Actually, she’d make an excellent spy amongst Society, but he couldn’t allow that. It was too dangerous. Eve must be safe.
What if he was already in hell? He was on fire, and even his throat burned, and his body ached worse than when he had rolled with the carriage.
He should have gone to church more, but intellectually he never really believed in God or Satan. It was too hard to comprehend.
He should have followed his mother’s blind faith because this could be hell.
They thought being called the Devils of Dalston a lark. There was nothing humorous about being devils. At least, not any more.
And, he’d never see Eve again. She’d never know that he’d fallen in love with her.
Love. Another incomprehensible idea, like heaven and hell.
He’d been such an idiot. Oh, if he were only given one more chance, Henry would grovel and do whatever was necessary to win her back and make up for all of the wrongs.
If he were in hell, where were the screams of anguish? Or were all the lost souls forced to cry out silently? Instead, he only caught bits of murmuring far beyond him, softer tones, and he couldn’t make out any of the words being said.
Was this another form of torture? He’d hear voices, but never understand?
If Henry could but open his eyes and look around, maybe he’d have an answer, but his eyelids refused to rise no matter how much he wished. And, perhaps he didn’t want to see the horrors before him. At least not yet.
One day he’d open his eyes. Maybe.
For a brief moment, cold comfort caressed his brow, then his face, but disappeared.
Was he to be allowed only a brief moment of comfort before the heat invaded again?
Henry licked his parched lips, wishing for water or tea, but nothing came. There was no water in hell and his mouth would remain dry and soon, his lips would crack from the heat.
Eve. His heart ached with the loss. If only he’d told her of his feelings while he had a chance. Would it have made a difference? Would she have run away?
Except, he wasn’t even certain of the love before she was gone. It took her leaving to face the reality of his heart.
He’d been a bloody fool and now he’d pay for all of eternity.
Another cool cloth brushed across his face bringing temporary relief. If his face was being cooled, why couldn’t he have a sip of water? He tried to lick his lips again but his mouth was as dry as a desert.
Murmurs grew near and he strained to hear, to make out the words, but they were too quiet.
Something lifted him from behind. Was he going to be thrust into the flames now?
Panic rose and he tried to fight but it was if his limbs were restrained and he had no strength to fight. A moment later something was pressed to his lips and a trickle of cool water caressed his tongue. Henry strained to take in more but whatever demon was helping him teased with only a few drops at a time. He needed more. So much more, but then it was taken away and he drifted backwards again.
Then the murmurs disappeared and he was left in silence
* * *
Eve had been beside Kilsyth’s bed for nearly a day but there’d been no improvement. He was out of his mind with fever. She assumed he suffered from delirium because the few words she’d been able to make out made no sense. At least not in any context that she could understand. However, he had said her name a few times. She just wished she knew whether his thoughts were pleasant or not.
His fever had spiked a few moments ago and it was time to cool him down again. They had been able to manage it, for short times, but were never able to make the fever break completely and she feared what would become of him if they couldn’t bring it down permanently.
“Please give Lord Kilsyth more Dover’s Powder, then strip and wash his body until his temperature drops,” she instructed the footman who stood by the door. There was always a footman close for anything she needed.
“He did drink the water, and for that I’m grateful. If you can, see if you can get him to drink more.”
“Of course, Miss Doyle,” he answered as she quit the room.
Exhausted, she leaned against the corridor wall after the chamber door closed behind her.
