Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

After a fortnight of convalescence and several examinations a day, Henry was cleared to be moved to his home at Ethridge. There had been no infection in his wound and he was able to do very light exercise, such as walking across the room.

He didn’t like being nursed. It made him feel a little emasculated, especially when his own sister brought up a bowl of warm water to bathe him. That would never happen. Not while he was conscious anyway. What was worse was that when he refused to let Little J bathe him, his mother offered, laughing and saying she’d ‘seen it all before.’

Henry didn’t think that they realised that his possible future wife was in the room the whole time while they discussed his nudity. It was humiliating. When he and Ebony were alone though, that was when they could talk openly and freely.

He had learned so much about her and she didn’t hold anything back. She wanted him to know her and he so appreciated that. She stayed off one topic though, she wouldn’t discuss anything regarding Vernon. He didn’t blame her. Considering she would have to rehash her experiences when his trial came to be, she wouldn’t want to have to face it until then.

Henry learned that Ebony loved her mother. Her real father had abandoned them at her birth and Helen Fitzpatrick had raised her by herself until she’d met Bill Seaver and had Celeste with him.

“What do you miss most about her?” Henry had asked one Saturday evening. Ebony lay casually at the end of his bed, hugging her legs and resting her head on her arms.

Ebony had smiled as she remembered. “Her hands,” she replied. “She had the most beautiful hands. Even though she worked hard all day, her hands were so soft. She used to tell me stories and rub my back as I fell asleep. Even when she fell ill, she never stopped. Your mother reminds me of her. They’re both selfless and kind. I just wish she were still here. I will never forget the emptiness I felt when she died. I didn’t think a person could burst into tears so quickly. I cried until I stopped and then I would cry again. Even the mention of her name brought back the pain.”

Henry was in awe of her. Vernon wasn’t the only horror she’d endured. She was so strong. He didn’t know what he would do when one of his parents’ died. He’d never lost anyone. “How did you get past it?” he had asked softly.

Ebony’s dark brown eyes flashed back to him. “One never moves on from death. They’re always there in the back of your mind. You instead learn to live with it. You learn how to cope and you learn how to stop crying and eventually their name doesn’t make you cry. You never forget, you just have to learn how to live again because you are not the one who is dead. It’s hard to remember that when you lose someone.”

He could never comprehend just how incredible she was.

He liked being able to talk to someone and he was glad his tongue tying issues were escaping him. He’d never really had many friends aside from his family members.

His quiet nature had drawn out the bullies when he was attending Eton. While James had been there at the same time he’d protected him but after he’d left Henry just kept to himself and avoided anyone who could cause him trouble. It had been the same during his years at Cambridge. He’d attended his classes but as he wasn’t a boarder he never really made any friendly connections. And he really hadn’t minded. But as he was now an adult, he would have liked to have a friend or two. But as they spoke, he knew Ebony was all he needed.

It was the beginning of May when he’d finally arrived back at Ethridge. He’d insisted that Ebony stay at Ethridge as well and she’d reluctantly accepted the invitation. She’d been staying in one of Little J and Harrison’s patient rooms. She was not used to kindness, which was obvious. She’d probably never had a kind word since her dear mother had passed away.

He still felt quite weak and thanked his father and James for helping him climb the stairs so that he could reach his bedchamber. His abdomen felt quite tight and he was afraid to stretch it for fear that he would rip his stitches. But he wasn’t in pain, not anything unbearable anyway.

He was grateful that his bedchamber had been tidied since he’d last been in it several months ago. He could remember there being clothes on the floor and his bed being unmade. He was lowered down onto the bed and helped under the covers. He was dressed in a simple dress shirt and some plain slacks so he didn’t care to change.

His parents, James, Alice and Ebony were all in his bedchamber watching him carefully, his mother’s expression the worst of all.

“I’m not comfortable with this,” she said unhappily. “I’m happy to have you home, my darling, but I’d feel better if you were still a few doors down from a pair of doctors. What if something happens?”

Henry rolled his eyes. “Mama, nothing is going to happen. I’ve been fine for a fortnight. If I suddenly develop a fever then you know how to break them. I’ve had fevers before. Could you please show Ebony to her room?” he asked, wanting to distract Emilia. “I’m sure she’d like to rest.” Several weeks on a little hospital bed had tired him, he was sure she too was looking forward to a soft, comfortable bed.

“I’ll do it,” Alice volunteered. “Suivez-moi, Ebony.” Alice motioned for Ebony to follow her. The two had been speaking French to each other constantly. It bewildered him and James. The rapid, perfect language was incredible, yet neither of them had any idea what they were saying. James had learnt a lot of French over the years, but he was much better at reading French then he was at speaking it. His pronunciation was simply atrocious.

Ebony offered Henry a smile as she followed his sister-in-law from his bedchamber.

Emilia produced a silver bell and placed it on his bedside table. “I want you to ring this every time you need something. Your bedroom bell is on the other side of the room so I don’t want you to get out of bed unless someone is here to help you.”

Henry didn’t know why his bedroom bell was on the other side of the room. His brother and sisters’ bells had always been beside their beds but his was in an obscure spot. Nevertheless, to alert the servants that he was awake, he would have to get out of bed and that helped to wake him up in the morning.

He didn’t bother arguing. There was no point. “Yes, mama,” he replied.

It was another fortnight before Henry felt as though he was returning back to normal. He was able to rise out of bed himself and move about the house. Strenuous exercise was out of the question but he was well enough to escort Ebony to Yorkshire finally. He knew that’s what she wanted to do.

A journey was planned for two days’ time. Henry knew that the summons would be coming at any time and William was leaving England on his voyage at the end of June. They wouldn’t be able to spend too long in Yorkshire, but long enough for Ebony and Celeste to reunite.

He liked seeing how well Ebony got on with the rest of his family. His sisters seemed to visit more and more and had practically taken Ebony in as one of them. Emilia loved her too, and encouraged her to make herself at home at Ethridge after she’d asked permission to have a cup of tea. He’d noticed her relaxing and he hoped she one day felt like she was part of the family.

Their trunks had been packed and loaded onto the roof of the carriage and Henry had promised his manic mother that he would write just as soon as he arrived. Emilia was still afraid that Henry would drop down dead. He wouldn’t be dying any time soon, he simply wouldn’t allow it. He had too much living to do and he definitely wanted to see Vernon Shaw pay for his sins.

His parents had given Ebony enough gowns to wear for the rest of her life as she hadn’t had any belongings aside from a torn dress when he’d found her. She was quite reluctant to accept such fine things but Henry told her to save herself an unwinnable argument and just say ‘thank you’.

They both received hugs from Sebastian, Emilia, James and Alice and were then loaded into Ethridge’s most spacious carriage so that they each could sit comfortably for the long journey.

Ebony was wearing a deep forest green gown that was covered by a matching long travelling coat. Her curly hair was twisted into a knot but the sheer volume made it impossible for her to wear a bonnet but she didn’t mind. He’d never really liked those ridiculous hats on women anyway.

Henry chose to sit opposite her and they waved goodbye to his family as the carriage pulled away.

Ebony had a look of excitement on her face as her small hands gripped the seat she was sitting on. She immediately pulled the hairpins from her head and let her wild curls hang naturally as she ran her fingers through them. “Those things give me a frightful headache,” she explained, unable to wipe the smile off her face.

“I’m sorry for making you wait so long to see Celeste,” Henry apologised.

Ebony shook her head. “Don’t apologise, I’m glad it could be you to take me to see her. It’s been so long. I wonder if she has grown much.” Ebony looked out the window of the carriage. Happiness worked well on her lovely face. Her ivory skin was clear as the last of her bruises had vanished. She then looked back at him. “Won’t you sit beside me?” she asked.

Henry was a little surprised at the question. Of course he’d wanted to be near her but he was trying to be respectful. They were an unmarried pair on a journey alone. Sitting opposite each other offered some sense of propriety. “Are you sure that’s wise?” he asked.

Ebony furrowed her eyebrows and looked a little offended. “I don’t have any diseases if that’s what you’re afraid of,” she snapped.

“No,” Henry said quickly. “That’s not what I meant. I’m just trying to protect your reputation,” he said sincerely.

Her face softened instantly. “Right, sorry,” she said quickly. “But you needn’t worry about that. Someone like me doesn’t have … one of those,” she said nervously.

He hated it when she said that – ‘someone like me’. She was perfect and no matter what Vernon had done to her, she was still perfect. He didn’t know what she meant by ‘one of those’ either. She could mean either that she didn’t have a reputation … or that she didn’t have her innocence. Neither bothered him in the way that it would usually bother someone. He was bothered in the way that he wished she could have the latter but he didn’t condemn her for not having it. That wasn’t her fault and he would never blame her for that.

“I’m not like other men, Ebony,” he said quietly. In their getting to know each other, they have come to be on a Christian name basis.

“I know you aren’t,” she replied. “I’ve never known anyone like you, Henry. I’ve never felt so safe before. Please, sit.” She tapped the seat beside her with the palm of her hand.

He moved over to sit next to her and she laid her head down on his shoulder. He enjoyed their closeness. “You don’t ever have to feel in danger again. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll be by your side the whole time at the trial. You’ll never be alone.”

Ebony looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you,” she said gratefully. Her eyes darted to his lips for half a second before returning to his eyes.

His insecurities returned and he started to panic. He felt as though a slick layer of sweat was suddenly coating him and his heart was pounding in his chest so loudly that he was sure she could hear it.

Ebony laughed lightly and threaded her arms around his neck.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, still so nervous about what could happen. He’d never kissed a woman before aside from his mother and sisters. But that didn’t count. No woman had ever wanted to kiss him before so he hadn’t had the opportunity that a suave character like James had.

She looked at him intently and held his eyes. “I want you to know something. I want you to know that I love the fumbling side of you and I love the brave side of you. Nobody has ever fought for me before. But most of all I love the side of you that you only let me see. You have such a good heart. You see a diamond where others see only cut glass.”

She was a diamond. There was no cut glass to be seen.

“Vernon didn’t make you impure,” he said quietly. “It was he who was impure. Purity cannot be stolen, it can only be given to the one you love.” He was so thankful his words were coming out smoothly.

Ebony looked truly touched. Her brown eyes became glassy as she edged closer to him. “Thank you,” she whispered, her lips only inches from his.

He decided to take his chances and close the distance, holding her as close as he possibly could.

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Hope you enjoyed it :) I made myself cry during this! :( It's probably why I was so uncooperative when I was in counselling a few years ago - writing is my therapy :) But yes, the budding psychologist hated being counselled :P Anyways, so now you know how I dealt with death.

On a happier note, I'm an honourary Peruvian according to a girl I work with :) We have a new girl at work who is from Peru and she just moved to Australia a few months ago so I'm helping her with her English and she's teaching me more Spanish :) We had about 10 minutes of free time on Sunday so she taught me how to Salsa :) We were both standing in the kitchen of the cafe shaking our hips and dancing together - apparently I have natural Salsa hips :P I knew they'd come in handy for something!

And thank you so much to everyone who said I should publish :D I was a little overwhelmed by your amazing support!! But I have to say roses_are_red13's comment made my day :) "I WOULD LIKE SIGNED COPIES AND A BOXED SET ALONG WITH AUDIO BOOKS AND MAJOR MOTION PICTURES. You're destined to be a New York Times bestseller, I just know it. Do what you love, take your time, and have fun! I am no help at all, sorry, but I'll always be here for moral support :)" Thank you!! I too would like all those things hehe.

And they kissed pestopasta_!!!!! I did that for you :) A bit earlier then I planned but I wanted to put you out of your misery :) But Celeste will be back in the next chapter and soon we'll have the trial and Vernon will face Ebony for the final showdown!!!

Vote and comment!!