Too Late

Preston left. 

Louisa felt the most relief when he did. It was when she'd returned with Mrs. Phellipe to the ground floor that she saw the other boy that had helped to bring up the unconscious Rochester. The housekeeper had then tactfully thanked them both, before tipping them some notes— a stamp of their compulsive silence. The tip required them to stay reasonable about the incident and not let news of Rochester's attack travel abroad.

Both boys agreed and just as Mrs. Phellipe turned away, Louisa had then tiptoed over to Preston. She aimed to remind him not to indulge in her predicament. She soon found out she didn't need to do that or explain too much. 

"Go handle your business alone," he muttered with a shrug and was soon out the front door. He may have winced also but who cared?