Page 75 of Never Leave Me
“She is stuck here without a way home.” Will’s tone was like granite. “She must learn to make a new life with a new man.”
Nicholas pushed back on the bench. “I thank you for so generous an offer. I am honored you would consider me as a husband for Lady Ellen. But this is hasty.”
“I shall give you land as Lady Ellen’s dowry.”
In the process of rising, Nicholas froze.
Ellen could only guess how tempting the offer was to a man like Nicholas, who wanted a place of his own in order to provide a home for his mother.
“The land will be adjacent to Chesterfield Park so that my wife may have her sister living close by, as I know such an arrangement would bring her great joy.”
Nicholas sat back down and clenched his fingers into fists on his lap.
Harrison had indicated he was close to rescuing her from Lionel’s lab. Perhaps he already had and she was back in her modern room at Chesterfield Park. It might be some time yet before they could deliver holy water to the vault to awaken her, but in the meantime, she couldn’t marry Nicholas, no matter how much Will wanted it.
“She can’t.” Thankfully Dad spoke again, this time more firmly.
Will glowered, clearly accustomed to having his word obeyed without question. “If Lord Worth forms an alliance with the archbishop, we will need to abandon our plans to retake the well.”
Will and Dad had been plotting how to take back the wellspring at St. Sepulchre tomorrow. With the destruction wrought by the earthquake, everyone would be distracted and busy. It would be the perfect time to sneak into the priory.
Dad expelled a sigh. “Your hasty marriage with Marian may have worked out for the best, Lord Durham. But Ellen is different. She belongs with Harrison.”
How could her dad know that when she hadn’t said anything to him about her relationship with Harrison? She met his gaze. His eyes radiated with sincerity. “Harrison loves you. I guessed it several years ago.”
“You did?”
“He never said anything. But I could see it.”
If Dad and Marian had both seen Harrison’s love for her, how had she been so blind to it?
This time Nicholas rose to his feet and away from the bench. “If Lady Ellen is betrothed, then I shall not interfere.”
Will pushed up from the table too. “She has little hope of being reunited with her betrothed and must make alternate arrangements.”
“Even so, I would that Lady Ellen be in agreement to the plan. I am not my brother and will not force an unwanted union.”
“I am not a brute and shall not force an unwanted union either. But she is my charge and must see the wisdom in such a marriage.”
“I see the wisdom in it but cannot do it.” Ellen shifted on the cushion beneath her, not accustomed to men talking as though she didn’t exist.
Will’s muscles radiated tension, and he looked first at her and then at her dad. “If Harrison loves Lady Ellen, why has he not already claimed her?”
“He tried, but I didn’t allow it.” The words were out before Ellen could stop them. Harrison had made an attempt that last morning in Saint Lucia toclaimher—or at the very least to take their relationship to a new level. And she’d been the one to shut him down.
“A worthy man would not give up so easily,” Will insisted, “not if he truly values you—”
The hall door slammed open. Thad, Will’s steward, stumbled in, half-dragging a man with him. Blood slickened the man’s dark hair and ran down his temple.
She stood, attempting to assess the injury. “What’s happened?”
With what appeared to be great effort, the man lifted his head, revealing a handsome, smoothly shaven face and green eyes.
Her heart stopped.
Harrison? Were they having an overlap? Here? Now? Would he suddenly disappear from sight as he’d done the other two times?
“Harrison?” Her dad’s surprised voice told her she wasn’t imagining things. Harrison really was there.
