“I’m not sure if I did live,” she rasped against his neck.
“You weren’t dead, just almost,” Colin interjected.
Her brilliant blue gaze flew to her cousin. “Who are you?”
Colin smiled at her and stood, brushing his hands on his trousers. “Your cousin.”
“Colin?” she whispered.
Leo took Ella’s hands in his, ignoring the way his fingers trembled.
“Ella,” Colin stated, “Where’s the necklace?”
Leo’s jaw clenched, his anger flaring. “Damn the necklace, damn the statue.”
Ella’s hand went to her neck and she frowned. “How’d you know?”
“Christ, Colin, who the hell cares about that necklace?” Leo snapped.
Colin laughed, his face showing his disbelief. “Do you know what will happen if they get that statue? Ella and I are as much as dead.”
His words sank into Leo’s gut. He’d almost lost her once; he wouldn’t lose her again. Ever.
“It’s gone,” she whispered, her pale face contrasting with the black soot that covered her forehead and nose. “Henry, he took it.”
Colin raked his hand through his hair. “Damn!”
“I still have the ring,” Leo said. “If what you say is true, then they can’t do anything without the ring.”
Merda
, he didn’t give a damn about the ring or necklace. Ella needed rest; she needed…hell,
he
needed to hold her, to know she was well.
“Right,” Colin sighed. “For now, it will have to do.”
“Lord Roberts, no!” a servant cried out.
Leo turned just in time to see his grandfather race into the house, black smoke engulfing his form from view.
“Do you want me to go after him?” Colin asked, his voice showing his reluctance.
“No,” Leo snapped, tearing his gaze away. “Enough people have suffered for him. He has his servants to save him, if they can. Come.” Leo scooped Ella up into his arms, holding her tightly to his chest. He didn’t want to let her go; he needed to feel her safe and close.
Not once did he look back as the flames leapt against the darkening sky.
Charlie lifted his head, alerting Ella. She turned to see Fran slip into the room, a bucket in hand.
“He’s returned from searching for his cousin, and he’s asking after you again.”
Ella turned back around, the water from the tub sloshing over the rim and forming a puddle on the floor that glistened in the firelight like molten lava. “They found no sign of Henry?”
“Afraid not,” Fran said and poured the warm water into the tub, heating the tepid liquid. “You’ll ’ave to face ’im eventually.” She set the bucket down and knelt beside the tub.
“I’m not ready yet, Franny,” she whispered, her throat too sore to talk any louder. “What do I say to him? What do we do now that it’s over?”
“Perhaps, you go to Italy and see the world as you’ve always wanted.”
Such a wonderful idea, yet not possible. “How can I?” she asked, turning to face her friend.
“Don’t you dare use me as an excuse, Ella Finch.”
“But, I can’t…I can’t leave you. What about our shop?”
She sighed and rested her hand on Ella’s shoulder. “Oh, Ella, you’re destined for more than this.”
She stood and swiped her hands on her apron. “You know, I’ve been working my entire life. This is what I want, to be on my own, to make my own money, to do what I enjoy. But this isn’t for you and you know it. I’d be happy here, but would you?”
“I can’t leave you,” Ella insisted, tears stinging her eyes.
“Ella, stop using me as an excuse. Besides,” she tilted her chin, “to be ’onest, I would rather not ’ave you about.”
“Fran!” Ella cried.
“Now, stop moving about and getting my floors all wet.”
“How could you say that? You don’t really mean it, do you, Franny?” She studied her friend’s large eyes, looking for the truth.
Fran sighed and rested her arms on the edge of the tub. “Ella, I don’t feel sickly anymore. It’s rather bizarre, really, but your cousin Colin took one look at me, put his ’ands on my shoulders, closed his eyes, and, well, since last night I ’aven’t felt poorly at all. I’ve never felt so well in my life. Even Akshay feels wonderful after your cousin visited ’im.”
Ella settled back in the tub, averting her gaze, not ready to answer questions about Colin and certainly not about herself. “So you’re saying you’re well and now you don’t need me?”
“Not at all.” Fran stood and picked up a big towel. A pink blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. “Akshay asked me to marry ’im and I accepted.”
Ella’s mouth fell open. Surely, she’d misheard her friend.
Fran’s lower lip quivered and the color drained from her face. “Oh, Ella, say something please. Tell me you don’t disapprove.”
Ella shook her head. “No…no of course not. Fran, are you sure?” She stepped from the water and wrapped the towel around her body.
Fran beamed and clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Oh yes, Ella, very sure. Never did I think I’d marry, ’ave children, be ’ealthy.”
Ella sunk onto a chair, her eyes downcast as her mind spun. Charlie hobbled over, plopping down at her feet. She should be happy for Fran. She
was
happy for Fran. So why then, were tears stinging her eyes?
“Oh, Ella, I’m so sorry,” Fran said, kneeling beside her.
“No, please, I’m happy for you, really,” she sobbed, clutching the towel to her chest. “I just…I just…”
Fran wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “I know. I know what you want.”
“I fear I will be nothing more than his mistress,” Ella leaned her head against Fran’s shoulder.
“Leo promised we can keep the cottage. Of course you can stay here. We can get something else, or stay here with you…”
Fran’s kindness only made Ella cry harder.
Fran rested her hands on either side of Ella’s face. “I know.”
Ella sniffled. “Know what?”
Fran stood, her gaze on the floor. “I know that you’re special, that you can, well, whatever it is you do to animals.” She meet Ella’s gaze. “They follow you, and it seems as if you can control them at times.”
Ella’s lips quivered as fear sliced through her being. She didn’t know what to say. She’d been told to lie about her powers, had always lied, and now it seemed everyone knew. Everyone but Leo. How would he react? How could she possibly tell him?
Fran clutched her hands in front of her, looking more nervous than Ella felt. “It’s all right. I’ve known for a long time. And I know Lady Buckley was spiteful and jealous of your abilities.”
Ella’s brows snapped together. “Jealous?”
“Of course.”
Ella frowned. Could it be possible? Had Lady Buckley really been jealous?
“And I know that Colin, too, is special.”
Ella’s gaze jumped to her.
“The way he ’ealed Akshay, the way he ’ealed me, it’s not normal. God’s gift, it is.”
The words surprised her, and it took a moment for Ella to respond. “God? Do you really think God would give us these abilities?”
“Of course.” Fran’s eyes were wide, solemn. “But don’t worry. I promise, both Akshay and I, we will never say a word.”
Ella’s eyes misted, and she threw her arms around Fran, thanking the heavens for such a friend.
“He died, you know.”
“Who?” Ella asked, leaning back.
“Lord Roberts, they found ’im in the study. Refused to leave, he did.”
Ella sank onto the edge of the bed. Poor Leo. Was he all right? As mad as the man had been, he was still Leo’s grandfather. She’d been selfish to hide here all day when Leo needed her. She swiped her eyes with the backs of her hands and stood.
“I need to dress; I need to see him.”
“I’m here.”
Leo’s deep voice washed over her in heated waves. Ella sucked in a breath and turned. He stood in the doorway, looking so tall, so strong, so beautiful. But she could read nothing in his face, nor could she decipher his emotions.
Without a word, Fran left the room, closing the door behind her.
Ella swallowed hard, trying to ignore the fierce beat of her heart. He looked wonderful dressed in a clean and pressed white shirt and black trousers. Even his hair was pulled back. How could his family ever believe he wouldn’t fit in?
“How do you fare?” she asked softly.
He stepped further into the room. “Why are you hiding from me?”
“I’m not hiding…I’m…”
“Your lower lip is trembling.”
She flushed, remembering the garden gathering.
I know when you lie, Ella.
How? You’ve only known me for a few days.
Because, your face flushes and your lower lip trembles.
It seemed like such a long time ago.
“Fran and Akshay are getting married,” she blurted out, mostly because she didn’t know what else to say, and he stared at her with such passion in his eyes that she had the sudden desire to drop her towel and throw herself into his arms.
“Come with me, be with me forever,” he replied.
Tears slipped down her cheeks and she had to look away for fear she’d agree. “You don’t really know me, not the real me. What I’m capable of.”
“I do know you, Ella, more than you know yourself.”
She swiped at her tears. “That’s not possible.”
“Yes, it is. Because I know how caring you are, how selfless, how loving, and you don’t seem to realize that.”
Slowly, he moved forward until he was only a breath away. “I know you, Ella.”
He cupped the sides of her face and pressed his lips to hers. It was a soft kiss, a gentle kiss that reminded her of the love she’d felt pouring through him when he’d raced up those stairs into the fire. He did love her. Maybe he hadn’t said the words and maybe he hadn’t asked her to marry him, but he did love her. He pulled away, and she had to resist the urge to cling to him.
“Come with me, Ella. Let me show you the world. Let me show you India.” His large hands engulfed hers.
“I thought you hated India.”
He smiled briefly. “No. I wanted someone to blame. Truth is, I had more wonderful times there than bad. Waterfalls, brilliant flowers, and birds, elephants. Think of it, Ella.”
A sudden giddiness swept through her causing laughter to bubble from her lips. “Truly?”
Leo grinned. “Anywhere you want to go. Although, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go to Scotland and visit a grandmother and cousin I didn’t know I had first.”
Ella nodded, pleased he wasn’t giving up entirely on his family. “I think you’ll fit in in Scotland, a rugged, virile bunch they are.”
His fingers slipped into her hair. “You think I’m rugged and virile?”
She laughed and standing on the tips of her toes, wrapped an arm around his neck. “Very.”
His grin fell and his face grew serious. “Then you’ll come with me?”
Her heart tripped over itself. “And what would you do if I said no?”
“In a very rugged and virile manner, I’d throw you over my shoulder and steal you anyway.”
Ella released the grip on her towel, the material pooling at her feet. Slowly, she moved closer, pressing her naked body to his.
Leo growled and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I love you, Ella,” he whispered against her mouth.
Tears sprang to her eyes and she pulled back. “Yes, I know.”
His hands cupped the sides of her face once more, and he slid his tongue into her mouth. Heat rushed to the pit of her belly. This was right. This was where she belonged…in Leo’s arms.
Ella felt the touch of cool metal against her face and pulled back. “What’s this?” she asked, taking his hands and smoothing her finger over the ring Leo wore.
“My father’s ring.”
She studied the flowered surface and then the deep green emerald that seemed to pull her under.
“It’s a lotus blossom,” Leo’s voice tugged her back.
“It seems familiar for some reason.” She raked her brain. Where had she seen that shape before? Familiarity rushed in. “My necklace.” Automatically her hands went to her neck, but the piece was gone.
He nodded. “Colin told me.”
“They fit together? My necklace and your ring?”
Leo nodded. “The ring is the key to open the necklace. Once open, the map is revealed.”
She pressed her fingers to her lips, shocked to her core. “The map was there all along. And now it’s gone.”
He cupped the sides of her face. “It’s not your fault, Ella.”
“I should have—”
“No, it’s not your fault. We’ll get it back. I promise.”
“Do you think it’s true, Leo? Do you think it could all possibly be true?”
“The statues and power?”
She nodded.
He raked a hand through his hair and shook his head. “I suppose anything is possible at this point.”
“Then…then, it’s our duty to get it back—”
His hands rested on her shoulders. “It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters but us, together. I will protect you, Ella.”
“Leo, we can’t allow your cousin to win.”
He sighed. “We’ll find him. But for now, the ring’s safe, and without the ring and without you, he can’t open it.”
“Without me?”
But she saw the truth in his amber eyes—he knew about her powers. “You know,” she whispered, her face heating with shame.
“It was…rather difficult to believe at first, but then I remembered how Charlie and the doe reacted to you.” He pulled her closer. “I felt you, Ella. Calling to me in that castle. I would never have found you in time if you hadn’t used your ability.”
Her heart ached at the memory. “I tried to make you leave, but knew you wouldn’t so I figured the best way to get you out of that castle would be to bring you to me.”
He smoothed her hair from her face. “I wouldn’t have left, Ella, not without you.”
“Even knowing what I am? What I can do?”
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “
Merda
, Ella. I don’t know what you’ve been told, but with or without your abilities, you’re beautiful.”
She studied every line of his face, looking for the truth.
“Remember that ball, Ella?”
She nodded.
He smiled, a crooked smile that lifted only the right corner of his lips. “I knew then that I couldn’t live without you. The day you believed in me, when no one else did.”
A thrill of warmth rushed through her body, clenching her heart. “Leo, I—”
A sudden knock on the door had her scampering back and scooping up her towel.
“He’s here,” Fran said softly.
Leo’s face grew stoic. “Get dressed. I’ve left you something on the bed.”
“Why? Who’s here?”
“Meet me in the garden.” Without any other explanation, he left.
Bemused, Ella went to the bed and pulled open the box. Inside was a soft violet gown of the finest material, the gown from the ball. Her lips parted.
“How?” she whispered to no one. How had Leo saved the gown and necklace from the fire?
Remember that ball, Ella?
How could she ever forget? On top of the gown lay the gold necklace of flowers and leaves. With trembling hands, she pulled her shift and corset on and slipped her feet into satin slippers. Carefully, she shook out the dress and let it fall over her body. The material clung to like skin, fitting perfectly to her form.
With nimble fingers, she rested the gold necklace against her collarbone, where the metal lay cool and smooth against her throat. It felt right there, the first gift Leo had given her.
She took her lower lip between her teeth and brushed out her hair. Satisfied with her appearance, she lifted Henry’s book from the bedside table and slipped outside, Charlie following.
Colin pushed away from the wall, and she stiffened at his sudden appearance. She hadn’t talked to him since yesterday, when they’d met for the first time. Suddenly shy, her face heated.
Colin smiled at her, revealing familiar deep dimples, dimples like Archie’s. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“And are you well?”
“Yes. My throat, my ankle, everything.” She glanced up at him through her lashes. “You can heal?”
He nodded. “You can speak with animals?”
Ella laughed, eager to discuss her powers with someone who understood. “Well, not exactly. I can sense when they’re in danger and sense their emotions. Usually, I can calm them if they’re anxious.”
“And you can sense Leo?”
For some reason, she was less eager to discuss her connection with Leo. “At times. Other times, no.”