Page 93 of The Rebellious Lady and the Phantom Lord
“No!” Gilly came up behind her to grip her shoulders. “You’re not making any foolish confessions, even if I have to lock you up myself. I know you are feeling guilty. Let that be your punishment. Jonathan has seen to a temporary stay of the orders since it seems most unlikely the old man will ever rise from his bed again.”
Phaedra buried her face in her hands. “James has destroyed my grandfather. And I helped him to do it.”
“I don’t know as how you think it is your fault or his. If the old man had slunk quietly away until this was sorted out, he would yet be unharmed.”
Gilly tried to pull her into his arms, but she shoved away from him. She was beyond any sort of comfort now.
“My Goodfellow papers,” she said. “I believe that James took them and gave them to Jessym to incriminate my grandfather.”
Haltingly, Phaedra told Gilly all that had transpired since he had left her at the Heath. She related James’s version of the murder and his suspicions that Sawyer Weylin had participated in a conspiracy, first to destroy Julianna, then silence James; and how she had tried to stop James from seeking vengeance, an effort that had obviously failed.
“I thought to save James,” she concluded miserably. “But I was years too late.”
Gilly stroked his fingers along her temple. “If it is any comfort at all to you, Fae, I do believe James loves you. I watched him through the night. He even speaks your name in his sleep.”
Gilly flinched at the memory. “I hope to never hear such cries of despair again, not even after I descend into hell-which I likely will, someday.”
“I realize he loves me, Gilly,” she said wearily. “But his hatred is stronger. Perhaps it is as well our elopement was thwarted. I can see now I was making a bitter mistake.”
“What a blasted tangle.” Gilly rubbed the back of his neck.”But perhaps there is yet some way that you and James can mend?—“
“No.” She shook her head. “Whatever happens, I will stay and take care of my grandfather. I owe him that much. He is the one who needs me the most.”
Gilly looked as though he did not agree with her, but he kept his lips sealed. Phaedra left him, tiptoeing across the hall to slip softly into James’s room. Gilly was right. James’s color was improved, and he was sound asleep. But she would never have described it as resting easy.
Even in sleep, his brow appeared pinched with pained remembrance. She touched his forehead, longing to soothe away the tension. But he stirred restlessly, turning away from her.Fearful of waking him, she retreated quietly from the room.
With a heavy heart, she went next to where her grandfather lay in Jonathan’s room. Jonathan, ever faithful in his vigil, had fallen asleep in a wing-backed chair. Phaedra skirted silently past him to the bedside. As she looked down at the old man, remorse tore at her.
His bald head was swathed in bandages, his once-ruddy features ashen. Phaedra expected to find him asleep and was startled to see him staring up at her. His eyes were dulled, and she glimpsed no recognition in their depths. He strained to speak.
“Wh-wh …”
As she bent closer, she realized he was asking for a drink. She fetched a small quantity of brandy in a glass. Raising his head, she held the goblet to his lips. He sipped, choked, but managed to swallow some of the liquid. It appeared to help. As she eased him back onto the pillow, his eyes cleared. Frowning, he focused upon her.
“Dying,” he said.
“No, Grandfather,” she protested.
He managed to lift one hand, indicating that she should be silent, the gesture still rife with his impatience.
“Tell someone in-in case. Someone must know.”
She tucked the sheets more snugly about him. “You will have plenty of time to tell me whatever it is later.”
“No! Must tell now.”
He was becoming agitated; Phaedra saw she would have to humor him.
“Other day you were asking me ...” His voice trailed off.
Phaedra waited patiently for him to continue, but when he did, the words he gasped took her by surprise.
“Lethington girl.”
“Julianna?” Phaedra tensed. When he lapsed into silence, she prodded, “Is it something to do with her death?”
His jowls quivered as he moved his head in a barely perceptible shake.
