The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

06

Chapter 6

"I shall have you, my friend." Summer offered with a sisterly smile as she lifted her hand.

"And you shall have your brother's letters." Merry frowned as she returned to take Summer's hand. "Will your brother send for you when things are...better?"

"He might. But I won't worry about that now. Now I must concentrate on getting well and strong. No more sleeping draughts. Oh," she added, "We'll need at least one man to handle the things we cannot do for ourselves. And he should be strong enough to help me about until I can do so for myself."

"I shall ask my brothers. I am quite certain at least one of them will come, even if there no wage but room and board." Merry's smile beamed with such pride and love that it warmed Summer's heart. "Things at home are...well, they should be glad to find service elsewhere and I know they should not like to see me go so very far without one of them to watch over me."

"Hank was like that when we were little." Summer smiled as her mind. "I should be glad to have a real family about me again."

---

The next time Summer awoke, Nurse was just entering.

"Hello Nurse." Summer felt her voice stronger for the healing sleep and the lack of new sleeping draught. "I should like you to tell my Grandmother that I will go where she sends me, and gladly. But I shall have no more of that foul sleeping draught!"

Nurse set the bottle back down and turned to Summer with an arched eyebrow. In all the days she'd been in this room, Summer had yet to get a single word from the woman.

"oh, and if you would please inform her that I shall keep my lady's maid. Merry shall come with me. I shall need someone to help me while I am recovering from my injuries."

Nurse only nodded and left the room. Nurse never returned, but rather Merry took her place, much to Summer's delight.

---

Merry entered the room as she had done for the past three days since Grandmother had been informed of Summer's declaration.

"Good Morning Miss." Merry moved happily about as she opened the drapes. "We're to leave as soon as you've had breakfast, Miss."

Summer felt much better. Her mind was clear and though her limbs were stiff her spirit was willing. With Merry's help she managed to hobble over to the dressing table. Merry chatted as she helped Summer through her ablutions and into a simple blue day dress.

"Your grandmother has purchased you your very own coach and pair. Although my brother says the carriage is old and rickety and he hopes it doesn't fall apart before we make it home." Merry chuckled at something remembered. "Your horses are reliable though, he says, even though they are a bit long in the tooth. And-"

A knock at the door interrupted her chatter.

"I'm here to carry her down." A young man said to Merry as she stepped aside to admit him to the room.

Summer's eyes went up...and up...to a face that was not so youthful as she first thought.

Though not so old either...and he's so tall!

"Thank you." Summer swallowed as he bent over her and slipped a hand beneath her knees. "I've never been carried bef-Oh!"

Her arms flew around his neck as he stood. Merry held the door for them and he moved with ease as he carried her through the house and out to the street. Summer was prepared by Merry's earlier comments so she was not surprised at the wretched looking sight of the ancient and the two graying horses pulling it.