Page 73 of Never Leave Me
Drake stood in the shade of the building, out of the afternoon sun. His furrowed forehead spoke louder than words. The older man didn’t want Harrison taking so great a risk.
But what other choice was there? Harrison had attempted to communicate again with Ellen off and on during the remainder of the night as well as throughout the morning. But he hadn’t had the slightest overlap. All he was doing was using up precious droplets.
During the long hours, he’d come to the conclusion that the only way he could truly save Ellen was by drinking the holy water and going into the past with her. Then he could talk with her for an unlimited amount of time, sort out what was really going on, and learn the location of where Lionel was keeping her.
He assumed the wellspring Ellen mentioned was the one Marian had told him about before she died. From what he gathered, it was open but no longer in Will and Marian’s possession. Apparently, Will intended to regain control of it. And now Harrison needed to convey the urgency of the mission and offer to help.
If for some reason they couldn’t gain access to the wellspring, he’d convince Will and Marian to give him their final flask of holy water, and he would put it into the vault so Drake and Sybil could awaken him.
The minute he was conscious, he’d share all the particulars about Ellen’s location with Sybil, and then she could commence another rescue straightaway, hopefully this time in the right place.
Of course, then he’d need at least three more flasks of holy water—one to keep himself alive and two for Ellen. And there was the possibility that they might not find one for him in time to save his life, but at least he’d free Ellen from Lionel’s clutches and buy her more time until Marian and Will could retake the wellspring or uncover more holy water elsewhere.
“You don’t need to do this, Harrison.” Sybil straightened and crossed her arms. “I’ve got other investigators casting around every warehouse in Kent. It won’t be long before we get another lead.”
“We don’t have time to play a game of hide-and-seek withLionel.” He was sick to death with worry over Ellen and couldn’t sit around waiting any longer. Not when he needed to speak to Will and Marian. Surely once they knew of his plans to save Ellen, they’d do whatever they could to help him.
“Chesterfield Park is under tight surveillance.”
He’d shared Ellen’s warning about Lionel threatening to harm him and the Serenity House children. Sybil had immediately phoned a private security company and enlisted guards to protect him. She’d also alerted all the Serenity House families to the possible threat as well as arranging for security outside of Josie’s hospital room.
“I’m not worried about me. All I want is to find Ellen. That’s all that matters.” He was surprised at how desperate his voice sounded.
When one of Sybil’s delicate brows arched, he ducked his head.
“You love her.” Sybil’s statement contained certainty.
He’d tried hiding his feelings from everyone, including Ellen. Why keep his love a secret any longer? “Yes, I love her.”
Sybil nodded curtly.
Harrison reached into his waistcoat pocket for the test tube and pulled it out. He popped off the lid. Then he nodded at Drake. “Keep on Mr. Smythe. With any luck, he’ll find more of the flower-patterned ampullae.”
Drake’s frown deepened. “You’re certain you cannot wait another day or two, my lord?”
“I’ve waited long enough.”
The older man sighed, his shoulders stooping even more than usual.
He’d explained to Drake that he needed to drink the holy water outside, that he couldn’t take a risk of suddenly appearing in a room in Chesterfield Park. And this spot near the edge of the property would hopefully allow him to arrive unnoticed and givehim the time he needed to awaken. Then he’d be able to approach the house without arousing too much suspicion—although some might wonder how he made it past the gates.
Harrison turned toward Sybil. “I’ll find out where Ellen has got to. I promise.”
She straightened, putting both feet on the ground. “You sure about this, Harrison?”
His answer was to tip the glass container to his lips and drain the liquid. In an instant, the world turned black.
19
“LORDWORTHINTENDSTOCLAIMEllen as his bride on the morrow.”
Sir Nicholas’s announcement from the doorway brought silence to the great hall so that Ellen could hear the sudden racing of her heart. The clanging of pots and the clatter of utensils echoed in a corridor connecting the hall to the kitchen, where servants had been running back and forth, bringing their supper.
Will’s chair scraped through the fresh rushes against the floor as he stood from the long, broad table covered in a white linen cloth and graced with polished brass candlesticks.
“He has gained the support of the Archbishop of Canterbury for his betrothal to Lady Ellen,” Nicholas announced. “They will be riding to Chesterfield Park in the morn to force you to hand her over.”
Ellen stiffened on the bench where she sat across the table from Will and her dad.
