The Last Waltz

Chapter 30

Poppy watched Isaac slowly close the door behind him. She was tired, scared, and in pain.

"Are you angry?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"No, only very confused," he said, moving to the bed and sitting on the side. Poppy couldn't hide her wince of pain as the bed dipped.

"What happened, Poppy?" he asked, pushing her hair out of her face and noting the bruise at her temple.

Poppy took a shaky breath. "He came out of nowhere."

"Morgan Brown?" Isaac rubbed her arm and looked at her pale face and shadowed eyes.

"Yes," she swallowed, and her throat felt like sandpaper. "He approached me in the street and threw his arm around me, but I managed to get away. I was working at the cottage because you asked me not to go to the folly without telling you, and Siobhan could find me there." Poppy closed her eyes and focused. She knew she was telling the story disjointedly as it came and might not make sense.

"I'm following you, Poppy. Go on." His eyes were so patient.

"He followed me through the garden gate and pushed me against the tree. I gave him a swift knee to where it counted most, but it didn't keep him down for long. I couldn't surprise him this time." Her voice cracked, and she closed her eyes as she felt the fear rise in her again. "Do you think it was what my cousin, Mave, felt when she was taken?"

"I would say you felt some of the same fear, yes." Isaac agreed as Poppy started to cry. "Would you like me to run you a bath?"

"Yes, please. There are also some pills for pain in the bag with the salts." Poppy watched him stand and move around the room as he started running a warm bath for her. He pulled out his phone and sent a text.

"I'll have Boyd bring up a hot water bottle," Isaac said as he typed.

"I can manage, Isaac. You must be exhausted from your trip." Poppy didn't want him to leave, but she didn't want to be a burden either.

"I'll share your bath if that's alright?" he asked.

Despite her exhaustion and pain, Poppy still felt a little thrill at the thought.

"Figures," Poppy snorted in a very unladylike way.

"What's that, he asked, reading the prescriptions and frowning. "This is some heavy stuff."

"I always knew you were afraid of me. It's only when I'm hurt and can't take advantage of the situation that you decide to get naked in front of me." Poppy sat up slowly, giving the room time to stop spinning and allow her ribs to adjust to the movement.

Isaac gave a small smile. "You're probably right," he agreed, and their eyes met.

"Are you sure you're not mad at me? I wouldn't blame you if you believed the photos over me. Can you help me with my socks and shoes?"

Isaac walked toward her and knelt, taking off her shoes and socks. When there was a knock at the door, Isaac called for whomever it was to enter, and Boyd entered the room, putting down a tray with a water bottle, teapot, and mugs on the table by the fireplace.

"I'll take care of Mary and Peter," he informed them. "Siobhan has left."

"Thank you, Boyd." Poppy looked at him with a watery smile, and he nodded before leaving.

Isaac poured Poppy a mug of tea and handed it to her before opening one of her pill bottles and giving her a pill. "This should help with the pain," Isaac said.

Poppy swallowed it and took a few fortifying sips of the heavily sweetened tea. "Let's do this!"

"It's not whisky," Isaac grinned at her.