Grace hugged him. “I would never have given up.”
Elliot stroked her hair as he held her close, noted the absence of his other brother. “Is Alexander well?”
Grace looked up into his eyes. “He slept for hours the first night. But he is fully recovered. He is with Evelyn and the children. We didn’t know what to do. I told Ivana to speak to Herr Bruhn, to tell him I wanted to take to Christoph home.”
The mention of the son he had never met caused a mixture of emotions: regret, sorrow, love, hope.
Ivana stepped forward. “I have spoken to Herr Bruhn. He will be sad to see the children leave,” she said solemnly. “But Frau Bruhn is a little better, and he must spend his time caring for her. He is pleased the children will have a family and a home, that their prospects for the future are bright, full of promise. He is aware that life is precarious, that the children must have security. Indeed, Frau Bruhn’s illness has only made him worry for their future.”
Grace smiled. “We have promised that they will write to the Bruhns, keep them informed of their progress.”
Elliot narrowed his gaze, wondering if the cure had affected his hearing. “You said the children. You speak as though they are all coming to England.”
Ivana inclined her head. “They are, with your permission, of course.”
“Oh, the boys were so distraught to hear of Christoph leaving.” Grace spoke so quickly he had trouble keeping up. “I couldn’t leave them behind. Oh, say we will take them all, Elliot.”
“All?” He swallowed deeply. “How many children are there?”
“Five,” Grace blurted. “But both girls are going to live with Evelyn and Alexander.”
Good heavens. He had only been asleep for a few days. Now between them, they were responsible for five children. “Do they all want to come with us?”
“They are sad to leave the Bruhns,” Grace explained, “but excited at the same time. Leo has given Alexander his carriage so we may all go home together. Oh, I have prayed you would wake up. I could not have left here without you.”
Elliot’s head still felt heavy, his thoughts a little jumbled and chaotic. What if the human sensations he was experiencing were simply a concoction of an eager imagination? How could he be a father to children if still suffering from the affliction?
“Would you mind helping me up?” he said to Leo, who still hovered at his side. “What time is it?”
Leo assisted Grace in bringing Elliot to his feet. “It is almost nine. Nine in the evening,” he replied. “You’ll have to wait until the morning before you will truly know if the cure has worked.”
“Damn.” Elliot exhaled. He was desperate to step out into the sun after four long years hiding in the darkness.
“What’s wrong?” There was a glint of fear in Grace’s eyes. “The cure has worked. I know it has.”
“I am sure it has.” The rumbling in his stomach was surely a sign of success. He turned to Grace. “Come. Let us go up to the Great Hall. I need to eat and would like to spend a little time alone with you. I assume Ivana has allocated a bedchamber.”
The glint of desire in his wife’s eyes caused his body to flame. Even in his weakened state, he would have no problem attending to their needs.
Ivana cleared her throat. “The children are here, in the castle. It is important they become acquainted with you all before making the final decision to leave. If you feel able, you should meet them. Evelyn is putting them all to bed, but there is still time if you want to see your son.”
Grace touched his arm. “Go with Ivana. Let her tell you about Christoph. I shall speak to Julia about supper and wait for you in our chamber.”
Elliot closed his eyes briefly and inhaled. How did one atone for abandoning a child? What would he say to the boy? How would he feel?
Grace touched his cheek. “Don’t be afraid. The nightmare has passed. You are free to indulge your dreams. You are free to be the man you were always destined to be.”
Chapter 21
Ivana led Elliot upstairs to the children’s chamber. They stopped outside the door, and she could hear Evelyn’s excited voice regaling the folk tales they loved so much.
As her fingers curled around the handle, Elliot put his hand on her arm.
“Before we enter, I would like to know the story of the boy’s mother.” The nervous edge to his tone was unmistakable. “Who was she? I am ashamed to say I can’t remember. What happened to her?”
Ivana nodded, gestured to a place a little further along the dim corridor, and he followed her. “Christoph’s mother is the lady you took to the mausoleum.”
Elliot’s eyes widened and he covered his mouth with his hand.