The Duke's Daughter (Editing)

Chapter Twenty

        I woke three days later. Apparently I had gotten a fever from one of the soldiers I was nursing. Drew never left my side. He paced my room back and forth worriedly. Poor thing, he blamed himself for the things that happened. 

     Elisa talked to Lady Thornton about letting me go back to Livingstone Abbey. Although I could barely talk, I refused to leave. I honestly working like a  dog would be better than having to go back to Livingstone.

       "Please, I don't want to go!" I pleaded.

      "Lenora, you are depressed whether you like it or not and you need time to be somewhere else that isn't near a battlefield." Elisa explained.

      "Come back with me." I said.

      "I can't, Lenora, I'm needed here," She replied, "I'm sorry."

     "I'll go." Said Drew's muffled voice. His eyes were blood shot while his face was a grave pale with an unshaven rouged look, "I have some contacts I need to talk to near London. We could stop there on our way to Northumberland."

      Elisa took hold of my arm and smiled, "Drew will take good care of you."

      "I give you my word." Drew said half smiling.

       A few weeks passed by as my fever finally broke and I was strong enough to leave France. I made sure to send a letter to Anna so she would be aware of my arrival. I assumed someone in our town of Northumberland found out of my missing boys and I didn't want to bother her much with it. Elisa was in low spirits herself, Henry decided to go to Germany to see how the other operations were doing which worried her greatly. 

       "Take good care of yourself, now." She hugged me tightly, "Don't wonder to much in your thoughts."

      "I'll try." I held on to her tightly.

    "Write to me when you arrive, alright?" I nodded to her response as I let go and boarded the carriage with Drew.

      Neither of spoke but looked out the window. The countryside resembled Northumberland's a little and I realized something astonishing. It had been a year since my live was flipped upside down and I hadn't even noticed. Just a year ago, Jerry and I were learning how to have manners and learn the rules of the elite. Things happened so fast and I didn't even realize it. My father's promise of my brother and I taking hold of Livingstone was finished and it seemed that it was truly be our home and our job to keep the family blood running. A stray tear ran down my face as I quickly wiped it off.

       "Are you alright?" Drew asked.

     "Yes," I assured him, "It's just it's already been more than a year since I left New York City. I guess I got a tad overwhelmed thinking about it."

      Drew smiled a little bit relieved as he squeezed my hand, "I promise the trip to London won't be too long. Most likely just a day, I know you would rather be in Livingstone with your family."

      "Thank you for your consideration, Drew." I replied.

        "My mother should be at our home," Drew said, "She was in charge of some fundraiser in London." I nodded my head as we rode through London. It was so packed with people even though it was freezing incredibly. London almost reminded me of New York City, making me feel a little bit more at home. 

          The Woods estate was nestled near the Thames River. It must of covered about 2 acres with snow decorating the opened gate. Near the door there was a tall woman, resembling Elisa, and some servants. Drew helped me out of the carriage, "Mother, how are you?" he asked.