Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 116547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116547 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
“Has the pain increased?” His voice was directly in my ear.
When I opened my eyes once more, I found myself staring into his eyes, which were far closer than earlier.
“No…” I whispered as he laid me on the bench in the carriage, kneeling before me.
He nodded, then glanced up to Bernice as he spoke. “Tell the driver to move as gently as possible and make sure someone goes ahead to alert the house staff to have dressings ready for me.”
“Yes, sir,” she said quickly, and stepped out of the carriage.
“Why are you now pretending to care?” I snapped at him when we were alone inside.
“You believe me to be pretending?”
“I do not know what to think! One moment you proclaim you are enamored of me, you are always around, you kiss me, and the next you treat me as though I were insignificant and ignore me—” Before I could finish my complaint, he kissed my lips gently…too quickly.
“I thank God you were not injured any worse…the sight of you like this is already far too much for my heart to bear,” he whispered down to me.
I frowned, glaring up at him…wishing he’d kiss me once more. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“Yes.”
“Stop that at once for it hurts worse than this.”
“Verity…you and I cannot—”
“Let us try anyway.”
“In what manner? Verity, I am trying to—”
“Dr. Darrington!” Bernice interrupted at the door of the carriage. “Everything is ready. May we go now?”
He nodded to her, and still I was within his arms. My heart beat so fiercely I was sure he could feel it against his chest. It was strange how nice it was to be held like this. How secure I felt. As if he alone would be able to shield me from all the world. Resting my head against him, I took a deep breath and instantly took in the warm smell of him. He smelled nice, like a garden.
Never had I been so glad to be injured, for no one would question me or make him release me.
“Drink this, it will ease your pain,” he whispered to me with the liquid already at my lips. When I stared up at him he was staring back down at me. I slightly parted my lips and yet it was he who seemed to swallow a lump in his throat.
Whatever spell was between us in that moment broke only as the bitterness of whatever he gave me touched my tongue, making my whole face grimace in protest.
“Ugh,” I grumbled, turning my face, not desiring any more.
“You must finish it, my lady.”
I wished to protest his refusal to say my name but I knew he could not do so, as Bernice was right beside us both, concern on her face as she watched.
I nodded, finishing, and whatever was in it was potent, for within a matter of moments I found myself so exhausted.
I looked upon Theodore’s face once more before I found myself staring into the stern eyes of my own father.
Must you always be such a nuisance?
I tried to speak but the words would not come out. I tried to scream but I could hear nothing…and then I could see nothing as everywhere was filled with darkness.
No.
No. Not again!
NO!
“Lady Verity! Lady Verity!”
Opening my eyes, there above me and gripping me tightly was—“Theodore?”
Only when I felt his hand on my forehead did I realize this was not a dream. He was real. This was real. But why could I not stop shaking? I was awake now, so why did I still feel scared? So much so that I felt like a child again and could not speak. He tried to move, but I would not let go.
“Verity, it’s okay,” he whispered. “You are okay, I promise.”
I glanced around, remembering only the carriage. Somehow, I was now in my rooms. How many hours had passed since the park? I was unsure, but it had to have been many, as it was now dark outside. Had he been there the whole time? What had he seen of me?
“Lie back,” he whispered, carefully forcing me to lie once more on the pillows.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“A few hours.”
“You have been here the whole time?”
He nodded, brushing my hair from my face gently. “The marchioness was adamant I stay until you woke.”
I frowned. “Is that the only reason you stayed?”
“You know it is not,” he whispered, his hand in mine. “My heart would not let me leave even if ordered.”
“You are beginning to confuse me, Theodore.” I smiled, squeezing his hand. “Do you wish to stay with me or do you wish to run from me?”
“Both.” He smiled. “My mind tells me to run. My heart tells me to stay. I am a man at war with himself.”
“If I say I wish you to stay, would that help turn the tide in favor of your heart?”