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“Papa,” she said softly, her heart racing. “Papa, what is it? Please, tell me. When will I be able to see again?”
Her father cleared his throat and sniffled, averting his gaze. Cecily knew then that something was very wrong and fresh tears filled her eyes.
“My darling daughter,” he said, his voice breaking. “I already spoke with the physician. He and I agreed that it would be best if I gave you this news. He said it might be easier if it came from someone who loves you so dearly.”
Cecily could feel her heart pounding against her ribs.
“What news, Papa?” she asked. “Please. You are scaring me.”
The Earl of Dervinshire scooted closer to his daughter, gently squeezing her hands. His next deep breath was shaky and husky, and Cecily held her breath.
“Mr. Thompson informed me that your eyesight is fading because of a rare illness,” he said. “It is an illness that has no known treatments or cures, and it will only get worse with time.”
Cecily choked out a sob. She refused to believe what she thought her father was trying to say to her.
“Surely, there must be something we can do,” she said, her stomach twisting into knots.
Her father shook his head slowly and sniffled again.
“I am sorry, my dear,” he said huskily. “Mr. Thompson said that this illness will eventually lead to total loss of vision. And likely sooner, rather than later. There is nothing that can be done to reverse it.”
Cecily’s chest hitched, and she burst into tears. She pulled one hand free from her father’s and covered her face with it. How was it possible that she was going blind? She had always been very healthy and until very recently, she had had no real trouble with her sight.
“He is mistaken, then,” she said suddenly. Her panic was rising, and she could not believe that she would eventually go blind.
Her father’s chin trembled, and he pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I am so sorry, my sweet daughter,” he said,his own sobbingshaking Cecily’s body. “I feel as though I have failed to protect you. Nothing so horrible should happen to one as young as you.”
Cecily’s heart ached at her father’s sadness. She realized then that she was not the only one affected by the doctor’s heavy news. As helpless and hopeless as she felt, she had to try to be strong. She could not allow her father to take the burden of guilt onto himself.
“No, Papa,” she said softly, pulling away to look into his eyes. As she did, she could not help wondering if she was seeing it for, perhaps, the very last time. “You must not blame yourself. Now, or ever. Fate does not always make sense but nor do we always bring it onto ourselves. Sometimes, things just happen that we do not understand. But one thing I know for certain is that it is no fault of yours. Right?”
The Earl nodded, but he looked unconvinced. Cecily chastised herself for her emotional reaction. She should have been stronger for her father, so that he would not worry about her.
“I will do whatever it takes to get you through this, Cecily,” he said, anger seething just beneath the grief in his voice. “Since we could not help you prevent this, we shall help you through it.”
Cecily gave him her best brave smile.
“And I will do my part to make the most of my new life,” she lied. “It will not be so bad. It was just a scary thing to hear at first. Everything will be fine.”
Her father reached up and wiped away some of her tears. She knew he likely still did not believe her, but some of the anguish had left his features.
“You always were strong, darling,” he said. “I have every confidence that you will handle this with all the ease and grace that you handle everything.”
Cecily nodded, willing every tear that still threatened to fall to remain behind their dams.
“I certainly will,” she said. “Shall we tell Mother and Agnes?”
Her father sighed and slowly nodded.
“I shall tell your mother,” he said. “I can send Agnes to you if you like. You can tell her whenever you are ready.”
“Tell me what?” came a voice from the door.
Cecily looked, unsurprised to see her sister standing there. Her heart ached and her body longed to force out another sob. But she gave her father a warm smile and nodded. He kissed her forehead and excused himself. After he left, her sister looked at her, her face crumpling.
“Tell me,” Agnes said bluntly. “What has happened?”
