Salvation by Carla Susan Smith

Author:Carla Susan Smith [Smith, Carla Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-02-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Rian was still deep in conversation when Liam interrupted him. “Where did our wives disappear to?”

Apologizing to his companions, Rian looked at his brother for a moment before scanning quickly over the room. “I think I saw them go outside,” he said, indicating the French doors, and recalling the flushed look on Felicity’s face. “They probably were in need of some air.”

“Do you know how long they have been there?” Liam did not wish to disturb them unnecessarily if they were sharing secrets.

Rian frowned. Some time had passed since he recalled seeing either woman last, and he felt as if they should have returned by now. “I’m not sure, but let’s join them, shall we?”

The night air had gone from pleasantly cool to chilly enough that any lady venturing forth would be in need of a wrap. Seeing no sign of either woman on the terrace, Rian glanced over the balcony to the pockets of blackness that made up Isabel’s garden. “You don’t think…” he said, gesturing to the shadows below him.

Liam shook his head. “No, it’s far too dark to tempt Felicity to wander about looking for ideas,” he said. “What could she see?”

“They must have gone back inside. Perhaps they are with Emily?”

“No, both Charles and Emily left almost an hour ago.”

“I didn’t get to say goodnight.” Rian frowned.

“Worry not, Catherine said it for you, and I am certain Charles much preferred being kissed by her than you.”

A sudden chill ran down Rian’s back and he knew it had nothing to do with the cool night air. He shivered. “Just someone walking on my grave,” he said, seeing his brother notice the tremor.

He had his hand on the lever that would open the door and take them back into the ballroom when a sound made him freeze where he stood. Looking quickly at Liam’s face, Rian saw that he had heard it too. Both men paused, straining their ears and waiting for the sound to repeat itself. It did. A barely audibly whisper that made Liam’s chest tighten as he ran the length of the terrace searching for his wife. He almost didn’t see the secluded alcove where Felicity lay. Her face was now a ghostly white and her skin clammy with beads of perspiration dotting her skin. The pulse at the base of her throat fluttered erratically, and her breathing was an uneven rattle.

“Felicity!” Liam cried, gathering her into his arms, his face filled with wretched despair.

* * * *

Dipping a cloth into a small basin of cold water, Liam gently sponged his wife’s brow. Though the fire in the room blazed brightly, the color had not returned to her face and she remained listless. He didn’t need a working knowledge of medicine to know something was very wrong with her. Under his breath he cursed the footman. How long did it take to fetch a doctor?

One of Isabel’s servants, alerted by the sight of Liam holding his wife’s inert body in his arms, had had

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