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“That cannot be true,” she said, coming forward and lifting Mabel’s hem to get access to her half-boots. She worked on untying the laces. “If you’d like to talk, then I am here to listen.”
Mabel’s eyelids drifted shut. She did wish to unburden herself, to share her worries and fears. How was it that Giulia knew precisely when Mabel would require a listening ear? Managing her inner turmoil over Mac’s consistent presence these last few weeks had felt like she was walking a very thin line. She’d been careful to remain properly distanced from his kind smile and the heady warmth he ignited in her, constantly reminding herself that he did not mean anything beyond friendship. Sure, he cared for Mabel. But he did not love her.
The fall from the ladder, the final breaking point in her equilibrium, had pushed Mabel beyond her scope of self-control. She wished to unburden her heart and hoped that in confessing she could release these feelings for good.
“I once thought myself very much in love with Mac.”
“Mac?”
Mabel’s cheeks warmed. “Mr. MacKenzie.”
Giulia shot her a wry smile. “I realized that. I was only surprised. How long have you been on such intimate terms?”
“We’ve known one another for most of our lives,” Mabel said, doing her best to sound nonchalant. “Years ago I shared with him how I felt, and it was mortifying. Needless to say, he did not return my regard then, and I know he does not now. But it is difficult, at times, to remind myself of that when he is near.”
“But he has singled you out, asking you to dance with him tomorrow night. Surely that must mean something?”
Mabel gritted her teeth as Giulia slid her half-boot free, pulling at her leg. Pain sliced up her thigh.
“But perhaps you won’t be dancing tomorrow after all.”
Mabel tried to smile. “Usually a night’s rest is enough—”
“This is not a usual situation though, is it?”
Mabel noted the grim smile on her friend’s face but didn’t reply. Exhaustion tugged at her eyelids, pulling them lower.
“Let’s hope the doctor will arrive soon so you might go to sleep.”
Little, quick footsteps beat down the corridor. Pippa crashed into Mabel’s room, taking one fearful look at her sister before bounding across the room and jumping into Mabel’s bed.
“Oh Mabel, I hate that you’re hurt!”
“Then you might appreciate that your bouncing her about is not going to help her heal very quickly,” Giulia said, rounding the bed and taking Pippa’s hand, tugging her. “Come, Pippa. Let’s leave Mabel to rest.” She glanced up and caught Mabel’s eye. “I will send up your maid.”
“Thank you, Giulia.”
She paused in the doorway, Pippa now pulling on her arm. “Of course. I hope you know that I will still be here for you in whatever way I can.”
“I know.” Mabel smiled, but her whole body felt as though it was sinking into the feather mattress, the world dimming about her as she looked at her friend. Regardless of Giulia’s intentions, things would change once she married and moved away. They could change even more if Mabel married Mr. Wright, if she accepted his hand and allowed him to take her far away from Devon. Maybe an escape was precisely what she needed. She could bring Gram and Pippa with her, and they would be happy anyway, as long as they were together.
The idea had merit but did not settle well in her heart. Devon was where she belonged, where her mother was buried, and her family land remained. If she was to leave this place, to ask the same of her grandmother and sister, she needed to be wholly certain that it was the right choice.
She was inclined to think that anything that took her far away from Liam MacKenzie was a good idea, but it would mean marriage to a man she did not love.
The doctor would be arriving any moment, and Mabel snuggled down into the blankets to wait. Perhaps she would consider the idea later in greater detail, but for now, she needed to focus on healing.
