A funny noise erupted from the back of Ellie's throat—a noise through which no normal human being could sleep.

That was when he realized that he had bigger things to worry about and started wondering if she was going to snore every night.

Chapter 18

Ellie awoke the next morning feeling remarkably refreshed. It was amazing what a little grit and determination could do for one's spirits. It was a strange thing, romantic love. She'd never felt it before, and even if it did make her stomach a little flippy, she wanted to hold onto it with both hands and never let go.

Or rather, she wanted to hold onto Charles and never let go, but that was a little tricky with the bandages. She supposed that this was lust. It was as unfamiliar to her as romantic love.

She wasn't completely certain that she could turn him around to her views on love, marriage, and fidelity, but she knew she could never live with herself if she didn't give it a try. If she wasn't successful, she'd probably be miserable, but at least she wouldn't have to call herself a coward.

And so it was with great excitement that she waited in the informal dining room with Helen and Judith while Claire was off fetching Charles. Claire was visiting him in his study under the pretext of asking him to inspect the work she'd done in the orangery. The small dining room was on the way from Charles's study to the orangery, so Ellie, Judith, and Helen were all set to jump out and yell, “Surprise!”

“This cake looks lovely,” Helen said, surveying the pale frosting. She looked a little more closely. “Except, perhaps for this little smudge right here just about the width of a six-year-old finger.”

Judith crawled under the table immediately, claiming that she'd seen a bug.

Ellie smiled indulgently. “A cake wouldn't be a cake if someone hadn't sneaked a little frosting. At least it wouldn't be a family cake. And those are the best kinds.”

Helen looked down to make sure that Judith was occupied with something other than listening to their conversation and said, “To tell the truth, Ellie, I'm tempted myself.”

“Then go ahead. I won't tell. I would join you, but…” Ellie held up her bandaged hands.

Helen's face immediately grew concerned. “Are you certain you're feeling up to a party? Your hands—”

“—really don't hurt terribly much anymore, I swear.”

“Charles said you still need laudanum for the pain.”

“I'm taking very little. Quarter doses. And I expect to be through with that by tomorrow. The burns are healing quite nicely. The blisters are nearly gone.”

“Good. I'm glad, I…” Helen swallowed, closed her eyes for a moment, and then drew Ellie across the room so that Judith could not hear what she was saying. “I can't thank you enough for the understanding you have shown to Claire. I—”

Ellie held up a hand. “It was nothing, Helen. You needn't say anything more on the subject.”