The Artist's Healer - Regina Scott Page 0,35
third with a gunshot wound to the thigh.”
Greer washed white. “What?”
Mrs. Kirby, whose hair was a vivid shade of red, leaned forward to meet his gaze around Abigail. “Did you get a good look at them?”
“A sense of their location?” Lawrence added.
“Neither,” Linus assured them. “My head was covered by a sack during travel. I only saw the patient I was to tend. But I can tell you this: the wagon in which they placed me traveled uphill as we left the spa—I felt the inclination. Then the bed flattened out for a while. From the amount of time I was away from the spa, I’d say I traveled approximately a quarter hour along the Downs to a vacant house. I can provide details.”
Greer leaned back against his chair. “It must have been near Upper Grace. This has nothing to do with us.”
“Nothing!” Abigail cried. “They kidnapped our physician.”
“And returned him unharmed,” Greer pointed out patiently. “I see no reason to get involved.”
Abigail stared at him. “These are French agents, sir. It is our duty to call out the militia.”
All gazes now swung to his. Greer stuck out his chin. “I refuse to trouble our valiant men for something so vague. Besides, we have musters coming up that cannot be delayed.”
It was as Linus had suspected. Greer saw the militia as a gentlemen’s club—all good show and good cheer.
Abigail must have realized it as well, for she shook her head. “So, our militia is nothing more than a spectacle to entertain visitors, give us all a false sense of security.”
Greer’s color returned and deepened. “Certainly not, but neither are they to be sent out for every little inconvenience.”
“I can’t say I agree,” Mrs. Catchpole put in. “Going out to search for these Frenchies would give the militia something more useful to do than trampling the grass. Besides, what if these fellows decide they need a vicar next? Or an apothecary.”
Greer blinked as if he had not considered that.
Lawrence looked to Linus. “Are you under the impression, Doctor Bennett, that these fellows might return for you again? Or anyone else?”
Linus shrugged. “It’s quite possible. I did what I could for the injured man, but he needs more attention than I could provide. If they don’t come for me, they might accost the other physician who is visiting at present, Doctor Owens.”
Lawrence’s look veered to Greer. “We cannot have them troubling a guest.”
Greer nodded thoughtfully. “Very well. I’ll send word to the encampment at West Creech. They can search any vacant houses between here and Upper Grace.”
“I’ll give you a list of vacant leases,” Mrs. Kirby offered.
Something brushed his boot. Abigail’s smile was smug. He returned the pressure against her slipper.
“We should also ensure Doctor Bennett’s protection,” Mrs. Kirby continued. “Assign the militiamen to take turns guarding him and the spa.”
Well, that might be overdoing it. Linus opened his mouth to refuse, but Abigail spoke first. “An excellent suggestion. There are thirty men in the troop. If each one took an evening and night, they’d only have to stand guard for a day a month.”
“A month!” Greer frowned at her. “How long do you intend for this to go on, Miss Archer?”
She raised her chin. “Until someone has the foresight and courage to capture these renegades, Mr. Greer.”
“I can defend myself,” Linus said in the silence that followed. “Now that I know of the danger, I can be on alert.”
“There, you see?” Greer spread his hands. “There was no need for concern.”
“And what of your son, Doctor Bennett?” Ellison pressed with a frown his way. “Are you confident you can protect him as well?”
The baker could not know the doubts that leaped up at the suggestion. He had nearly lost Ethan once. He would not lose him now. The French had proven they knew more about the village than anyone had expected. If they needed a physician again, and they could not reach him, would they go after Ethan instead, to use his son as leverage against him?
Some of his concerns must have leaked out, for Abigail put a hand on his arm. “He’s right, sir. Let us help you.”
Linus met her gaze, allowed himself to slip into the kindness shining there. Then he nodded. “Very well. I will do as this body advises.”
As she gave his arm a squeeze, Mr. Lawrence glanced between him and Greer. “And what does this body advise?”
Abigail straightened in her seat. “I move that we assign Doctor Bennett and his son a bodyguard from the moment