AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He has a point,” Marbury agreed. “Worley and I can certainly look, but we might not know if anything is amiss.”
“Lead the way,” Worley said as he lifted the lantern.
With reluctance, Simon stepped away from Norah. The ground heaved beneath his feet at first and then settled, much to his relief. “I thought it came from over here.”
He walked through the exhibit, looking around carefully for a crate and anything out of place. In truth, he wasn’t certain he could concentrate well enough to know, but still, he had to try.
“Anything?” Marbury asked as he, too, searched the area.
“No.”
“What’s this?” Worley bent low to pick up something off the floor. “Looks like a bit of straw.”
“Might be packing material from the crate I heard.” Simon took it from Worley but couldn’t tell what it came from. “Unfortunately, it’s rather common and used to pack various items.”
The straw was near the Aztec exhibit, though nothing appeared to be wrong. At least, not that he could tell in his current state.
His distress must’ve shown on his face, for Marbury suggested, “Now that we have a better idea of what we’re looking for, why don’t Worley and I search a bit more and meet the rest of you downstairs?”
Though he didn’t like leaving the search to someone else, Simon couldn’t do much more until he felt better. “I would appreciate that.”
Simon returned to the others, his world settling as Norah took his arm once again. He covered her hand with his own, not caring if her sisters noticed. Right now, he needed her and was grateful for her presence.
*
“How is he?”Norah asked the moment Fletcher opened the door at Simon’s residence the following afternoon.
The butler bowed and gestured for her to enter with the usual grand sweep of his arm as he held the door. “He is in his study, refusing to remain abed.” The disapproval in his tone nearly made Norah smile as she shared a look with Lena, who had accompanied her, along with their maid.
“That sounds like him.” Norah shook her head. “We’d like to see him if possible.” At the butler’s frown, she quickly added, “We won’t stay long.”
“Very well.”
“Has he eaten?” Norah bit her lower lip, remembering how Ella’s appetite had been off for a few days after she’d been hit on the head.
“Not especially well,” Fletcher answered.
“Perhaps you could bring tea,” Norah suggested, wishing there was more she could do to aid Simon’s recovery.
Lena nodded in approval. “Smaller meals worked best for Ella, didn’t they?”
“I remember that, as well,” Norah agreed as they followed Fletcher down the corridor to Simon’s study.
The butler knocked on the door and opened it to reveal Simon resting on the couch with his eyes closed and a brightly woven blanket over his legs. The sight of his rather pale face caught Norah’s breath, bringing a wave of emotion over her.
“I’ll speak to Mrs. Fletcher about tea,” the butler said in a quiet voice before departing.
“I forgot to mention something to Dorothy,” Lena advised in a whisper. “I’ll return directly.”
Norah frowned, unable to think what that might be. Then Lena winked, making it clear she was giving Norah a moment to greet Simon in private. She could’ve hugged Lena for her thoughtfulness.
She turned back to Simon as Lena stepped out, reluctant to wake him when he was resting. Ella had taken frequent naps while recovering from her injury, so Norah had to think it was normal, even if she didn’t care for how pale he looked.
She walked slowly forward, the rustle of her gown audible in the quiet study. A fire burned cheerfully in the hearth. Her breath caught when she saw Simon watching her.
He smiled. “Norah.”
That was all it took for her to hurry to his side. She sat on the edge of the couch, taking his hand in hers. “How are you?”
