A/N: This time I uploaded two chapters ~.~ I can't do an author note repling to my reviews, but I'll be doing that in another chapter. I would like to thank all my wonderful reviewers, I really love reviews! You will be able to tell I'm such a killer for romance in the next few chapters ~.~ Thanks to my wonderful beta's Jess III and Christina Sheffield, and to V. They always encourages me to write on with their wonderful help. Please review, I nearly live off reviews!
***
Seeing no sign of Louisa I stand up and quickly explained the situation
to Maria.
"Maria, I saw Louisa row out to the lake, but I don't see her anymore!"
She drops her work, and we both rush out the door, and down the stairs.
I tell the housekeeper to get one of the men quickly.
In a matter of moments, we are down near the river. Only this time, a
young man is in the water tugging a limp body to shore. I realize it is
Danny, and he is carrying Louisa.
He arrives at the shore, soaked and out of breath, at the same moment
Max and Georg rush out.
Maria's face goes white and she asks, "Is she dead?"
Danny shakes his head. Georg takes Louisa inside, Danny and everyone
else following close behind.
"Max, phone the doctor, quick!" He says to Max, laying Louisa on the
sofa in the parlor.
I had been a nurse when I was younger, and I go to her side, feeling
for a pulse.
I look up with a smile and say, "She's alive!"
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Max comes back from the
phone, saying the doctor will arrive shortly. Maria and I go get her
some dry clothes, while Max and Danny get some towels.
Louisa has woken up by the time we arrive with dry attire for her.
Maria tells the men to leave, telling Georg it'll only take a minute. I
shut the doors tightly and lock them. Maria and I help take off
Louisa's soaking clothes. Maria dries her off, while I dry her hair
with the second towel. We put on her dry clothes, and let the men back
in. Danny has just enough time to tell the story before the doctor
arrives.
Louisa had been out rowing all alone. Danny had called to her, and she
had stood up so suddenly that she tipped the boat over. Danny was able
to swim out to her, but she had just gone under. Apparently, I had
looked just as he was diving under to get her. He grabbed her and swam
for shore. Louisa confirms this story with a nod. The doorbell
rings and the doctor comes in. He examines her, and says she
will be perfectly alright, she's only had a slight shock. He tells us
she should lie down for the rest of the day and to keep giving her warm
fluids so she won't develop a cold or pneumonia.
After reassuring Georg that everything is all right Max and
Georg go back to their work. Maria goes to fix Louisa some warm milk. I
realize that Danny is still standing there in his dripping clothes.
"Danny, will you wait here and keep an eye on Louisa while I find you
some old clothes to change into?"
Of course, I needn't have asked, he looked as if he had been glued to
the spot. He just stood there, staring at Louisa, as he nodded his head
in consent.
I went to the kitchen to ask Maria where any old clothing could be
found. The children were in the nursery, with Briggitta watching them,
so we found no need to disturb them. I watched the milk while Maria got
the clothes. As soon as the milk was warm, but not too warm, I poured
it into a glass and brought it to Louisa. As I looked into the drawing
room where Louisa was laying, I see Danny kneeling beside the bed.
***
Seeing no sign of Louisa I stand up and quickly explained the situation
to Maria.
"Maria, I saw Louisa row out to the lake, but I don't see her anymore!"
She drops her work, and we both rush out the door, and down the stairs.
I tell the housekeeper to get one of the men quickly.
In a matter of moments, we are down near the river. Only this time, a
young man is in the water tugging a limp body to shore. I realize it is
Danny, and he is carrying Louisa.
He arrives at the shore, soaked and out of breath, at the same moment
Max and Georg rush out.
Maria's face goes white and she asks, "Is she dead?"
Danny shakes his head. Georg takes Louisa inside, Danny and everyone
else following close behind.
"Max, phone the doctor, quick!" He says to Max, laying Louisa on the
sofa in the parlor.
I had been a nurse when I was younger, and I go to her side, feeling
for a pulse.
I look up with a smile and say, "She's alive!"
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Max comes back from the
phone, saying the doctor will arrive shortly. Maria and I go get her
some dry clothes, while Max and Danny get some towels.
Louisa has woken up by the time we arrive with dry attire for her.
Maria tells the men to leave, telling Georg it'll only take a minute. I
shut the doors tightly and lock them. Maria and I help take off
Louisa's soaking clothes. Maria dries her off, while I dry her hair
with the second towel. We put on her dry clothes, and let the men back
in. Danny has just enough time to tell the story before the doctor
arrives.
Louisa had been out rowing all alone. Danny had called to her, and she
had stood up so suddenly that she tipped the boat over. Danny was able
to swim out to her, but she had just gone under. Apparently, I had
looked just as he was diving under to get her. He grabbed her and swam
for shore. Louisa confirms this story with a nod. The doorbell
rings and the doctor comes in. He examines her, and says she
will be perfectly alright, she's only had a slight shock. He tells us
she should lie down for the rest of the day and to keep giving her warm
fluids so she won't develop a cold or pneumonia.
After reassuring Georg that everything is all right Max and
Georg go back to their work. Maria goes to fix Louisa some warm milk. I
realize that Danny is still standing there in his dripping clothes.
"Danny, will you wait here and keep an eye on Louisa while I find you
some old clothes to change into?"
Of course, I needn't have asked, he looked as if he had been glued to
the spot. He just stood there, staring at Louisa, as he nodded his head
in consent.
I went to the kitchen to ask Maria where any old clothing could be
found. The children were in the nursery, with Briggitta watching them,
so we found no need to disturb them. I watched the milk while Maria got
the clothes. As soon as the milk was warm, but not too warm, I poured
it into a glass and brought it to Louisa. As I looked into the drawing
room where Louisa was laying, I see Danny kneeling beside the bed.