Then a woman appeared in the shadows. Her white gown was a beacon, drawing him closer, though a veil of lace obscured her features, and when he called out to her, she turned away, striding off into the void. Silas chased after her, but he couldn’t find her.
***
Dreams drifted away, slowly clearing as Judith shifted in her seat. Her face rested against Mr. Byrnes’s mattress, and though her back ached from the awkward position, she remained as she was. It would only hurt more once she straightened in her chair, and she wasn’t ready to face the world. Not yet. Light from the window testified it was morning, and no doubt, one of the maids would arrive soon with a tea tray.
A hand squeezed hers, and Judith shot upright, her neck and back groaning, and she rubbed at her eyes with her free hand to see Mr. Byrnes watching her, his hand holding fast to hers.
“Mr. Byrnes?” Judith rose from her chair to press her free hand to his forehead as a few stray tears gathered in her eyes. His skin was still warmer than it ought to be, but the fever had finally broken.
Hurrying to the bell pull, Judith rang for the maid and rushed back to his bedside. With quick movements, she straightened his bedcovers and primped his pillows, fluttering over things she knew did not matter, but Judith could not sit still. Her thoughts race through the past days, her heart lifting as she assured herself again and again that he was awake.
And still, Mr. Byrnes’s eyes remained open, watching her.
“Are you feeling any better? Can I get you anything?” asked Judith, looking at the array of medicines and refreshments on the nightstand.
“I’m thirsty.” His voice was weak, though the words were clear enough.
“Of course,” and with quick movements, she prepared a cup of tea. It was cold and rather weak, but Judith supposed that was better for him. Helping him upright, Judith lifted the cup to his lips, giving him a few sips before easing him back down again.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Two days.”
Mr. Byrnes studied her; his eyelids drooped, though his gaze fixed on her. “And you’ve been here the whole time.”
Judith straightened the edge of his bedcovers and took her seat once more. “Someone needed to nurse you.”
“I heard your voice in the darkness. You called to me. Whenever I was lost to the fever, you helped me back.” His voice was but a whisper, and he held her gaze for a long moment, his eyes burning with an intensity that had naught to do with the fever.
A knock at the door had Judith leaping from her seat. The maid entered with a bob and looked over to the master’s bed, her face lighting with a smile.
“Is Mr. Byrnes awake, then?”
“He is,” said Judith, brushing back a lock of her hair that had pulled free of her bun sometime in the night. “Send word to the Slades and Mr. Hatcher, and have Cook prepare a bowl of broth for him.”
“Certainly, miss,” said Beth with a bob before hurrying away once again.
Turning back to the bed, Judith tugged on the bedclothes, straightening them until they laid properly. Then she pressed another hand to Mr. Byrnes’s forehead to make doubly certain the fever truly had receded. When she reached for his pillows yet again, he took hold of that hand and motioned for her to sit.
“Please, Miss Delmonte. You are fluttering about like a mother hen,” he said with a hint of humor.
Judith dropped to the chair with a trembling smile. “You had us very worried, sir.”
Their hands entwined together, his thumb brushing against the back of her hand, and Judith stared at the touch. Her heart gave a flutter with each movement, and she wanted to scowl; she ought not to enjoy it so very much. With a gentle tug, she pulled her hand free.
“You would deny an ill man a bit of comfort?” said Mr. Byrnes with a smile too sorrowful to be believed.
“If you are hale enough to tease, you cannot be that ill,” she replied.
“Or your touch is that invigorating.”
Judith narrowed her eyes. “Clearly, you are still delirious.”
“Do not make light of my feelings.” Mr. Byrnes reached for her hand again, though she pulled away.
“As you enjoy making light of many things, I think it highly appropriate,” she replied with a slanted smile.
“Please listen.” Mr. Byrnes spoke in such a firm tone that Judith couldn’t help but do as bidden. He frowned and tried to sit upright, though he hardly lifted himself from the pillows. With a huff, he settled himself and turned his gaze to her. “You may not believe me, but I am in earnest.”
