Not Bedlam.
One of the bedchambers of the second floor? This wasn’t right at all.
The sun wasn’t outside the window. I saw stars in my vision and in the dark sky.
It was the dead of night.
The fallen chandelier.
The duke and I escaping its collapse. Did we both escape?
The bandage on my hand, the lump on the back of my skull said I wasn’t unscathed.
The duke? How was he?
And where was Lionel?
I gripped my neck. The high collar of my rust gown was gone. White muslin wrapped my limbs, not Bedlam’s chains.
My heart pounded as if it had become a drum. The musicians in me beat it hard and crazy. I had to get up and make sense of things.
I stood on my second attempt.
A momentary win.
The noise in both my ears made me fall back. I crashed onto the mattress, headfirst.
“Dearest? You’re awake.” Jemina helped me sit, then hugged me. “You do remember me?”
“Yes. I remember.”
Jemina kissed my forehead. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t. Your nightmares were so vivid, I didn’t think you’d be free. Not everyone can keep their memories.”
I put her hand to my heart. “We widows have lost enough. No more. It wasn’t smart to do what I did to save the duke, but I had to.”
“It was better than smart. It was brave. The poor duke was shaken. He’s very concerned about you. It’s why we are in the room connected to his.”
The connecting bedchamber.
The room that would have been mine if Colin hadn’t insisted I have the best bedroom. It didn’t mean he’d stay, but that was the love he could give.
My foggy thoughts were too fluid, drifting in too many directions. I clutched the bedpost to keep from swaying. “Where’s Lionel?”
“He went to sleep an hour ago. Your baby’s fine. Lady Shrewsbury stayed with him as her physician made sure you were well. The duke took over his care and has had your son ever since.”
The duke was well enough to care for Lionel. My crazed action had helped.
The notion brought me some comfort, but my head raged. My stomach felt wobbly and readied for a revolt. I forced air in, in and out, in and out. “I need to see . . . see Lionel. Lionel needs me.”
“He’s well.” Jemina bounced up and grasped my arm and kept me upright. “The duke is like a father returned from war, not letting his babe out of his sight. The countess had to defer to him.”
Repington could have been badly maimed by the heavy chandelier. He could’ve died, and I’d have let another man suffer. Not again. “I acted. I didn’t think of much else. I knew I had to help.”
“Patience, he might’ve not been hurt, and you could have escaped with Lionel in the confusion. Lady Shrewsbury would’ve let you go. Instead, you risked your life.” Jemina put her face close to mine. “Why? Why take such risks?”
My shoulders rose before I could stop them.
I looked down at the bandages on my hand. The cut underneath stung, but not as bad as the daggerlike feeling to my chest when I saw the chandelier fall. “The duke’s a good man. He didn’t deserve to be hurt. I could’ve helped my husband, but I waited for him to ask. I can’t sit around anymore waiting for words. Does that make sense?”
