27. ~ Clear Reality ~

CHAPTER 27

I found Dr. Ferns perched on the chair by the window, a peaceful look on his face. "He is much better. He woke a while ago, and I explained the poisoning."

"Thank you, Doctor. Zaira is working on breakfast. Please have something to eat."

"Don't mind if I do." He withdrew, humming happily beneath his breath.

I moved to Alex's side and intertwined our fingers. His eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile crossed his lips. Our gazes met, the oneness that had been ours returning. Our experiences, happiness, and suffering were all there in that connection—no secrets, no confusion. We knew each other fully.

"Hello, General. About time you came back to me."

"Hello, my lady."

"You haven't called me that in a long time."

"You know . . ."

"I do," I said.

"So do I."

"I'm so glad you're back. I was terrified to lose you."

"You were the one who left, twice. First in the New Forest and then yesterday."

"I'm sorry. I love you, Alex." I crawled beside him and kissed his cheek. I was anxious to find out how he knew it was me, but fearing his health was too frail, I didn't ask.

"When you first came to Oak's Place, I thought I'd gone mad. I was filled with fear and wonder. Remember when I went back to England?" he started.

"You were healthier when you returned. I understand why now. Mrs. White wasn't there to poison you. But perhaps we should wait to speak about this."

"No, I have waited long enough." He cleared his throat and tightened his arms around me. "I went because of my struggle to grasp reality. You were my deceased wife, yet that was impossible. I saw you die. I buried you. However, here you were, the same young woman I lost twenty years ago, the same beauty, the same softness, and this." He touched my bracelet. "I buried it with you. So, in a frenzy to prove to myself that you weren't her, I had your grave dug up, your coffin taken out."

"You did what?"

"I know. I can hardly believe it myself. And so you know, I even rummage through your purse that time when you asked why I'd come to your office. I denied it, but I did."

"I knew it!" I could laugh about it now.

"I'm sorry. I was so out of my mind trying to find an explanation for the resemblance that I did foolish things."

"I already know there wasn't anything of interest in my purse, but what did you find in the grave?"

"Nothing. It was empty, with no evidence of foul play. Scotland Yard made sure of that. I couldn't explain it, but I knew then that you were my lady. My voyage back to America took an eternity. I couldn't wait to see you, to be with you. You have no idea how difficult it was to squash the impulse to embrace, to kiss you. Worse, I couldn't bring myself to tell you the truth because the truth was unfathomable. I feared you would think I was off my rocker, and I would lose you again."

"I know why the coffin was empty." I first told him about Mrs. White's elaborate story concerning his and my past—how she had me believe Alex had killed my father and the nanny had gone into exile to save my life. Furthermore, she told me he'd traveled to England to search immigration records. I also disclosed how she used the photographs to back up her lies. "I'm so sorry. I believed that wretched woman instead of giving you a chance to explain. But after you hear me out, perhaps you'll agree it turned out for the best." I told him of my encounter with Lucca, my journey back in time, and the truth behind my death.

"I knew something must have scared Sunny. I knew it." Anger laced his voice. "How could I have been such a fool? I should've known. There was so much going on with the army and the war that I failed to see the enemy in my own home! I should have let her go when she destroyed Mrs. Allerton's garden."

"Don't blame yourself. There were things we didn't know nor could've ever imagined." Not wanting to further overwhelm him, I briefly shared the opportunity I had to live again, thus explaining the empty coffin. "I couldn't accept the idea of leaving you behind to live the rest of your life grieving, especially with Mrs. White still around."

"I don't know what to say. I'm as astonished as the first time I saw you here at Oak's Place. I'll forever be thankful that you took the risk, and it worked out. I shudder to think of what might have been. And the hardest thing to forgive myself for is to have allowed White to play me this long. To control me, she controlled my health. Now I see that she began poisoning me in England to convince me to move here. Thank goodness it backfired on her."

"You know, in her own twisted way, I think she loved you."

"Love doesn't do the unspeakable things she did. She only loved one person—herself."

"Be that as it may, we mustn't let her take any more time from us. For now, we are together, and that's all that matters." Was she mentally ill or brilliantly dangerous? We might never know.

"Tell me, am I still dreaming? Is this real?"

I looked up and kissed him. "You are not dreaming, General."

"Florence, your empty coffin is not the only thing that convinced me of your identity. I had a dream." He paused, clearly overcome by his emotions again. "After Mrs. White lied to you, you left in such a rage I was sure you would hate me forever. I thought she told you that I believed you to be my deceased wife, which I did, that I was insane, and that I would never love you for who you were. I thought you would never come back, never understand, and I couldn't change my past or my feelings for you.

"I didn't want to live. I was ready to let my life slip away, then I heard you speaking to the doctor. You were here. You didn't abandon me. A sense of great peace came over me, and I dreamed as if I was there, but I knew I was in bed. You stood on a riverbank, dressed like you used to in the New Forest. I stood on the other side and couldn't get to you. You had to come to me, and for that, you had to cross the water. You went completely under, and when you emerged, you were dressed as you do nowadays. We embraced, and at that moment, any lingering doubts about you were removed. And I found the strength to fight for my life and come back to you."

"The end starts at the beginning and the beginning at the end. That is our story. It is hard to grasp. Perhaps we never will. But I have learned that there are powers at work in this world and the next that we have no idea about. Powers that strive to help our families succeed—for that, I'm eternally grateful. The chance to be with you again, Lieutenant, is a priceless gift."

Alex's laughter was a welcome sound. "I hated it when you called me lieutenant."

"I know. That's why I did." My heart swelled with gratitude that he was still the man I always loved, the man who enjoyed teasing me and taking care of me. The man who completed me.

Forty-eight hours later, Alex was well on his way to recovery. The lab results came back positive, though the type of poison was still being determined. The police detained Dr. Petersen under suspicion of prescribing unlawful substances pending an investigation. Meanwhile, the search for Mrs. White and Mr. Vines intensified.

"Where do you think you are going, General?" I met Alex halfway across his bedroom.

"To look for you. This belongs with you." He extracted my wedding ring from his pocket. "Please, don't throw it at me again." He gave me a crooked smile.

"I'll do my best," I teased.

"I love you." He placed the ring on my finger.

"I love you more."

"Does America feel like home to you?"

His question took me by surprise, but the answer came out naturally. "No, not after remembering it all."

"Would my lady like to return to Forti Radici?"

"I'd like that very much." The prospect of seeing the manor again, of visiting the graves of my parents, Lucca, Mrs. Allerton, and Mr. Leroy felt right. Returning to my roots would bring me full circle. Forti Radici, the name struck me full force. Strong Roots. My ancestors had wisely named it.

"Florence, stay tonight. Stay with me." Alex brought me into him. Before I could respond, he kissed me with the same ardent passion he had twenty years ago, pouring his desire into every stroke of his lips against mine.

I managed to pull away, heaving a breath. "I see you are feeling much better."

He buried his face in my neck. "Please."

"I'm sorry, General, but I must leave." It took all my willpower to say it. "You are much better. There is no reason for me to stay overnight."

"You are joking."

"I'm not. It's not like I can tell Granny and Zaira the truth. So, it's not proper for me to stay, especially when I would be staying in this room."

"I could visit you in the guest room."

"Nice try." I started for the door, and he reached for my hand. I evaded him.

"Florence, you're my wife."

"No, in this life, I am not your wife. If you want me to stay, you must marry me again."

"I'll bring the priest to the monastery first thing in the morning."

"I'll be waiting." I stepped into the corridor. "Good night, Mr. Sterling."

He shook his head in dismay, but a smile crossed his face. "Good night, Miss Contini."

Though I didn't show it, walking away was one of the hardest things I would ever do. Dreams would have to suffice for tonight, but tomorrow Alex and I would be wed for the second time, and I'd never leave his side again.

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