“Perhaps she would like to see you. Shall I ask her to come?”
I thought for a moment. “I would like to see her, but she might not want to.”
“It won’t hurt to ask.”
“Very well. Please do.” I readjusted my position. “Anything else?”
“They held the funeral for Captain Whitmore two days ago. I’m sorry you missed it.”
“How was it?”
He shook his head sadly. “It poured rain. Mrs. Bowers spoke, along with Mr. Weiss. Captain Whitmore was a naval hero. After he retired, he met Mrs. Bowers and they shared the same goals. He was tireless in his efforts. A little eccentric, but beloved by all. He is buried in the churchyard.”
“He truly was a remarkable man.” I bowed my head in memory of him. We stayed silent for several moments and then I looked up at Mr. Ashby. He was watching me with a meaningful gaze, and as soon as I blinked it disappeared. “What is it?”
“What do you mean?” He averted his eyes briefly, as if he were guilty of something.
“What are you not telling me?” My eyes narrowed.
“Nothing. I just…missed you. Worrying day and night that you wouldn’t wake up was very difficult for me. For all of us.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Hm.” I said. “If you have a weight that you’re carrying, let me lighten it. You can tell me anything.”
He nodded, looking at his hands. “I know.” After a moment, he stood. “Well, I should go. I, um, have an assignment from Mrs. Bowers that needs attention. Just ring this bell if you need anything.” He pointed to a ceramic bell on my bedside table.
“I’ll see you later?” I watched him awkwardly back out of the room.
Before he went through the door, he paused. “Of course. I couldn’t stay away for long.” Then he disappeared. Strange. What had come over him so suddenly?
As I lay there alone, I tried not to relive those hours I’d spent running and fighting and nearly dying. How would I function normally, with those nightmares so clear in my mind? I looked around my room to find something to distract myself. There, on my bedside table, was a book I hadn’t noticed before.The Mysteries of Udolpho.
I picked it up and flipped to the part I had read to Tallow. I recalled the way he had fallen asleep so soundly to my voice, and tears pricked my eyes. I had been through enough heartache for a lifetime. To distract myself, I read for a long while, and as I checked the clock on the mantle, the door opened. I expected Mr. Ashby, but Graham entered instead.
His face was ragged, under eyes dark, mouth tight and frowning. He closed the distance between us in four large steps and took my hand so swiftly, I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming. He knelt at my bedside.Then I noticed the way he was looking at me. His brown eyes were full of tears…and familiarity. My heart swelled. Could it be?
“Yer all right. I’m so grateful. I’m sorry I wasnae here when you awoke. I was trying tae keep myself from going crazy.” He looked down, then a shaky breath tore through him.
At that moment, I knew. I touched his hair softly. “You remember, don’t you?” I whispered.
His chin quivered and he nodded. When his eyes met mine, I couldn’t believe it. There was my Graham, looking at me with the same kind of tenderness he always had before. My throat tightened at the sight. “Aye, I remember ye. I remember my mother, Cam, yer father, Edleroy. Everything.”
I laughed through my sudden tears. “How?” I marveled.
He shook his head as if he were still trying to understand it himself. He wiped his tears and sniffed before answering. “When that pirate was pointing his gun at ye, suddenly everything came into focus and I recalled how important ye were tae me, and everything else followed.”
“I am now completely fine with almost dying. If I could help you remember, I would do it again a hundred times!” I stroked his face, then leaned forward and took hold of his neck, hugging him tightly.
He sat on my bed to hold me, and we cried together until Graham pulled back and held my hand in his. “I cannae believe ye came all the way here. Though, it is something ye’d do. Yer rightaff yer heidsometimes, Elsie.”
I laughed, pushing his shoulder. “Of course I came! Not only was I furious you ended our engagement, but Mr. Ashby said you were in danger! I couldn’t possibly have waited any longer, not when I thought you might die. I had to scold you at least once more.” I smiled at him and he chuckled a little.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I should have just come home.”
“You finally admit it.” I wiped my eyes and face clear of tears. “It’s all in the past. Thank you for coming back to me.”
He nodded, looking at our hands. “I am back, but it’s all so muddled. There’s before I lost my memories, and after. I feel as if…as if I’m two different men.”
I couldn’t understand how he must be feeling, and had no words to comfort him. So I stayed silent and let him continue.
