Stroking his pinky along her skin, he told her to go on. Was it possible she loved him? He’d not wanted her to love him before because he’d thought they were a hopeless cause.
But they were not a hopeless cause. In fact, she was his hope. She was everything to him, and he’d not let her go.
He focused all his mind upon her sweet voice.
“Last spring. I never did anything with you that I didn’t want to do. I know you blame yourself, because you aren’t free to give me more. But you gave me more than anyone in the whole world. You were my friend. Youaremy friend. And so much more.
“Miss Shipley is a most kind and lovely lady. I wish her no ill will. I don’t want you to feel regret for what we share. I shall never regret any of it. I love you, Gabriel. I just love you and there’s nothing that will change that. It doesn’t mean you have to love me back or worry for me. It doesn’t mean you must feel guilty for marrying Miss Shipley. You’re an honorable man. It is something you promised your father. And you’ve been good to me… my friend.
“We loved, no? Together, we loved for a time. It’s more than I ever dreamed.”
“Hush.” Gabriel finally managed.
His precious, generous Olivia. She gave and she gave. She expected nothing in return.
“But this love comes to you with no strings. I give it to you so that you always know that there is one person in the world who thinks you’re wonderful and… just loves you.”
“Not… leaving… you,” he barely managed.
“You are not leaving. You’re going to heal up beautifully.” She sniffed. “You aren’t going anywhere, Gabriel Fellowes. Do you understand me?” She lifted off of him and his hand dropped back onto the bed.
“Love. You. Ah…” Oh, hell. Where was all this pain coming from? Cool metal touched his lips. A spoon. He recognized the sickly-sweet taste of laudanum. Normally he would have pushed it away. But oh, hell. Had Crawford left the knife inside of him? He needed to tell her something. “Oluvia,” he murmured. And then blessed darkness.
* * *
He was in the mine.Only it wasn’t cool and humid. It was hot, and he could hardly breathe but for the smoke filling the tunnels.
Olivia.
He’d pinned her against the hard and jagged wall. He loved her. He needed to save her. So why were her legs wrapped around him and his cock buried inside of her?
“We need to get out, love, before it caves in.”
“Leave me here,” she panted against his mouth, at the same time drawing him deeper into her body. “Miss Shipley is waiting.”
“No.” But he couldn’t stop himself. He was so close. He didn’t pull away but continued thrusting.
And then they were burning up together. They would die together.
“Drink this.” A stern voice broke through the darkness. Every inch of his body hurt. And burned. And a great weight was crushing his chest.
“Can’t breathe,” he rasped. But he was tipped forward and liquid was poured past his lips. Half of it dribbled down his chin and onto his chest but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but the pain—the fire.
He didn’t open his eyes. The voice he heard by his bed was not Olivia’s. Had he only imagined her here before? Had that been a dream, too?
Was this a dream? A nightmare?
He laid back again and waited to die.
Where was she?
* * *
Four days.Gabriel remained in his bed, fighting for his life. Louella and Crawford had promised they’d remain at Sky Manor until he was out of the woods. But then they would leave.
Louella knew everything now. What she didn’t know, Olivia presumed she’d guessed. But neither she nor Crawford had said a word.
They couldn’t. If Gabriel died…
