“Good afternoon, Bernard,” she said, only to remember too late the butler wouldn’t understand her unless he was facing her.
She rubbed her forehead, feeling like an idiot.
Samuel took her chin gently and shook his head.
Bernard was surprised when he turned around and found them there. He bowed from the waist and signed at first with one hand, making gestures she didn’t follow. Then he started again with both hands.
“Lady Vivienne, would you like a cup of tea later, after you rest?”
“Yes, please.” At least she remembered to stare at him.
Bernard bowed again and left.
She sat on the edge of the bed. “Heavens. I’m a disaster.”
He caressed her shoulder. “No.”
“Bernard and you sometimes use strange sign language.”
“American Sign Language. It can be signed with only one hand, while the British Sign Language requires two hands. Two different systems.”
“I’ll need to learn the American one. You really went far. King of gold and knowing multiple languages.”
“Without you, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere. If you had just freed me without teaching me how to read, I wouldn’t have become who I am today. I owe you my life and that of all the people who work here for me. Good luck had a role, but I wouldn’t have seized a successful opportunity without your teaching.”
A lump swelled in her throat for no reason. His success and all the good he’d done moved her to tears. He’d accomplished so much in a few years.
“I’m so proud of you.” Her voice cracked with emotion.
He sat next to her and wiped a tear with his thumb. “I’m proud of you, too.”
She wiped her face with a handkerchief. “Me? I didn’t do anything aside from getting poisoned.”
“As I said, without your help, Bernard would still live on the streets. Mrs. Foster would still work in a show where the spectators made fun of her, Richard and Potter might beg for a coin in the street.”
“That would be a shame. I can’t speak for your valet, Richard, but you always look impeccable. However, Potter’s food is delicious. So good. Dinner is going to be another masterpiece.”
“And you need to rest.” He rose and kissed the top of her head. “Later.”
Dobkins entered the room, discreetly clearing her voice. “Do you need help, my lady?”
“Yes, please.”
Samuel kissed Vivienne’s cheek again before leaving.
He lingered on the threshold to smile at her as if she’d given him a gift. It was the other way around.
Samuel leftVivienne’s bedroom and paused in the corridor behind the closed door.
Another moment of panic gripped him like a cold vine. The fear of Dr. Tucker hurting her made him dizzy. Maybe he should hire guards to protect her.
“Samuel.” Captain Jackson jolted him. “We need to talk.”
He followed the captain to the study.
“Let’s start with the easy news. The crucifix has been returned, and William has been thoroughly scolded.” The captain poured two cups of tea.
“The not-so-easy news?”
