“Thank you.” Of course, she’d never return no matter what the circumstances. These were Kilsyth’s friends, loyal to him, and she’d soon no longer be a part of his life.
“I suppose I should pack my things.” Eve stood.
“You are leaving now?” Claudia asked in alarm.
“I’m no longer needed.” Not that she was ever really needed. She was here because she feared her guardian, the gentleman she’d come to love, was going to die. As he wasn’t, it was time that she put her mind to reclaiming her heart.”
“It is supper time,” Claudia insisted.
“I don’t wish to join the others, but thank you.”
“Of course, you are exhausted.” Her hostess stood. “I insist that you rest before going anywhere. You’ve gotten little sleep, if any, since you arrived.”
She’d dozed for a few hours in a chair, but that was all. And truly, before facing the school, students, her sister, and even Kilsyth, Eve wanted nothing more than to sleep for a week.
“I’ll send a maid to help you prepare for bed and have a tray delivered to your room. Tomorrow we’ll discuss what to do next.”
“I already know what I’m going to do,” Eve answered.
“You do?”
“I will confront Kilsyth about his lies, but not until he is stronger.”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“That will depend on his answers,” Eve responded. She’d be strong and not be swayed by him no matter what he said. Not that there was anything he could say to diminish the fact that he’d lied and used her.
“You won’t go easy on him, will you?” Claudia asked with a grin.
“By the time I’m finished, Kilsyth will wish he’d confronted the French Army instead of me.”
Chapter 27
Henry hated lying in bed with nothing to do. It was a bloody waste of time, yet, his body revolted each time he tried to rise. While his mind wished more activity, the rest of him wanted to rest. And, he was so bloody weak. The few times he’d crossed the room to relieve himself had left him exhausted by the time he returned to the bed.
Further, he’d been left alone most of the day. His friends, at different times, had come in to sit, but the conversations had not lasted long and they found reasons to be somewhere else. And, the shorter the conversations became, the more concerned Henry grew that they were keeping something from him.
But, the worst of all was that Eve had disappeared. This morning he’d been told that she was still asleep. After he’d learned that she’d rarely left his side for two days, he certainly didn’t begrudge her rest. However, in the afternoon he was told that she’d returned to the school. She’d only kept vigil, waiting for him to die, then left.
No, she hadn’t been waiting for him to die, but feared it. Yet, if she cared so much, why had she left him—again?
Did Eve only feel a loyalty because she was his ward? Did he mean nothing more to her?
Henry had thought there was some caring and he’d hoped for more, but she had left the moment he no longer needed her.
Would he ever win her over? Had he been so horrid to her that all chance of winning her love was gone? Would he be forced to live the rest of his life without the one person who made it whole?
The pain was deep but Henry knew that if Eve never loved him, he had only himself to blame.
“How long have I been in this chamber?” He asked Pickmore when he came to visit that afternoon.”
“Six days.”
Six days too long.
“How soon before I can leave?”
Pickmore shrugged. “That depends on your stubbornness and when your body decides that it is healed.”
