Page 87 of The Lady Glass
Rolland closed his eyes, seeing Theresia behind his lids while he took his last breath.
He hadn’t expected to hear the thud of the gun go off, dull as it was, or the increased pressure on his skull and chest suddenly relieved. But it was the sound of shattering glass that made him realize death had not taken him yet.
He opened his eyes just in time to see Lewis finish falling to Rolland’s side, blood trailing down his profile, his eyes closed.
Theresia had used her vase to save Rolland’s life.
He rolled up and onto his knees, his hand catching a glass shard. “Theresia.”
Her eyes were wide and her body rigid, as if paralyzed.
“Your vase.”
Her chin started to waver, the first crack in her stunned facade.
He wanted to weep for her. For her loss.
He put out his arms, hoping, praying, she would come to him.
She dove into them.
He wrapped his arms around her, the velvet of her bodice soft beneath his circling hand in his desperate attempt to soothe her. Her shoulders shook silently, and he tightened his grip, breathing in her floral scent and praying to thank God that they were safe. “You saved my life, Theresia. Thank you.”
She’d saved them both. He pulled back, holding her shoulders and lowering his head so she would be forced to make eye contact. “I need to see if he is knocked out or dead.”
Her eyes widened.
“It’s going to be all right either way. Do you understand?”
She didn’t answer, so he repeated himself. “It’s going to be all right. You’re safe now.”
He released her, waiting only a moment to assure himself that she would stay upright. Then, bending over Lewis’s still form, he checked for a pulse.
Nothing.
On further examination, he discovered Lewis’s head had hit the corner of the bedpost at just the right angle.
“He’s gone.”
Rolland dropped his hand to his side and bit down hard on his cheek. He would move the earth backward in its rotation if he could. Anything to undo the last hour. How was there no recourse or way to call back the years? And yet a merciful God had taken Lewis’s last breath before Lewis could add another life to further stain his conscience. Rolland would mourn his friend but could not regret his passing.
“I . . . I killed him?”
“He hit the bedpost when he fell. Listen, Theresia, you saved my life and many others. Do you understand?”
Her nod was shaky, tentative at best. Her dull eyes swung away from Lewis’s form to her vase, and her mouth dropped open. “Rolland, look!”
He followed her hand to where she pointed to the ground. The gold base of the vase lay intact.
She moved to fetch it, but he grabbed her wrist. “Careful of the glass. It’s sharp.” He reached for her slipper but discovered it was no longer under his jacket. He glanced around and found it discarded on the floor beside him. He picked it up and held it outlow near the floor.
Holding up her skirt, she extended her stocking foot, and he slid her foot into the slipper. The crystal flower caught the flicker of candlelight and gleamed. It wasn’t a diamond or a pearl, but nothing suited the unique woman in front of him more. Theresia Dvorak was one of a kind and absolutely radiant. When he looked up at her, Rolland didn’t want to let go of her. The gesture was simple but intimate to him. She was his hero. Would that he could serve her every day for the rest of his life.
But now was not the time to explain how precious she was to him. Not with how his heart grieved for Lewis. He pulled back, allowing her to retrieve what she wanted to show him. The base had had a false bottom, it appeared, and it had slid open to reveal a hidden slot. Theresia reached inside and pulled out a square of paper.
Rolland frowned. Had there been a secret map after all? Had Lewis been right?
Tears poured down Theresia’s face.
