Chapter 18: Waking in Pain.

Catherine

Pain.

Pain is the first thing that seeps into my consciousness. It is so strong I believe it may have been present, before I was even aware I was awakening. I am struggling to register fully exactly where it is radiating from, but as I come back slowly to my senses I begin to receive flashes in my mind of what had occurred.

Edward and I were on the mountain, he proposed, I think. Then I was alone, except I was not, my ankle twinges as I remember running from those men. Those men were the ones who hurt me, I think they intended to, intended to force me.

Did they?

Am I?

I am trapped within my own anxious mind, filled with panic and dread over the hypothetical scenarios that I may have encountered. I have no knowledge of the truth to calm me, or perhaps it would only inflate my panic more.

I soon start to regain my hearing, at least I believe it is voices I am beginning to hear. I am not convinced that the pain is not distorting my memories to infiltrate my psyche more.

I have never felt so weak, yet I am one that has drowned before, my mind is filled with fluttering and my body feels as though it is spasming outwith my control despite my assuredness that I am not in fact moving at all.

I am pained for sometime more, before the fog of my mind begins to clear enough that I am able to register my surroundings in a much more competent manner. I am warm, I am in a bed, and despite the anguish of my body, I can clearly make out the mutterings of two male voices. My panic is instant, and it causes my body to involunarily tense, causing a surge of pain to radiate through me as I am forced with the reality that these monsters may have succeeded in their heinous crimes.

I cannot hold back the whimper as it leaves my lips, my eyes stinging aas they are forced to shed new tears. Death would have surely been a mercy.

The sudden movement I feel beside my head, has me yearning to open my eyes. My face is being tickled by something soft, and I can only pray that the purrs resonating beside me are from my darling kitten, and not some whore house rat catcher.

The soft cool nose nudges at my cheek, almost as if she is encouraging me to open my eyes and confirm my hope is not in vain.

"Damn cat!"

The harsh unfamiliar voice causes me to hesitate in my efforts.

"The girl will take twice as long to heal with that thing agitating her injuries."

I do not like this man.

"The kitten is her companion, Hawkins. It will help calm her when she wakes. I cannot be expected to wait around by her side forever."

Edward's voice is tired, but his defence of me against this stranger's wishes brings me solace all the same. It gives me the courage to further try and open my eyes, yet when I hear the man's next words, my stomach fills with an uneasy dread.

"I am unsure why you even insist on keeping her, Sorrell. Especially now she has likely been compromised."

My mind is pained as I try to recall the true events of what had occurred on our picnic. I have been "compromised." What does he mean? Did those men, did they make me?

"Careful Charles," Edward's warning rings through my turmoil, "You may be my eldest friend Doctor Hawkins, but I will not permit your interference in this matter. Catherine is untouched. I made it back to her in time."

If I was physically cognizant enough, I would scream for joy.

Instead, I force out a strained, "Mhmmm," and their conversation instantly halts.

"Catherine?" Edward ventures tentatively, sounding closer than before.

Breathing alone seems harder now, and I struggle to part my dried lips. I attempt to wet them, but it seems even my tongue has no moisture to offer.

"Mhmm," I try again, my eyes squeezing closed instead of opening.

"Catherine, I'm here," he speaks softly, and I feel the bed dip beside me.

He should not be sitting on my bed.

With the strong urge to scold him, I unscrew my eyes and force them open. Blinking rapidly I realise I am indeed in my room, back within the sturdy walls of his mountain fortress.

I am safe.

My attention is pulled to Edward as his fingers gently dust the stray hairs from my face.

"I am so relieved to see you wake, Catherine." He sighs. "Please oblige me, I will help you to sit up. Then we can get you some water." He looks to the other man, "She can drink, yes Hawkins?"

"Yes," the scowling doctor replies, "But only small sips to begin with. Her stomach has been empty for two days."

Edward nods silently, before collecting more pillows to place beside me. Though next I am taken by shock when he leans forward and pulls my body into his. Even though he is merely hoisting me up so I may drink, I cannot help the blush which rises in my cheeks; I am only in a night dress, and a delicate one at that, with my almost exposed bosom crushed against his strong chest as he manoevers me into place against the cushions which are now at my back. It does not help that his state of dress is that of a gentleman who should be at leisure in his own chambers alone; in contrast to the doctor who is completely dressed Edward is in breeches and a loose shirt only. However, I cannot scold him yet, having to bite at my lip to contain the pained cries which want to escape me.

Once he has laid me back as gently as possible, he retakes his place, sitting by my side. I cannot help but frown at such an action, for I wish to pull the blanket up higher around myself, yet he has trapped it in his naivety, pooled as it was around my waist. Before I can even comment, Edward is holding a small cup of water to my lips.

"Little sips, Catherine, just as Doctor Hawkins instructed now." Edward demands gently.

The water is cool upon my tongue, and slips down my throat with a delicate ease, before Edward removes the cup.

I nod, smiling as Chastity returns to my side.

"Thank you," I manage, just s Edward brings the cup back to allow me another sip.

He smiles warmly at me before depositing the cup upon a table to the side of the bed, and leaning back to cage my hips within his arms.

"You really ought to sit on a chair, Edward. Propriety also dictates there should be another woman in here with is as well." I remind him, feeling quite uncomfortable by his proximity.

Charles scoffs, just as Edward's face momentarily darkens.

"Hang propriety, Catherine!" He bursts out. "I almost lost you." He argues back, before suddenly smirking, "Anyway, Hawkins is a doctor, he can act as our chaperone if that suits you better. Can you not Charles?"

The man's face lightens with mischief, "Indeed I can." He responded instantly, "Now, Lord Sorrell, I beg of you to remember your manners and vacate the lady's bed."

Edward's face fell with a swift scowl directed at the doctor as he removed himself from my bed. Pulling a chair over to sit at my side there instead.

"There," he stated with an air of petulance about himself. "Does this please you then?"

"Thank you," I stated genuinely, before I winced while pulling up the blankets.

"You are in pain, Catherine." Edward stated, almost as if he was actually scolding himself for his absent mindedness. "Of course you are. Hawkins can she have more laudanum?"

"More?" I asked, perplexed at how I could have already received milk of the poppy while unconscious.

"Yes, I administered several doses of the tincture while you slept already. It was a challenging and slow going feat I may add, Miss Innes. Making sure there was enough to trigger your throat to swallow; yet not so much that you might choke." Doctor Hawkins responded.

I couldn't tell whether he was complimenting his own ability or lamenting over the responsibility he had been lumped with, my care.

"You have taken quite a beating, the undisturbed sleep will be what helps you heal the quickest. Luckily, my examination did not detect any broken bones, so your body should heal well enough in time." He continues to explain.

I nod along to his account of my health, feeling relief fill me at his words.

"And yes, Lord Sorrell, she can have more. But first, a meal will do her wonders. Something light. Chicken broth would be best after two days of no food, I believe." He cautions. "Then, I do believe she would better to move onto the pill variant as opposed to the tincture. The doses are all set and easier to follow."

I feel somewhat lost at his instructions, but do register interest at the thought of chicken broth. I watch as Doctor Hawkins strides to rifle through a case sat on a table near the door, wondering what he is doing. However, Edward seems to have followed along expertly, as he speaks.

"Excellent, Hawkins," he smiles, rising to take the pill bottle from his outstretched hand. "Thank you for your dedication. Allow me to escort you out, and I will personally fetch, Mrs. Macrae myself to request some broth for Catherine."

Edward put the pill bottle beside the water cup and before I could register his actions, he had leaned over me and dropped a chaste kiss upon my head. I had no words to offer, such was my shock at his treatment, but I did become aware of the doctor frowning as they left. Though, I am unsure if it was Edward's actions that caused this response, or my own reaction to it.

It is Chastity who rallies my spirit, as she renews her efforts in getting my attention, and I soon find my tired body is relaxing from its previous tensions and taking comfort from the soft familiarity of her fur. She is my little sweetheart and I am relieved to discover she has not followed that typical feline trait of disownership over a person, merely from being absent from them.

Then again, mayhap I have just slept through her tantrum, two days of sleep is quite some time. In which case I will gladly accept her affection as we become firm friends once more.

Before long, my attention is pulled once more to the opening of my door. I expect it will be Edward, returning to me with the food the doctor had requested, yet I am shocked beyond belief to find Marie De La Nuit, of all people sneaking into my room like some kind of thief in the night.

I stiffen as I watch her every move, but become even more perplexed as I watch her lock the door and approach me, holding a bowl in her hands.

"Do you need me to help you to eat?" She asked without preamble.

"I..." I am at a loss of what to say to her.

"Oh, I was eavesdropping, Miss Innes." She states, as if that alone is enough of an explanation for her appearance.

"I am expecting Edward's return shortly," I begin, not unaware of how her eyes soften with pity.

"Oh, Miss Innes," she sighs. "Lord Edward Sorrell is a scoundrel of the highest order, and I saw him myself, riding out with Doctor Hawkins towards the town," she explains, moving towards the fireplace.

I sit confused, watching her as she places the bowl on a table, before building the fire up again to chase off the chilling air.

"We will not be seeing him before midday tomorrow at least."