Page 77 of Never Leave Me
“I’ll need to place holy water into the vault. If we don’t get more, then we’ll use the bottle that Will and Marian have saved. Drake and Sybil—my private investigator—are staying vigilant for my delivery.”
“Then you’ll go back just as soon as we get the holy water?”
“Right.”
“What about Josie? Is she still alive?”
“Yes. We’ve placed extra security outside her hospital room.”
“And the other Serenity House children?”
“They’ve all been contacted and alerted to the threat.”
Ellen released a breath and stalked toward the open window, the shutters thrown back to allow in the fading evening light. For the first time, he noticed what she was wearing—a long blue gown with laces crisscrossing her rib cage and showing a linen shift beneath. Ribbons wound through her hair, which hung in silky waves down her back. In the light of the fading sun, she was as breathtaking as always.
Before he could summon the words to express himself, the door swung open and a brawny man with dark hair walked into the room. His features contained a fierceness that was matched by the intensity in his eyes.
Will. Harrison didn’t need introductions to know this was Marian’s husband.
Harrison stood and straightened, attempting to school his bearing into that of a lord. “I am Lord Burlington, and I’m truly sorry for barging into your home this way.”
“This is Harrison.” Ellen stepped away from the window.
Will didn’t spare Ellen a glance. Instead, his attention remained riveted on Harrison. “You came for Lady Ellen?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then you have proven yourself worthy. You will wed her anon. This night.”
“Wed Ellen? Tonight? I couldn’t—”
“You are betrothed, are you not?”
“Of course we are.” Ellen’s voice cut through Harrison’s confusion.
His gaze shot to Ellen. What was she talking about?
She nodded at him, and her gaze beseeched him, as though attempting to send him a message to pretend with her. Again.
“Yes.” Even though he knew he shouldn’t play along with another ruse, he couldn’t deny her.
Ellen began to cross toward him, and his mind filled with remembrances of her innocent touches in Saint Lucia and how they had affected him. She might be able to play with fire and not get burned. But he couldn’t. In fact, he was still nursing his burns from before and had to maintain some distance from her.
“We cannot get married tonight.” His statement came out in a rush, one he hoped would prevent Ellen from coming too near.
As if hearing a warning in his tone, she halted in the center of the room.
“You must.” Will’s tone left no room for arguing. “The matter is settled.”
Before he could figure out how to respond, several servants entered the chamber carrying the items Ellen had requested. Arthur followed on their heels. Amidst the reunion with his friend and Ellen’s treatment of his head wound, Harrison was relieved when Will slipped from the room.
Harrison’s gash didn’t require any stitches, and as soon as Ellen finished tending it, they went to Marian’s chamber for another happy reunion. He hugged Marian, held her baby, and listened to the tales of Ellen’s arrival at Chesterfield Park in time to help with the delivery.
As Marian’s attention shifted to the door, everyone grew quiet. Harrison gently passed the baby back to Marian and looked up to find Will striding toward him, a robed man scurrying on his heels.
“I have the chaplain.” Will’s expression radiated determination. “Time for the wedding.”
“No. Ellen isn’t ready for marriage.” Harrison crossed his arms. It was one thing to pretend they were betrothed. It was another thing altogether to actually get married. He had to put a stop to Will’s insistence before Ellen ran off.
