Edwina

Chapter 49

  Hours passed. She felt hunger jabs and dizziness. Had she slept? The doctors came and took Paige somewhere. She was told to sleep on the cot and wait. She lay down but could not close her eyes. She watched the door. They would bring her back in. They had to.

  Sleep must have overtaken her for she felt something against her face. Fabric. Her eyes shot open. Nurses were passing by, their skirts fanning her face. They worked around the bed. Edwina sat up and rubbed her burning eyes. It was morning.

  Paige was back. “Is she okay?”

  “Aye, she is much better now. The legs have been set.”

  “Both of them?” Edwina’s whispered words came out in a whimper.

  “Aye, one worse than the other but both were broken. But the lass is strong. She’ll mend. Just ye make sure ye let her know all is well.”

  “Aye,” Edwina agreed and rose up on legs that felt like overcooked noodles.

  “Are the Gillespies here?”

  “Aye, they’ve not left.” The nurse smiled. “Would ye like them to come in?”

  “Oh yes, please.”

  “Your husband is on the way,” one nurse assured her. “He will be here soon.” Edwina looked at the nurse, and started to correct her, when the thought fell over her heart like a rock. She felt no assurance whatsoever. She had yet the hardest job to do: face Paige’s father.

  The Gillespies came in and embraced her. “The lass is doing well,” the mister encouraged.

  “Aye, she is like her father. She’ll mend.” Mrs. Gillespie said the words, but Edwina saw her worried eyes.

  “Go aboot now and get yerself something to fill yer stomach, else ye will be lying in the bed next to the lass.” Mrs. Gillespie said and gave her a push. “Go on now. We’ll stay. We’d like some time wi’ the lass too,” she added for good measure.

  Edwina made her way out of the room, weak from lack of food and sleep. Her back to the wall for support, she took a deep breath. The first full deep breath she’d taken since the awful accident. It was there she was standing when Mr. Dunnegin came through the double doors.

  He hesitated, then without so much as a by-your-leave, walked right past her and into the room. The emotions were written on his face. Fear. Dread. Quiet panic. And she’d caused it all.

  Truthfully, she didn’t blame him for not wanting to speak to her. She pushed herself away from the wall and started walking. Faint, she took a chair in a quiet hallway where Mr. Dunnegin would not see her.

  her.

  “Would ye be needin’ the chapel?” A woman sat next to her.

  “Yes.”

  “Come, lass. We’ll go.”

  She took her arm, and Edwina let her.

  The woman held the door, and they walked into a dark- ened room with several short pews. Edwina fell into one and tried to pray, but no words would come. How could this have happened? And so fast. It seemed like she’d just watched Paige in her little red hat flying by.... Oh Lord, I cannot think of it. She sobbed into the hands covering her face.

  The woman patted her shoulder, and handed her a glass of water.

  Hymns played quietly in the background. Paige drank the water. Slowly her heart began to hope. Prayers fell off her lips in faith. Somehow Paige would be all right. Her job was lost, but that was nothing now.

  An idea planted itself in her mind. She must see Bertie. “Thank you.” Edwina rose and faltered. “Would ye like a quiet room to sleep?” The woman gazed into her eyes. “Aye.”

  “Follow me, dearie.”

  When her head hit the pillow, she slept. Paige needed her father, and he was here.

  Edwina woke with a banging headache. The room went round in circles for a few seconds as she pulled herself up. She was alone in a room barely larger than a corridor. Fresh flowers stood on a square table next to the narrow cot, along with a clock, a Bible, an empty glass, and a pitcher of iced water. The little door must lead to a bathroom, which she needed immediately.

  Trembling, she sat on the cot, took the empty glass and filled it, then drank. Back to the bathroom for a face washing. Toweling dry her red eyes, she felt ready to go. Slipping out into the hospital halls, she asked for the exit and walked until she saw the red words, giving her the out she sought.

  The sunshine in her eyes burned mercilessly. She had just begun to walk when she heard her name.

  “Miss Blair, you are aboot the hospital?”

  “Yes.” She could not look into Reardon’s eyes. He would accuse her too. She feigned tiredness and gazed over his shoulder.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I want to see Bertie.” She tried to keep her voice steady.

  “Come, lass. I’ll drive you.”

  “What... what about the laird?”

  “He’ll not be leaving today, I expect. I’ll take you on to the castle and return for him.” He took her arm. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and weep.

  “You know... what happened?”

  “Aye. I know.”

  “And... you’re not . . .” He said nothing, and Edwina couldn’t find it in her soul to speak another word, grateful to God for giving her an out. He put her in the car, gently this time, and shut the door. She was safe within the familiar black car and leaned her head against the window. Tears would not come.

  “The child will be all right.” Reardon said over his shoulder. His kindness was her undoing. She wept quietly now, hands over her face. The tears flowed, bringing the balm of release her soul craved. Bearing her duty, for she had erred greatly, she knew there was nothing that could change what had happened. She would visit Bertie and be gone before they brought Paige home from the hospital.

  That would solve everything. Mr. Dunnegin would be home with his daughter, and she would be where she belonged.

  Which was where? Her thoughts scattered. “We have arrived, miss,” Reardon informed her. “Thank you, Reardon. I will never forget your kindness,”

  she whispered hoarsely as he gave her his gloved hand. “Aye, lass. Ye did not mean for it to happen.” Edwina sobbed and did the most foolish thing. She threw

  her arms around him and put her head on his shoulder. At first he stiffened, and then she felt him relax. His arms came up and surrounded her.

  “Now off to Bertilda,” he said sharply.

  Such a sight for a broken heart. She tossed herself into the woman’s arms, but not before seeing the tears running down her face.

  “Oh, Bertie.”

  “Come, lass. We’ll have a spot of tea. Ye look as though the ghosts have trailed ye through the moors.”

  “Ye must eat, lass. Ye are faint from the looks o’ya.”

  “I’m not hungry, Bertie. Perhaps just some tea?” After tea Bertie hustled her up the stairs so familiar to her, and landed her in the bath with rose scented warm water.

  “There now, lass. Soak all the sorrow out o’ yer body, and we’ll be having ye a long sleep.”

  “But—”

  Bertie waved her arms, choosing not to listen.

  She did not deserve such care from Mr. Dunnegin’s staff. First Reardon, the Scot’s own man, now Bertie. Edwina knew she would accept their love for today, and tomorrow she would be on a plane home. She would ask Bertie tonight to help her make the arrangements.

  Darkness fell over the Scottish hillsides, and Edwina was glad. She could not bring herself to pull aside the heavy window hangings and look upon the beautiful scene. She would be leaving it behind. Again.

  On her knees by the bed, she prayed for Paige.