“My lovesick sister dragged me to this doorstep, Ramsey, so she could assure herself Gray was, in fact, well and not about to die.”
“Alex!”
“What? I’m hungry, and you are being dramatic.”
“Come in, Alex. As it happens, I purchased some apricotines from Appleblossoms Bakery not thirty minutes ago. We’ll sit with our tea and eat them while Ellen and Gray fumble around with apologies and declarations of love,” Ramsey said.
Ellen rolled her eyes and entered the house.
“Second floor, third door on the right. He is sitting in a small parlor writing notes on last night because he was too exhausted to do it before he slept. I have forbidden him from leaving the house again.”
“Again?”
“He left the house before I could stop him for a brief visit somewhere, but is returned now.
“Is he well, Ramsey?” Ellen asked.
“Like you, bruised and hurting but well, Ellen.” He smiled. “Off you go, and I will have tea ready when you both come down.”
Ellen walked up the stairs and along to stand outside the third door. Exhaling slowly, she knocked.
“For pity’s sake, Ram. I am the same as I was when you saw me five minutes ago,” a voice from inside called. “I have said I will not leave the house again. Go away and let me finish.”
She opened the door and walked inside.
He was seated at his desk writing.
“What is so important?” He turned and saw her. “Ellen.” Her name sounded torn from him.
“I needed to see you.”
He met her in two strides, his hands cupped her face, and his eyes ran over her. “I don’t know how I existed without you in my life, Ellen.”
“I am the same. It’s an odd thing, don’t you think, that after a short amount of time we have become so important to each other.” Ellen never wanted to leave Gray again because she had a feeling that a life without him would be no life at all.
“Very odd but wonderful.”
“Are you well, Gray?”
“I am now.” His lips touched hers briefly. “How are you here?”
“Alex brought me. He’s downstairs eating apricotines with Ramsey.”
They stared at each other for long seconds.
“Do you need to sit, Ellen?”
“I threw my umbrella at Brownly last night. I’m sure I can stand here with you.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered against her lips. “For speaking as I did. For ordering you to stop walking into danger.”
“We try not to walk into danger every time we leave the house, Gray.”
He snorted and then kissed her again. “These feelings inside me are new, and I didn’t know how to deal with them.”
“It is no different for me,” Ellen said. She traced the tip of her finger over the bridge of his bruised nose. “I’m sorry you’re hurting.”
“I can’t feel anything.”
