Trenchard hustled Dougald out of Hannah's bedchamber, leaving Hannah propped up on his pillows, sipping Mrs. Trenchard's special soothing tea while the maid watched over her. "As ye saw, she suffered scratches up her leg and slivers in her palms. She's going to hurt greatly from the sprained ankle and her torn fingernails, and she hit her chin so hard her head's going to ache something vile."Mrs. Trenchard's labor in Hannah's bedchamber had convinced Dougald the housekeeper did indeed know how to care for the ill. He could trust her, and now he wondered what Charles had discovered in his hunt for the culprit. "Walk with me," he commanded, and strode down the corridor. "How long should she stay in bed?""Today at least, perhaps tomorrow. For several days she should stay seated as much as possible and keep her foot elevated.""You will see that she does." Dougald glanced at Mrs. Trenchard as she hurried beside him. Certainly this woman had proved her worth today. "You have been here for many years.""All my life."He paused, picked up his forgotten shoes, and stared into her eyes.
