She smiled, her lids heavy already with the drowsiness brought on by the turning. “See you on the other side, baby.”
Baby. She’d never called him that before. No one had, that he could recall. The word was sweet and silly and caused a fierce surge of protectiveness to rise up in him.
He stayed at her side as she drifted off. Watched as the color drained from her and she went ashen. As startling as that was, he knew it was part of the process. Both his brothers and Juliette had done the same.
In four or five hours, the turning would be complete. He pulled a chair near the bed and settled in, his only desire now to be at her side and be the first face she saw upon waking in her new life.
At the second hour, Stanhill stuck his head in. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Brandy? Blood?”
“Brandy. I fed at Sebastian’s.”
Stanhill returned with the drink. He refilled it on the third hour. Hugh drank, reveling in the thoughts of the things he would show Delaney, how he would spoil her with experiences and find new joy in life through her eyes.
At the fourth hour, Hugh’s anticipation lived on his skin. The tiniest sound brought him to full alert. He searched her face and body for signs of life, but she still lay like the dead. No pulse. No breath. All part of the turning. He knew that. But knowing didn’t help.
Captain sauntered in and sat by Hugh’s chair. Hugh scratched the animal’s head until he left again.
Hour five came and went, bringing nothing but a return of the fear Hugh thought behind him. He paced the room. Stopped twice to check that her ring hadn’t somehow slipped off.
Finally, he sat beside her and clutched her hand. Her cold, lifeless hand.
Stanhill hovered at the door. “Every turning is different.”
Hugh said nothing. This turning seemed very much like the last one he’d been a part of.
Hour six dawned, and the sun’s imminent rise announced itself with the delicate irritation of his skin. It was nothing compared to the ache in his soul. He couldn’t bring himself to think the truth of what had happened, to give place to the reality that his beloved was gone, but it shadowed his thoughts, lingering like a specter at the edge of his mind.
Another half an hour, and there was no way to deny what had happened.
Again.
He went numb with pain as his reason to live slipped away.
Finally, at hour seven, he stood.
Stanhill was at his side. How long the rook had been there, Hugh had no idea. “She’ll come around, you’ll see.”
Hugh had no words. No hope. No desire to endure this pain again. He bent and kissed his sweet Delaney one last time. “Goodbye, my angel. I am so sorry.”
Then he turned and walked downstairs, vaguely aware of Stanhill’s footsteps behind him, but the man didn’t speak until Hugh reached the French doors.
“What do you mean to do, your lordship?”
Hugh stopped, his hand on the lever handle. “She’s gone.”
“I know.” Stanhill’s voice broke. “I am so very sorry.”
“So am I.” He turned the lever and stepped outside.
The sun had not yet broken the tree line, but when it did, the end would be painful but quick. He closed his eyes and pictured Delaney so that he could meet his end with her as his last thought.
Stanhill gasped.
A hand grabbed Hugh’s arm and pulled him toward the house.
He spun, grief and anger driving him. “Stanhill, do not—”
“Hugh.” Delaney stood before him, eyes luminous with fear. “What are you doing?”
He gaped at her for one long moment. “I thought you were…” He swept her into his arms and buried his face in her neck. “My darling.” He almost choked on the words. “So much time went by, and I thought you hadn’t survived.”
She pulled away, holding his face in her hands. “Well, I did.”
He kissed her, but she pushed at him. “Hugh!”
“What?”
“The sun?”
Stanhill yanked them back inside as the first rays hit the deck. “Is it possible for a rook to die of a heart attack? Because the two of you are going to be the death of me, I bleedin’ swear.”
He shut the door and glared at them.
“Nice to see you too, Stanhill,” Delaney said.
He smiled. “Very happy to see you, miss. Can I get you anything?”
“How about that other steak?”
“You’re going to need more than steak, but I’ll let Hugh handle that while I fix you your second meal.” He headed for the kitchen. Captain jumped off the living room sofa and followed him.
Hugh kissed her soundly as he eased her to her feet. “You scared me to death.”
She kept her arms around his neck and stared adoringly up at him. “Almost literally, apparently.” The adoration changed to scolding. “I can’t believe you were going to walk into the sun like that. What if I hadn’t woken up in time? Or made it down here before you—”