“Nor any need. We were both caught and broken in the hell of war,” Lucas said with compassion. “But if you feel that you’ve done me an unjust injury, there is something you can do to balance the scales between us.”

“I will tell my family and friends that I wronged you,” Godfrey said heavily. “Is that what you want?”

“That would be appreciated, but my request is different. Frère Emmanuel, the friar I traveled with, came from a long line of highly skilled bonesetters and he taught me everything he knew. From the first time I saw you, I’ve felt that you might be helped by the skills I’ve learned. Will you allow me to examine and treat you?”

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 31

Godfrey stared at Lucas, appalled. “You want to push my bones around?”

“That’s an oversimplification, but yes,” Lucas said, holding the younger man’s gaze. “When bones are displaced, they can pinch nerves and cause excruciating pain. The whole body reacts, trying to reduce the pain, and still more misplacements occur. I can’t promise that I will return you to what you were before your injury, but I feel reasonably sure I can help you at least a little.”

Thinking that she should offer an endorsement, Kendra said, “I saw Lucas perform a miracle. Wouldn’t it be worth a try to see what he might be able to do?”

Simon also spoke up. “I was the lucky beneficiary of one of Lucas’s miracles. I would have died after Waterloo if not for him.”

Godfrey looked from Kendra to Simon before saying with obvious reluctance, “It would be worth trying someday.”

“Do it now, not someday,” Kendra said firmly. “There’s a good treatment table right here, and your brother will be standing by to make sure Lucas doesn’t do anything you can’t bear.”

When Godfrey still hesitated, Patrick said fiercely, “Dammit, Godfrey, if there’s a chance he can reduce your pain, for God’s sake, let him try! I hate seeing my little brother in constant agony! All of us do. Once I was thrown from my horse in battle and was in the most shattering pain. I hoped they’d shoot me as well as my horse. I couldn’t walk, could barely breathe. Then my sergeant found a local bonesetter, who was summoned and fixed me up better than I would have thought possible.”

Lucas looked as if he would like to ask what Patrick’s injury had been, but he refrained.

“Very well.” Godfrey collected his crutches and lurched to his feet with his brother’s help. Then he limped across the room to the treatment table. “Do you want me up or down?” he asked in a brittle tone.

“Take off your coat and boots, then lie facedown, please,” Lucas said.