She watched him expectantly for a few moments before shrugging and saying, “It seems you and I are in somewhat of the same boat at the moment. That is to say, we’re both guests of Lord Clayton while we recuperate. As you can see, I have broken my leg. The details of which I shall spare you. But I will say that it happened under excruciatingly embarrassing circumstances. Quite a tale, I assure you. Perhaps a story for another day if you’re feeling up to it sometime.”
She stared at him expectantly again. He stared calmly and silently back. The man might be ill, but he was certainly not comatose as she’d feared. He was awake, alert, and staring directly at her. Whatever was wrong with him, she had the distinct feeling that the reason he wasn’t speaking was entirely by choice, not because he lacked the ability.Thatwas interesting.
She tried to get him to speak by enticing him with the story about how she’d come to be a guest here. That hadn’t done it. She needed something more compelling. She glanced about. She needed something that was interesting enough to get him to ask questions.
“Lord Clayton told me that your stay here should remain a secret, and you have my word that I shall keep it. But I must tell you … I have a secret too.”
THEA SPENTthe next fortnight having breakfast with Phillip every day. Her mention of a secret had not enticed him to speak that first morning, but that didn’t stop her from trying something new each day. The second day Phillip said nothing while she spoke at great length about her life at her Father’s house. The third day he said nothing while she spoke at great length about Maggie and all the antics they’d got up to together over the years. The fourth day he said nothing while she spoke at great length of her mother and Anthony. The fifth, sixth, and seventh days, Phillip remained completely silent while she told him the details of her stay at Clayton Manor. The eighth through the thirteenth day, Phillip watched her quietly as she showed him the tricks she’d learned regarding how to maneuver her wheelchair.
It wasn’t until the fourteenth day that she spoke of Alabaster. And it was after discussing the matter with Mr. Forrester, whom she’d met at dinner with Ewan the night before.
Thea waited until breakfast had been served and the footman had retreated to stand near the wall. “Remember the day we met, I mentioned I had a secret to tell?” Thea began.
Phillip stared at her silently as usual.
“Well, you’re obviously too much of a gentleman to ask,” she continued, “but I’ll tell you just the same.” She took a deep breath. “You see, I deserved to break my leg.”
She stared at him expectantly for a few moments before continuing. “The truth is that I sneaked into Lord Clayton’s stables not once butthree times.” She paused to see if that would elicit a reaction, but Phillip just blinked at her. “In the middle of the night.” Another pause.
Nothing.
“I had a very good reason to, of course,” Thea continued. “You see, Lord Clayton stole my horse.” She glanced at Phillip again, hoping that strange-sounding bit of news might finally convince him to speak.
“All right, very well. He didn’tstealmy horse. He won it, at auction. But I’d sent my brother to buy the horse and Lord Clayton had the audacity to bid a ridiculously high amount of money. A small fortune, I tell you.”
Phillip just stared at her.
“He’s the most beautiful horse in the world, however. An Arabian, from the finest bloodline. His name is Alabaster.”
Phillip’s head snapped up and a ragged sound emerged from his throat. He cleared it and tried again. “Alabaster,” he said in a rough whisper.
Her heart pounding, Thea nodded and smiled. She wanted to laugh and clap her hands, but she knew she needed to remain calm. “Yes. Alabaster. He’s a gorgeous horse. You should see him sometime. He’s living in Lord Clayton’s stables. He’s absolutely perfect.”
“Alabaster,” came Phillip’s whisper again.
“Would you like to see him?” Thea prompted. She reached out and patted Phillip’s hand that lay on the table in front of him.
He nodded.
Thea nodded too. She knew from speaking to Mr. Forrester that she should leave well enough alone for the day. The fact that Phillip had actually uttered a word, not once buttwicewas a huge accomplishment. He would no doubt be strained and tired afterward. She should make her excuses and leave so he could rest.
“Excellent,” she said, drawing back her hand. “Let’s plan to go out to the stables and visit him one day this week.”
A sharp rap on the door interrupted them. “Come in,” Thea called knowing it could only be one of the servants who knew they were there or Ewan himself.
Maggie came rushing in the door. A look of relief washed over her face when she saw Thea sitting at the table under the window. “There you are my lady. I’m awfully sorry to bother you, but you’ve just received a letter and I knew you’d want to read it immediately. It’s from your brother.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“He’s not coming to get me!” Thea announced in a voice that was rising with panic. Her hands shook as she held her brother’s letter. Thea had quickly made excuses to Phillip and rushed back to her room where she could read her letter in private.
Maggie made her way to Thea’s side and hovered over her shoulder to look at the letter. “What do you mean he’s not coming to get you?”
Thea scanned the letter again to ensure she hadn’t misread. Shehadto have misread. There was no possible way Anthony would ignore her pleas to take her home and leave her here to rot. She’d already been here for over a fortnight. According to Dr. Blanchard she may have to remain for up tofour moreweeks. Anthony couldn’t leave her here all that time.
“Here, you read it.” She thrust the letter toward Maggie.
Maggie grabbed the missive and swiftly read aloud.
