Darkness at Endersley by S.A. Meade

Author:S.A. Meade [Meade, S.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Erotic Romance Fiction
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
Published: 2014-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * * *

Everything ached, the bruises left by the fall were pinpoints of pain, sharp reminders of the ground beneath the snow. Winters brought me several books from the study and I chose one. The bank of pillows offered a soft haven and Winters popped in every so often to feed the fire and bring me treats sent from the kitchen by an anxious Mrs Washburn.

After lunch, even the book couldn’t keep me occupied. The fog crowded the windows, leaving the room in a suspended gray gloom. The house was an island shrouded in silence. It was easy to give in to sleep to escape an invalid’s boredom.

“Joshua?” Daniel’s voice trembled. “Joshua?”

Such a realistic dream. Daniel’s hand was warm on mine. His thumb drifted lightly across my knuckles.

“Joshua?”

It was too much to hope for. I opened my eyes, braced for the disappointment of an empty room. Instead, I found Daniel, perched on the edge of the bed. The fabric of his coat held the chill of outside. I touched his sleeve, feeling the roughness of wool. “It really is you. I thought I was dreaming.”

He smiled. “Yes, it really is me. I finished my painting early. I think it’s just as well I did. What have you been doing?”

“I fell off my horse.”

“Winters told me as soon as I walked in the front door. That’s why I’m still in my traveling clothes.”

I glanced past him to where Winters stood beside the bedroom door. He nodded, apparently undisturbed by Daniel’s obvious display of concern and affection. “Shall I see to your unpacking, Mr Wyndham?”

“If you wouldn’t mind.”

“I’ll see to it right away and shall have someone bring some tea up.” He slipped into the hall and closed the door behind him.

Daniel removed his coat and tossed it over the back of the chair. “Thank Christ you’re all right.” He returned to the bed, sat beside me and carefully placed his arm around my shoulders.

I leaned gratefully against him. “I’m glad you’re back. Jacob wanted to send for you.”

“He should’ve.” He kissed my forehead.

“I wouldn’t let him. I didn’t want you to lose your commission.”

“I would’ve come back regardless. The commission doesn’t matter. You do.” Daniel trailed his finger across my cheek. “You matter more than anything.” His voice shook. “It scares me how much you matter to me.”

I covered his hand with mine and held it to my cheek. “It scares me how much I miss you when you’re not here, how I wished you were here.”

Daniel drew me into his arms and held me. “I’m sorry I wasn’t.”

“Don’t be.”

“Ah, Joshua.” His voice was muffled by my hair. “I missed you.”

We remained that way until Winters returned with a tray. “Mrs Washburn thought that hot chocolate might be better given the weather.”

“That would be fine.” The fragrance of chocolate drifted in the air.

Winters poured the drink and handed us each a cup. “I’ll leave you both in peace. Let me know if you need anything, sir.”

“I will. Thank you.” The chocolate was sweet and warming.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.