“You do, and I’ll be tannin’ your hide for sure.”
“Now, Sally,” Elizabeth said as she rose and started for the door.“I’m going to see to Jonathan.”
Elizabeth hurried across the hall to Jonathan’s room.The door stood ajar, so she slipped into the room unannounced.She’d expected to see him awake and sitting up, but what she found was Jonathan sound asleep and Annie holding a cloth over his forehead.
Annie turned at the sound of the door creaking open.“Ye look much better this morning,” Annie greeted.“Did ye sleep well?”
“For part of the night,” Elizabeth answered as she placed her hand on Jonathan’s forehead.“What’s the matter?”Her eyes darted from Jonathan to Annie.“Is he worse?”
“Dinna ye be a-frettin’.The lad’s had a bad injury and this fever is his body’s way of fightin’.’Twill take time.”Annie patted Elizabeth’s hand.“I’ll pull him through this just like I always have with ye and Adam, and then ye’ll be havin’ plenty of time to be nursin’ him back to health.”
Two weeks passed slowly.Jonathan refused company, preferring to be alone.Elizabeth wasn’t sure what to do.She wanted to help, to do something.Anything.A few days later when she tried to see him, Annie met her at the door.
“I must see Jonathan,” Elizabeth insisted.
“I’m sorry, lass, but he doesn’t want to see anyone,” Annie said gently.She took Elizabeth by the elbow and steered her away from the door.She leaned over and whispered, “Just give him some time.”
“Are you sure I shouldn’t stay with him?”Elizabeth asked.“I feel so helpless.”
“What ye can do is help Jewel.This will be her first day out of bed, and she mustn’t overdo.Ye know how bullheaded she can be.That’s one young lady that doesn’t know the meaning of the word no.”
“Where is Adam?”
“He and Derek have gone to the docks.Something about the sails being replaced on theWindjammer.”
Elizabeth sighed, hating to leave Jonathan, but realizing that Annie had everything under control.“Promise me you’ll call if he changes his mind.”
“Ye know I will.Now shoo,” Annie said, motioning with her hand as if she were waving away flies.
Reluctantly, Elizabeth left, then proceeded down the hall to Adam’s room.She’d been so wrapped up in Jonathan, she’d ignored her sister-in-law.But on the other hand, she knew Jewel needed the time to rest and recover.Elizabeth knocked softly on the door.
“Come in,” Jewel called.
Elizabeth saw her sister-in-law across the room as Jewel turned away from the window.Jewel’s long black hair swung freely about her shoulders, and her rose-colored gown brought a soft glow to her face.The gown completely covered the bandage, and she didn’t look hurt at all.
“Jewel.”Elizabeth moved swiftly and embraced her, but drew back when Jewel winced.“I’m so sorry, but you look so well it’s easy to forget about your wound.”She held Jewel at arm’s length.“Are you in much pain?”
“Yes.”Jewel took a deep breath and adjusted her smile.“But I will live.”
They looked at each other for a moment before they both laughed.“It’s so good to see you.I had my doubts the last time we parted that I’d ever see you again,” Elizabeth admitted.
Amusement flickered in Jewel’s eyes.“That thought ran through my mind as well.”She looped her arm through Elizabeth’s.“I don’t want to talk about those dreadful times.Let’s walk outside.I’ve been cooped up here much too long.I need fresh air even if it is cool.How docafe au laitandbeignetsin the gazebo sound?”
“Excellent.”
“Good.I’ve made arrangements to have them sent out for us.”
The day was crisp, so they had to bundle up in their long cloaks.The sun had risen high in a bright blue sky, but did nothing to warm them.They were quiet for a while, each lost in thought as they walked through the garden, which looked bare now, but in the spring there would be lilacs, purple Japanese maples, magnolia, and jonquils.The air would be filled with the fragrance of honeysuckle.The birds even seemed silent today as if they sensed the two women needed some time alone.
Jewel thought back, remembering how scared she had been when she found out Captain Lee had kidnapped Elizabeth....
Elizabeth had promisedJewel that she wouldn’t ride far.When the sky had grown dark and Elizabeth hadn’t returned, Jewel had paced the floor, reprimanding herself for not accompanying her sister-in-law.
That’s when a noise in the distance had stopped her.She listened.The sound of a horse galloping out front got her attention.Thank goodness, Elizabeth had returned.
Jewel had run to the front door and pulled it open.Her smile faded instantly.It wasn’t Elizabeth, but a young boy with a package in his hand.
“I have a package for Mrs.Trent.”
