Chapter 2
The family had been waiting in the library when they heard the car pull up the drive. They immediately ran outside to welcome Matthew home and hear the news about the baby. Although they were glad that the baby had been born in a safe environment where Dr. Clarkson had everything he needed to make the delivery as safe as possible, they wished they could have gone with Mary.
However, the site they were greeted by was a surprise. Matthew was carrying a clearly injured girl in his arms.
Robert and Tom rushed to Matthew's side to see if they could help.
"My god!" exclaimed Robert. "What the devil has happened? Who is that?"
Matthew began barking orders at everybody, "Carson, call Dr. Clarkson. Robert, grab her bag from the car. It's heavier than it looks. Tom, help me carry her upstairs. What room should we put her in?" The last was addressed to his mother-in-law. Carson immediately responded with a "right away, sir" but was forced to pause as he listened to Lady Cora's reply.
"We can put her in one of the guest rooms, but shouldn't we ask for another doctor? Let Dr. Clarkson stay at the hospital with Mary, she needs the best," Cora questioned.
"Mary's fine. She gave birth to a healthy boy and now she is resting. However, this young girl is not healthy. We need to get her medical attention," Matthew said rushing into the house carrying the girl's shoulders while friend and brother-in-law carried her feet. He paused for a moment, looking into Robert and Cora's eyes.
"I did this to her. I caused this. If she dies, her blood is on my hands."
Thirty minutes later Doctor Clarkson had arrived with his medical bag, informing everyone that Matthew's mother Nurse Isobel Crawley had stayed to look after Mary.