Chapter 9

nine

P ERRY TOWELLED HIS hair dry, standing in front of the blazing log fire in the hearth in his sitting room.

His warm and dry clothes chafed his skin still sensitive after the seizure. He hadn’t had a seizure in months, almost a year, and tonight’s fit concerned him. The timing didn’t make sense. The previous months had been rich with exciting and anxious moments, stressful days, and a few sleepless nights, but no health problems.

Edith’s presence could be the cause of the seizure. Aside from seeing her again, what had happened tonight wasn’t anything new in terms of emotions. He couldn’t deny she was a source of concern.

Oliver entered the room, carrying a tray with a steaming teapot and a few cups. “Your butler brewed it, but after that, I dismissed him. He was rather agitated seeing you drenched.”

“Mason gets easily worried. Did you manage to take Edith upstairs without too much fuss?”

“Of course, I did. She’s changing in the guest room after I handed her some of your clothes. How are you? Any specific feelings?” Oliver placed the tray on the low table and immediately took out his notepad.

Perry stared at the dancing flames for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. “I’m sore, but I’m all right. I experienced some tingling before the attack. What triggered it?”

Oliver raised his gaze from the page. “Difficult to say. It can’t be the water. You’ve swum in a pool regularly in the past years. You also exercise every day, so it can’t be physical exertion, and you were doing well despite all the people around you, weren’t you?”

“Yes. Being surrounded by people was less annoying than I’d thought, and I didn’t drink anything.”

Oliver took more notes. “I need to think about this. There must be a trigger. Perhaps seeing Dr. Winkworth again had shocked you so much to start the seizure.”

“Maybe, but the last time I experienced a strong emotion, nothing happened.”

“True. The trigger must be something more specific than surprise, shock, or excitement.”

The door inched inwards, and Edith poked her head inside. “May I?”

“Please.” Perry poured a cup of tea for her.

A thousand questions twirled in his mind, but the most important thing at that moment was that Edith was safe and well.

She wore a thick blanket over one of his dressing gowns. Despite the attire making her shapeless, she looked beautiful to him, from her strawberry-blonde hair to her rosy cheeks that matched her plush lips.

“Dr. Winkworth.” Oliver bowed. “I wish to reassure you that your reputation won’t suffer from tonight’s incident. We’re discretion itself. Perry and I won’t utter a word to anybody, and even if we blabbered about what happened tonight, I don’t think anyone would believe us. I have doubts myself.”

“Oliver,” Perry warned.

Edith shrugged, clenching the blanket. “Thank you.”

Oliver bowed again. “I’ll retire then. Perry, I’ll be in my room if you need anything.”

The moment he shut the door behind him, Perry couldn’t take his gaze off her. He knew her well. They’d spent months together when he’d been recovering and had exchanged letters for the past five years. But somehow, he had the feeling she was a different person.

She sat in the armchair close to the blazing fire, holding her cup of tea. “You’re most kind.”

Taking her to his home was the least he could do.

“I was worried about you. When that man carried you to the pool, at first I thought you’d overcome your fear of water. But when you shouted no, I had to intervene.”

She tucked a long curl of hair behind her ear. “Yes, fear of water still afflicts me.”

“As seizures afflict me. Curious, isn’t it? Certain things don’t go away, no matter how hard we want them to.”

She gave him a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

He cleared his throat, meaning to talk to her about something that had tormented him from the moment he’d seen her again.

“I was surprised to see you in the Scarlet Room.”

A tremor went through her hands. “What do you mean? Why would you?” Her voice shook.

“You’ve never found that type of entertainment enjoyable, and from your letters, I didn’t get the impression you changed your mind about that. For the past years, you did nothing but study hard. You never mentioned nightclubs.”

“I just wanted to enjoy myself for a night.” She knit her eyebrows. Her tone was defensive but lacked confidence at the same time.

“I understand, but…” He rubbed his temple as a mild headache started to throb. “What I mean is that I’m surprised, and you will excuse me if I don’t consider the people who were with you as your friends. Friends don’t put their friends in danger or humiliate them.”

She blushed up to the roots of her hair. “Daphne is wild, but I don’t think she consciously wanted to hurt me. We’ve been to many parties together, and nothing like that has ever happened.”

“Many parties. So a night like tonight is a regular occurrence.”

“You’ve been away for years,” she said, staring into her cup. “Not that it’s your fault, but things have changed. I’ve changed.”

The aftermath of the seizure soured his mood, making him grumpier than usual. Also, he wasn’t used anymore to dealing with people aside from Oliver and other medics.

He tossed the towel on the sofa. “So I’ve seen. The Edith I know, the Edith who wrote me letters for years would never, ever put herself in danger with people who don’t give a toss about her before abandoning her.”

“You were there, too.” Emotion flamed red in her cheeks.

“Yes, but I wasn’t about to drown, was I?”

She didn’t answer, but another shiver shook her.

“I’m worried about you. Anything could have happened to you with those people you call friends. Anyone could have taken advantage of you while you were frozen in shock.” He sat next to her. “What would have happened to you if I hadn’t pulled you out of the pool?”

“You’re right, really. What I did was reckless.” She pressed a finger between her eyebrows. “I’m very grateful for your help, but the situation isn’t as dramatic as you picture it.”

“Which part of risking to drown isn’t dramatic?”

She put her cup down. “I’m so sorry.”

“What for?”

She turned towards him, her eyes shining and her lips parting.

He couldn’t understand if she was about to burst out crying or to slap him.

“What troubles you?” he asked.

“You don’t know everything about me,” she whispered.

He inched closer, so close he could see the golden specks in her irises. “Then tell me everything.”

She drew in a deep breath, and he smelled the scent of his clothes from her.

“Perry…” His name sounded like a plea. “I don’t…” She swallowed hard a few times. “You wouldn’t be so kind to me if you knew everything about me.”

“I would,” he said without hesitation. “What does knowing everything have to do with taking you to my home in the middle of the night when you need help?”

She chose silence, but the fact she kept shivering worried him.

“Are you worried about me judging you?” he said when she didn’t talk.

She nodded without looking at him.

“We’re friends.” He rubbed an aching spot on his forehead. “I’m not going to judge you just because you attend a few wild parties. I’m surprised, yes. Also, I’m concerned about what might happen to you, especially when you panic and freeze, and I don’t understand why you never mentioned Daphne or rowdy parties in your letters. That’s all.”

She drew in a deep breath and paused before speaking. “I…I should go home.”

That wasn’t what she meant to say. He was sure of that. But pressing her for answers wouldn’t help her feel comfortable with him.

“I understand,” he said.

“Would you be so kind as to give me a few coins for a cab, and may I get a different set of clothes, please?” she said. “I’ll send someone to return you the money and the clothes.”

“Of course. I’ll take you home personally.”

She closed her eyes for a moment before answering. “Thank you.”

The words came out strangled as if her throat were swollen. She opened her mouth, but nothing else came out.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” He stared at her lovely face, trying to decipher her silence.

She shook her head. “Not now. Please.”

“Wait here.” He walked out of the sitting room and upstairs to his bedroom.

If she believed she’d disappointed him because she’d enjoyed herself, she was sorely mistaken. He had his own share of questionable nights and more questionable choices. Her safety was his only concern.

A pound should be more than enough for a cab. As for the clothes and shoes, he didn’t have anything that would fit her, but that was the least of his problems. He snatched a pair of soft leather boots she could easily put on, a pair of trousers, a shirt, and a jacket.

His valet would be horrified at the mess in the wardrobe and his wet clothes.

After he selected a flat hat for good measure, since her hair was still wet, he ran downstairs. She paced in only the dressing gown, having dispensed with the blanket. She was a lovely sight; he couldn’t deny that. Elegant and graceful even in the large dressing gown that trailed behind her like a gown’s train.

“There.” He put the clothes on the sofa.

“Thank you.” She started to untie the sash of the dressing gown before giving him a sideways glance. “Do you mind?”

“I do. I mean, of course. I’ll leave.”

“Just turn around.”

“Yes.” He did as told and stoked the fire while she changed.

The swish of fabric came from behind him, and her shadow projected at his feet from the lamp behind her betrayed her movements.

“I’ve finished,” she said.

He faced her, and his breath hitched. Even in an oversized pair of trousers and jacket, she was a stunner. With her hair under the hat, she could easily be mistaken for a young lad.

A little smile played on her lips. “Wearing these clothes is a little odd.” She tugged at the jacket.

“You look beautiful,” he said before he could stop himself.

A slow blush coloured her cheeks. “I don’t feel beautiful right now, but thank you.”

“Let’s go.” He offered her his arm, and a little shot of energy went through him when she accepted it.

In those male clothes, no one would guess who she was. Still, he wouldn’t let her go alone. Maybe he’d been away from London for too long, but he saw dangers everywhere in this metropolis he didn’t recognise. Hell, compared to the Town of the Squirrels, London brimmed with criminals, crooks, and threats.

As she walked next to him to the entry hall, the hem of her trousers shuffled against the floor.

Once outside on the pavement, he hailed a passing cab and opened the door. “After you.”

“I might trip on the hem.” She held out her hand.

He took it, and the moment their hands touched, time seemed to stop. London looked less dark and grim when she flashed a timid smile. Although even in the dim light of the streetlamps, her pallor was evident.

He helped her up and got her inside. “Harley Street,” he said to the driver.

“Sir.” The driver nodded, casting a curious glance at them.

Perry massaged his aching forehead, groaning in pain.

“Headache?” she asked.

“Always after a seizure, but it should go away after a good night’s sleep.”

She frowned. “I hope the cause of the seizure wasn’t me. I know you have questions about my behaviour,” she said after a pause.

“Yes, I do.”

She avoided his gaze. “You told me to think more about having fun and less about books. Well…I followed your advice, and I’m happy I did.”

“You seem far from happy.”

“Sometimes it’s difficult to be happy,” she whispered. “And studying didn’t make me happy anymore.”

He was confused. “You talk as if you’d stopped studying altogether. But you’re a doctor now. You must have worked really hard to achieve that goal. You haven’t abandoned your dream. That’s wonderful.”

Her demeanour changed instantly. She slouched, shrinking away from him as much as the confined space allowed.

“I said something wrong.” He touched her hand gently; it was cold.

“No, you didn’t.” She choked on the words.

He rubbed his neck where the muscles remained stiff after the seizure. He didn’t know what to say. Years ago, he’d wanted nothing but to have fun. The incident had cured the hedonism out of him—extirpated it from him without anaesthesia was more like it—and before that, he hadn’t appreciated his brother trying to tell him that life was more than a wild party. But Edith was different. She didn’t lose herself in pleasure, did she?

The cab came to a stop in front of Edith’s townhouse, breaking his confused musing.

“Are you going to tell your parents about what happened tonight?” he asked, worried again. “About your moment of panic?”

She hunched her shoulders. “I’m not going to say anything. They wouldn’t care anyway.”

“Bollocks. Your parents are nothing but proud of you.” He tilted his head to stare at her face, but she avoided his gaze. “Edith.” He took her chin gently and stroked the curve of her jaw with his thumb. “I hope you didn’t argue with your parents and that they didn’t expect more from you. You’re a brilliant, amazing woman who will achieve great things. Think about all the people you’ll save by being a surgeon. Your wonderful path has just started.”

She turned her scared, teary eyes to him. Her bottom lip quivered. “Thank you for the cab, Perry. Good night.”

“Edith. Wait.”

She jumped out of the cab like a hare and ran towards her home, leaving him worried.

She’d proved to have the courage to graduate and overcome the trauma of the Princess Alice tragedy. Her parents had to be incredibly proud of her. Hell, he was proud of her and a little envious as well. He hadn’t achieved anything as successful as her medical degree.

He found excuses whenever Oliver urged him to do his duty and be the next Earl of Ravenscroft, while Edith had rolled up her sleeves and worked hard to accomplish a great result. She was an example to follow and made him regret some of his choices.

Whatever bothered her, it couldn’t be that serious.