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Chapter Twenty-Eight

London, three weeks later

Ava came in from her morning ride and went straight up to Jerome’s room to see how he fared. He was lying against the pillows with his face turned away. At first, she thought he was asleep and approached quietly. The sling kept his arm and collarbone fixed in position to encourage healing, but even so, she knew it caused him pain. The inflammation in his face was slowly reducing as the wound healed.

He turned his head as she approached the bed and stared at her, almost as if he didn’t recognize her. Her heart flipped in alarm.

“Jerome?” She came closer and bent to kiss his forehead. “How do you feel?”

“No different. Why do you keep asking? Nothing has changed,” he said irritably.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her heart wrung by his obvious distress. “Can I fetch you anything?”

“No.” He turned his face away.

“Do you wish to sleep?”

“No!” He let out a breath. “I’m sorry. I’ve done nothing but sleep. I’m sick of this bed.”

“The doctor said—”

“I know what the doctor said!”

She bit her lip, stifling the desire to rip back at him. He was impossible in this mood.

“Would you like me to read to you?”

He hesitated and then said softly. “Yes, thank you. I can’t seem to read without getting a headache yet. I would appreciate that.”

She smiled. “Just let me change. I’ll be right back.”

He nodded and as she turned away, he caught her hand with his free one and squeezed it. “I’m sorry, I’m being a beast.”

She smiled wryly. “I know, but it’s because you feel beastly.”

Ten minutes later she was back with a copy of Waverley and settled carefully on the side of the bed to read to him, resting the book on her lap and holding his free hand in hers.

She looked up after a bit and found his eyes closed.

“Don’t stop,” he said, still with his eyes closed. “I’m listening. The light just makes my eyes ache.”

She kept on until Leyton arrived with morning tea. She took the tray from him while he helped Jerome sit up in the bed. Jerome wouldn’t suffer anyone to touch him but Leyton. As much as she wanted to help, she knew better than to try. Instead, she busied herself with the tea things, preparing him a cup of tea just as he liked it and optimistically putting a biscuit on the saucer in the hope that he would eat it. Setting it on the bedside table in easy reach, she sat down carefully and sipped her own cup while Leyton tidied up and left them alone.

“I saw Emrys in the park. Annis is recovering well. I am going to visit her this afternoon and see the baby. They have settled on Annabelle for a name. He is so proud, you would think it’s his first instead of his fourth child!”

Jerome smiled; it was only half a smile as the healing wound pulled his mouth down on the right side. “He’ll be unbearable.”

“He wants to come and see you when you’re up to it.”

He nodded slowly but didn’t say anything. His eyes fell to the teacup in his hand, and he took a sip.

“Rob and Deo too. They’re all worried about you,” she said quietly. And so am I!

“Hm.” He sipped his tea.

She stifled a sigh, finished her tea, and resumed reading. He finished his tea but didn’t eat the biscuit, settled back against the pillows, and closed his eyes. She eventually stopped reading when she could tell by his breathing that he had fallen asleep. She sat looking at him as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. He was so unlike his usual energetic self. So quiet and withdrawn, so bruised and battered. Her heart ached just looking at him.

She left him quietly, ate her luncheon in solitary state, and spent the afternoon visiting her former governess with her new baby.