“Aye...” Under his breath, he added, “as would I...”
When they returned to his grandmother's cottage, Robert dismounted the horse and lifted her into his arms. He carried her through the door, and when his grandmother saw him carrying her through the threshold, she gasped.
“Robbie!” Ada exclaimed. “Is something wrong?! Is Cynthia hurt?!”
“She was thrown from her horse.” Robert brushed past his grandmother, returned to his bedroom, and gently lowered Cynthia to the bed. His grandmother grabbed her cane and followed them into the room. Her wrinkled, weathered face was pinched with panic.
“Cynthia, dear, are you alright?” The old woman's lips were trembling as she asked her question.
“As well as I can be,” Cynthia said. “It could have been much worse, I am sure.”
“Do you need a doctor?!” Gram asked.
“No. No!” Cynthia's answer was adamant. “I don't need a doctor. It isn't necessary. It isn't so terrible, I assure you.”
“You tend to her, Robert,” his grandmother ordered. “I'll make you some ginger biscuits.”
“Oh, that won't be necessary, Ada, I--” Robert's grandmother was out of the room before she could finish. For an elderly woman whose health was on the decline, she was surprisingly fast. “Your grandmother is too kind.”
“She is... when she's not making me rub her feet and battering me with her cane!” Robert said with a chuckle. He leaned forward and peeled Cynthia's dress away from her shoulder.
“Robert! What are you doing?!”
When he saw the black and blue skin, his lower lip protruded. “There are some contusions... some swelling.”
“Really?!” Cynthia craned her neck, trying to get a glimpse of her own shoulder. When she saw her discolored skin, her reaction was the same as Robert's. She frowned. “That looks terrible.”
“It does,” he agreed. “Are you certain I should not--”
Having been in his company for so long, Cynthia could guess what he would say before he said it. “No! No doctors! I just need to rest for a bit... then I can resume my search for--”
“Lord Magnificent?” he finished for her. “No. You're not going anywhere, Princess. As soon as I know you're safe, I will try to contact him on your behalf. You should rest.”
Cynthia turned her eyes to the window, where the darkening sky was on display. “It is already getting late. Perhaps we should wait for tomorrow?”
“Perhaps,” Robert agreed. “I have to return to Montforth Hall tomorrow... to work. I can get in contact with Lady Edith, and she can inform your fiance of your whereabouts.”
“I should go to him,” Cynthia whined.
“You tried to get to him, remember? That didn't work.”
“But I need to get to him. I don't want them worrying about me!”
“Don't you worry, Cynthia.” Robert said. “Some way or another, we'll reunite you with your Prince.”
* * *
Later that night, after Gram had gone to bed, and Cynthia had consumed at least a half-dozen ginger biscuits, Robert returned to Cynthia's bedside.
“Lay with me,” she requested, “just for a little while.”
As Robert sunk beneath the blankets, he clicked his tongue at her. “Tsk tsk tsk. You know, one of these days, Princess, you're liable to give me the wrong idea.”
“Am I?! I thought we were friends!”
“We are friends,” he said, “but I'm still a man, and men have wicked thoughts.”
“You have wicked thoughts?” Cynthia crossed her arms, even though they were concealed by the blankets, “...about me?”
“Why is that so difficult to believe?”
“I just... I had no reason to think that I... that you...” Cynthia nibbled on her lip.
“A man has wicked thoughts about nearly every woman that crosses his path,” Robert said with a chuckle. “It's just the way we are. But fear not! I will try to keep my wicked thoughts at bay.” He wrapped an arm around Cynthia's waist and pulled her closer. He was grateful for Lord Charmington's prolonged absence, for if the earl caught him cuddling his intended bride, Robert knew he would be in for a throttling. “How is your shoulder?”
“Sore,” Cynthia admitted. “But only when I try to move it.”
With all the tenderness in the world, Robert brushed a finger across her bruised shoulder. “You're a strong woman,” he praised her. “You're very resilient. You've survived so much.”
“I'm a fast healer,” she agreed.
“You're strong on the inside, too. ” Robert's finger drifted along the curve of her neck, which stiffened the hairs on her nape. “Your father dies, your stepmother mistreats you... if you were a lesser woman, that might have stifled your spirit.”
“Sometimes I think it has stifled my spirit...”
“No.” Robert moved his finger away from her neck and tapped her on the nose. “I still see the smile in your eyes. Your spirit's as strong as ever.”
“I have you to thank for that,” Cynthia said. “You keep the smile on my face, Robert.”
And it was true. Whatever happiness she felt had nothing to do with Lord Charmington—and everything to do with Robert. The more time she spent with him, the more painfully obvious her feelings became.
She was falling in love with the wrong man.
“Robert...”
“Hmm?”
Cynthia moved her face closer to his, resting her head on his pillow. As she shared his pillow, her mind made a silent plea.
Kiss me. Her eyes searched his, soundlessly begging. Her lips were so close to his, she could practically taste them. Kiss me.
“Robert...” Cynthia repeated. She was longing to touch him, to caress his cheek, to sift a hand through his soft brown hair. The tears in her eyes were twinkling in the moonlit room.
“You should get some rest.” Robert peeled the blankets from his body and quickly vacated the bed. “I might be gone in the morning... I'll see what I can do about getting in contact with Lord Charmington.”
“Oh.” Cynthia could feel the coldness of his absence, and the suffering of her soul. She tried to blink away the tears before they fell.
“Good night, Cynthia.”
“Good night, Robert.”
Her heart shattered when he closed the door, leaving her alone for the night.
“I don't want to love him... I can't love him...” Cynthia whispered to herself, then she forced her thoughts back to Lord Charmington.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Edith sat in a chair at James' bedside the entire night. She watched him toss and turn, perspire and moan. She knew the exact moment when his fever broke, because his sleep was much less laborious. The thrashing stopped, as did the groaning. She laid a hand against his forehead, just to be sure.
By the time morning came, her eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot. Twice, she nearly fell asleep in her chair, and twice, she fought the urge. At the moment, her own health and well-being were the least of her concerns. All she wanted was for James' condition to improve, and for Cynthia to be found, safe and sound.
As soon as dawn broke, the butler, Johnston, stuck his head in the doorway. “Lady Edith?” he whispered. “I am sorry to disturb you, Lady Edith, but there is something I need to say to you.”
Edith rose from the chair and hobbled to the door, because her ankle was as sore as ever, and her sleeplessness did nothing to contribute to her steadiness. She stepped into the hallway and quietly closed the door, as she did not want to rouse the sleeping lord. When she and Johnston were alone, she asked, “What did you need to tell me? It sounded urgent.”
“It is urgent,” Johnston agreed. “I am sorry I did not tell you sooner, my lady, but... in light of yesterday's trauma, it must have slipped my mind.”
“Go on.”
“His Lordship's fiance, the lady Cynthia... she was here yesterday.” Johnston winced as he delivered the news, because he knew his failure to impart it was a tremendous oversight on his part.
&nbs
p; “Wait... Cynthia was here?!”
“Indeed. I told her the earl was searching for her. I encouraged her to stay and wait, but she insisted she wanted to search for him as well. They never crossed paths, and she never returned. I am sorry I did not tell you sooner.”
Edith was so flooded by relief, she did not care to chide the butler. She laid a hand over her heart as she bellowed a sigh. “Before she left, did she tell you her whereabouts?!”
“I am afraid not, my lady.”
“Is there anything you can tell me about her visit? Anything at all?!” Edith's sleep-deprived eyes had suddenly widened exponentially.
“She was with a young man,” the butler said.
As to whom he was referring to, Edith had an inkling, but she needed to be certain. “Can you describe him for me?”
“He was simply dressed, tall, with curly brown hair.”
“That was Robert!” Edith exclaimed. “I can think of no other man it could possibly be. Thank you for telling me, Johnston.”
“Of course, my lady. I only wish I had informed you sooner.”
“It is fine. Now, at least, I know where I need to go. I should return to Montforth Hall at once. Before I go, I need you to--”
“Edith!”
It was Lord Charmington's voice.
“Pardon me, Johnston.” With a smile and a nod, Edith politely excused herself. She reentered the earl's bedchamber and rushed to his side.
“I heard voices in the hallway.” As he spoke, James' eyelashes fluttered drearily. His fever was gone, but the pain remained. “I was hoping you hadn't left me.”
“Of course not, my lord. I stayed with you the entire night!” Edith confessed. He reached for her hand; against her better judgment, she let him hold it. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. But the wound...” When he tried to shift in his bed, the movement made him wince.
“Are you in a lot of pain?” Edith asked. “That is a foolish question, is it not? I am sure you are.”
“It does pain me... but I feel better, now that I have seen your face.”
The earl's remark had her shaking her head with disbelief. Now that he no longer had delirium as an excuse, why would he say such a thing? “I have good news, James... about Cynthia.”
James' eyes were lit. He tried to sit up in his bed, despite the fact that it pained him. “Cynthia. Is she alright?!”
“She visited Ridgeley Manor while we were away. I have every reason to believe she is perfectly fine.”
“Cynthia was here?!” James exclaimed. “And we missed her?!”
Edith nodded. “And it is a disappointing thought, to be sure. However, now we know she is safe, and I know where to find her. Rather... I believe Robert can point me in the right direction.”
When she mentioned another man's name, James' forehead creased. “Robert? Who is Robert!?”
“One of the servants at Montforth Hall,” Edith explained. “I should leave as soon as possible, to seek him out.”
“And then you'll return to me?!”
“Of course. And with Cynthia in tow, if I have any luck at all.” Edith tugged her hand away from Lord Charmington and rose to her feet. “As for you, I assume the worst is over. Is there anything you need before I go?”
“Nothing too pressing.” When he saw her moving to the door, he knew he had to say it—it might have been his only chance. “Edith?”
Edith paused in the doorway, but she did not face his direction. “What is it, my lord?”
“I knew it was you.”
Edith wanted to turn around, to see him one last time, but she could not bring herself to do it. The next time she saw him, he would be reunited with Cynthia, and the attention he paid her would be a thing of the past. Over her shoulder, Edith asked, “What do you mean?”
“I might have been delirious last night, but I knew it was you... when I kissed you,” James explained. “And I regret nothing.”
* * *
As soon as she arrived at Montforth Hall, Edith ran to the servants' quarters. Robert was gone, but a maid named Tess informed her of his whereabouts. According to Tess, Robert was tending the horses. As she rushed to the stables, Edith prayed she could avoid her mother and sister, for they would only impede her progress. However, she did pass Rolly, who was standing in front of a looking glass, stroking his girth and winking at his reflection. “I cannot believe he is the lord of Montforth Hall...” Edith whispered to herself, “it is such a disgrace to my stepfather's memory...”
Edith tiptoed past Rolly and left the manor, then she made her way to the stables. When Robert saw her enter, he wiped his hands on his breeches and lifted a hand in salutation.
“Lady Edith!” he exclaimed. “I was wondering when you would turn up!”
“I've been searching for you,” she said, a bit breathlessly.
“And I you.”
“Cynthia,” she exclaimed. “Where is she?! You know where she is, don't you?!”
“Of course. She's at my grandmother's cottage.”
Edith leaned against the doorway and expelled a sigh of relief. She could feel her entire body tingling as her fears subsided. “Then... you can take me to her, right?”
“Straight away, if it pleases you,” Robert said. “I know she's been anxious to see you.”
“And I am sure she is anxious to see Lord Charmington as well.”
“Aye,” Robert softly agreed. “I am sure she is...”
Edith raised an eyebrow. Unless she was mistaken, she thought she heard a hint of sadness in Robert's voice. “You care about her, don't you?”
Robert lowered his feed bucket and headed for the door. “Of course I do.”
“I mean...” As he passed through the doorway, Edith caught his arm, “you love her, don't you?”
“Maybe.” Robert shrugged. “But there's no point in discussing that, is there? It's not like she would ever choose me over an earl.”
Edith was crushed by the sincerity in his voice, and the pain in his eyes. “Robert...”
“Come on.” Robert laid a hand on Edith's shoulder and gently nudged her out of the stables. “We shouldn't waste any more time. I should take you to her.”
* * *
Unfortunately for Edith, they made the journey on foot. More than once, she thought about mentioning her raw, blistered ankles, but she did not want to raise his concerns. If he had been taking care of Cynthia for the last few days, Robert did not need to shoulder another burden. Edith closed her lips and withstood the pain in silence.
By the time they reached his grandmother's cottage, Edith swore she was immune to the pain. Robert held the door for her, then he escorted her to Cynthia's room. As soon as Cynthia laid eyes on her, she sprang from the bed and ran to Edith, arms extended.
“Edith!” Cynthia ran into her stepsister's arms, and they crushed each other in a tight embrace. “Thank god... finally!”
Edith laid her hands against her younger sister's cheeks. “Are you well? You are not hurt, are you?”
“I am... well enough.” As she spoke, Cynthia glanced in Robert's direction. He knew the extent of her ordeal, but she hoped they could keep it between themselves. “What about you and Lord Charmington? I know you've been searching for me...”
“We have. And there was an... an unfortunate mishap.” Edith took a deep breath before delivering the worst part. “James was shot.”
“Shot? What?!”
“When we were searching for you, we were accosted by thieves... gypsies,” Edith explained. “They shot him, and for no reason whatsoever. They had already robbed us and--”
“Is he alive?!” Cynthia laid a hand over her pounding heart. All of a sudden, her bruised shoulder did not seem so severe.
“He is alive, but he had a terrible night. He's been calling out for you...”
“Then I should go to him at once!” Without another word, Cynthia ran from the bedroom and out of the cottage. Edith followed, and Robert lagged behind. “Robert, do you ha
ve any horses?!”
“I suppose I could ask my uncle.”
“Ask him for two horses... or three, if you can.” Cynthia's voice was tinged with panic. “You will accompany us, won't you?”
“I--”
“Please, Robert!” Cynthia begged him. “If there are thieves in the woods, you can't let us go alone.”
“I suppose you're right...” Robert shoved his hands into his pockets and heaved a sigh. He wasn't too thrilled by the prospect of reuniting Cynthia with her beau, but it wasn't as if he had a choice. He had to protect her, to see it through to the end.
Even if his heart would break in the process.
* * *
As soon as the door opened, Cynthia flew to Lord Charmington's side and tossed her arms around him.
“Cynthia!” James exclaimed, reveling in the feeling of her embrace. “My dear, sweet Cynthia, where have you been?!”
“It is a long story!” Cynthia said. “And it is hardly worth repeating, not when you're in such pain.” She laid her palms against his cheeks, framing his face between her hands. “My poor James!”
“Edith must have told you what happened?”
“She did. And I'm so, so sorry!” Cynthia whimpered. “Every bad thing that has happened... it is all because of me!”
“That isn't true. That isn't true in the slightest, and you know it!” James stared into her eyes as she caressed his cheeks. “Cynthia... words cannot describe how wonderful it is to see you again. My heart was aching for you.”
“And mine was aching for you.” She ran her fingertips over his cheeks, kissed his forehead, then wrapped her arms around him again. At the moment, all that mattered was that he was safe, and that they had finally been reunited. She could not spare a thought for anyone or anything else. “James...”
“Cynthia...” he whispered. “My Cynthia.”
Without another word, James cupped her cheek and brought her face to his. Their lips touched, and when she did not protest, James deepened the kiss.
They did not realize they had a spectator.
Behind them, Robert squared his shoulders and solemnly slipped away.
Maid to Be Mine: A Regency Cinderella Story Page 17
