Surprised that he’d ask, she blurted the truth. “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“I told Nurse Franklin and she reported it to the head nurse, Matilda Summit. Matilda said something to your father, and then your father considered releasing Nurse Franklin from her position.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“It doesn’t.”
Puzzlement narrowed his eyes. “Do you like the head nurse?”
“Matilda Summit is a wonderful lady. A good woman.”
He nodded. “And you don’t think she’s the one who tried to have Nurse Franklin released from her position.”
“No.”
“It is in the rule manual that anyone who sees another employee of the asylum abusing patients is to be reported. My father would have investigated the allegation, not tried to have Nurse Franklin released for doing her job.”
Lilly looked at the snow under her boots. “Well, that is the way it’s supposed to be done. I mean, Nurse Franklin telling the truth about what was happening with Mrs. Angel.” She looked back up at him. “But just because it is supposed to be that way doesn’t mean it happens.”
He nodded, and she could feel the turmoil inside him. “If I become superintendent, you can be assured those sorts of abuses will not happen.”
“If you become the superintendent, would you release Mrs. Angel from her position?”
“I would if I had evidence of wrong doing.”
She smiled, unable to think of another thing to say.
He cleared his throat as they stepped from the maze. He stopped walking. “I also brought you out here for another reason.”
“Yes?”
“What happened in the library the other night and in the carriage ... I was waiting for the right time to apologize. I shouldn’t have taken advantage like that.”
His apology surprised her. “You didn’t take advantage.” She’d almost said it. I wanted it. Her cheeks heated as she remembered the exquisite sensation of his mouth on hers and the way his hands caressed her. “I am responsible for my own actions.”
“It was wrong. I take full responsibility.”
His definitive frown put a halt to any confession. “You act as if I have no control over my own life. I could have slapped your face, told you to leave me alone.”
“Why didn’t you?”
She opened her mouth, ready with a strong answer that didn’t come. “I don’t know.”
“There you have it. You are a child in the woods, stumbling along with few experiences to recommend you. You have significant book learning but little practical understanding of the world.”
Insulted on a deep level, even if she believed half of what he said, Lilly drew herself up to her full height. The fear she’d felt moments ago disappeared. “Perhaps I should make sure I’m never alone with you again. After all, you are a powerful man. What am I but a companion to your sister, hired help without a family to look after my welfare? If you had treacherous designs on my person, you could do anything you wanted.”
Contrition filled his eyes, and he looked up at the sky. “You know I would never hurt you.”
“How do I know that?”
“If I meant to harm you, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to do so, haven’t I?”
A tendril of hair had come loose from her chignon, and she tucked it behind her ear. “Yes.”
“Lilly,” he said softly. “I’m sorry for what happened to your mother. But I’ve never harmed a woman, and I never will.”
She waited for him to say more. The sun went under drifting clouds again, and she realized the temperature had been dropping steadily, as if the air itself wanted to drive them back inside. She glanced at the maze, with its thick, hateful aura.
“Do you still believe my sister pushed you downstairs?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He nodded, but didn’t appear angry. “If you believe I mean you harm, and that my sister is dangerous, why are you here? You could have taken another position in Simple.”
“This was the only one I knew about.” It wasn’t a good answer, but it was an answer.
“Lilly, you are one of the most confusing women I’ve ever met.”
She laughed weakly. “That may be a good thing. It keeps me from being a bore.”
Once more his eyes twinkled with warmth and amusement, and her stomach heated. “There is never a chance you would bore any intelligent man.” He brushed his index finger over Lilly’s nose. “And your beauty alone would stop any man in his tracks.”
His compliment sent butterflies dancing and fluttering lower in her belly, until she thought a whole flock of them had gotten loose. She threw in another lie. “I’m not susceptible to flattery.”
“I had to at least try.”
“Well, if you aren’t going to kiss me anymore, then why flatter me?”
His jaw dropped.
Oh, dear. She’d said something outrageous again.
“Are you saying you want me to kiss you?” His voice purred along her senses, husky and rich.
She walked away. Her embarrassment was too harsh this time.
He caught up with her. “All right, don’t answer that. But at least tell me that you don’t think I’d harm you. I want to be certain that you trust me.”
She stopped and returned his steady gaze, feeling that hot flicker of arousal threatening her once more. “I remember when I saw you walking into the asylum that snowy night of the ball. You had the woman in your arms. You were gentle with her and caring.”
“Yet you still don’t trust me.”
Didn’t she? Before she could answer, the door to the conservatory opened and Patricia stepped out. Lilly thanked the heavens for the distraction.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Lilly said as she walked toward Patricia. “I’m neglecting my work.”
Chapter 15
Morgan stared at Lilly across the carriage as they headed for Marjorie’s home.
He told himself it was easier than staring at the snow glare outside. The sun had come out for who knew how long, and it brought with it the blinding white and melting snow. But he knew his obsession meant more, and it ate him alive from the inside out.
He’d asked her to come with him, to see Marjorie again when he should have banned the idea. Yes, Marjorie had blinked on the last visit. Several times. This didn’t mean Lilly Luna had broken through, and it certainly didn’t mean she could read minds or see in the dark as she claimed. More than once he’d wondered if Lilly hovered on the edge of insanity herself. After all, no sane person claimed to do the things she did.
His mind whirled. He didn’t want her with him because it distracted him on so many levels he could barely think properly. He couldn’t halt the raging need that flooded his veins whenever she came anywhere near him. The kisses they’d shared had stirred far more than affection; they’d grown his lust. The last time they’d been in a carriage he’d wanted to take her right there. He’d wanted to lift her skirt, tear her undergarments and slide into her silky hot wetness. He couldn’t recall the last time a woman had tormented him just by being near. His mind and body didn’t seem under his own control when he was around her. He was surprised by so many things. One, that she’d agreed to get into a carriage with him again, especially alone. Two, that he’d asked her to come along. Two days had passed since their stroll in the frozen maze, and her obvious distrust of him splintered him to the core. But could he blame her?
“You are staring,” she said.
“Sorry. I was contemplating.”
She smiled, and her cheeks dimpled the slightest bit. God, how had he missed that? Why did her allure become more potent the longer he knew her? “Contemplating whether my work with Marjorie is a flimflam?”
“Very likely.”
She sighed, but it was more drama than substance. “As I suspected.”
“Has anyone ever told you how dry your humor is?”
“Dry?”
; “You’ve heard of it. Humor that is subtle. No sweet finish. No big punch.” She grinned wider, and his cock jumped. He wanted to dive into her gaze, drown in those eyes, and find solace deep between her legs. God help him.
“I’ve heard of dry humor, I just never gave much thought to whether mine was dry or not.”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he continued to stare until she flushed and looked away. He liked doing this to her, and part of him was shamed into regret. The other part didn’t give a damn. Where had his world-famous control disappeared? He’d never allowed women to control him like this, but his cock didn’t seem to care. That’s all this was. His body wanted something it couldn’t have. She was a spicy morsel with far too much deliciousness to forebear. But he would forebear. Anything else heralded disaster. She turned back to look at him, and it seemed her stare was meant to do the same thing to him—make him insane.
They arrived at the Holtz estate, and as they stepped out of the carriage, she slipped on the snow. He grabbed at her arm and even that much contact sizzled in his veins. He almost groaned. Instead he made sure she was steady on her feet, and then she walked along with him to the front door. The butler let them in, and it seemed like one big repeat to him. Coming to see Marjorie these last few weeks without Lilly had been easier. Now her presence added a complication, an itchiness that he couldn’t scratch. The butler took their hats and coats and returned moments later.
“Mrs. Holtz isn’t home, sir,” the butler said. “But she left instruction if you came here that you could have full access to seeing her daughter.”
“Where is Mr. Holtz?” Morgan asked.
“Back at the mine since early morning. They’re having difficulties.” The butler talked quietly, but disapproval ringed his voice.
In the back of Morgan’s mind, he wondered how either parent could leave their ill daughter in the house with only servants to watch over her. On the other hand, he didn’t have their burden. Every day. Every night.
Lilly followed him upstairs. Once in Marjorie’s room, they drew the curtains back to allow bright sun to banish shadow. Lilly sat on the right side of the bed.
“Are you going to talk to her first?” she asked.
“No.”
* * *
Lilly lifted Marjorie’s hand in between both of hers and started at the coldness of the girl’s flesh. A blue dressing gown covered Marjorie to the chin. Lace and ruffles swallowed the small woman, and she was propped up only slightly against two large fluffy white pillows.
Lilly glanced at Morgan, who stood to her right and slightly behind. “She’s freezing.”
Morgan went to the other side of the bed and tucked Marjorie’s other hand under the thick blankets and coverlet. He stayed, sitting on the side of the bed.
Lilly managed a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Marjorie, can you hear me?”
Of course. It is rather tiresome for people to always ask me that.
“I’m sorry it’s tiresome. Marjorie, I think there’s something you should know. I believe it’s what’s keeping you from acknowledging the outside world.”
What is that?
“You are concerned that people will think badly of you if you wake up. If you admit that you need cocaine.” Lilly glanced at Morgan, but his attention was trained on Marjorie. “You’re afraid Morgan will no longer be your friend.”
How can he be? No man wants to be saddled with an invalid. If I stay like this I can be safe. Everyone knows what happened to me. They all think ill of me.
Lilly swallowed a growing agitation she didn’t want to feel, and she didn’t want. Before she could speak again the catatonic woman continued. I love Morgan. He won’t love me like this. He won’t love me if I come out of it. I want to die.
Lilly drew a deep breath and glanced at Morgan as she wrestled with what to say to him or Marjorie.
“What is it?” he asked.
“May I talk to you in the hallway please?”
He nodded, but the curiosity in his eyes burned a hole in Lilly as he followed her out the door. She lowered her voice, but immediately explained. “She told me she is afraid you’ll no longer be her friend and that no man would want her the way she is or would want her if she wakes up. She’s worried for her reputation, basically.” She paused. “Oh, and she loves you.”
His mouth opened, and the gut-shot look in his eyes made her turn away and twist the doorknob to go back in the room. “No.” He placed his hand over hers. “No. I understand she’s worried about her reputation. But the love part ... I can’t believe you’ve inserted that in there.”
“I didn’t insert it.” Impatience made her almost hiss the words. “She said, ‘I love Morgan.’ She wants you for her husband perhaps.”
He groaned. “My God. I cannot believe this. I’ve never felt about her like that.”
Unaccountable relief sailed through Lilly, but she bit down on any expressions that might reveal it. “Here is the dilemma you are faced with, perhaps. If you tell her that, it may push her deeper into the catatonia.”
“I know.”
“She may never come out of it.”
He stared into nothing for a few seconds, and the house lay silent as a mausoleum. She could hear the tick and tock of the grandfather clock nearby on the landing, as if time demanded they pay attention.
“Do what you will.” She started away from the door. “Talk to her however you see fit. I’ll be downstairs.”
With that, she turned and went down the hall toward the staircase.
* * *
Morgan returned to the room and closed the door behind him while he gathered the courage for what he had to say. He took Lilly’s place on the bed and once more clasped Marjorie’s cold hand. How had it come to this? His life had gone haywire. Lilly Luna disconcerted him to no end. Now his lifelong friend hovered on the brink of a disaster he couldn’t stop.
He leaned closer and spoke as gentle as possible. “Marjorie, I know you love me. I love you, too.”
And the girl’s eyes focused, her expression saying she’d finally awakened from the long, dark night. She smiled. “Morgan.”
He smiled and squeezed her hand, and wondered if he’d made the biggest mistake of his life saying that he loved Marjorie. Also, he was beyond astonished Lilly Luna had understood how to reach Marjorie, had actually read the woman’s mind. He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t want to believe Lilly’s ability. Yet here was the proof.
“She’s awake,” Morgan said to Lilly a few moments later as they descended the stairs to leave the house.
“And you told her that you love her. Like a man who wishes to marry?”
Morgan swallowed hard, wishing he’d never fallen down this treacherous path. “Yes, I told her that. But just to get her to awaken. I may go to hell for that one.”
To his surprise, she didn’t huff or tell him he was a horrible cad or bounder. Instead she laughed. A soft, twinkling sound that reminded him of summer days when he was a boy and everything seemed carefree. “Well, at least I know you are human.” She threw a glance at him as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
“What do you mean?”
“You said that you don’t like liars, but that’s exactly what you did. Why?”
He frowned deeply, wanting to say it wasn’t the same thing and she couldn’t compare. Instead he said, “For a good reason. To make sure she awakened.”
“What happens when she discovers that you don’t love her as she wishes?”
He rubbed his forehead. “Hell may break loose and terrorize the earth. I do not know.”
The butler brought their coats and hats, and they let the man know that Marjorie had awakened. He promised to look after her until her parents returned home.
“Now, if we could only get my sister to heal,” Morgan said.
“Is that even possible?”
“Perhaps not.
“Thank you, Lilly.”
“For what?”
“For making me see there are s
ome things stranger in heaven and earth ... as Shakespeare said.”
Triumph sparkled in her eyes, and she appeared so young and fresh and beautiful he ached. “I’m glad I made you see the light.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too much. There’s plenty of skepticism left in me.”
She sighed. “I’ll have to remember that.”
Chapter 16
Lilly had awakened early the next morning and sat in a chair reading a book before the sun came up because she couldn’t sleep. Unease had tickled inside her, and even though she read, she couldn’t concentrate. She looked up from the book she was reading, aware of a presence in her room. She didn’t see or hear anything at first, but she knew someone stared at her.
“Lilly.”
Lilly almost jumped out of her skin. Oleta stood at the foot of the bed, watching Lilly with sad eyes.
“Oleta?” Lilly gasped the woman’s name, surprise and alarm mixing together. Cold dread filled Lilly’s heart. “What are you doing here?”
Lilly started to leave her chair, but Oleta held her hand out. “No. Do not come closer. I don’t know how much time I have. I just wanted to say goodbye while I can.”
“Goodbye? What—”
“You are a wonderful girl with much life ahead of you. But you must take care. There is great danger. Do not trust anyone until you know their true intentions. Even the most innocent face can mean death if you don’t know their true heart.”
Oleta’s hand came up, and that’s when Lilly saw the blood. It ran in a thick red stream down the left side of Oleta’s head. And Oleta’s left eye was missing. “Goodbye, my dear friend.” Oleta disappeared in a blink.
Someone was screaming. At first Lilly thought it was Patricia, but immediately realized her own raw voice crying out, high-pitched with terrible fear. And the crushing knowledge her dear friend was dead.
A few seconds later, her doorknob rattled and held. “Lilly!” She stayed frozen to the spot. Pounding rattled the door. “Lilly! Lilly open this door!”
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