Page 118 of Waking Roslyn

“Yes. And not only that, but we saw him. Thomas recognized the man who delivered the poisoned flowers.”

His eyes darted to mine, a look of triumph lighting his eyes. “Where is the boy now?” he asked, looking behind me.

“I—” I looked behind me as well and then winced. “I was not patient enough to wait for him to keep up.”

Captain Sterling gave a shake of his head, but a corner of his mouth curled up. “Johannes,” he said to one of the soldiers. “Go find the boy and bring him here.”

The soldier left, and Captain Sterling looked around at the others in the room. “Once Thomas confirms that the man we are looking for works at Ravenna, we will head out.” He picked up the plant cutting. “I’d also like to know as soon as possible if this is indeed moon thistle.”

“Let me see it.”

I turned to see Doctor Harwick standing just inside the door.

He stepped forward and held out his hand. “Give it here.”

Captain Sterling handed it over, and I held my breath while the doctor examined it.

“This is it,” he said finally.

I pounded my fists on the table and then shoved my hands into my hair. “I knew it,” I said through clenched teeth. I bent over, suddenly feeling lightheaded. We had answers, at least some of them. Bringing the culprits to justice might actually be plausible.

There was a general ruckus among all the soldiers as they expressed their disgust with the earl and started planning, and some pounded me on the back, congratulating me on a task well done. I sank down into a chair, my lack of sleep combining with the utter relief and making me feel too heavy to stand.

Johannes and Thomas came in a few moments later. Johannes clapped Thomas on the soldier. “He’s identified the man who delivered the flowers.”

That seemed to be the last thing holding everyone back, because only a few minutes later, the room was empty aside from the doctor and me.

“How are you, young man?”

I looked up at his concerned eyes, but I didn’t know how to answer. “I should tell Roslyn the news.” I tried to stand, but the doctor pushed down on my shoulder.

“I just came from checking on Lady Roslyn. She’s sleeping again, which is good,” he assured me.

“Right” was the only thing I could think to say. My mind felt slow.

“You should sleep as well.”

Part of me didn’t believe I’d be able to sleep when I knew that at this moment, Captain Sterling and the other soldiers were heading out to raid the manor and hopefully arrest the men who had wanted Roslyn dead. But the other part of me just wanted to sleep. “I suppose,” I said, though the idea of walking all the way back to the barracks was daunting.

He helped me to my feet. “You’ve overexerted yourself, young man,” he pointed out, and then, instead of leading me out the door, he led me over to the corner of the study, where a settee had been pushed back against one of the walls. “Lie down. You’ll be better off after you sleep.”

I gave in and curled awkwardly onto my side. I didn’t really fit on this piece of furniture, but it was better than the floor.

26

Roslyn

My eyes fluttered easily open, for which I was grateful. It still felt strange to be so tired after being forced to sleep for three days straight, but I couldn’t deny that I felt far better now than I had when I’d finally given in to sleep.

I rolled to my side, blinking in surprise. That hadn’t felt difficult. I moved carefully, and though it was a strain, I was able to push myself up to a sitting position all by myself. As I leaned back against my pillows, breathing heavily, I smiled.

Only a few minutes later, Everly came in through the door that connected my room to the little chamber where she slept. As soon as she saw me, her eyes went huge. “Oh, my lady!” She rushed over with a smile, then lifted her hands to her mouth. “Did you sit up all by yourself?”

“Yes, I did,” I told her in triumph.

“Oh, well done, my lady,” she effused, and then set about adjusting my pillows and asking what I needed. It was lovely to have someone to share the moment with, but I couldn’t help but wonder where my parents and John were.

After she’d helped me take care of my needs and rebraided my hair, she was helping me move to the chair beside my window when a commotion rose up below us. As soon as I was situated in the chair, I directed Everly to ask whichever guard was stationed outside my door to tell us what was happening.