Then Arabella stirred.
A faint sound, a shift of linens, a shallow inhale that turned into a small groan.
Eleanor’s attention snapped to her sister at once. “Arabella?”
James rose immediately, moving to the bedside.
Arabella’s eyes fluttered, unfocused at first, then narrowing with confusion. “Eleanor?”
Eleanor reached for her hand. “I am here.”
Arabella blinked slowly. “My head hurts.”
Eleanor swallowed hard. “I know. The physician said it will.”
Arabella’s gaze drifted past Eleanor, landing on James. Her expression sharpened, memory returning in fragments.
“You,” Arabella rasped. “You came back.”
James’s voice was quiet. “Yes.”
Arabella’s eyes narrowed. “About time.”
Eleanor let out a shaky breath that was half laugh, half sob, and squeezed her sister’s hand as if she could keep her awake through will alone.
Arabella’s eyes struggled to focus, blinking as though the room was swimming around her.
“What happened?” she asked again, her voice hoarse. “Why does my head feel as if someone struck it with a brick?”
Eleanor forced a smile that did not reach her throat. “Because someone did strike you.”
Arabella’s brows knit. “In my room?”
“In mine,” Eleanor corrected gently. “You were with me.”
Arabella stared for a moment, then memory flickered across her face. The masked figure. The sound of wood splintering. Eleanor’s scream.
Her gaze snapped to Eleanor’s throat. “He tried to choke you.”
Eleanor’s fingers rose instinctively to the faint bruising there. “Yes.”
Arabella’s eyes widened, anger sharpening her features even through the haze. “Where is he?”
“Gone,” Eleanor said. “For now.”
Arabella tried to sit up too quickly and winced. “No.”
Eleanor steadied her shoulder. “Slowly.”
Arabella swallowed, then forced the words out. “He cannot simply leave.”
Eleanor’s voice hardened. “He will not. We will bring him to justice.”
Arabella stared at her, then looked past her toward James, who stood near the foot of the bed, still and watchful. His expression was tight with restraint, as if he feared any movement would shatter what little calm existed in the room.
Arabella’s eyes narrowed. “Is that a promise?”
James’s jaw flexed. “Yes.”
