Page 26 of Tamed By a Passionate Lady
He was particularly interested in the politics, and he had once told her the whole history of the city he had grown up in, his eyes burning with pride.
He was a natural raconteur when he was inclined, painting vivid word pictures. What he did not know about Liverpool was not worth knowing. He had never told her his personal background, about growing up in the city, though.
She knew nothing of his childhood, or his friends, or what he had done when he was there. The only thing that shedidknow was that he had lost his mother when he had been very young, and that he had inherited a fortune when his father had died about five years ago.
He had chosen to sell the family business, buying Birkenhead Lodge. An avid amateur historian, he spent most of his time now in his study, his head buried in local history books, or bird watching when he went on his long, solitary walks.
She blinked back tears again, as she watched him. The mere thought that he might not be that same man if he did wake up was shocking; he might be reduced to a babbling mess, like old Mr. Hughes.
He would be lost to her entirely then. The husband that had never really been her husband, and no longer could be. The possibility, the slim chance, that he might one day return her love was dimming rapidly.
Her face twisted. Why did it matter? There was never much possibility that he would love her, anyway. She had tried so hard, but she had failed. But even if he could never love her, as she hoped, she still did not want that for him. If he woke up, she wanted him to be the strong, vibrant, clever man that he always had been.
Please Lord, she prayed, squeezing her eyes shut.If you return him to me, whole in mind, I will finally accept my lot in life. I will finally accept that he will never love me. Only do not let him become a shell of the man he once was.
“Mrs. Townshend?” Dr. Brown’s voice seemed to reach her, from far away. “Are you quite well?”
She opened her eyes quickly, blinking rapidly. She must get herself together. She must be strong. It would not do to fall apart. James needed her. He might not realise that he did, but he needed her now more than ever. And she would not fail him in this.
She took a deep breath. “I am a bit tired, that is all,” she said, smiling faintly. “And worried, naturally, about my husband.” She paused. “Is there anything that I can do, Doctor, to aid his recovery, besides the physical care of him?”
Dr. Brown gazed at her steadily. “I have read some articles, in medical journals, about the possibility that the unconscious mind can still hear and understand.” He paused. “I would advise you, Mrs. Townshend, to talk to your husband.”
“Talk to him?” Adaline looked doubtful. “As if he were awake?”
The physician nodded. “Yes, as if you were having a conversation with him, but with the expectation that he will not reply.” He paused. “Encourage him to open his eyes. Remind him of everything that he loves in this world. The power of suggestion is strong, and may give him the willpower to fight and finally wake up.”
Adaline nodded slowly. “I think I understand. Is there anything else that you think I should say to him?”
Dr. Brown smiled slowly. “Perhaps you may remind him that he is much loved, and of his love for you. That is the most powerful thing of all, Mrs. Townshend.” He hesitated. “Remind him of all the good times you have shared, as husband and wife. Make him want to wake up so much, that he will fight his way out of his sleep.”
Adaline bit her lip, turning away, a faint flush rising into her cheeks. Dr. Brown assumed that their marriage was a love match; that they had a romantic relationship with each other. Little did he know that they had never had any such thing; that there was no real relationship between them.
She glanced back at James. Would he evenwantto hear her speak to him in such a manner? He had been deliberately distant with her their entire marriage, fleeing as if scalded if they ever shared even a brief moment of connection. She could not imagine that he would want her by his sick bed, speaking to him.
She sighed, turning back to the doctor. “It may help him wake up, you think?”
The doctor nodded. “I cannot guarantee it, of course, but it is worth a try, is it not?” He paused, gazing at her. “And besides, I believe that it would be good for you as well, Mrs. Townshend. It will give you a positive focus, and you can unburden yourself a little in a safe space. You have had a big shock, after all, and are still very concerned about losing your husband.”
She nodded slowly. “I am not worried about myself, but if you think it would be beneficial for James, then I am willing to do it.”
“It cannot hurt,” said the doctor, bowing slightly. “And now I shall take my leave, Mrs. Townshend. I shall return tomorrow, at the usual time.”
“Goodbye, Dr. Brown,” she said, smiling. “And thank you.”
He nodded, leaving the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Adaline walked slowly to the bed, staring down at her husband, frowning slightly.
And then, she sat down beside him, picking up his hand. It was cold, but warmer than it had been. She closed her eyes, wondering what on earth she was going to say to him. What shecouldsay to him, considering the relationship that they had.
She took a deep breath. Dr. Brown had told her to unburden herself. And perhaps now was the perfect time to finally tell him the truth.
Chapter 10
James could not see anything but blackness. A swirl of blackness. It was like gazing out into the night sky, when there was no moon, and no stars. Or into a pitch black tunnel, with not even a pinprick of light in the distance.
There was no awareness of the passing of time. He did not know where he was, or what had happened to him. There was only the eternal blackness, before and beyond.
