Season's Feather

Chapter Sixty-Five

The next morning Williamson had gone to see Kate but she wasn't there at the Danbury estate. A horse was gone. But, what scared him was the raging storm that had taken place outside. Now he was on his horse rushing to get to where the damned woman was.

He followed the same path he did all those mornings ago. How peculiar it was that they were right back to where they started months ago.

Then he caught sight of her.

"Miss Sharma!" He yelled, "Miss Sharma!"

Kate didn't slow down. She went for a jump. But it was raining, it wasn't the same as the other day. Williamson stopped his horse as he watched. Then she fell, thrown from her horse.

"Kate!" He yelled out. Williamson got off his horse and ran over as quickly as he could. He dropped to his knees and quickly took off his coat, throwing it around her, "Stay with me. Please."

Her head rolled.

"Come on, now. Come on. Stay with me." Williamson whispered. His hand came behind her head and when he pulled it back there was blood. She was hurt. He shook his head and picked her up. He wrapped her arm around his shoulder and moved her so he could easily lift her off the ground.

Once back at the Danbury house he quickly walked in. Down the stairs her mother and sister came running with Lady Danbury behind them but Williamson was in focus and moved past them quickly.

"Call the surgeon at once!" Williamson yelled.

He moved her to a bedroom and stepped back as staff rushed in to help, the doctor faced him immediately.

"She has a cut on the back of her head. I kept pressure on it, but it needs stitching." he explained. He watched as the doctor proceeded to talk to her. He looked over her body, "She needs more blankets. She's shivering!"

The doctor turned to him, "Allow me to get to work."

He stepped back but his mind was flashing. His mother. His mother had gotten hurt. His mother, who looked so much like Felicity, had been crying under the big willow when the branch fell and collapsed on her in a storm. A storm so much like this one.

But he stepped back. Then Delilah was by his side, "Williamson. What happened? Is she alright?"

Williamson didn't answer though. He just shook his head. But, Delilah knew. That morning she woke up in Anthony's arms, but the morning quickly shifted when the maid came knocking on her door.

Felicity had rushed to tell her the story once she heard what had happened. Her and Thomas were back at the Silvester estate with Anthony preparing for Williamsons arrival. They said there was no telling what he would do once he was fully in his head.

"Williamson, are you alright?" Delilah asked.

"It's my fault." He whispered, "It is all my fault."

Then he was gone. He couldn't hear his name being called by Delilah. He couldn't hear anything else. He walked out of the room. He needed air. He could hear his fathers voice.

Calm yourself. Get a leash over your emotions.

His leash, his tight leash. He needed to rein himself in.

A week later Delilah was sitting in the Silvester drawing room with Felicity and Thomas who was playing the piano. She looked over at the maid and spoke her new request for something bright to give to the struggling family.

Felicity looked over at her, "Flowers, again?"

"Nothing worse than dead flowers during a somber time." Delilah responded.

Felicity twiddled her fingers together, "Are you going to attend the Featherington ball?"

Thomas paused his playing, "Is that what you are thinking about?"

"It's just a question. It's not like we are allowed to go since we are not old enough to be in society." Felicity snapped.

Delilah sighed, "I'm not sure yet. I suppose it's good that we even received an invitation. I guess it is a good thing Lady Whistledown has not written about it yet."

"She does not seem to be writing at all anymore." Thomas commented, "I do feel bad for Eloise. She cannot see her friend anymore can she?"

Felicity sighed, "As shameful as it is, it is probably for the best right now. We cannot downplay how bad it is right now for both of the families. We are related to the biggest scandal and friends with the second biggest. How brilliant."

"Felicity." Thomas groaned.

"We have lost three staff in the past month. Why did I not know about this? I need to know about these things." Delilah mumbled to herself, "Seems we are not the only ones affected by our ill reputation."

"You shouldn't even be worrying about balancing books. You should be worried about what gown you are wearing for the ball tonight." Felicity said.

"I don't know if I am going to the ball, and I cannot disregard the books. Felicity, you do not know this. But, I do not have a father nor a brother who can take care of this estate for me." Delilah said.

"You have Anthony and Williamson." Felicity argued.

Delilah shook her head, "Williamson has your own house to manage and Anthony has the whole of the Bridgerton family. I cannot ask them to take over the Silvester estate as well."

"Aren't you giving this house to Williamson?" Felicity asked.

Delilah looked up at her and nodded.

"Then have him take care of the books." Felicity said.

"Has Williamson sold your country house yet?" Delilah asked.

Thomas looked at her, "No."

"Exactly," She whispered, "So he cannot take over these books."

"Yet." Felicity added.

Then Williamson walked in and collapsed next to Delilah. He took a breath and rubbed his hand over his face. Delilah let out a small breath and looked over at him, "How is she?"

"I do not know," He responded, "I have not-"

"You have not been to see her? Williamson, how daft can you be to not go see the girl after you rescued her. I do not fault you for thinking about mother but-"

Thomas stopped playing and stood up, "Felicity!"

"What? Am I not allowed to ask because a lady does not talk about such topics. You should know by now Thomas that I cannot simply forget. I am the one who found her, if we all remember the story correctly which I do. I am just stating the facts." Felicity huffed before she walked out of the room. Thomas shook his head and went to follow her with a sad expression.

Delilah turned to Williamson, "It has been a week."

"I've been busy," Williamson mumbled.

Delilah sighed, "I am worried about you."

Williamson sagged further into himself  before standing up and making a beeline for the door, "I do not have time for this.