Page 12 of Winning the Wallflower's Heart
“We’ll bring whatever you want.”
She raised her eyebrows and pushed through the door, gasping when she walked in to find the room in disarray.
“My things!”
Her bed was broken, her curtains torn down, and the few sketches that had been fixed by the small desk near the window ripped and tossed to the floor. In the corner, an orange cat backed away to hide under the discarded bed linens.
It was striking to see—the hand painted details, that of a little girl and a woman—the flower vines painted inside the window casing. The swans and princess over by the desk, a flush of flowers and birds by her door. Each so incredibly detailed, it must have taken years to have covered the walls.
The hurt in her eyes was too much to stomach. He turned to her, bent down so she could see his eyes, and evened his voice. “Let’s grab your things, and we’ll be on our way.”
“But your head!” Her fingers reached out to his temple, but he shook her touch away.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re bleeding, Ellis. If he comes and you’re passed out…”
He couldn’t—no, hewouldn’t—allow that to happen. Ellis grabbed the bed covering, then strode over to her wardrobe. “Toss your things in here. Dresses, any books…” His eyes scanned the room, so thoroughly ransacked.
He’d left her here at Pickins House, thinking the mortgage payments he’d arranged were enough—a distant way to honor a friendship that felt more like habit than connection by then. ButSam had been drifting, his charm dulled by debts and drinking, never quite willing to reciprocate. Still, Ellis had hoped. Now, standing here with Georgiana, he felt the weight of his mistake. That distant attempt at help had left her stranded, alone, without the safety or care she’d truly needed.
Suddenly, a sharp bitterness flooded his mouth, and he ran over to the window, yanking up the sash and sticking his head out, tossing up his accounts.
“Georgie, your things,” he reminded her again, spinning around to see her wide-eyed and clutching the fat tabby cat.
“I can’t leave him,” she whispered.
“Then he’s coming with us. Have everything? We need to go.”
Ellis grabbed her hand, even as the world wobbled around him, and the sharp metallic bite of blood filled his mouth. There wasn’t much for her to take, and yet guilt consumed him as her large eyes studied the place.
“This is home,” she whispered.
He shook his head, dragging her out into the hallway. The orange tabby squirmed in her arms, and she squeezed, even as the feline dug its claws into her shoulder.
“Not now, Georgie. It’s time to leave this all behind.”
She hesitated, glancing over shoulder, down the dark, cold hallway. He felt the resistance in her posture—the quiet anguish beneath her silence.
This place, this life—it had been everything to her, no matter how awful it was. The only home and family she’d ever known. Asking her to walk away was like asking her to cut out a piece of herself. But she needed to leave. He couldn’t let her stay trapped here, vulnerable and alone.
“It won’t be easy, Kitten, but I won’t let you fall,” he said softly, his voice steady. “You’ll be safe with me.”
He reached for her, aware of the distance between them even now. For years, he’d been just out of reach, a figure from herchildhood who swooped in only to disappear again. He hated that. Hated that he’d let her believe she was always on her own.
But this time was different. This time, he was taking her with him. Even if she didn’t understand yet, even if she was still staring at him with that look in her eyes—hope and disbelief tangled together.
Because he knew, deep down, that it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. Needed more. And somehow, he’d have to find a way to give it to her.
He gestured toward the hackney in the front of the house when they stepped outside. She was watching him again—eyes wide and uncertain, as if he were some impossible dream. But he wasn’t. He was flesh and blood, standing there, his head bleeding and his hand outstretched toward her. And he’d damn well prove it.
“Come on, Georgie,” he murmured. “This time, I’m not going anywhere.”
Safe.
He could at least promise her that.
CHAPTER 4
