Page 92 of The Curious Life of the Unfortunate Duchess
The orders fell from his lips easily, possibly because he had envisioned the very moment so many times before in his mind’s eye. Leonard was having difficulty understanding that it was not a dream but he did pray he did not wake if it were. The servants jumped to attention, each rushing about to tend to Elizabeth as Leonard swept her up into his arms.
“I can walk!” she protested, albeit weakly.
“Why would you wish to?” he murmured, emotion jumbling his words. “From this day forward, you will never do anything yourself. I will be at your beck and call.”
“Elizabeth!” Catherine moaned, rushing toward the pair. “Will you ever forgive me for letting them take you?”
“Hush now, Catherine,” Elizabeth told her gently. “What happened was well planned. Nothing you could have done would have stopped them. I am relieved that you are unharmed. Is Frances well?”
Catherine sniffled, reaching out to squeeze Elizabeth’s hand in hers.
“She will be better when she casts her eyes upon your face,” Catherine mumbled. “Oh, praise God you are home!”
“LIZA!”
Leonard was knocked back as Frances barrelled down the stairs, the trio landing in an unceremonious pile against the wooden floor. Elizabeth gasped, laughing as Frances embraced her, blubbering foolishly.
“I knew you would not leave me!” Frances whimpered, holding fast to Elizabeth. “I prayed for you every night.”
“I heard your prayers,” Elizabeth told her gently but when she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Leonard who managed to untangle himself from the siblings.
He nodded solemnly, his own eyes burning as tears threatened to fill his sockets. Leonard did not care if his face was flooded in that moment.
“Where were you?” Frances demanded. “What happened?”
“No!” Leonard said firmly, reaching to lift Elizabeth once more. “There is time enough to recount the horrific details later. For now, she must bathe and rest. Please, Frances, allow her some time.”
To his relief, Frances nodded, moving aside for Leonard to reclaim her sister without a word of argument. He placed Elizabeth back into his arms and studied her face with loving disbelief.
“I had thought I had lost you,” he confessed softly. “I will never let you out of my sight again.”
She managed a small laugh.
“Well, perhaps on occasion,” she replied but the pain in her amber eyes was clear. Leonard knew she had seen unspeakable terror in their time apart and he swore she would never again be hurt, not as long as he held breath.
“Elizabeth?”
Percival’s voice was a strangled whisper, as though he was unable to reconcile what he was seeing before him. Leonard moved his head toward the staircase as the Viscount descended.
“Y-you are here!”
“Indeed, Father,” she chuckled. “I am not one to be easily stolen away, it seems.”
He did not speak, his face wan as he slowly made his way to her. His eyes traveled over her bandaged limbs and his eyes darkened.
“They hurt you!”
“I will recover,” she insisted. “My spirit is very much intact.”
Leonard tightened his hold upon her, again overcome by awe at her good humor and bravery. He wondered if he would have held up as well under the circumstances.
“Please, Lord Gordon, permit me to take her upstairs. I will send for a doctor,” Leonard begged. “She needs to collect herself.”
Percival stepped back, his face still etched in the surprise he was experiencing.
“Of course,” he mumbled, moving aside and Leonard strode toward the stairs, Elizabeth’s arms encircling his neck.
“I will join you,” Catherine announced firmly.
