Seth grunted in his sleep, drawing their attention. His eyebrows moved and his fingers twitched. Reaching forward, Cassandra held his hand in both of hers and waited. Seth didn’t wake. Cassandra released a breath at the same time as Lord Bolderwood.
“Even so. There is much that I regret,” he whispered.
In that moment, he didn’t look like a stone-cold war general, a man that could move mountains with the force of his willpower and a glare. He looked like an old man with a heavy burden that needed easing, but she could provide him no comfort. Lord Bolderwood and Seth were long past the point where their relationship could be salvaged. Too much hurt had been inflicted for too long. When Seth looked back in time, he would see Lord Bolderwood as a man who had wronged him, caged him in more ways than one, and placed him in the line of fire.
“I don’t believe he’s capable of forgiving you.”
“I don’t need forgiveness,” Lord Bolderwood snapped and stood. “I don’t expect you to understand. Send word when he’s awake.”
He turned on his heel and walked through the door, his footsteps echoing down the hall. Cassandra frowned. This man was so much likeSeth in his eyes and posture, and so different in temperament. Not Seth’s father, but his blood, family when it was difficult to find. Lord Bolderwood would be a permanent fixture in her life. His treatment of her husband would have an impact of its own in her marriage. But what could she do with a stubborn animal that would be difficult to treat with? Unless…
She jumped to her feet and rushed down the hall after him. She reached the top of the stairs as he reached the bottom.
“Lord Bolderwood?”
He stopped and waited with a raised brow.
“Yes, Miss Cooper?”
“Would you like to stay for tea?”
“I’m a busy man. I don’t have time for tea.”
“Even busy men have time for tea.” She descended the stairs and stood in front of him. “Our new cook made some apple tarts fresh this morning, I’ve been meaning to try them. Would you care to share them with me?”
He considered this.
“Do you have the shortbread you served in Lincolnshire?”
“Yes.” Cassandra smiled. “It’s a family recipe. I could have it sent over, you should have it, considering we’ll be family soon.” Her gaze fell to the floor, and she whispered, “Hopefully.”
A long moment passed, and Lord Bolderwood put his large hand on her shoulder. As she looked into his blue eyes, shecouldsee the family resemblance, especially when he smiled.
“Tea sounds lovely, Miss Cooper.”
***
Cool air hit Seth’s shoulders, rousing him. Everything throbbed, his right side in particular. He was shirtless. His throat burned. He had never been so thirsty in his life. When he squinted his eyes open, lantern light flickered on a ceiling he didn’t recognize. A shadow stoodover him.
“Good morning.”
It didn’t look like morning in the darkness. His surroundings were silent aside from a creaking floorboard as the person moved forward, with familiar dark eyes and curly hair.
“Are you… with us?”
A hand waved over Seth’s eyes. Dizzy, he swatted at it.
Cooper came into full focus.
“Well, I’ll be.” He laughed. “Cassandra is going to befurious.”
Cooper moved to the bedside table and handed him a glass of water. While Seth took a drink, he noticed a pull from his gut. With no small amount of effort, he moved the blanket from his chest.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Cooper warned.
Seth lifted the blanket anyway. He had lost a substantial amount of weight, the bones in his ribcage were more prominent. White bandages covered his right side near the hip. And by God, it hurt. The last time he felt like this was when—
“I was shot,” Seth said.
