"Of course. This is a vicarage, after all."
"I like to hear passages from it. I find it helps keep me from being despondent."
"And what other things do you like to hear?"
"I like poetry, and plays, if people can do the different voices to help me follow what is going on. One of the men in the hospital was very good at that, and could do it in both English and French."
"My. He sounds a prodigy. What was wrong with him?"
"He lost both of his legs below the knees."
Her heart lurched in her chest. "Oh my, I'm so sorry." She stared at him, and watched his open, candid expression close up.
"I know. So am I." He put down his cup with a sigh.
Sarah could have kicked herself for her thoughtlessness. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
"You didn't. I've had sufficient," he said gruffly.
"Some water?"
"Yes, please, that would be most welcome."
She poured for him, and he drank thirstily for a moment, before falling back against the pillows wearily.
"I'm done in again."
"I understand. I shall go have my bath. After that Caleb will come help you with your ablutions and toilette. Then we can talk about what you'd like to do for the rest of the day."
"Very good. Thank you, Sarah," he said, the lines in his face deepening with fatigue.
She took the tray away carefully and watched him for a time, reluctant to part with his company so soon, though they had been with each other for hours.
He curled up into a ball with his arm under the pillow, looking for all the world like a little innocent babe. At last he closed his eyes.
She stroked his hair once softly, reminded herself that he was a friend only, not a beau, and left him.
Chapter Six
Sarah hated leaving Alexander on his own, but she had things to do now that she was home at the vicarage after so many days away dealing with the bustle of the wedding and tending to her family and friends' affairs. She certainly couldn't wait another minute for her much longed for bath.
She went downstairs and enjoyed a good soak in the lavender-scented water. She washed her hair and rinsed it, then combed it out and wrapped it turban-like in a towel.
She dressed and picked her up discarded clothes, separating them for the laundry and to take back upstairs. Finally she opened the bathroom door and called to Caleb.
"You can lead Alexander down now. When he's done in here, you can bring him into my sitting room. Oh, and please don't forget that liniment of Jenny's. He said it really helped."
"I'll tell her to make up a fresh batch of it. We'll run out soon enough if she doesn't."
"Thank you, Caleb."
"Glad to help, Miss."
Sarah went into her sitting room to open and catalog the many gifts that still kept arriving for the newlyweds. She had no idea how many toasting forks a married couple needed, but if conjugal bliss were in direct proportion to them, Jonathan and Pamela would be the happiest of couples. She wrote out thank you notes, and prepared them for the post.
Then she started a letter to Jonathan, breaking the news to him about her unusual visitor in the most diplomatic way possible, giving a full physical description of him.
After a time she put it to one side, hoping to add more to it as soon as she got a chance to speak with Alexander further. She omitted mentioning Gareth being missing. There would be time enough to tell them the bad news without putting a damper on their honeymoon. Besides, they could be getting more news at any moment saying that all was well, and there were still all her letters from Michael and Blake to go through.
Whilst Sarah busied herself in the study, Alexander wallowed in the tub up to his neck, the water as hot as he could stand it without burning his skin. He was so content and free of pain for the first time that he nearly fell asleep in the tub. His mind drifted lazily over the events of the past few days, and he realized that for once he felt completely at peace. It truly was as if he had come home, yet he was certain he had never been here before in his life.
But just one touch of Sarah's hand was enough to fill him with all sorts of warm, pleasant feelings. She was such a comfort to be around, so soothing, yet exciting too, he reflected with an inward shiver of desire.
But one surreptitious exploratory hand when Caleb was out fetching the liniment was enough to tell him that the thought was not always the author of the deed. He sighed dejectedly and continued soaking, glad of the numbness in some ways, as embittering as it was.
"Are you all right, Mr. Alexander?" Caleb asked after a time.
"Yes, Caleb, just fine. This is wonderful," he sighed.