SONG: SELL MY SOUL BY SEETHER
Our boat is gone. Our livelihood dashed to pieces in moments right before our eyes. We were lucky to walk away with our lives intact, but what they’ll look like now is yet to be seen.
The stranger who found us on the beach has brought us to his home for us to warm ourselves up by the fire. I had to remind myself of my manners and not gape at its opulence. Intricately carved cherubs lining the large staircase greeted us when we entered the mansion drenched and shivering. Now, we sit with warm cups of tea in each of our hands with large blankets wrapped around our shoulders. The host has been most accommodating welcoming us into his home without a second thought. I know it can’t last, and there’s no way that we can repay his kindness. Had we been left out on the beach, we would have frozen to death this night- I’m certain of it. I stare into the flames, wondering what our next move should be.
“How are you all settling in?” Our host, Claudius’s voice cuts through the silence.
A deep, wet cough sputters from my mouth as I go to answer. “Oh, that sounds dreadful. Let me send word to my physician to get you looked after.”
I try to dismiss his concern, when another cough racks through my body making me double over with each forceful constriction of my lungs.
“I insist.” He waves his hand to a sturdy looking gentleman wearing livery and white gloves. “Please fetch Dr. Crank.”
“Right away, sir.” He’s out of the room before I can catch my breath.
“The last thing we need is you coming down with a deadly fever after escaping that storm.” Beau whispers loud enough for me to hear.
“We have no way to pay.” I whisper back.
“Don’t worry about that now. Please, accept my hospitality.” Claudius says with a twinkle in his eyes. “Why don’t you all get some rest? I’ll have Betsy take you to your rooms. The doctor should be here shortly.”
I let myself be guided upstairs, leaning on my brother Beaumont while the maid clears our teacups. Sleep claws at my tired body, begging for me to rest. I barely manage to crest the top step feeling my legs shake with the effort.
“Right this way.” Betsy says meekly. Her blonde hair is tucked into a white cap as her long dress swings behind her shapely figure. Beaumont catches me looking and chuckles.
“You’d think being near the grave would have quieted that insatiable appetite of yours, brother.” He says as he heaves me into the closest room available.
“Ah, but it’s the opposite. I’ve never felt more alive.” I manage to say before another coughing fit overtakes me. Beaumont rolls his eyes at me, muttering something about being lucky he loves me.
I’m grateful for a place to lay my head. My aching body sinks into the lavish bedding. I don’t think I ever want to get up from it. Betsy leaves us to get settled, but not before I catch her gaze lingering on me a moment longer than what’s considered proper. It’s not long after she leaves that my dreams are full of what I’d l like to do to her.
* * *
I waketo a cool piece of metal prodding at my skin. I jolt up at the intrusion and attempt to push it off me.
“Ah, ah, ah. Relax. I’m just taking a listen.” The old man’s hands press the instrument against my chest. “Can you take a deep breath in for me?”
He’s lucky I didn’t deck him with how he woke me up so abruptly. After a moment, I do as he instructs letting him inspect me, the ordeal I’d just lived through coming back to me as if I’d just slammed myself against a brick wall. I remind myself that this man isn’t a threat to calm the adrenalin pumping through my veins, just the doctor our host has so kindly fetched for me. I blink fast, clearing the dregs of tiredness from my vision. Claudius stands in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest as he leans on the frame watching intently. Beaumont snores in the bed across the room, completely unbothered by the intrusion. My brother can sleep through anything.
“No fever. A few scratches and bruises. No gurgling in your lungs. From what I hear of that storm, you’re lucky to be alive. You might experience some intermittent coughing, however if anything changes don’t hesitate to bring me back.”
“Thank you, doctor.” I mutter, settling back down into the plush bed.
He leaves as suddenly as he appeared, slipping past Claudius. They have a muffled conversation out in the hall, and I can only make out a few words. Worry slides down my spine wondering how I’ll ever pay him back for all he’s done.
“Sorry, we tried to wake you before, but you were out cold.” Claudius says reentering the room. He’s wearing a floor length robe, his hair disheveled from sleep.
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
His lips twist into a smile his face barely illuminated by the flickering of the lights, “We’ll work out the details later, Preston Ledger.”
CHAPTER25
Chapter Twenty-Five
SLOAN
SONG: GET FREE BY THE VINES
