The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Ashford Hospital just as the clock tower nearby struck ten. Noel climbed out first—boots crunching on the gravel drive—his dark grey morning coat still slightly wrinkled from the hurried escape. The white shirt beneath was crisp but the collar had loosened during the ride and the black silk cravat hung unevenly around his neck.
Rowan followed close behind, still in his best black livery neat.
Noel looked at the same building he had seen the day before and turned to Rowan.
"Stay in the carriage and wait for me. I'll go in alone."
Rowan didn't like the sound of that. He didn't know what Noel had come here for. He wanted to follow him despite Noel's order to stay in the carriage.
He remembered that the news of Arthur's accident had been all over the morning papers. He had seen the headlines and immediately assumed Noel was here for Arthur. His jaw was tight, arms folded across his chest.
