The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(184)

Then Will would resume his wakeful vigil.





The summer was now ending, with the equinox only a day away, when Will got out of the bed and asked to speak to Parks alone.



He hobbled out into the corridor on his friend's arm. "I need you to do something for me."



"Anything," his friend offered sincerely.



"I need something from my room back home."



"Clean clothes, anything."



"There's a leather pouch, about this big, concealed in the bottom drawer of my dresser. I need you to bring it here to me now."



"Anything else, books, your Bible?"



"No, just that."



"All right," he said in a doubtful tone, but did as he was asked.



When he was alone with his sister, Will requested, "Can I have beef tonight for supper? A rib roast? Extra rare."



Vevina gave a glad smile. It was the first time he had shown any interest whatsoever in food since the accident.



"Of course, you can have anything you like."



"And we need some flowers for this room. And some shells and stones."



"Shells? Stones?" she echoed in confusion.



"Doc says to talk to Elizabeth. We can bring her things to remind her of the outside world."



She wondered if her brother were losing his reason. But when she asked the doctor about it, he said he couldn't see the harm.



Will spoke with Stewart as the sun descended toward the horizon, asking him for some wood to bank up the fire.



"I need some oak, though. There's a large tree on my property, near the edge of that old wall. Can you bring me some, please?"



"Surely any tree will do?"



He shook his head. "It needs to be that tree. Please, don't ask me why. We haven't much time. Take my word for it that it must be that tree."



"All right. I'm going now. But there will only be so much I can carry that far."



"One log will be more than enough."



Stewart gave him a long measuring look and departed on his errand.



He was tempted not to bother, to just bring any old piece of kindling. But something in his brother-in-law's haggard face made him accede to the request, however bizarre it seemed.



Parks returned with the leather pouch a short time later.



"You didn't open it?"



"No. I wouldn't pry."



"I know." He put one hand on his shoulder. "You've been a good friend. The best. Even as such a young man, you were old beyond your years."



"But you, Will. You look like you're about a hundred. Get some rest, can you?"



"Soon. I promise."



"Do you need anything else?" he asked gently.



"Not now. When my leg is mended, and Elizabeth is better, I will call on you."



Parks gave him a long look. "I'll be ready. This time."



"You were ready last time. Fate ordained what happened. It's all part of the pattern. I didn't see it until now. Until I found the—" He caught himself in time. "Elizabeth."



"I'm glad. You're meant to be together. You know I never meant for--"



"I know. You were doing it all for me, and I'm grateful. I only wish I could do as much as you have for me, but I think our fates are going to follow a different path."



Parks stepped up closer to him. "Does that mean you're giving up? Without clearing your name? Doing your duty?"



He shook his head. "Not giving up, no. I just have a different duty." His eyes blazed for a moment.



Parks stepped back, almost fearful for a moment, his friend looked so strange. "Yes, of course. Your wife. Getting her better. Naturally." He paused. "But you won't mind if Monroe and I—"



"Go ahead. See what you can find. And I think you can take Thomas into your confidence. He'll help, I know he will." He hesitated for only a moment, then said, "Jason is still alive."



Parks stared, then shook his head. "That's not possible."



"It is. He's coming. Soon."



"But who told you—"



"Elizabeth did."



Parks looked even more confused. "But how—"



"Just take my word for it."



"It's just so incredible, Will. After all this time?"



He nodded. "He was taken in by her friends in England, and saved."



"Do you think he remembers anything?" he asked eagerly. "I mean, not that it matters now, but he was-"



Will shrugged. "We'll find out when he gets here."



"When is he coming?"



"We need to be patient."



"I can't believe it. It's a miracle," Parks breathed.