‘Pardon?’
For a moment, I considered whether someone had peeled his brains out of his skull. What was he babbling about?
My confidence in Edmund’s sanity wasn’t exactly reaffirmed when, a moment later, he came to a halt in front of me and pressed a giant bowl full of carrots into my hands.
‘Err…thank you?’
‘Real beauties, aren’t they?’ he beamed. ‘I walked three miles to get the very best quality from a nearby farmers’ market.’
‘Good for you.’
‘Do you think they’ll help?’
‘Help?’
‘With the Potius Stercoritis.’
‘The wha—oh!’ It took my exhausted mind a moment or two to remember. When I did, I nearly wanted to burst out laughing. But I was far too tired. So, instead, I picked one of the carrots out of the bowl and took a bite. Hey, why not? I hadn’t had the chance to eat in a while.
‘Hm…not bad.’ I took another bite. ‘Not bad at all.’
Edmund’s smile widened. ‘Really? You think they’ll help?’
‘Definitely. You wouldn’t happen to have a ham sandwich, too, would you?’
‘Why? Could that also help against Potius Stercoritis?’
I took another bite. Who would have ever guessed carrots could be so delicious? ‘Most definitely.’
‘I’ll go get it right away!’
‘Don’t be sparing with the ham.’
‘I won’t, I promise! I’ll be back in a moment!’
Smiling, I looked after the young man as he dashed away, and then took another bite of carrot. Love was such a beautiful thing.
If it survives.
No. I couldn’t think like that, or I would break down. Ella would survive. I would survive, and then I would…
Plink.
The sound was muffled by the door, but I recognized it instantly. Forgetting all about ham sandwiches, I pulled open the door and raced across the room to the window. Pulling it open, I stuck my head out into the cool night air. Beneath me, a familiar tall, dark figure waited in the darkness.
‘Come,’ he ordered.
I felt a tug at my heart. ‘I can’t. I…I might have caught the disease. I can’t come near you until—’
‘Miss Linton?’
‘Yes?’
‘Get your derrière down here right now.’
‘I thought you had promised not to give me any more orders.’
‘That wasn’t an order,’ he said, and held out one hand. ‘Please.’