Page 149 of The Duke Who Saved Christmas
“Do you think Sylvie would be unconscious in my car if that were the case?”
“She’s wha—Thomas!” Mum shrieked, once again stabbing my eardrum to death. “Are you taking her to the hospital?”
“No. She’s not injured. She had a huge panic attack and cried so hard she exhausted herself. They had a first aider on-site who checked her over and confirmed she’s just asleep. I’m bringing her home, so can you make sure there’s somewhere close for her to rest? I don’t want to carry her all the way to my room.” I asked, turning away from Castleton.
It would take longer to get home, but there was also less chance of anyone seeing Sylvie like this in my car.
“Of course. What about Hazel? Does she know? Julian?”
“Nobody else knows yet. At least I hope not. It’s still early. Can you do me a favour and call everyone to the house? Hazel and Julian, both sets of parents, Hazel’s grandparents…”
“Of course. Your sister and Beth are still here, too, so I’ll see if Beth can delay opening the shop. Are you sure Sylvie is okay?”
“Yes,” was what I said, but I didn’t know.
I’d never seen anyone cry so hard in my life. It was as if all the stress she’d been pushing down over the past few weeks exploded out of her in one vicious burst, wrecking her in the process.
In a way, I was glad she was out of it.
If she was asleep, she couldn’t feel the pain she’d felt not long ago. For now, in her world, this problem didn’t exist, and she could be at peace.
And I could try to fix this.
“Thomas?”
“Huh, sorry,” I said, adjusting the earbud. “What did you say?”
“I’ll get everyone here and call the mayor to get to the bottom of this,” Mum said. “What a shame the wedding can’t go ahead after all that work.”
“Don’t think that just yet,” I said, glancing over at Sylvie.
“What do you—”
“I’ll be home soon. Talk to you then.” I pressed the touchscreen on the dashboard to hang up the call and sighed.
I had an idea.
It was a long shot.
There was a real chance it wastoo muchof a long shot, but that didn’t mean it was impossible.
Cancelling the wedding didn’t have to be the first option. I was sure of that much.
I kept an eye on Sylvie until I reached the gates of Castleton Manor. By the time I pulled up outside the front door, Heath was already opening it for me. Concern was rippled across his features, especially when he caught sight of Sylvie.
Right.
They’d become friends the morning after the storm when he’d given her his super-secret soup recipe.
Even Mum didn’t have that.
“Would you grab her bag for me, Heath? It’s on the backseat,” I asked, walking around to Sylvie’s side.
“Of course, Your Grace. Do you need a hand with Miss Harding?”
“Just make sure I don’t bang her head.” I opened her car door and, with Heath’s guidance, scooped Sylvie out of the car and into my arms. “Which room is ready for her?”
“The Austen, since it was made up. Should I call for a doctor?”
