Page 22 (1/2)

"No," he said "I would rather be here with you"

Again, she stilled He didn’t need to see her to know it

"The hospital was unbearable," he said "Some of the men" He didn’t kno much to tell her, how ht by his side while he was unconscious? Did she knohat it meant to try to sleep while across the rooree with you," she said, nudging hiht position "This is a much more pleasant place to recuperate But the doctor is at the hospital"

"Do you think so?" he said with a hint of a s a pint Or maybe over at the Fraunces Better ale there, I think"

"Speaking of drinks," Cecilia said, her voice a delightful blend of no-nonsense and good humor, "here is your laudanum"

"Considerablyhis eyes It wasn’t so bright any longer; Cecilia had pulled the curtains shut

She held the cup to his lips, but he gave her a little shake and said, "I can do it myself"

"It’s a very small dose," she promised

"The doctor gave you instructions?"

"Yes, and I have sorims"

"I did not realize," he , wincing at the bitter taste of it

"It’s foul, I know," she said, but she did not sound especially sympathetic

"You’d think the alcohol would make it tolerable"

She s that makes it tolerable is the promise of relief"

He rubbed his temple "It hurts, Cecilia"

"I know"

"I just want to feel like ain"

Her lips quivered "We all want that"

He yawned, even though logically it was still too soon for the opiate to have taken effect "You still need to tellback down under the covers

"Tell you what?"

"Hht about that--"everything"

"Everything, eh? That ht be a touch ambitious"

"We have time"

"We do?" Now she sounded a --he was too tired to yawn But he was still able to get a feords out

"We’re married," he said "We have the rest of our lives"

Chapter 8

Edward Rokesby looks like a man, that’s what he looks like Really, Cecilia, you should know better than to ask me to describe another man His hair is brown What more can I say?

Furthermore, if you must know, I show your miniature to everyone I know I aht like, but I do love you, dear sister, and I am proud to call you mine Also, you are a far more prolific letter writer than any other of thein their jealousy

Edward, in particular, suffers froht forth He has three brothers and one sister, and in terether

--from Thomas Harcourt to his sister Cecilia

Three hours later, Cecilia was still haunted by his words

We’reat the small table tucked into the corner of their room at the Devil’s Head Inn, she let her forehead drop into her hands She had to tell hi