The Duke's Daughter (Editing)

Chapter Twenty Six

   We drove and didn't stop for hours. Gil was slowly turning as pale as Jerry who laid next me. There wasn't much I could do until we reached our destination until we reached Strasbourg in Northern France. We were almost five hours away by estimation, so I prayed my  boys would pull through.

     "Lenny?" Jerry whispered, "Where are we going?"

    "Somewhere safe, I promise." I stroked my brother's dirty brown hair.

    "Is Gil going to be okay?" 

    "I hope so." I turned to see Gil's eyes still closed. Luckily the bleeding had stopped but I wasn't sure how bad the infection would take a toll on him. 

    The sun was shining brightly as we passed little towns. Occasionally, we would see soldiers walking as we passed them. I was slightly worried that they would be suspicious of us, but they never seemed to mind us. I don't know how long it was before Henry stopped the automobile and gave the wheel to Drew after they restocked on petroleum. 

   Hours passed and soon enough the day became darkness and I knew we couldn't be too far off from France. "We should be there soon?" I asked. Drew just nodded his head. 

   We turned a corner and I saw a little cottage a few yards from us. Drew turned off the automobile as Henry got out the car. "Are we in France?" 

    "Yes." Drew said tiredly. I watched as Henry knocked on the door and an elderly woman came to the door. She embraced him and smiled. Henry led the woman to us. 

    "Meet my aunt Marie." Henry said.

JUNE 1916

      Jerry recuperated much faster than I anticipated, but it was certainly a blessing. Once he was strong and enough, not just physically but mentally, Jerry explained to us what had happened to Gil and him. Apparently, when they arrived to meet an asset the both of them were compromised and taken somewhere blind folded. They were both separated for a few weeks being tortured and asked various questions before reunited. Jerry and Gil were then transferred to the camp we had found them in just a few days after we had gotten there. Jerry never fully told us what they had done to him or Gil, and in a way I don't think I wanted to know.

    I nursed Gil day and night for weeks but seemed so weak all he could do was sleep. Infection was indeed in the nasty area where the bullet had gotten him. I was so worried I would never be able to see him open his eyes again.

     "He'll be alright, Lenny." Jerry assured me, "Gil's gone through a lot. He's strong."

     "I hope so Jerry." I leaned into my brother's loving arms.

    A knock at the door interrupted us, it's was Marie. "Hello," she said in her thick French accent, "I have dinner ready for zu. Are zu both hungry?"

   "We'll be there in a moment. Thank you, Marie." Jerry smiled. 

   Drew and Henry were both chatting when we arrived at the dinner table, "We plan to leave in a week." Drew said with confindence.

   "I don't think we can transport Gil by then." I commented, "He's still to weak."

   "We'll then I suppose I can stay here until he's strong enough." Henry said.

   "No, he needs proper medical help, not just someone to wait on him to open his eyes."  I snapped. All four people looked at me with blank stares.

   "I understand that you care for Gilmore but--"

   "I don't care what you have to say, Henry, I'm not leaving Gil's side until he's ready to leave here."