“Unfortunately, Charlie,youhave become my world.”
He watched me, seeming to measure the truth behind my eyes, then let out a steady breath. “You think I am dying, so you aim to please me.”
“Areyou pleased?”Tell me that you feel as I do.
“I fear I am dreaming.” He closed his eyes, wincing at another bump in the road. His face paled further, his arms hung more and more limply at his side.
I gave myself one moment of discomposure, covering my mouth as I forced back a sob. Here we were, quite literally between heaven and earth, and Fate was forcing me to answer the question I feared most: Could I live in a world without Charlie? If he lived, would that even be enough, if I could not have him by my side?
We would get him healed, and then I would convince him. I’d explain everything to Marlow as soon as Charlie was safe. The duke would be frustrated, but he would understand. And my family ... I wiped my face with my forearm and readjusted the cravat on Charlie’s side. The entire fabric was soaked in blood. Panic swarmed in my mind. We needed to hurry. He needed a surgeon.
I pulled back the shade on the window above my head. We were passing farmland. His hand lay limp in mine, so I tightened my grasp.
“Almost there, Charlie. I see Ivy Manor now.”
I glanced out the window, and the sight held true. We were winding down the long drive past the grove, and I thought I saw a flurry of servants outside.
The carriage came to a halt, and the door immediately opened. I released Charlie’s hand as Mr. Ollerton stepped inside.
“I need help,” he called. “Rosalind, exit out that side.”
“I can help,” I said, though I did not know how. The door beside me opened.
“Rosalind.” Mr. Ollerton’s voice was harsh and final, more a father than a neighbor.
I released my pelisse. My knees popped and protested at rising after leaning so heavily upon them for so long. Another man rushed in as I exited the carriage.
Derricks ushered me inside, where Liza waited in the entry. Her horrified expression told me all I needed to know about my appearance. I looked down to my dress. It was stained red from blood, as were my hands.
“Will he live?” she asked as tears streamed down her face.
“He has to,” I said. I’d finally found where I belonged, where I felt whole and complete and myself. My list had worked, only not exactly as I’d planned.
“You must go home,” Liza said, wiping her tears. “Mama said—”
“The surgeon is situated,” Marlow called from the top of the staircase. He saw me as he descended, his gaze sweeping over my filthy dress.
I hung my head and curtseyed low. “I must beg your forgiveness,” I said when he reached us.
He held up a hand. “Go and be cleaned. I will wait for you outside.”
I nodded. “Thank you for—”
“Do not thank me,” he said harshly. “Not yet.”
ChapterTwenty-Four
Grass.Focus on the grass.
My knees ached, my entire body trembled, but somehow, I moved one foot in front of the other.
Molly had come with new clothes and scrubbed every inch of me with hard soap and a towel, but I could still smell Charlie’s blood.
I had needed air, so Molly led me through the closest door—a side entrance—and toward the drive, where a figure stood on the front lawn.
Marlow.
He was conversing with two servants, their backs to the house. We were far enough away that I could not hear his voice.
