He laid her on her back again before ripping off his shirt and bundling it in a wad. Using gentle care, he slid it underneath her shoulder, which tilted her slightly to the side. As he studied the wadded-up garments, he worried this wouldn’t be enough pressure.
Glancing around the room, he searched for something that might assist him in some way. His gaze fell on the curtains and the ropes holding them open. He quickly stood and went to the curtains, yanking them off the ropes. The curtains fell together, shutting out the moon’s light from the window.
“What...are you going to do?” she asked in a weak voice.
Just the sound of her voice made his heart break that much more. “I’m trying to find something that will help hold pressure against your wounds.” He came back with the rope, then carefully wound it up and over her shoulder, pulling the two bindings together.
Closing her eyes, she sucked in a quick breath, making him stall.
“Nicole? Are you all right?”
“It just hurts...but I’ll be fine. Continue what you’re doing. It’ll work...I’m sure of it.”
“My darling, I need to fetch a doctor.”
“No, you can do this...I know it.”
Once he had the rope tied securely around her, he sat back on his legs, staring into her face. Pain etched her expression and tore at his heart. Although she was the one shot, she couldn’t possibly be in as much agony as he was experiencing right now. Why had he allowed his anger to do this? True, he wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger, but the guilt flowing inside him was just as heartbreaking.
“Ashton? Why—why—” She closed her eyes tight, and tears ran down the sides of her face.
His heart broke once more. “Why, what?”
“Why did you point a pistol at me?” She blinked her eyes open again. “I thought we had shared something wonderful.”
“Yes, I thought we had, as well.” He shrugged. “But apparently, we don’t know how to communicate well with one another.” He reached over and caressed her cold cheek. “I can’t believe you thought I was robbing my own railway.”
“And you thought it was me,” she whispered.
“Tell me the truth, Nicole. I think you owe me that much.”
Slowly, she nodded. “And you also owe me the truth.” She shivered.
“Let me find you a blanket.” He jumped up and rushed out of the room. There were quilts in the hall linen closet, and he grabbed two. He hurried back, eager to hear what she really thought of him.
Carefully, he laid each quilt across her, bundling her like a cocoon. Then he went to the fireplace and added another log. He returned, sat down beside her, and stroked the side of her face. Gradually, heat warmed her, making her shivering cease.
He was torn between leaving to find a doctor and staying so that she could hear his confession. He feared if he left now and she died, he’d never forgive himself. If she happened to die, he wanted her to know the truth.
“Nicole,” he frowned, “I’m not stealing from my business. I don’t know if you believe me, but I’m not sure how to convince you of my innocence. Tell me, and I’ll do it.”
Silence stretched between them as she studied his face. Another tear slid from her eye and into her hair. “Do you honestly think I have been pretending with you this whole time?”
It took him a moment to ponder her question before he shrugged. “Maybe not the whole time, but you have to admit that you haven’t been completely honest with me since we met at the masked ball.”
More tears leaked from her eyes. “No, I haven’t been at all.”
“Are...” He hesitated in asking her his next question, but he needed to know. “Are you the person robbing the railway?”
Her eyes widened, and she gasped. “Are you addled?”
The odd response and the way she said it made him chuckle lightly. “Well, that’s an entirely different subject, I’m sure. But my question was very serious.”
“Why would you think I’m the railway robber?”
“A few reasons, really. Glynn mentioned that the police suspect you, your brother, and Mrs. Phelps.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, believe me, we are the last people the police would suspect. I don’t know why, but Glynn was lying.” She swallowed hard. “Why else did you suspect me?”
