Does The Earl Love Me

by Jasmine Ashford

  “Right away, madam.” The butler had just appeared at the door. He stared down at the young people huddled on the floor, then looked across at his master who was white-faced, breathing hard.

  His eyes met Roderick's, who nodded, as if to say, all is well.

  “Go and fetch the doctor,” Roderick said gently. “We have need of him.”

  Nodding, the man left.

  “Lady Alicia,” Roderick said gently.

  Alicia, bending over Leo, was not listening. She used the kerchief to bind the wound as best she could, tying the knot against the gap, to quell the bleeding. She surprised herself with her dexterity, amazed that she was not sickened. She felt only rage, and pain, and sadness for Leo.

  “Be well, my beloved,” she whispered, kissing the side of his head. “Live. Please.”

  His eyelids fluttered open, and his hand tensed. Then he sighed. He closed his eyes.

  Alicia sat back, moaning in fear and sadness and exhaustion.

  Ten minutes later, the surgeon arrived. He and the butler bore Leo gently away.

  Roderick helped Alicia up, and she walked, stiffly after them.

  She was exhausted, drained and traumatized. But she would not let Leo out of her sight again.

  She sat by his bedside while the surgeon stitched the wound, and then, drained, she sank into a deep and dreamless sleep.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  AWAKENING

  AWAKENING

  The apartment on Croft street in Chelsea, London was quiet in the dawn. The only movement came from a solitary curtain, hanging at the open window on the third floor. The breeze blew through the window, clean and crisp, scented with the first frost of winter.

  Alicia, waking in the chair, murmured as the cold air blew across her scalp.

  She stirred, and opened her eyes.

  Leo.

  He was lying before her, his pale face restful. His eyes were closed, long lashes dark and resting on his cheeks, like a carven angel. His hair was already lined with the first growth of gold, the dye washed out to a pale cocoa-brown.

  “Oh, my love,” Alicia whispered. Looking at him asleep like that made her heart ache. Asleep, with the sheets pale about him, the terrible wound was hidden, and he looked at peace.

  She reached out, unable to stop herself, and touched his hand. His skin was cool.

  The coolness was a good sign, she believed. Two days after the injury, his body had heated, and he had shivered, moaning in his sleep. Alicia, frantic, had not left his side despite Roderick's concern for her well-being. The next day, Leo had sweated. The perspiration had dripped off him, soaking the sheets, beading at his collarbones, drenching the coverlet. The doctor had smiled at that, and nodded happily to Alicia, a constant presence at the bedside.

  “The fever is breaking,” he had said, enthused.

  This morning, Alicia's heart lifted with the new signs of Leo's recovery. For the first time since her arrival over a week ago, she felt calm, despite all that had happened to them both. Leaning back in her chair, she relaxed for the first time. If only Leo would wake, she thought drowsily, she would be completely, blissfully contented.

  Leaning back in the chair, Alicia closed her eyes. With her eyes shut, if she listened, Alicia could hear the city as it woke to the new morning: carts, slowly rumbling up the street to collect night soil, others arriving with produce to feed the hungry citizens. Somewhere, a church-bell rang, and then was silent. The watchman trudged up the street, boots crunching on the cobbles. Closer to her, the wind sighed through the open sash window, teasing her hair. Alicia blinked and sat. She had almost fallen asleep again, lulled by the melodies.

  “Leo...” she murmured, looking down at him where he slept.

  His lips had parted, and she could hear the even rhythm of his breath. She felt her heart clench. She had never realized, before that moment, just how much she loved him. Now she knew. She leaned down and kissed his hand.

  His fingers clenched, and then relaxed. She sat up, rapt. She looked down at his face. His eyelids fluttered. She stared.

  His eyes opened.

  He smiled at her.

  “Alicia...”

  “Leo!” Alicia breathed. She leaned forward and enveloped him in a crushing hug.

  “Don't,” Leo said gently, wincing.

  “Oh!” Alicia sat up at once, eyes wide. “Oh, Leo, I am sorry!”

  “Didn't... let me... finish,” Leo said, mouth twisted into his lopsided smile. “Don't... hug... too hard,” he began. “But don't... let go.”

  Alicia felt the tears come then, and she sat back, wiping them away with her fingers. She leaned in then, and embraced him furiously.

  “Oh, Leo...”

  “Alicia...” Leo murmured, and stroked her hair.

  They stayed like that for a long moment. They may have even dozed.

  When they sat up again, the sun was shining through the windows.

  “Leo,” Alicia said, opening her eyes to find his head beside hers on the pillow.

  They kissed.

  “Alicia,” he murmured.

  They lay quiet for a while, his hand, on his right side, which was uninjured, stroking her hair.

  “Alicia,” he said softly.

  “Mm?”

  “Marry me.”

  “Leo?”

  “I mean it,” he said, and laughed a little shakily. “I know I asked you before, but that was a while ago, and hasty. I ask you again. Marry me, my sweet Alicia. I ask this with all my heart.”

  “Oh, Leo!” Alicia said, and sat up. Her face was wet with happy tears. “Of course!” she said, and sobbed, then paused. “Of course. Yes.” She stopped and laughed. “You silly man.”

  “Silly?” Leo asked again, sweetly bemused.

  “Why do you even think you have to ask?”

  “Oh.”

  The day passed sweet and quickly after that. Alicia ran lightly down the stairs, hurrying to fetch a bowl of gruel from the kitchens. She carried it up herself, refusing help. She set it down before Leo, grinning proudly.

  “Thank you, my dear,” Leo said, smiling. “But may I ask, what is it?”

  Alicia frowned. “Gruel?” she supplied helpfully.

  “It is intended to eat?”

  Alicia blinked. She stared at him, and then noticed how his gold eyes twinkled, and realized he was teasing her.

  “Oh, Leo!” she laughed. “Do you know how incorrigibly, dearly annoying you can be?”

  Leo pulled a face. Still pale and weak, his humor seemed the first part of him to return from the grave, and Alicia delighted to see it. It was her favorite part.

  “Now,” she said briskly, “you shall have to eat something. If not that, then perhaps you can suggest a better alternative?”

  “Eggs?” Leo suggested hopefully.

  Alicia closed her eyes, pretending annoyance. Then she grinned. It was so wonderful to see him well that, at that moment, had he asked for a camelopard from the southern desert, she would have done her best to procure it.

  “I shall go and ask the cook if they can find some eggs for breakfast,” she said loftily.

  Ten minutes later, she returned with a breakfast tray, set for two, with tea and eggs and ham and fresh bread-rolls.

  Leo breathed in, and winced as his stomach contracted. Alicia, knowing how he felt, gripped his hand sympathetically.

  “Take it slowly, dear,” she cautioned.

  “I shall do my best,” Leo said valiantly.

  After doing more justice to the eggs and ham than Alicia would have expected from one so ill, he collapsed onto the pillows, tired but full. The maid came at Alicia's call to take the tray discreetly away.

  Alicia and Leo sat together in the guest bedchamber in Roderick's home for hours, discussing what they would do when they left. Leo was well and they could depart next morning. Sitting there, with Leo beside her, the morning sun warm on her back and her beloved, well, if slightly pale, Alicia was more than content. She was elated.
/>   CHAPTER FORTY

  UNEXPECTED MEETINGS

  UNEXPECTED MEETINGS

  The next morning dawned sunny and crisp, a glorious autumnal day in London. The lawns outside the Chelsea apartment were silvered with thick dew, some of it frosted in the cold. The gravel of the path crunched under two sets of footsteps, slowly walking from the front steps.

  “Leo?” Alicia asked, hesitantly, as they walked along the path.

  “I am... well... and managing fine...” Leo managed through gritted teeth.

  The two walked slowly down the drive toward Lord Roderick's carriage. Once they had finalized their plans, they had called Roderick in. Elated at Leo's recovery, he had agreed to lend them his chaise. That would transport them as far as the inn outside London, where they would stay for the night, catching the mail-coach back to Wilding the following day.

  As they walked, Alicia supported Leo, who was clearly in some pain. Both the jarring effect of walking, and the weakness after the days of bed-rest conspired to make walking difficult. As he paused a moment, Alicia wrapped a supporting arm around his shoulders.

  “Dr. Mann said you were not to take such strain.”

  “Dear!” Leo complained, though he was smiling, “If I were more careful, you would have to wrap me in swaddling and call me a newborn.”

  “Oh, hush.” Alicia flapped her hand at him, grinning.

  They giggled.

  “Now, if we take the mail-coach back to York, then...” Leo mused.

  “We should think about the inn carefully,” Alicia added. “I don't want you staying in some horrid—”

  Leo laughed, and jostled her shoulder. “I should remember to be wounded more often! It seems I will be spoiled past reasoning.”

  “Oh, you!” Alicia grinned, and turned to kiss him.

  Just then, they heard the rumble of wheels over the gravel drive.

  “Oh...”

  They said it together. There was a carriage turning at the end of the path. That was odd, because Lord Roderick's was parked beside the stables. This carriage, a large white-painted affair with four chestnut horses reined to it, turned side-on, and that was when they saw the shield with its device, painted on the door.

  “Mother!” Alicia cried.

  “Lady Valeria!” Leo shouted, in almost the same moment. The occupant of the carriage seemed to see them at the same instant, for the doors opened.

  “Alicia!”

  “Mummy!”

  “Milady!”

  As they ran forward, Alicia froze with complete surprise. Running toward them from the opened carriage doors, laughing, was not only Lady Valeria, but another female figure: Henriette.

  “Nettie!”

  “Allie!”

  The two collided and embraced, crushingly, leaving Leo, wheezing, and Lady Valeria, standing on the side a moment. They regarded each other quietly, each looking on the other with dawning respect.

  “It looks like we'll have to get used to being ignored,” Leo mused, grinning at the Lady Valeria. Valeria, in her turn, was gazing at her daughter with a look of love and tenderness that made Leo's own heart ache.

  “Daughter,” she murmured, shaking her head in amazement. She seemed overwhelmed, and Leo realized she’d had no idea where her daughter was, or even if she lived. He felt a stab of guilt, for taking her away without any warning. Just then, the lady turned to Leo, face grave.

  “I do not know who you are, sir,” Lady Valeria said slowly, “but it seems to me you saved my daughter from something. I cannot thank you enough.”

  Leo swallowed hard. “No thanks are necessary, my lady,” he said gruffly. “And, as for who I am, do you not know me?”

  He grinned, lopsidedly, and turned so that she could see him in profile.

  “Do I know you? I am not sure we have met,” she began, hesitant, screwing her eyes half-shut to study the dark-haired young man before her, seeking some resemblance. After studying his face a moment, she gasped. “You look like,” she began, and raised a hand to her throat, as if pained. “You are Henry's son! Leopold!”

  Leo grinned his lopsided smile. “Leo for short, my lady. At your service.”

  Just then they were interrupted by a figure running across the dark-green grass before them.

  “Alicia!” Lady Valeria exclaimed, as Alicia ran to her, arms wide.

  “Mummy!”

  Lady Valeria was knocked back, the force of the embrace almost toppling her, and her pale, graceful face turned a shade of pink as she blushed. Tears slowly filled her eyes.

  “Alicia!” she said. She stroked the long red hair, tumbling in casual disarray around Alicia's shoulders. Both were crying when they stepped apart.

  Henriette stood on one side of them, Leo on the other. They looked at each other coolly, but said nothing.

  “Alicia,” Henriette said, with mock impatience, “when are you finally going to introduce me to your fiancé?”

  All four of them laughed. Alicia went to her, and, arm looped around her, led her to where Leo stood.

  “Henriette, my dear friend, this is Lord Leo Grey, heir to Wilding. Leo, my dear man, this is the Honorable Miss Henriette Longford, daughter of Baron Browning.”

  “Pleased to meet you, my lady,” Leo said gravely.

  “And I am pleased to meet you,” Henriette agreed, holding out her hand to him, “finally!”

  They all laughed.

  They went down the drive to dismiss the hired coach, and together they all piled in to the large white chaise with the coat-of-arms emblazoned there to begin the long journey back home to Wilding.

  “Oh, my dear,” Lady Valeria said as they walked, “I have been so worried!” Her brow furrowed, she looked as if she wanted to question Alicia, but was too sensitive to pry.

  “Oh, Mother,” Alicia said, looking down. “I am so, so sorry we worried you! If it had been possible to avoid it, we would have! I hope that when you hear the story, you will know why I did.”

  “I am sure I will, dear,” Valeria said gently. Having made some unconventional choices at Alicia's age herself, she did not condemn her, only sought to understand.

  “Good,” Alicia said simply. She embraced her mother, who smiled, and stepped forward to the coach door. Leo helped her up.

  “My lady,” he said respectfully. “I know you may think me a scoundrel, but I did not mean to compromise your daughter. My intentions were honorable.”

  Valeria smiled, gray eyes gentle.

  “I did not think anything else,” she said calmly.

  “You didn't?”

  “Well, no,” she replied as the two girls climbed in, and then Leo joined them, sitting opposite, “I knew you meant no ill because I trust Alicia's judgment.”

  The carriage driver climbed on, starting them on their way.

  “I am thankful for that assurance.” Leo smiled. “I now know that, though I may look a disreputable cad, you trust me through Alicia's trust.”

  “Oh, Leo!” Alicia smiled.

  The carriage rolled onto the main road, and together they began the long journey home.

  Back to Wilding.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  INTRODUCTIONS

  INTRODUCTIONS

  Returning home was a strange thing. Looking up at the squat, dark-stone form of Wilding as they slowly approached it, Alicia was gripped by so many emotions, all of them unexpected. The place never alters. The tall, fluted heights of it, the trees by the gate, the sweeping gravel of the drive. What changes is me.

  And that changed everything.

  Alicia had been kidnapped, held against her will, threatened with torture. She had seen Leo almost killed, and saved him. Such things changed a person.

  There, are, Alicia reflected, smiling at the profile of Leo sitting opposite her, at the sleeping Henriette, some things that never alter. The heart does not alter. Not in its essentials. And that is what can bring us back.

  The carriage stopped at the door.

  “Milady!”

&n
bsp; “Mr. Surrey!”

  Alicia, laughing, embraced the butler, so pleased to see another familiar face. The man reddened, and very gently, extricated himself.

  “Milady?” Alicia was surprised to see tears in his eyes. He, too, it seemed, had missed her!

  “I'm back!” she stated redundantly, and smiled.

  A maid, coming out to see the commotion, ran into the house, to call the others.

  “Where's Father?” Alicia asked Mr. Surrey, as her mother and fellow travelers went inside.

  “He is in the great hall, milady,” Mr. Surrey informed them. He glanced behind her, and Alicia saw his eyes widen at the tall, slim and slightly rakish figure of Leo.

  After running a cheerful, teary gauntlet of the household staff, embracing Annette multiple times and being tearily welcomed back, Alicia found herself, at the head of the group of travelers.

  The great hall at Wilding was every bit as imposing as Alicia remembered it, with its high ceilings and cavernous interior. Built around four hundred years before, and added to over the centuries, Wilding had always had a feeling of a fortress, made slowly more comfortable for its inhabitants.

  The hall had also always had an echo.

  “Leopold.”

  “Uncle.”

  The two male voices echoed now, thrown back off the walls eerily. Alicia, standing a little back from the two men, drew in a breath, the sound unnerving her as always. Lady Valeria had introduced the two, and then slipped discreetly out to help Henriette oversee the unpacking of the luggage. Alicia was left alone to watch the meeting and was surprised by how frosty her father's reception of Leo was.

  Leo, his back ramrod-straight, head held high, did not look in the least nervous. Alicia knew he was, though, as his hand, held behind his back, clenched and unclenched... something Leo only did when he was tense. “I have come back.”

  “I see.”