went on to the kitchen to boil water. He's assisted in some of Ian's cases to know what his nephew needs. He also sterilized a razor and needle. Once the task was done. He brought all that is necessary for his nephew to do the job. He also brought along a bottle of whiskey. Ian smiled at his uncle's thoughtfulness. He asked for a pair of scissors. He hated having to cut some of her beautiful tresses, but he needed a clear view of the wound and stitching it would be rather easy to accomplish. Before snipping it, he used her hair to have better control of keeping the wound open for cleansing. He found and removed a couple of tiny stone fragments. Water was poured to clean the wound and surrounding area. Then hair around it was snipped enough to uncover the wound and a little bit more. Then he took the razor and shaved the area. Then pour the Whiskey for final cleaning. His uncle threaded the needle and held the candle for additional lighting. Ian was gentle in his touch and spoke soothing words as he made his stitching. It didn't take him long to finish. He kept her in that position for a little bit longer in case she starts to bleed again.
A couple of hours later he went back to check on her. All was good, no further bleeding. He started peeling off layers of her clothing to further his examination. First, he removed her pelisse which revealed bruises from her wrist to her upper arm. A result from her sudden rescue. The other arm also revealed a hand grip which looked to be recent. He removed her dress and corset more bruises appeared. He left her shift on. He put her in supine position and did some further examination. He confirmed that she did indeed have a dislocated shoulder. He felt responsible for this injury, but there was no time to think nor any other way to save her. He palpated the shoulder area. He covered her up with a blanket except for the affected arm and shoulder. He had his uncle hold her to minimize her movement during the setting procedure. Since she's petite, there's no need to put his foot in her armpit to brace himself. He firmly grasps her arm and pulls ever so slightly while turning it slowly until it pops back into the socket. She grimaced and let out a soft protest but remained unconscious. He soothingly apologized, while gently putting her arm on her side.
He gave Elizabeth a little rest from poking and prodding. Meanwhile, he took tea with his uncle. He wondered about the bruises he'd seen and suspect that more will be revealed as he takes the final layer off. Was she in an abusive relationship? Did someone take advantage of her? If so, that would explain her desire to end it all. Is her life in danger? Will he have to hide her and where? A sudden protectiveness welled within him. He is not willing to risk her life for some low life who seeks to gratify their pleasure. No! It is not to be borne! His uncle advised him to finish the examination before his anger got to him. He gave her another thirty minutes before resuming what needed to be done.
After some time passed. Mr. Jacobsen is confident that his nephew has gotten his anger under control. He allowed him to go back to Elizabeth and finish his assessment. He went into his chamber and shut the door. He braced himself for what he might find. He pulled the bed covers, untied her shift and decided to slide it down enough to uncover her upper body. She had suction and bite marks in areas covered by her clothing, and a grip mark behind her neck. On top of the bruises were scrub marks. He then righted her clothing and moved on to the lower part. It was the same story except for the matching grip mark on her upper thighs. He covered her back up. He looked at her sleeping form with tenderness. He pushed aside a wisp of curly hair out of her face and whispered a promise that he will care and protect her.
"How is she?"
"She'll survive, but I don't know if her mind will. There is a reason why she wants to die, and I hope we can pull her out of despair. The marks on her body revealed having been used by someone. I can't even imagine what her mind is going through. I can't in good conscience fix her and release her to someone who might harm her again. I can't hire a personal maid for her in fear of gossip. It is a blessing that I'm a doctor and will be able to care for her. She is not yet awake. Quite understandably so. Since she appears to have taken some laudanum."
"If you need any clothes. I still have your aunt Rebecca's. It might be a little too big for her. I imagine she will have enough skills to fix it."
"Thank you, uncle.
Ian kept a watch on Elizabeth and made plans for the future. He means to see her through these difficulties. What would happen to her when it's time for him to take his physician post? Will she be part of his future and to what extent?
