An Unmentionable Murder (24 page)

“Well, it's nice of the War Office to humor him.” Elizabeth shook her head, then wished she hadn't when pain sliced through it. “I must call them and thank them for being so understanding.”

Violet held a cloth under the water, then squeezed it out. “Well, they certainly went to a lot of trouble, picking him up in that fancy motorcar and all. I asked him about that and he said it was a chariot and it took him to the stars.”

Her hands stilled, and she stared at Elizabeth. “Funny about that motorcar. You don't suppose . . .”

They stared at each other for a long moment, then in unison shook their heads, muttering, “No, of course not. It couldn't be.”

“That's what I thought,” Violet said, sounding relieved. “Barmy, he is. Completely barmy.”

And if it made them more comfortable to believe that, Elizabeth decided, then who was she to question it.

 
The night seemed endless, with Elizabeth tossing and turning, dozing fitfully until at last she could pull back the blackout curtains and allow the morning light to creep into the room.

An hour later she was on her way to North Horsham, riding her motorcycle at a reckless pace that had her arriving at the hospital in record time. After a frustrating wait for the doctor to finish his rounds, she was finally allowed in to see Earl.

She found him propped up on his pillow, his face still drawn and pale, but his eyes now open. The covers were still tented over his legs, and now she noticed the thick bandages strapped around his upper body.

His eyes lit up when he saw her, and, mindful of the nurse hovering over him, not to mention the dozen or so other patients in the ward, she had to restrain her impulse to rush over to him and throw herself on the bed.

Instead, she had to make do with small talk while the nurse bustled about the room, drawing curtains, straightening bedclothes, tidying the bedside table, until Elizabeth wanted to scream at her to leave them alone.

At long last, the nurse drew the curtains around the bed to give them some privacy, reminded Elizabeth she had only a few minutes, and left.

“Come here,” Earl said softly as the curtain swished closed behind the nurse. He held out his hand, and Elizabeth took it, concerned to find his fingers so cold.

“You had us all quite concerned,” she told him as she bent over to drop a kiss on his cheek.

Taking her by surprise, he turned his head and her mouth landed on his. She kept it there for a few satisfying seconds before seating herself again.

“Sister told me you were here a couple of days ago.” His gaze probed hers. “I guess I was asleep. I was kinda hoping you'd stop by yesterday.”

“I intended to, but—” She paused, wondering how much to tell him.

“Something more important turned up, huh?”

“Of course not.” She clasped his hand tighter in hers. “Nothing is more important to me than you. I thought you knew that.”

He didn't answer her, but kept his gaze steadily on her face.

She sighed and looked down at their clasped hands. “I was . . . detained on my way to see you.”

His eyes narrowed. “Elizabeth, just what aren't you telling me?”

In the end she told him all of it. From the beginning, when she first suspected Clyde Morgan had been murdered, to her visits to the three people she thought had motives for murder, to her narrow escape the day before.

As she talked, his expression gradually grew more serious, until he was actually scowling at her. “You promised me you would be careful.”

“I really didn't expect Iris to attack me.” She shuddered at the memory. “I just wanted to confirm my suspicions. I couldn't make up my mind what to do about it until I was sure. I had those children to think about. . . . I was afraid that Iris had become unbalanced and that the children were in danger.”

“Why didn't you take George along with you?”

“I couldn't convince him it was murder and I needed proof.”

“So you risked your life. If it hadn't been for that boy . . .” He shifted his body and grimaced in pain.

“I know, I know.” She felt terrible causing him this much distress. She wanted to take care of him, take away the pain, make him forget his injuries and see him smile again.

“So what's going to happen to them all?”

“I talked to the inspector last night. He thinks the boy will have to go into a remand home for a while. Katie has an aunt who is willing to take her until the family can be together again. I'm afraid Iris will have to pay for her part in concealing what happened and for attacking me. I spoke on her behalf, however, and considering the circumstances, the inspector thinks the sentence won't be too harsh.”

“That was real generous of you, considering she planned on murdering you.”

“She was protecting her child,” Elizabeth said. “I can understand how she must have felt. Anyway, let's not talk about all this now. It's over, and I'm safe and well. Now we have to concentrate on getting you well.”

“I'm working on it.” He gave her a stern look. “Once I'm out of this bed, you and I are going to have a long discussion about your meddling in murder.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Meddling? I see it as my civic duty. My people need to be protected.”

“And who's going to protect you?”

She lowered her gaze. “Well, we can discuss it once you're out of that bed.”

“I can promise you one thing, your gorgeous ladyship. Once I'm out of this bed I'm not wasting time on discussion.”

She looked up, relieved to see his faint grin. One thing she knew for certain. She had come so close to losing him this time. They'd been offered a second chance, and if only they were given a little more time together, she would no longer let protocol get in the way. Whoever said it was better to have loved and lost knew what he was talking about.

She loved Major Earl Monroe with all her heart and if she was destined to have her heart broken, at least she would have known what it was to love him completely—physically and emotionally—and she could live on the memories for the rest of her life.

And to hell with protocol.

His gruff voice interrupted her thoughts. “What are you looking so serious about now?”

She tightened her grasp on his hand. “I was just thinking that we've wasted a lot of time worrying about things that don't really matter.”

His gaze was intent on her face now, as if he were trying to read her mind. “Like what?”

She tried to pass it off with a shrug. “Oh, I don't know, really. Protocol, appearances, obligations to people, I suppose. Things like that.”

He seemed to be having some difficulty responding to that. After a long pause he said quietly, “You do know that they'll be sending me back home when I get out of here?”

She could almost feel her heart breaking in half. “I thought you might be going home, yes.” Until he'd actually spoken the words, she'd made herself believe it couldn't happen. Now there was no avoiding it. She prayed she wouldn't cry until she was out of his sight.

“There's something else I should tell you.”

He let out a long sigh, and she gritted her teeth. She had to be brave. For his sake. If this was to be the last time she saw him after all, she wanted him to remember her smiling.

“I wanted to wait until I was out of this bed, so I could do things right, but what I need to say can't wait. It's better I say it now and get it over with.”

Her throat felt so tight she was afraid she wouldn't be able to breathe. He was trying to say good-bye. In spite of her best efforts, an embarrassing tear squeezed out of her eye and dribbled down her cheek.

“My divorce is final,” Earl said, squeezing her hand so tightly it hurt. “I'm a free man.”

She blinked, struggling to understand what he was trying to say.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, then muttered, “Aw, hell. I love you, Elizabeth. Marry me. Come back with me to Wyoming, where we'll raise horses and live out the rest of our lives together.”

She gulped, completely at a loss how to answer him. She'd dreamed of this moment, longed for it. Now it was here she was lost in confusion. How could she leave Sitting Marsh and the Manor House? “Polly and Sadie will manage without me. They're young and would have moved on in time anyway. But how can I leave Martin and Violet behind?”

She hadn't realized she'd spoken out loud until Earl said, “Bring them with you. I've always thought it would be nice to have servants.”

“Domestics,” she murmured, her mind still trying to grasp the wonderful, incredible offer he was making.

“You could turn the Manor House over to the government as a historical monument,” Earl said. “I've been giving this a lot of thought lying here, and—”

With a muffled cry of joy she smothered his words with her mouth. His kiss was very satisfying, considering his weak condition. When she raised her head, the love in his eyes took her breath away. “I love you, too,” she whispered.

He grinned. “It's about time you told me that. Does this mean you'll come home with me?”

“Yes.” She sat back on her chair, her hand still clinging to his. “Yes, my love. I'll marry you and go with you anywhere you want to take me.”

She thought she just might drown in his beautiful smile when he gave her a broad wink and murmured softly, “Atta girl.”

Lord Woolton Pie

 
Boil all ingredients for ten minutes, using just enough water to cover. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Allow to cool, place in pie dish, and cover with crust of mashed potatoes or pastry. Bake in moderate oven (350°), until crust is brown, and serve hot with gravy.

Feeds five to six people.