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He straightened “I have strict orders from her ladyship, Miss Markham, and I must heed them” Then he closed the door in her face
Primrose turned and went to the servants' entrance where she was met with similar resistance froh her, but she still tried to coax Mrs Green to allow her entry Pri
Primrose went home And returned the next day She pounded the knocker and waited, staring at the heavy oak door for what felt like an eternity before it opened again, and the butler appeared He sighed and with e finality, once more closed the door in her face
She did not bother to appeal to the other servants, though for a wildthe lattice in an atte to succue and drowned herself in transcribing his storyit to be ready for hiive in to despair Instead, she hoped and had faith, dwelling on the strength of the man she loved with her heart
The next day she trekked along a path that was beco too fae pacing by the side gardens, his ordinarily impeccable appearance decidedly disheveled Anxiety knotted low in her stomach He faltered when he saw her, and she made her way to him They stared at each other in silence, and the torment in his eyes rendered her speechless She hated him then, and the countess with her heart, for she should be with Gabriel, offering him her comfort and love
"What does the doctor report?" her lips barely moved, but he seemed to hear her for he closed his eyes as if pained
“My brother is still fevered and senseless He has ery”
She clasped her hands in front of her sto “I should be with him”
“I urge you to stop visiting Your
persistence does you no credit for you will only distress my mother I will send word to your home if Gabriel—”
“When,” she said “You’ll send hen he recovers”
Ignoring her passionate outburst, George continued, "Verity and Mother take turns at his bedside And Lady Beatrice has been most kind to sit with him and hold his hand”
Primrose flinched, but she was happy to know he received co a rebuttal, she turned away, truly helpless to stop the pain cleaving her heart in two
“Miss Markham?”
She closed her eyes tightly, struggled for composure, then turned around “My lord?”