She held his hand, and her touch had a soothing quality he liked. “The fever took a toll on my family and me. We’ve barely recovered. But we’re alive. Thank you for warning us. Those moments before the tragedy were precious. So many people drowned because their clothes pushed them down. We would have died if we hadn’t removed our petticoats or jumped when you told us to. Thank you.” Tears glistened in her eyes.
He closed his fingers around her, wishing he could tell her she didn’t need to thank him, and that he was sorry for how much she’d suffered.
She wiped her cheeks quickly. “My father visited you as well, and we all took turns to watch over you, including your brother. You were never alone during your sleeping months. Day or night, someone was always here with you.”
Somehow, he’d been aware of that.
“Speaking of your brother, I’ll send word to him. He wanted to know if you woke up again.” She went to stand, but he didn’t let her go.
A moment of panic lashed out at him like a snake snapping at his throat. He didn’t want to be alone in that bright, smelly room.
“It’ll take but a moment,” she said, seemingly reading his mind. “I’ll be right back.”
He shook his head.
She caressed his cheek with such tenderness, his pulse slowed. “I know the feeling, the fear that takes you out of nowhere. I believe this fear comes from the knowledge thatdeath was very close. You’re alive, Perry, and you’ll get better. I promise.”
He blinked tears away. They burned more than they should.
“Let me warn your brother.”
He slowly released her hand. The moment she left the room, he wheezed. Panicking was silly of him, but he closed his eyes and waited until she returned.
“I’m here.” She held his hand, and he gripped it with desperation for no reason. “Don’t be ashamed of crying. Not with me.”
He didn’t want to, though, but he needed a hug. As if reading his mind, she sat on the bed and held him, wrapping her arms around him, and he sagged against her for who knew how long. She rubbed his back and gave him the strength he needed.
“Better?” She released him.
He nodded. Much better. He wanted to tell her how grateful he was. Another day, if and when he spoke again.
She smiled, and although her face carried the signs of her ordeal, the smile brightened her.
Albert barged into the room, dishevelled, pale, and generally looking terrible.
Edith rose from the bed and curtsied. “My lord.”
“Miss Edith. Perry.” Albert too had lost weight, and deep purple shadows circled his eyes. “Perry.” He touched Perry’s face, chest, and arms as if wanting to make sure everything was real.
“I’ll leave you.” Edith picked up a book that lay on the table and left.
Of course, she had a book. She must have read the entire encyclopaedia of medical science while watching over him. She gave him a timid smile before closing the door.
A lump swelled in Perry’s throat as Albert hugged him, crying. Perry hugged his brother back, and they remained like that without saying a word.
“I was so worried.” Albert wiped his face with a wrinkled handkerchief. “I have to thank Dr. Winkworth for his help. He visited you every day, gave you water and soups, and moved your limbs regularly. I’m in his debt.”
Now that Perry paid attention to his own movements, there was a certain resistance and lack of coordination in them. He couldn’t quite lift his arm as high as he wanted.
Albert sat down on the chair. His tie was askew, and a stubble covered his jaw. “Do not worry. I’ll employ the best physicians to help you recover fully. I found a clinic in Switzerland specialised in cases like yours.”
Switzerland? He frowned and made the mistake of trying to voice his questions. Albert looked horrified at the odd sounds coming out of him. Real gibberish.
“Don’t fret. I promise the trip will be good for you. Even Dr. Winkworth agrees. The clinic is in a beautiful town surrounded by the Alps. It’s equipped with the latest medical devices. I’ll come with you, and together, we’ll get through this moment.”
Perry rubbed his sore neck. He wasn’t sure he had the energy to leave, but Albert was right. If Perry wanted to recover, he ought to do everything the physicians said.
Albert hugged him again. “We’ll leave as soon as you can travel.”
Fantastic. He so looked forward to spending days on end on a train, ship, and carriage to go to a foreign country he didn’t speak the language of.
Oh, right. The last one didn’t matter.
