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Godwin stiffened The thought of forgiving Sara was repugnant The thought of having to hear her voice, look at her face was intolerable He felt no pity for her circu, but he still hated her too much to have empathy for her

Roderick, however, pulled on all his emotions “Hush, lad Your mother and I have differences that cannot be breeched Do not fret what you cannot change It has nothing to do with you or how very much I love you Roderick, you are my son, you alill be You are the child of my heart That is what matters I will return to Ravensbury with you because you need me and I want you to kno very much I love you”

The lad clung to him and cried his heart out

Captain John walked over and put a hand to both of theether they stood in the windstorm

Godwin looked out to sea and prayed for Heather to find her way home to him

~ Fifteen ~

LOUISE TOSSED FITFULLY IN HER bed, lost to the fever

Heather wiped her broith a cool wet rag and whispered soothing words She applied rosewater to her face and stepped aside when the doctor arrived

However, when the doctor produced a glass bottle and produced a pair of tweezers, Heather stepped up, quite horrified “You are not going to put those slimy creatures on her!”

The doctor sighed He was old and tired “Don’t be hysterical about it,must be done” He proceeded to pluck a leech from the bottle “I understand your concerns, but rest assured, I do knohat I a You are not the first to object to this method and I am certain you won’t be the last, but it is tried and true”

Heather put herself between the doctor and Louise “No”

“Now see here, miss She must be bled,” the doctor insisted

“No, neither Louise nor I believe in leeching She has often said so, and I won’t allow it to be done to her”

“Look, my dear, it will ease the fever, make her rest more comfortably,” he persisted

“No, it will not It will only drain her of her strength” This was so Heather’s father had believed, and she did as well