Page 62 of Never Leave Me
“We have decided upon a name for the baby,” Marian said, pushing Will up. He finally settled back in the chair, but not before tangling his fingers with Marian’s.
Ellen caressed the baby’s plump cheek, smiling at the way her mouth suckled even in sleep. “I hope you’ve picked a beautiful name for so beautiful a baby.”
“We have named her Ellen and shall call her Ellie.”
Ellen’s gaze shot up. Marian’s eyes were glassy with tears, and Will’s expression was one of gratefulness.
“You saved her life,” Marian said. “And we want her to bear your name.”
Emotion clogged Ellen’s throat. “I’m honored.”
“She will be officially christened at her baptism, and we would like you to be one of her godparents.”
“Of course.” Ellen had already learned that baptisms usually happened on the day of the baby’s birth, that the father would take the child to the church before the priest while the mother remained at home. In baby Ellie’s case, Marian had convinced Will to wait on the baptism until she had recuperated and they could attend the ceremony together.
“And...” Marian peered at her husband with so much love that Ellen’s heart pinched with the need to experience that kind of marriage for herself.
She couldn’t allow her thoughts to go there. She wasn’t in a position to entertain such fantasies, especially not with being in a coma and having no idea whether she would live through her experience either in the present or in the past. She’d already accepted her fate, and to allow herself to have hope of the future would only stir discontentment.
“Will has agreed to take the wellspring at St. Sepulchre away from Ickham.”
Will rose from his chair, releasing Marian’s hand. “Someone must stop Ickham’s evil intentions from prevailing. Since I am the one who opened the spring, I must take responsibility for it and ensure it is diligently guarded henceforth.”
His motivation was honorable, just as Marian had indicated. But all Ellen cared about was being able to get more of the holy water to keep Josie, the other children, and Harrison out of danger. “Thank you.”
Will regarded her more carefully. “I shall guard it not only from Ickham but also from your Dr. Lionel. Neither one must have access to such a powerful life source.”
“We want to help you, Ellen. But we must think of another way other than giving the holy water to Dr. Lionel.” Marian’s long hair was unplaited and hung in loose waves, making her look like a fairy-tale princess. Motherhood and the Middle Ages suited her well.
“Of course. We’ll come up with something.” Although Ellen couldn’t think of what that might be. Unless she found another way to connect with Harrison and talk to him. If she knew everyone would remain safe from Dr. Lionel, she could deliver the holy water through the vault directly to Harrison.
How many days were left before Dr. Lionel followed through on his threats? Mentally she calculated the date. The time in the past was going by much too fast. Today was May 21, which meant she had three days to figure out a new plan before Dr. Lionel’s one week deadline arrived.
“May 21.” Her mind replayed the information Jasper had told her before she’d taken the holy water. “Isn’t that the date Dad arrives?”
“Yes! Today is the day.” Marian sat up, her eyes turning bright. “We must locate him as quickly as possible.”
“Do you know what time he drinks the water and where we might find him?”
“I am not entirely sure what time.” Marian swung her legs over the edge of the bed opposite from where Will stood. She pushed up and started across the room. “If we search midafternoon, we might be able to intercept him as he arrives.”
Will scowled. “We?”
“Yes, we.” Marian could hardly make it to the cushioned stool at her dressing table before collapsing onto it. She picked up a brush and dragged it through her thick, wavy hair. “I must find my father and save him from dying.”
Will stalked across the room, his features turning as hard as the stone walls surrounding the manor. He bent and scooped up Marian. “The only place you will go this day is back into the bed.”
“I fare well enough and shall ride out—”
“No, Marian,” Ellen cut in. “Riding a horse will only cause more damage.”
Marian winced, as if imagining herself upon a horse and the pain that would bring.
“I shall go in your stead.” Will returned to the bed and lowered her gently.
“If you approach my father, you may frighten him. What if he will not come with you? Refuses to trust you? After all, he does not know I am here.”
Ellen paused in unwrapping the baby. “He’ll recognize me, and I can explain everything that’s happened.”
