“Mrs. Robins has already gone to have some made, my lord.”
Geoff nodded because he couldn’t think of anything else to do. His mind was blank. The fear he felt for her threatened to overwhelm him. But she would not react this way. Elizabeth would figure out what to do and not allow herself to be paralyzed with inaction.
Talk to her. He had to think of something to talk to Elizabeth about. That shouldn’t be hard. They always had a great deal to say. Surely he could find a topic that did not require her response. Or, mayhap he should ask what she thought. Perhaps she would need to tell him so badly she would wake up.
“My lord?”
“What is it, Nettle?”
“You should eat as well. I can bring you a tray here.”
“Yes, yes, anything you like.” Geoff began to pace the small room. Books. It seemed like she was always reading. “Find out from Vickers what her ladyship is reading.”
“Right away, my lord.”
He hadn’t even noticed his valet had left when Vickers came and handed him a book. “She’s been readingGuy Mannering,my lord.”
“Thank you, Vickers.”
“If I might make a suggestion.” The question seemed to hang in the air. Like a tangible thing.
He didn’t know if he would like it or not, but the servant had been with Elizabeth much longer than he had. “You may.”
“The book is a fine idea, but she does like it when you talk to her.” When he couldn’t think of anything to say, her maid continued. “I understand you will eat in here today, but you will need to rest at some point or you’ll fall ill yourself. Mrs. Robins and I shall help watch over her.”
Geoff’s first reaction was to tell the woman that he would remain with his wife until she woke. He would not even entertain the prospect that she would not recover. But Vickers was right. He could not stay awake all day and all night for what could be several days. The bed was large enough for both of them, but until the swelling in Elizabeth’s head went down, he did not want to chance hurting her by moving the wrong way in his sleep.
“Very well.”
“Thank you, my lord.” The maid dipped a curtsey and left him alone with his wife.
Book in hand, he pulled a chair up to the bed, and began to talk. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could have prevented you being hurt. If only I’d known how dangerous it was to be separated from the group. You must come back to me. To all of us . . .”
He didn’t know how long he talked, all the while rubbing her arm or touching her face, praying she could hear him and would wake up.
His voice became scratchy and he called for tea. Food came and he ate it. But he couldn’t remember even tasting what he’d consumed. He held Elizabeth up and tried to feed her the broth, but ended up having to call Vickers to help him.
“If you will hold her up, I can get it into her mouth,” the woman said.
It was a slow process, but they managed to empty the bowl.
“If you will help me, my lord, I’ll get her out of this gown and into her nightclothes.”
He thought surely she would awaken, but the only sound she made was a moan when he forgot to hold her head and it bounced against the pillow.
The next day, he wrote a letter to Sir Charles telling him about the attack, and Elizabeth’s injury, and sent Riddle off to find him.
And every day he prayed. Geoff didn’t think he had ever prayed as much in his life, but he had never cared as much about anyone else before.
And that was when he knew he was in love with her. As soon as she woke, he would tell her.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The next day, even though the swelling had gone down, Elizabeth remained in the coma.
“You have to wake up, sweetheart. I am praying for you. Everyone is. The landlady went to the church and lit candles for you to get better.” He took a sip of the now ever-present tea. “You have to awaken so that I can tell you that I love you. I was so bird-witted I didn’t see it for what it was. But I’ve never been in love before.” His voice ended on a sob as he held back tears. “Please don’t let it be too late. I can’t lose you. We can’t lose each other.”
* * *
