Page 68 of A Daring Pursuit

The blood in his veins pulsed with a frenzy pushing out any notion of rest.

He glanced at the clock on the mantel. It was late. Too late, really, nearly eleven, after having spent hours with the parish constable and a team of volunteers from Alnmouth in search of the man who’d shoved Geneva off the cliff with coldblooded intent. It had to be the same man who’d aimed a dagger at Julius’s heart. And killed Hicks and Father? Nothing else made sense. He was one and the same, Noah knew it through to his bones.

Noah’s description of the man could have fit any number of men in and around the area, as there had been nothing specific he could point to that would differentiate him from one of the locals.

He’d left Verda, Isabelle, and Julius in charge of Geneva. But only Julius remained at her bedside. On silent feet, Noah moved to the side of the bed and set a hand on Julius’s shoulder. His brother jumped at the contact.

“Noah. Any luck finding the bastard?” he demanded softly.

“None. Whoever he is, he’s likely insinuated himself deep within the community. For all I know, he’s joined the search.”A horrifying notion.

“What did the doctor say?

“To keep her comfortable. What else could he say?” Julius’s voice trembled.

What indeed?A spiked coil twisted deep in Noah’s abdomen. “Has she wakened at all?”

“No,” Julius whispered. “The doctor confirmed what you’d already determined. She’s suffered no broken bones. But there’s one hell of a lump on her head.”

Noah’s hand squeezed into a fist at his side. “And the scratches on her face?”

“Minor. Mrs. Knagg applied a tincture. A few pebbles had to be dug out of her arms. But she didn’t even stir during the process. Gads, it had to have hurt. Perhaps not as much as a slash from a knife,” he added on a lighter note. A failing effort.

Noah couldn’t muster a smile.

“What do you suppose possessed her to leave the castle without proper covering? She had to have realized the weather was about to drastically change.”

Noah brought up his hand and touched hers. “I don’t know. I couldn’t see her expression. All I could see… was that bastard deliberately putting his hand out and shoving her to her death.” He shook his head, attempting to dispel the waking nightmare. But it was a sight that would remain with him for the remainder of his life, he suspected.

“I’m frightened for her,” Julius said in a choked voice. “Sheismy sister. I know it. She’s so pale and looks so… so fragile in such a huge bed…” His trailing whispers echoed through Noah and the band about his chest tightened.

With a light squeeze on Julius’s shoulder, he said gently, “Get some rest. I’ll remain by her side—”

“I can’t.”

“You can, and you will. If there is any change, I’ll let you know immediately. Go.”

For a minute, Noah thought Julius would unequivocally refuse, but then he nodded and stood. At the door, he turned and looked over his shoulder. The pain on his face, raw and nearly unbearable to witness, nearly felled Noah to his knees. His red-rimmed eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“I’ll look after her,” he promised again.And pray she wakes.

With a sharp incline of his head, Julius left.

Noah went about the chamber stirring the fire, checking the candles, tucking the covers about Geneva before taking up Julius’s vacated chair and vigil. He leaned forward, setting his elbows on the mattress, and studied her elfin face. What he saw filled him with haunting dread.

The boldness she readily displayed was now concealed behind closed eyes. The glow of the candles smoothed her pale countenance to a soft gold. He would light every candle in the castle to keep it so. His gaze moved over her exposed hands and he reached for one. It felt so alive, yet she hadn’t moved so much as a fingertip. He couldn’t even detect the pulse in her neck.

Fear constricted his throat. He grazed her hand with the pad of his index finger, back and forth. The rhythmic motion soothed him, leastways. Her skin was cool to the touch, not clammy or feverish. The muscular tone was prominent, allowing him to release his held intake of air.

A sting pierced the back of his eyes until he couldn’t breathe. For so many reasons: not reaching her in time; for not finding the bastard who’d dared attempt to kill her; for not being a physician; for not being God to possess the power to make her wake…

Noah laid his forehead against her cool skin, willing his warmth into her. Willing life into her. She emitted a small groan and his eyes burned.

“Mr. Oshea?” Her voice cracked the harsh tension in which he’d been encased as the words penetrated. Her words.

“Geneva?”

“I-I don’t remember giving you leave…” She seemed to run out of air to complete her chastisement of him. Something he greatly welcomed at this moment.

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