Charlotte went deep inside herself to get away from the pain. It was like sleeping,but it wasn't really sleeping. Who could sleep when they were suffering like this? Plus, riding was extremely unpleasant. No matter how accomplished an equestrian Mr Colbourne was, and he was in fact extremely accomplished, he could not make the ride smooth enough to allow her complete relaxation. She simply had to endure until they arrived at Heyrick. So, she dug deep within herself, pushed her body against his for what small comfort that could give, and went into a dreamless but still state. The pain seemed far away but it was still there, torturing her. She fleetingly analyzed the situation… She was in his arms, on Hannibal, heading to Heyrick. Normally she would have been overwhelmed by many thoughts, worries, and feelings but the headache obliterated everything else.

For his part, Alexander was alternately overjoyed and terrified. He was overjoyed at the idea of holding her, helping her, saving her… being able to be of some service to her. He was terrified for her. She said this had happened before and had not seemed to be fearful, just in dreadful pain. Yet she seemed almost like a zombie as they rode along and he could not help but worry. Her body was warm and soft in his arms, however awkwardly she was thumping a bit against his shoulder. He was doing everything possible to hold Hannibal to a smooth gait but he couldn't eliminate every bump and bounce. Every minute or so he found time to worry about the potential impact on her reputation and consider that being "forced" to marry for propriety would not be the worst thing that ever happened. Then he would remember that she was engaged to another and it would be a terrible scandal. He would have a chaperone and notify the Parkers as quickly as possible. It would all be okay. His brain jumped about like a flea from thought to thought.

Finally they arrived and the staff came out to meet them. When they had seen that Mr. Colbourne was carrying a lady, they knew that something was not as it should be. She moaned a few times as he clumsily got her off the horse- it was difficult to move her when she was in pain like this. He swept her up in his arms and away to the guest rooms, stomping a bid madly up the stairs. It felt all at once unnatural and yet completely instinctive to be caring for her so intimately. The maid had been summoned, the laudanum fetched, and everything was made ready for their temporary guest to rest comfortably. He deposited her on the bed and left her with Mrs. Wheatley and the maid. Alexander whispered "Take good care of her." as he gently shut the door. He paused and sighed outside the room and then went immediately to his study. There he dispatched notes to both the Parkers at Trafalgar House, and to Miss Lamb in her lodgings. Having notified her friends and caretakers of Charlotte's whereabouts he drank a dram of whiskey, rubbed his face in his hands, and headed off to see how the patient was doing.