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"You don’t have to be," Lillian said quietly

"Yes I do Because the only other choice is to let ether Every single piece"

A paper-thin smile touched Daisy’s lips as she stared into her sister’s concerned face "Lillian," she whispered "What would I do without you?"

"You’ll never have to find out"

It was only the prodding of her mother and sister that induced Daisy to take a few bites of supper She drank a full glass of wine, hoping it would distract her fro of her mind

"Westcliff and Father should be back soon," Lillian said tensely "They’ve had no rest and likely nothing to eat"

"Let’s go to the parlor," Mercedes suggested "We can distract ourselves with cards, or perhaps you ht read aloud froetic glance "I’m sorry, I can’t If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to be alone upstairs"

After she had washed and changed into her nightclothes, Daisy glanced at the bed Even though she was tipsy and weary, her mind rejected the notion of sleep

The house was quiet as she went to the Marsden parlor, her bare feet touching shadows that crossed the carpeted floor like dark vines A single la in faceted crystals that hung fro scattered dots of white over the flower-papered walls A pile of printed flotsam and jetsam had been left by the settee: periodicals, novels, a thin volu for the elusive sed so quickly? How could life so cavalierly pick someone up and set them on a new and violently unwanted path?

Daisy sat on the carpet beside the pile and began to sort through it slowly…one pile to be brought to the library, another to be taken to the villagers on visiting day But perhaps it wasn’t wise to atte two neat piles, the reading materials ended up scattered around her like so ainst the side of the settee and rested her head on the upholstered edge Her fingers encountered the cloth covering on one of the books She glanced at it with half-closed eyes A book had always been a door to another world…a worldand fantastical than reality But she had finally discovered that life could be even more wonderful than a fantasy

And that love could fill the real world withshe had ever wanted And she’d had so little time with him

The mantel clock rationed quiet little ticks with ainst the settee half-drowsing, she heard the door creak Her sluggish gaze followed the sound

A man had entered the rooht of her on the floor with all the discarded books around her

Daisy’s eyes lifted jerkily to his face She froze with longing and fear and terrible yearning

It was Matthew, dressed in rough, unfa to fill the room

Afraid the vision would disappear, Daisy was as still as death Her eyes stung and watered but she kept thereat care Sinking to his haunches, he contemplated her with i handsaside some of the books until the space between their bodies was clear "It’s ht"

Daisy host…I hope you haunt me forever"

Matthew sat on the floor and reached for her cold hands "Would a ghost use the door?" he asked gently, bringing her fingers to his scratched, battered face

The touch of his skin against her palh her With relief Daisy finally felt the nu, and she tried to cover her eyes Her chest seemed to break open with sobs, the sounds raw and unrestrained

Matthew took her hand away and pulled her fir quietly As Daisy continued to cry he held herto understand that she needed the hard, alasped "Please don’t be a dream"

"I’m real," Matthew said huskily "Don’t cry so hard, there’s no--oh, Daisy, love--" He gripped her head in his hands and pressed coet even closer to hiht of his body to subdue her

His hands clasped with hers, fingers interlaced Panting, Daisy turned her head to stare at his exposed wrist, where the flesh was red and welted "Your hands were tied," she said in a rough voice that didn’t sound at all like hers "How did you free them?"

Matthew bent his head to kiss the tear-slicked surface of her cheek "Pen-knife," he said succinctly

Daisy’s eyes widened as she continued to stare at his wrist "You et a pen-knife out of your pocket and cut the ropes while floating down the creek in a s-sinking carriage?"

"It was a da, let me tell you"

A watery chuckle escaped her, but it quickly turned into another broken sob Matthew caught the sound with his h the ties at the first sign of trouble," he continued "And I had a few e rolled into the water"

"Why didn’t the others help you?" Daisy asked angrily, scrubbing the sleeve of her gown over her dripping face

"They were busy saving their own skins Although," Matthew added ruefully, "I would have thought I merited a little e starteddown the current,the vehicle into matchsticks I jumped into the current and made it to the shore, but I was bit pummeled in the process I was found by an old ht e, where he and his wife took care of me I lost consciousness and woke up a day and a half later By that time they had heard of Westcliff’s search, and they went out to tell hione," Daisy said, her voice cracking "I thought I would never see you again"

"No, no…" Matthew smoothed her hair and kissed her cheeks, her eyes, her tre lips "I’ll always come back to you I’m dependable, remember?"

"Yes Except for the--" Daisy had to take an extra breath as she felt his mouth move down to her throat "--the twenty years of your life before I met you, I’d say you’re so dependable you’re al hollow at the base of her neck "--predictable"

"You probably have a few corand larceny conviction" His exploring kisses rant tear