Elizabeth had drifted through a cloud. Everything was so white. She thought she was going to heaven. She could even see the tree she and her mother used to sit under and Mama was there, waiting for her.
“Elizabeth, go back. You cannot come here yet.” Her mother made the shooing gesture she remembered so well. “Everything you want, your husband and your child, are back there. Go to him. Hear what he has to say.”
She looked down, and Geoffrey was there, holding her hand, and telling her he loved her. And then he was crying. She had never seen a man weep before. She tried to move her hand to hold his, but nothing happened.
Well, how could it when she was above him? That must be what her mother meant by telling her she had to go back.
“Elizabeth, you must return now. Before it’s too late.” Mama’s voice was almost frantic.
“Yes, Mama. I’m going.”
There was a dull ache in Elizabeth’s head, but Geoffrey was there holding her. “Don’t leave me now, sweetheart. Not when I love you so much.”
She turned her hand in his. “I know you do.”
“You’re awake!” He grabbed her up, holding her tightly against him.
“Geoffrey, my head!”
“Forgive me.” He laid her down as if she was made of fine porcelain and would break. “I was so afraid. I’ve never been this afraid in my entire life, but you’ve come back to me.”
“To us.” She cupped his cheek.
“You heard me?” He stared at her as if he couldn’t believe what she had said. “The doctor said you might, but after so many days . . .” Geoffrey brushed his lips across hers. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Elizabeth slid her arms up around his neck. She had so many questions, but all she wanted to do right now was hold him. “I had begun to fear you would never love me.”
Geoffrey winced. “All I had seen of love between a man and a woman was with friends who were either happily in the clouds or sunk down as if they were drowning.” He tightened his grip, kissing her again. “I didn’t know that love could be like this, steady and comforting.” He grunted. “Until you got shot. Then I thought I’d die if you did. There wouldn’t be any reason for me to go on.”
It really was true that men didn’t see what was in front of their noses. How had he not seen the type of love his parents had?
Still, none of that was important now. “I do not understand it, but I heard my mother’s voice telling me to go back.”
“Thank God she did.” He nuzzled her neck before lowering her back down onto her pillows. “I’ll call for the doctor.”
Shortly after he left the bedchamber, Vickers burst into the room. “My lady! Thank God you’ve come back to us.” She stood there for a second staring at Elizabeth. “Are you hungry? Do you want a bath?”
“Both.” She laughed. “You would not believe how famished I am. And you must help me to the chamber pot. One would think that after going without sustenance and liquids for so long, I would have nothing in me.”
“His lordship and I fed you broth several times a day. As much as we could get down you. He rubbed your limbs, too. His groom told him to do that. Said he knew a man who couldn’t walk for a long time, but they massaged his legs, and he finally walked.”
She had never heard of such a thing. “Did his lordship spend much time with me?”
“Every waking hour, my lady. Mrs. Robins and I had to practically drag him away from you. We kept reminding him that it wouldn’t do you any good if he got ill from not resting. He even took his dinner on a tray here. And he talked to you so much he almost lost his voice. And that’s not all . . .”
As the tale continued, Elizabeth was amazed, but proud, of how their little household pulled together to help Geoffrey take care of her. His valet insisted he dress properly every day. Her groom pressed him to take exercise of some sort, riding or walking. Even the landlady did what she could by making sure the food was fresh and tasty to tempt Geoffrey’s appetite.
But most surprising of all was the way he took care of her. She would never have expected to receive nursing from him. If she had given it any thought, she would have supposed that he’d have ridden ahead and left her with the servants. Obviously, she had misjudged how much he truly loved her.
Mayhap, he had even been in love with her for a much longer time than he thought.
Her maid had a tub carried in for Elizabeth’s bath. Her only regret was that she could not wash her hair. The rest of her felt better clean.
By the time she was bathed and in a fresh nightgown, Mrs. Robins carried in a tray with roasted chicken, a fresh green salad, and bread. Geoffrey had a tray brought to him as well, and they were able to talk while they ate.
The remains of their meal had no sooner been removed than Dr. Benoit was announced.
“I am pleased to see you have awoken,” he said. “If I may, my lady?”
