Page 68 of The Masked Baron
“Please, don’t judge her,” Miss Dubois pleaded. “Don’t condemn her. She was so very ill.”
“How can I not condemn her?” Ellis gave a short laugh. “She has taken the lives of my beloved parents and deprived me of ten years the comfort and companionship of my sister. I could never forgive her.”
He heard Annie’s small gasp. “Ellis, please, think this through.”
It had taken months for her to break down the tight wall around his heart, and now, at the moment of truth, Ellis could not let go. He tightened his grip on his sword, wishing he could offer her more. His stubbornness was matched in Eliana, and he feared his sister would not be convinced to return with them. He turned back to the water, saying a silent prayer.
He heard small footsteps, and then Annie was beside him. “The only person you will hurt by not forgiving is yourself,” she whispered. “Your parents did not raise you to be a hateful man. You told me they were always loving and selfless.”
Ellis did not bother hiding his annoyance. “And yet you ask me to forgive the woman who took their lives?”
“I am asking you to be the man they would be proud of.”
Ellis’s mouth constricted as he tried to swallow back the brimming emotion from years of pain and hurt. Annie held his gaze with her own, pleading silently for him to choose to let go. His fists trembled with fury at the very thought of his sister’s betrayal, but Annie reached out and set one of her hands on his. Her touch was a balm and soothed him. Slowly the fight left him and he could breathe again.
“Oh, my Annie,” he whispered back. His other hand covered hers and he squeezed her fingers like a lifeline. “I want to let go, truly I do. I know you are right. This is not me. This has never been me. I need to thank God for reuniting me with my sister.”
The hurt remained, but the anger did not. Annie nodded encouragingly, compassion filling her features. His heart would take time to heal, but this was a step in the right direction.
He threaded his fingers with hers and then pulled her to his sister. With his free hand he reached toward Eliana. She hesitated, and then with a small smile, she came to him.
“This is a moment for celebration, not anger,” Ellis said. “I need some time to accustom myself is all. Please, come home with me.” His words were spoken carefully, and he hoped they conveyed the earnestness in his heart.
Eliana hesitated. Instead of answering, she looked to Miss Dubois, still tied to the horse. “May I?”
“No,” Ellis said. “It was my doing. Let me release her.” He undid the knots and apologized for the raw skin around her wrists.
Eliana embraced Miss Dubois and then turned to Ellis. “We have ointments to ease this sort of discomfort. I will take care of her. You two must get back before dark. I have seen signs of wolves.”
His brow furrowed in confusion. “Matilda has several good ointments. Mr. Lewis is quite a medicinal man when he wants to be. Do not think it necessary to stay out here one more night.”
Eliana avoided her brother’s gaze. “Miss Dubois is like a sister to me now. I cannot simply walk away from her.”
“What?” Ellis asked, completely baffled.
Annie stepped forward to intervene once more. “I am sure your brother would not mind if Miss Dubois came to Braitwood Hall.” Annie turned to Ellis. “Would you?”
“Certainly not. Why would I mind?”
“See?” Annie finished.
Ellis cleared his throat to try again with a more gentlemanly tone. “Your presence would be most welcome.”
Miss Dubois hesitated for a moment, stole a look at Eliana, and then finally agreed.
Annie put on her cheeriest smile. “I promise you Ellis is not the beast everyone says he is. You have nothing to be afraid of.”
Ellis rolled his eyes. “I am a beast. She is blinded by love.”
Annie waved them to the horses. “Come. I am anxious to see what has kept the others.”
Ellis started. “You are right. They should have been here long ago.” Ellis pulled Ginger to Eliana. “Since you and Miss Dubois are inseparable, you won’t mind doubling up, will you?”
“No, of course not,” Eliana replied.
“Good. Annie can ride with me. Something must have happened to detain the others, and we had better not delay.”
Chapter 24
