Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

“ E mily!” someone was yelling.

Why are they yelling? Emily’s head ached as did the rest of her body. She was not sure why the bed she was lying on felt like rocks, but she certainly did not appreciate it.

“Emily? Emily. Wake up!” the voice insisted.

“Five more minutes.” She tried to say, but her tongue felt thick and heavy in her mouth and she was unable to make words.

She tried again, but no luck. Why is it so cold? Why is my head wet? If Rose or Jane had poured water on her to wake her, she would be furious. She knew she was hard to wake, but that was unreasonable.

“Please, do not be dead.” The voice said and Emily frowned.

Whoever the voice belonged to was clearly mad, and Emily had no wish to be woken by a mad person. She tried to shoo the person away with a gesture of her hand but as she raised it, sharp pain shot through her left shoulder.

She gasped and her eyes flew open. The sun seemed impossibly bright, and it took her several moments to adjust to it. Her head was throbbing. She felt as though she might be sick.

“Emily!” A man’s face swam into focus as the blinding glare of the sun seemed to dissipate.

The voice caused a swirl of patterns. Deep yellow swipes, with crystal blue spikes. How pretty. She squinted up at the man. For a moment, she thought he must be some kind of angel. No man could be that handsome. No. He had piercing blue eyes, long dark hair. She was fairly certain she could smell amber and rich spices, and it reminded her of something. The thought lingered just out of reach.

“Do you understand what I am saying?” the angel asked, his voice reminding Emily of warm honey, rich and smooth.

“You are very handsome.” Emily thought, except that the words were somehow coming out of her mouth.

“If you are complimenting me, then truly things must be dire.” The man’s eyes were full of worry, but Emily thought she could see a small smile playing about his mouth.

“Luke Warren?” Emily frowned, the movement causing her to gasp in pain.

“I think you mean, Duke Warren.”

“What did I say?”

“Luke.” The Duke smiled. “Which is my name, not my title. Though perhaps your confusion is understandable.”

“You are being patronising, and I do not think I care for it. Duke Luke. Haha, Luke the Duke. Perhaps that is what I shall call you!” Emily grinned.

“You may call me whatever you wish.” Relief was clear in his voice, and was that a hint of amusement?

“You are making fun of me, aren’t you?” Emily shook her head slightly and instantly regretted it.

Nausea flared in her and for a moment, she thought she would vomit all over the man in front of her. She felt strong hands move her into a more upright position. A moment later the warmth of them vanished.

Luke’s eyes were full of concern as he peered intently at her. “Careful. You have had rather a bad fall.”

“Have I?” Emily could not remember falling, but that would perhaps explain why she was on the ground and not, as she had first thought, in a very uncomfortable bed.

Luke’s face swam in and out of focus. Some part of her brain knew there was a reason she should not think of him as Luke, but she could not remember it. It did not seem terribly important in that moment.

He nodded, his eyes roving across her as though searching for something. “Yes, I think you were thrown from your horse. You have hit your head.”

“That would explain why it hurts so much.” Emily raised a hand to her head but Luke caught it gently in his own, stopping her.

“It would be best not to touch it.” His hand was warm and strong around her fingers. “Your fingers are like ice.”

“Yours are nice and warm.” Emily grinned.

Luke hesitated before taking both of her cold hands and warming them with his breath. The slight touch of his lips sent pleasant shivers u her arms and down her spine.

“Do you have pain anywhere else?”

“Are you always so inquisitive?” Emily decided not to cant her head, suspecting that the movement might trigger another bout of nausea. Is it normal to feel so giddy? If I am hurt, surely I should not feel so… so floaty?

Luke smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. “Only on very special occasions. Now, please, focus sweetheart, do you have pain anywhere else?”

Emily thought, mentally going over all the aches and pains in her body. It felt very separate from her, which she decided was a good thing. I suspect if I could feel it, I would feel much worse.

Eventually she said, “my shoulder is the worst, though my whole body feels as though it were beaten by rocks.”

Luke nodded. “Do you think you can stand?”

“Why?” Emily asked.

“Because I need to get you to the house. It is getting cold and you are not in your right mind.” Luke gestured towards her.

“But I want to sleep.” Emily yawned, a wave of tiredness washing over her. If I close my eyes, then everything will be fine.

Luke’s voice sounded far away, and there was a note in it that Emily could not quite place. “You cannot sleep, you must not sleep.”

She closed her eyes, feeling as though she were submerged in a kind of thick soup. “Just a few minutes.”

“No. Emily, stay awake.” This time she heard the note clearly. Panic.

A moment later, she felt warm hands on each of her arms and then pain as Luke shook her gently. She yelped, her eyes flying open as she glared at him.

It is unfortunate that his eyes are so pretty when he is worried. It would be far easier to be angry at him. Emily did her best to scowl at the man, but it made her head hurt and she soon gave up the attempt.

“You cannot sleep, it is not safe.” Luke’s eyes were full of steel, his voice low and urgent.

“Fine.” Emily sighed, and found she could not muster the energy to be annoyed. “You know, you really are rather sweet. Or at least you are very sweet when you are not being impossibly irritating, Luke.”

“I see we have gone from Luke the Duke, to simply Luke.” An odd expression crossed his face. Amusement? Annoyance? Both?

“I am quite sure you were just calling me Emily.” She was fairly certain it had not been a dream, he had been asking her to stay awake. “Besides, I like your name. It has a nice flavour to it. Luke. Luuuuuuukkkke. It seems so bright and brilliant. Like your eyes.”

Emily found herself saying his name, enjoying the way it felt in her mouth. It is so relaxed, so kind and warm. Not at all like he usually is.. .

Luke’s eyebrows raised and he cocked his head at her. “My eyes?”

“Yes. Your eyes are like the very heart of winter. The first frost when everything is still and quiet and perfect. It is my favourite time of year.” Emily wanted to explain more, but words were being uncooperative.

It felt as though she were trying to catch fish in a pond, and every time she thought she was close the thought flitted away. What was I saying?

“I would have thought you care more for spring, a time of new growth and such.” Luke was still studying her, a neutral expression on his face.

“Spring is lovely, but there is something about the stillness of winter. The way everything seems frozen in a moment. We are constantly supposed to be doing, doing, doing. Winter is a time to stop. To just be.” Emily gestured vaguely around them.

“You are full of surprises.”

“Thank you.” Emily laughed softly, though she was not entirely sure why. “Are you sure we have to go back to the house? You are so grumpy there.”

Luke cocked an eyebrow at her, and for a moment, Emily was sure she had seen a smile flit across his face. But he shook his head, and said seriously, “We do. You need to see a physician. Your head… You need to be looked at.”

“You are looking at me.” Emily pointed out.

Was that a flush of colour in his cheeks? Luke took a steadying breath. “By a professional.”

“But I want to stay here.” Emily patted the grass beside her and then let out a gasp of pain. “I would be less cold if you sat beside me.”

“You will be less cold once we get you to the house.” Luke insisted.

“Or you could just do as I ask. It is not going to kill you to relax a little.” Emily grinned at him, liking the way the sun seemed to bounce off the hard lines of his face.

“No, but it might kill you.” Luke frowned at her. “Even injured, you are the most stubborn woman I have ever encountered.”

“You see, you are getting prickly already! You are much nicer here. Or at least you were.” Emily pouted. “I wish you’d be a little improper every now and then.”

“You wish me to be improper, do you? Fine. I shall show you just how improper I can be.” Luke gritted his teeth, his own eyes flashing as he did so.

“What do you- Ahhh!” She gasped.

Before she could process what was happening, she felt strong arms wrap themselves around her, and hoist her into them. The scent of amber washed over her, and she was aware of the warmth of Luke’s chest as he held her.

The sound of giggling filled the air. Is that Luke? Why on Earth is he giggling? Oh! Emily realised the sound was not coming from Luke, but from her. She never giggled, never! And yet, she could not stop.

“Is this improper enough for you?” Luke muttered as Emily nuzzled into the warmth of him. “Or shall I throw you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes?”

“If you like.” Emily laughed. “Though I think I would prefer not to be carried that way. Being upside down feels like it might be a little painful. And I quite like how warm it is here,” she snuggled against his hard, but oddly comfy chest.

Luke muttered something she could not quite catch and moved her. A sudden pain lanced through her, and everything faded out.

“Emily!” The voice sounded far away. “Wake up! Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

The world was gently moving from side to side. Another stab of pain shot through her and she whimpered.

“Shhhh… Lean against me. There, like that.” Luke’s voice was clearer now.

She nuzzled into something soft and warm, and thought she felt a hand gently supporting her head. But that made no sense. Both of her hands were against her chest. She made an experimental gesture.

“Please, do not poke me.” Luke’s breath tickled her. “Though I suppose I should be grateful you are awake enough to do that. Or perhaps I should simply be grateful for you poking me with your hands instead of your words.”

Emily tried to mumble that she did not mean to poke him with words or her hands. All she managed to say was, “World’s going up and down.”

“It’s the horse.” Luke explained. “You can feel the motion of it trotting.”

“I do not think… Hurts.” Emily muttered.

“I know, I will hold you steady.” Luke murmured and Emily was sure he pulled her closer to him.

I must be dreaming. That is the only explanation. She had to admit it was a rather nice dream. The way this dream version of the cold man that she knew was holding her, it was… Well, it was tender, there was a softness to him that she would not have imagined.

“Do not fall asleep.” Luke’s voice was gentle but insistent.

“Then stop being so comfortable.” Emily muttered. “Or tell me something interesting.”

“You scared me. You still scare me.” Luke said.

“Raaar.” Emily made a half-hearted attempt to roar.

“Very funny.”

The world faded for a moment, and when it came back Emily heard Luke saying, “I do not think I have ever met anyone like you. Not a man nor a woman.”

His breath tickled her as he sighed. “I doubt you will remember any of this.”

“I always remember dreams.” Emily muttered. I want to remember this one. It is such a nice one, although I wish I did not hurt so much.

“You are so brave. So sure, of who you are and what you want. It is a quality that infuriates and inspires me in equal measure.” Luke said. “When I saw you lying there…”

Emily missed a part of the sentence as a small jolt sent a sharp stab of pain through her. She forced herself to focus on the Duke’s voice.

“It was as though the world had lost something magical. Like everything would be diminished. What kind of world could exist if you were not in it?” Luke’s words floated over her, wrapping her in them.

“It would be a fine world.” Emily found herself muttering. “It would not miss me.”

“I would miss you.” Luke murmured, and Emily felt the words vibrate against his chest.

And that was how she knew it was a dream. Some rational part of her knew that it was odd that she was dreaming of her intended’s brother, but it was only a dream. What harm could it do to be honest?

“I wish this dream would never end.” She murmured, nuzzling into the warmth of Luke.

For a moment, all Emily could hear was the beating of his heart and the steady clip-clop of the horse’s hooves.

Finally, the angel in her dream said, “All things have to end.”

“I do not think I have ever felt so safe before.” Emily whispered into the dream.

“I will keep you safe. No harm will come to you while I am here.” The words seemed to echo in her head, and she smiled, feeling the warmth of them fill her.

Once more the world faded. “Emily! Emily!”

It was Luke’s voice, but it was not. “Emily!”

“You are safe.” The words seemed to fill her, even as the world around her vanished.

“Her eyes, they’re opening.” A familiar voice said. Jane. “I think she is awake.”

“Emily? Oh darling!” Rose’s voice was full of tenderness and concern.

She opened her eyes, blinking in the dim light around her. She was in a bed, the bedclothes drawn up around her. Her mouth was dry, and she had a sweet taste on her tongue. Why does my head feel so heavy?

“Am I late for something? Have I overslept?” Emily asked, trying to understand what was happening. “Oh! Why does everything hurt?”

“Do you not remember?” Jane squeezed her hand. “You were thrown from your horse.”

Bits and pieces of memory came flooding back. The mist, the rapid, irregular beat of her horse’s hooves. Crying out for help. Being sure that none would come.

“Is Alexander terribly furious with me?” Emily swallowed, nerves and guilt forming a thick lump in her throat.

“What?” Rose’s eyes widened in surprise. “Why would he be?”

“Because he will have had to call off the hunt.” Emily explained.

Everything would have been stopped. The men would have been disappointed and all because she could not keep her head about her enough to steady her horse. Her cheeks flushed. I cannot believe I have ruined everything.

Rose squeezed her hand gently, shaking her head. “He is not furious. He is concerned.”

“We all were. You gave us quite the scare.” Jane added, taking Emily’s other hand in her own. “But the physician has said you will make a full recovery. You did not even need stitches!”

“You will need to rest for the next few days.” Rose added. “And the doctor will check again tomorrow and the day after.”

“I shudder to think what might have happened if Duke Warren had not found you.” Jane shivered involuntarily.

“Duke Warren?” Emily frowned, bits of her dream returning to her.

It was real? At least some of it was?

Rose had a look in her eyes that Emily did not understand. “He did say you were not in your right mind.”

“He carried you in his arms all the way back to the estate.” Jane added, shaking her head in wonder. “I do not know how he managed to ride and hold you, but he did.”

Emily could remember the warmth of being in his arms, the feel of them around her. Her cheeks flushed.

“Alexander tried to thank him, to offer him some token of our gratitude for saving you.” Rose shook her head. “But he refused everything.”

“He refused?”

“Yes, he insisted that he was honour bound to behave as he did. He said that as his brother had failed in protecting you in the first place, he was the one who owed us a debt.” Rose explained. “He was furious with Lord Baine.”

“It was not his fault.” Emily said. “It was my own.”

“The Duke does not share that sentiment.” Jane frowned. “He said that his brother had failed in his duty, and by extension so had he. And that he would owe us a great debt.”

He only cares about his duty. The Duke was not worried about her for her own sake, but for propriety. Of course, what else had she expected.

“I may still see if I can find some way to thank him.” Rose murmured stroking her chin.

“I doubt he would accept it.” Emily tried to keep the bitterness from her voice. “He values propriety above all, if he does not want any token of thanks, we should respect that.”

“You are probably right.” Rose sighed. “You should rest now. I will let the others know you have woken.”

“Thank you.” Emily murmured.

“I will stay with you.” Jane added. “To make sure you are safe.”

“You do not have to –” Emily began but Jane cut her off.

“- I am your sister, it is my job to make sure you are safe, Emily.”

“If you insist.”

“Now rest.”

Emily closed her eyes, trying to ignore the empty feeling spreading through her chest. It was just exhaustion. Nothing more.

Yet, the last thing she thought of as sleep claimed her was the scent of amber.