One Heart- The Greatest Showman

Chapter 63

Elizabeth's Pov 

It had been a few days since I first arrived at Countess Adele's manor and Phillip was getting better each passing hour. His rash had gone down significantly and he had began to have solid food again rather than having the, vile and disgusting, medicine broth. He had been asleep for a little over three hours, he would be up for a couple of hours then sleep for roughly the same amount of time. Mr Brooke said this was normal though, he had called in yesterday to see how Phillip's recovery was going, explaining that Phillip's body was probably exhausted from fighting the sickness therefore needed a lot of time to rest.  I had remained in the chair next to his bed for the last three days, not really leaving the room unless I absolutely had to. 

I pushed up the sleeves of Anne's plain olive green so I could rest my head upon my hand. I just watched him, ensuring that everything was going smoothly with his recovery. My eye lids had begun to droop and the battle to keep them open was getting harder every passing second. I had felt my eyes close and forced them to re-open when I heard the creaking door open behind me. 

"I brought you some tea." Ailsa said quietly, once she saw that Phillip was asleep. "It is ginger, Countess Adele requested you try some while you are here." 

"Thank you." I smile sleepily at Ailsa as she stood on the ends of her toes to see Phillip. 

"How is he going?" 

"He is getting there. It is slow, but he is getting there." I explained. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you meet Countess Adele?" 

Ailsa sat down on the ottoman, holding her own cup of tea which she had brought in. With her free hand, she pulled up the sleeve of the long dress she wore. Her skin was fair and freckled lightly until a little bit after her elbow, then her skin turned a few shades darker than an olive skin tone. "Birth mark." She announced. "When I was in France with my Aunt and Uncle, I wasn't allowed to ever wear short sleeved dresses since they were ashamed of my birthmark. One day Countess Adele met with my family on a hot summer's day and my Aunt and Uncle still insisted I were my long dress but I refused and came down stairs in a short sleeved on. Needless to day my Aunt and uncle were furious and scolded me in front of Countess Adele." 

"What did Countess Adele do?" I questioned, my curiosity intrigued.

Ailsa smiled and a small quiet laughed escaped. "She offered me the position of Lady in waiting instantly." We both laughed for a second and I felt like I knew Ailsa a little bit better, that she could related to what I had been through as well. "Speaking of Countess Adele, I should go and check on her." 

Picking up her cup of tea, she left the room without a sound. Somehow managing to get the door to close without even a squeak. I poured myself a cup of tea from the pot she had brought in and lifted it to my lips. I could feel the warmness of the tea spread throughout my body as it touched my lips. Waking me up but at the same time making me even more sleepier. 

"I know you're awake." I stated obviously, as Phillip's eyes blinked open. I just smiled at him, getting up and placing a kiss on his lips, holding his face for a little while. His smiled radiating as I sat on the side of the bed, his hand firmly holding mine to ensure that I was real, not just a mirage. 

"How long?" He asked with a small chuckle, his sense of humour thankfully had returned two days ago. Telling us all he was getting better. 

"Since Ailsa came in." I said as I poured him a cup of tea, passing it to him once he sat upright in the bed. There was only a few traces of red blotches left on his skin, nothing too noticeable. Just that similar to a fading severe sun burn.  

"I didn't want to ruin a conversation." He admitted. "How is the circus going?" He questioned, his face filled with concern. Phillip had been questioning it every time her had woke up, asking if we had received any more news.