The maid clenched her hands together, twisting her white apron. “Attic, upstairs. Tally noticed the smell when she was up there looking for linens.”
Icy fear raced through Leo, and he knew…he knew where she was. “Ella.” He ran from the room.
“Leo!” Colin cried out.
He didn’t stop, didn’t even look back as he started up the steps. “Ella, she’s in that attic—I know it.”
Every step Ella took sent fresh pain shooting through her ankle. Merely by thinking of Leo, she’d managed to make it into an adjoining room away from the flames and smoke. If only she could make it out of the blasted castle. She wouldn’t let them win. She would avenge Leo’s name, his family if she had to die trying.
Sweat trailed down her neck, her body heated from effort and from the fire taunting her heels. “Hurry, Leo, please.”
Smoke billowed from the open door, thick and suffocating. With a cry, she kicked the panel shut with her good leg and leaned back against the wall. If she could break down this room’s door, she may be able to taste freedom.
Gritting her teeth, she stumbled toward the door she knew led into the hall and wrapped her fingers around the porcelain knob. It was still cool to the touch, which meant the fire was confined to the rooms. With a rush of joy, she pulled. It didn’t budge. She pulled again. Nothing.
“No!” she cried out, pounding her fist against the wooden panel.
Sobs wracked her frame, and weak, she slumped to the floor. All for nothing. She’d die here…alone, and they’d win. The smoke billowed under the door, producing a gray fog that forced the fresh air from her lungs in a wrenching cough. Slowly, she inched across the floor and lay against the far, cool wall. This was it then: Her life would be over soon enough. Leo would not make it in time, and he’d blame himself for her death.
She wouldn’t die screaming or begging for help from those who wouldn’t come. Instead, she closed her eyes and pictured Leo…the first time they met and the instant warmth he’d stirred within her. She remembered that day at the waterfall…the folly…that night in that empty house, just the two of them. And she pictured the other day when she’d handed him the journal, the last time she’d seen him.
Her body began to tingle, and a slight warmth seeped into her core, spreading to her limbs, consuming her form. Her breath caught, and she stilled. A familiar feeling, wild and warm, entered her soul, and suddenly she felt whole again.
“Leo.” She bolted upright and stared at the door, horrified and thrilled at the same time.
He lived! He was here! Elation gave way to dread. No. No, he couldn’t come for her. He’d die in this fire. Yet, she felt him moving nearer all the same, she felt his panic…his anxiety…and something more…something heated and pulsing, something so strong she couldn’t seem to breathe…his love.
He loved her.
Ella’s hands covered her mouth, trapping her sob.
Leo loved her. The feeling seeped into her soul and wrapped around her heart, healing and comforting. He loved her, and he’d do anything to save her, even if it meant dying in the process.
“No!” she cried out. “No!” She closed her eyes and focused on him, urged the man to go back. “Leave,” she whispered. “Go.” But it felt as if she’d hit a brick wall. He wouldn’t turn; she had no control over Leo.
Crying out in frustration, she tried again, pouring her energy into his soul. Her mind hit his hard body, going no further. It was hopeless. He wouldn’t listen.
She loved him, loved him more than anything, and because of her, he’d die.
Pain shot through Leo’s skull causing him to stumble.
“What is it?” Colin asked, hesitating beside him.
Leo braced his hand on the wall. “I don’t…I just keep having this feeling, this urge to turn around…like someone is pushing me backward.”
Colin frowned. “She can talk to you? With her mind like she does the animals?”
He spun around to face Colin, the blood draining from his body. “Ella? Oh God, it’s Ella?”
“She wants you to go back?”
Leo nodded. He pushed aside the unsettling feeling and rushed up the last flight of steps.
“You could die, Leo,” Colin called out, running up the stairs after him. “Perhaps she’s warning you because it’s hopeless.”
“I won’t leave her,” he snapped, irate that Colin would even contemplate such a thought.
Colin grinned and slapped him on the back. “I know you won’t.”
The soft hiss of the consuming flames grew in volume. As they raced through room after room of the long attic, the scent of smoke grew stronger. Gray fumes billowed from beneath the first door they came to, so thick, they were forced to stop.
“The heat’s too intense, the smoke too thick. She can’t possibly be in there and still be alive,” Colin yelled over the roar of the fire.
The words sliced through his gut. Leo paused, his frantic gaze searching the long corridor even as his eyes burned from the fumes. She could be in any one of the rooms. “Come on, Ella, where are you?”
Then suddenly the resistance faded, and only an urging warmth seeped into his body. He felt her. He couldn’t explain why or how he knew it was Ella, but he knew. “This way.”
He didn’t wait for Colin, but raced down the corridor to his left. Her presence grew stronger with each step he took. “Here,” he said, reaching the last door. “She’s in here.”
He jerked on the door, but it didn’t budge. “Merda,” he snapped. “Ella, are you there? Ella, for God’s sake, answer me.” He waited, his breath held…waited.
There was no response.
“Are you sure?” Colin asked.
Leo nodded. He was sure, positive she was in there. He couldn’t explain how he knew, but he knew.
As one, they stepped back. With a roar Leo and Colin rushed to the door and slammed their shoulders into the solid wood. A crack rent the air, and pain shot through Leo’s arm.
“Again,” he snapped out. He and Colin stepped back. Without hesitation, they slammed into the door once more. The wood cracked, allowing the thinnest trail of smoke to seep through. Lifting his foot Leo kicked it the rest of the way open. Gray smoke billowed from the room in a cloud of suffocating fog.
“Ella!” Covering his mouth, Leo dove into the plume. “Ella.” Frantic, he searched the room, trying to decipher her shape from other objects in the dark area.
“Leo,” Colin cried, urging him on. “Hurry.”
Leo ignored the man. Merda, he’d stay until he found her. Through the blackness, he spotted white. Leo rushed to the corner of the room. Ella appeared through the haze, collapsed on the floor, her white stockings visible through the thick smoke.
“Ella.” His hands moved up her still form. She wasn’t trembling, her chest wasn’t moving, she wasn’t responding. “Ella!” He shook her, and her head lulled to the side, her eyes closed. Icy panic coursed through his body.
“No!” he cried out, his heart shattering in his chest.
“Leo, now, we have to leave.” Colin pushed him out of the way and scooped her into his arms.
Barely aware of the stinging smoke, Leo followed Colin. They raced down the hall until they reached the landing. Splintering wood crashed behind them as a wall toppled over and sent a burst of flames toward them.
“Give her to me, now,” Leo demanded.
“Fine, here,” Colin pushed her still form into his arms, and they stumbled down the steps.
Footmen raced past them, buckets of water in hand. Maids ran back and forth, up and down halls, carrying valuable objects from the house. Cradling Ella’s still form to his chest, Leo made his way down the steps. Through the open door below, he could see the dark sky, beckoning him to freedom. It wouldn’t be too late—he couldn’t be too late. He burst through the front door and breathed in deep the fresh air. Gently, he laid Ella upon the soft grass.
“We’re free now—you can breathe, Ella.”
Black
smoke marred her pale skin. He brushed her golden-brown strands from her face, his hands trembling. “Ella,” he said, shaking her shoulders. “Breathe.”
She didn’t respond.
He shook her harder. “Ella!”
“She’s dead!” His grandfather screamed, his face pulled into an angry snarl. “Dead and she deserves it. She’s destroyed our estate. Everything…everything I’ve worked so hard for.”
Anger poured through Leo’s veins, bubbling under the surface. Growling, Leo lunged for the man.
Colin grabbed him by the shirt and jerked him back. “Ignore him—Ella needs you.”
Colin’s words had their desired effect. Leo jerked his attention from his grandfather and focused on Ella. So pale, so still. Dear God, he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t feel a thing. She wasn’t dead. He wouldn’t believe that. Yet, why wasn’t she moving? Why weren’t her eyes opening?
“Please, Ella, please, don’t leave me here alone,” he whispered.
Colin settled next to him and pressed his hands to her chest. “Close, but not quite dead yet. If she were gone, I wouldn’t be able to help.”
Leo jerked his gaze to the man, but he couldn’t seem to work his mouth to ask what the hell he meant. All he cared about was that Colin seemed to think Ella still lived. She still lived.
Closing his eyes, Colin pressed one hand to Ella’s upper chest and one to her belly. He took in deep, slow breaths. His hands began to tremble slightly.
“Colin, what the hell…”
Colin’s hands turned a pale white. Did they glow? Stunned, Leo merely sat there. A gasp broke from Ella’s lips, the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.
“Ella?” Leo leaned closer, his fingers tightening on her shoulders.
Ella’s eyes flew open, and she sucked in air, coughing at the same time. Her eyes wide, she struggled to sit upright.
“Ella!” Leo started to pull her toward his chest, but Colin put out his arm. “Give her room to breathe; she needs the air.”
Reluctantly, he let go.
Again and again, she alternated between coughing and sucking in gulps of air. Finally, her gaze landed on him and tears filled her wide eyes. “Leo,” she rasped.
Leo pushed Colin aside and grabbed her, pulling hard against his chest. “I knew you still lived, I knew it.” Her body was warm against his, warm and full of life. He wanted to tighten his grip, but knew she needed room to breathe. He wanted to move his hands up and down her body, to feel every inch of her, to know she was real, that she lived.
“I’m not sure if I did live,” she rasped against his neck.
“You weren’t dead, just almost,” Colin interjected.
Her brilliant blue gaze flew to her cousin. “Who are you?”
Colin smiled at her and stood, brushing his hands on his trousers. “Your cousin.”
“Colin?” she whispered.
Leo took Ella’s hands in his, ignoring the way his fingers trembled.
“Ella,” Colin stated, “Where’s the necklace?”
Leo’s jaw clenched, his anger flaring. “Damn the necklace, damn the statue.”
Ella’s hand went to her neck and she frowned. “How’d you know?”
“Christ, Colin, who the hell cares about that necklace?” Leo snapped.
Colin laughed, his face showing his disbelief. “Do you know what will happen if they get that statue? Ella and I are as much as dead.”
His words sank into Leo’s gut. He’d almost lost her once; he wouldn’t lose her again. Ever.
“It’s gone,” she whispered, her pale face contrasting with the black soot that covered her forehead and nose. “Henry, he took it.”
Colin raked his hand through his hair. “Damn!”
“I still have the ring,” Leo said. “If what you say is true, then they can’t do anything without the ring.” Merda, he didn’t give a damn about the ring or necklace. Ella needed rest; she needed…hell, he needed to hold her, to know she was well.
“Right,” Colin sighed. “For now, it will have to do.”
“Lord Roberts, no!” a servant cried out.
Leo turned just in time to see his grandfather race into the house, black smoke engulfing his form from view.
“Do you want me to go after him?” Colin asked, his voice showing his reluctance.
“No,” Leo snapped, tearing his gaze away. “Enough people have suffered for him. He has his servants to save him, if they can. Come.” Leo scooped Ella up into his arms, holding her tightly to his chest. He didn’t want to let her go; he needed to feel her safe and close.
Not once did he look back as the flames leapt against the darkening sky.
Chapter 25
Charlie lifted his head, alerting Ella. She turned to see Fran slip into the room, a bucket in hand.
“He’s returned from searching for his cousin, and he’s asking after you again.”
Ella turned back around, the water from the tub sloshing over the rim and forming a puddle on the floor that glistened in the firelight like molten lava. “They found no sign of Henry?”
“Afraid not,” Fran said and poured the warm water into the tub, heating the tepid liquid. “You’ll ’ave to face ’im eventually.” She set the bucket down and knelt beside the tub.
“I’m not ready yet, Franny,” she whispered, her throat too sore to talk any louder. “What do I say to him? What do we do now that it’s over?”
“Perhaps, you go to Italy and see the world as you’ve always wanted.”
Such a wonderful idea, yet not possible. “How can I?” she asked, turning to face her friend.
“Don’t you dare use me as an excuse, Ella Finch.”
“But, I can’t…I can’t leave you. What about our shop?”
She sighed and rested her hand on Ella’s shoulder. “Oh, Ella, you’re destined for more than this.”
She stood and swiped her hands on her apron. “You know, I’ve been working my entire life. This is what I want, to be on my own, to make my own money, to do what I enjoy. But this isn’t for you and you know it. I’d be happy here, but would you?”
“I can’t leave you,” Ella insisted, tears stinging her eyes.
“Ella, stop using me as an excuse. Besides,” she tilted her chin, “to be ’onest, I would rather not ’ave you about.”
“Fran!” Ella cried.
“Now, stop moving about and getting my floors all wet.”
“How could you say that? You don’t really mean it, do you, Franny?” She studied her friend’s large eyes, looking for the truth.
Fran sighed and rested her arms on the edge of the tub. “Ella, I don’t feel sickly anymore. It’s rather bizarre, really, but your cousin Colin took one look at me, put his ’ands on my shoulders, closed his eyes, and, well, since last night I ’aven’t felt poorly at all. I’ve never felt so well in my life. Even Akshay feels wonderful after your cousin visited ’im.”
Ella settled back in the tub, averting her gaze, not ready to answer questions about Colin and certainly not about herself. “So you’re saying you’re well and now you don’t need me?”
“Not at all.” Fran stood and picked up a big towel. A pink blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. “Akshay asked me to marry ’im and I accepted.”
Ella’s mouth fell open. Surely, she’d misheard her friend.
Fran’s lower lip quivered and the color drained from her face. “Oh, Ella, say something please. Tell me you don’t disapprove.”
Ella shook her head. “No…no of course not. Fran, are you sure?” She stepped from the water and wrapped the towel around her body.
Fran beamed and clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Oh yes, Ella, very sure. Never did I think I’d marry, ’ave children, be ’ealthy.”
Ella sunk onto a chair, her eyes downcast as her mind spun. Charlie hobbled over, plopping down at her feet. She should be happy for Fran. She was happy for Fran. So why then, were tears stinging her eyes?
“Oh, Ella, I’m so sorr
y,” Fran said, kneeling beside her.
“No, please, I’m happy for you, really,” she sobbed, clutching the towel to her chest. “I just…I just…”
Fran wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “I know. I know what you want.”
“I fear I will be nothing more than his mistress,” Ella leaned her head against Fran’s shoulder.
“Leo promised we can keep the cottage. Of course you can stay here. We can get something else, or stay here with you…”
Fran’s kindness only made Ella cry harder.
Fran rested her hands on either side of Ella’s face. “I know.”
Ella sniffled. “Know what?”
Fran stood, her gaze on the floor. “I know that you’re special, that you can, well, whatever it is you do to animals.” She meet Ella’s gaze. “They follow you, and it seems as if you can control them at times.”
Ella’s lips quivered as fear sliced through her being. She didn’t know what to say. She’d been told to lie about her powers, had always lied, and now it seemed everyone knew. Everyone but Leo. How would he react? How could she possibly tell him?
Fran clutched her hands in front of her, looking more nervous than Ella felt. “It’s all right. I’ve known for a long time. And I know Lady Buckley was spiteful and jealous of your abilities.”
Ella’s brows snapped together. “Jealous?”
“Of course.”
Ella frowned. Could it be possible? Had Lady Buckley really been jealous?
“And I know that Colin, too, is special.”
Ella’s gaze jumped to her.
“The way he ’ealed Akshay, the way he ’ealed me, it’s not normal. God’s gift, it is.”
The words surprised her, and it took a moment for Ella to respond. “God? Do you really think God would give us these abilities?”
“Of course.” Fran’s eyes were wide, solemn. “But don’t worry. I promise, both Akshay and I, we will never say a word.”
Ella’s eyes misted, and she threw her arms around Fran, thanking the heavens for such a friend.
“He died, you know.”
“Who?” Ella asked, leaning back.
“Lord Roberts, they found ’im in the study. Refused to leave, he did.”