The Eternal Shadow

Chapter 16

XVI

All Francesca wanted was to go to Guy. That she could not distressed her beyond measure.

She knew that her best chance to get to him would be to convince Lydia to let her go before her father returned from the evening's entertainments but decided against it, not wishing to expose her cousin to her father's wrath. As for him, she knew better than to try asking.

That meant that the only option left was to wait. Problem was, Guy might not have much time. She told herself that he was in good hands, that the healer was doing all he could, that even if she could go to him there wasn't really anything she could do but she couldn't help it... she had to see him...

to tell him she was sorry...

that she had not wanted this...

that if there was anything she could've done to prevent this, she would have done it...

that she loved him...

No, she wouldn't tell him that.

What could the poor man do with that? Hello Sir Guy, I'm terribly sorry that you lie here poisoned because of me and err... I know it doesn't make you feel any better but errm... I just thought you should know that I love you.

Yep.

That sounds about as good as I thought it would.

Francesca slumped forward, her head in her hands. It was torture to sit and worry like this but what else could she do? If her father would not allow her to go then she would just have to wait.

How long though?

A sneaky voice somewhere inside her suggested 'til he sleeps and she found herself smiling. Yes, that was it, that was exactly what she would do and till then she would be the best-behaved, most dutiful daughter there is – she would listen to his angry tirades, take his indignant rebukes, be as quiet and meek as the smallest mouse..... give him no cause to suspect that she would disobey him... and then when he slept, she would leave.

It would take every ounce of self-control she had; she would have to hear all manner of ugly words directed at her, every kind of insult, she was sure. Then there would be all the praise heaped upon Natalia because it was fine and dandy for the golden girl to attract a prince whereas she, well, she was just dirt wasn't she?

And so it came to pass. Just as expected.

Her father and Natalia returned, heartily satisfied with themselves and thoroughly disgusted with her and she listened to every word they had to say, a mask of neutrality firmly ensconced upon her face, a tight grip upon her reactions, a patience that had survived an entire lifetime of goading and would survive another evening... long enough to... let them finish their diatribe...

then slip away...

She thought of Guy. Alone. Lying upon his bed. Maybe he'd come round by now. Maybe he was in pain. Maybe he would like to see a familiar face. She doubted Vaisey would sit with him and she couldn't picture him being of much help if he did.

She would bide her time, her father could do his worst.

She could take it.

**********

Finally.

Jenkins gave a huge sigh of relief.

He is awake...

and vomiting like the best of drunkards!

Luckily, Betty had managed to get Sir Guy sitting up with a pail under his chin before he decorated the bed with his upchuck. Not that he was grateful for it though, pushing her away whilst giving her a look that would pierce through steel. She remained unfazed however, grumpy patients were her specialty. She returned to his side to pat him on the back whilst he continued to empty his stomach into the pail and although he flinched away from her, she didn't budge.