Justin looked up to see Edward standing quietly in the doorway.
“There is a place here that we could hide Lady Penroth, should anyone come looking for her.”
Justin and Case looked curiously at him. “Go on,” Justin said.
“Your grandfather was, how should I say, a bit of a recluse and, as a result, grew increasingly paranoid in his later years. He was convinced that the Scots would rise again and invade London, so he had a secret room built beyond the master chamber. You can access it through a false panel in the wall.”
“Why was I never informed of this before?” Justin asked incredulously.
“Your father saw no reason to make common knowledge your grandfather’s idiosyncrasies, and, well, neither did I.”
“Come show me this room,” Justin said, rising and heading out of the drawing room.
The three men walked up the stairs and into Justin’s bedchamber. Edward walked to the far wall that faced the back of the house. He tapped gently on the molding and on the panel next to it and then pressed firmly inward. It slowly gave way, the entire section of the wall swinging inward.
Case whistled. “Well, I’ll be damned. The old manwasdaft.”
Justin ducked into the small chamber, brushing aside years of cobwebs. A small cot lay against the opposite wall and next to it a small table and chair. A single half-used candle rested in its holder, alluding to the fact that someone had spent some time here long ago. “Have the maids clean this out immediately and put clean linens on the bed. This will work perfectly if Penroth does show up again. If he doesn’t, then we won’t have moved her from the house needlessly.”
Edward left to summon the maids, and Justin and Case went back downstairs. “I’m going to stay with Jillian for a while,” Justin said. “I don’t want her to wake up alone. Why don’t you go on home and get some rest.”
“I think I will,” Case said tiredly. “When Jillian wakes, tell her I’ll come see her tomorrow.”
Justin entered Jillian’s room and resumed his position by her bed. He had no idea how long he had sat watching her sleep when she began to stir. “Jillian, sweetheart, can you hear me?”
Her lips parted and her right eyelid opened slightly. She tried to speak, but her voice came out in a raspy croak. He quickly poured water from a pitcher on the table beside her bed and gently raised her head. Placing the cup to her lips, he allowed a few drops into her mouth. He eased her back down and put the cup to the side.
“You came,” she whispered.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” he asked bringing her hand to his lips. “Do you hurt?”
“I don’t feel much of anything,” she murmured.
“It’s the laudanum. The doctor gave you a large dose.”
“Is it bad?” she asked.
“No, sweetheart, you will be fine. I am going to take care of you, make you well again.” He stroked her hair and squeezed her hand in his.
“Where is Lucas?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“You mustn’t worry, darling. He will never get close to you again, not while I live.”
“But Justin—what will we do? I’m m-m-married.” A tear escaped and trickled down her cheek, and he tenderly whisked it away with his thumb.
“You don’t worry about it, my love. I will take care of you. Now get some rest. I’ll stay with you until you go to sleep.”
Soon her even breathing filled the room once again.
###
Justin woke with a start then squinted his eyes as the early morning sunlight shone in through the window. He nearly groaned aloud as he moved his head, his neck sore and stiff from the night spent in the chair beside Jillian’s bed. His hand rubbed the aching muscles as he stood and stretched his legs. The door opened behind him, and he turned to see who had come in.
“I took the liberty of bringing you and Lady Penroth a tray of breakfast,” Edward said as he set it down beside the bed. “I know neither of you have eaten since you arrived here, and Lady Penroth must eat if she is to regain her strength.”
“Thank you, Edward,” Justin said, looking gratefully at the older man.
“The room is ready for Lady Penroth should you have need of it. I will, of course, inform you immediately if Lord Penroth arrives.”
