Charmed By Knight (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (34 page)

“Bertha?” she whispered, her voice tight. “Do you think he’s dead?”

“Oh, no. Mr. Knight’s a strong man.” Bertha wrapped her arms around Megan’s shoulders. “He’ll get through this and come out in one piece. You mark my words.”

“Why isn’t he answering them?”

“Perhaps he doesn’t hear.”

Megan glanced at her maid. “That would mean he’s buried deeper than expected.” Her lips trembled as a sob threatened to release from her throat. She covered her mouth with her hand.

“God is with him. You have to believe that.”

Megan nodded. “You’re right. I must have faith.”

Another hour passed and Bertha forced her to eat more. Megan’s stomach was to the point of protest, but she continued to swallow.

“I found something,” a man yelled.

Her attention snapped to the crowd gathering around him. She stood, holding onto Bertha’s hand. She dared not breathe until she knew.

“It’s a lantern. I think we’re close.”

Her body shook with relief and she sat back down. “Bertha, I must go to him. Please take me over there. He has to know I’m here for him.”

“No, it’s not safe. You’re not strong enough.”

“Oh, nonsense. I’ve been eating since we left. I think I can handle it.”

“I’ll go get Jake to help you.” Bertha moved quickly amongst the crowd until she located Jake. While she talked to him, he turned and looked at Megan. A frown seized his mouth, but he nodded and walked toward the wagon. Megan sighed.

“Jake, I must go over there. Edmund has to hear my voice and know I’m here.”

He shook his head. “It’s too dangerous.”

A tear slid down her cheek. “Please, Jake.” Her voice cracked. “He needs to know I love him.” A sob tore from her throat. “I have never told him. Jake, please.”

He nodded then grasped her waist, lifting her from the wagon. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Let’s go.”

As she walked, she realized the strength had returned in her legs. Her limbs were more confident as they carried her to the spot where the men were digging.

“Go ahead and call for him,” Jake urged.

She nodded and cleared her throat. “Edmund? It’s me, Megan. Can you hear me?”

Everybody paused in their efforts and waited for an answer. But after a few minutes passed without a sound, they went back to digging.

She tried again. “Edmund, please answer. Several men are trying to dig you out. You have to tell them where you are so they can get to you.”

Nothing.

Once again, her hopes dropped. But she mustn’t give up! Straightening her shoulders, she called out to him again. “Edmund, try, my darling. Try and say something. I’m here. I will always be here.” Her voice broke again. “I...I...love you. I can’t lose you now.”

Several minutes passed, and still nothing. A sob lodged in her throat, but she refused to release it. Beside her, Jake cradled her hand in his arms, while on the other side, Bertha’s arm wrapped around her shoulders.

Megan’s maid had pain etched through the lines on her forehead, and tears swam in her eyes. Bertha shook her head and Megan’s heart wrenched.
No! He’s not dead.

Then a faint sound came from within the rubble. Everybody stilled and listened.

Megan’s heart came to life again. “Edmund? Can you hear me?”

Faintly, she heard his voice. She pushed away from Jake to get closer to the mine, but he held her tight.

“Let me go. My husband needs me.”

“Megan, be patient. You will only be in the way if you get closer. Just keep talking to him. That will help the diggers know his exact location.”

She grasped onto Bertha’s hands for support and smiled at her friend. Edmund was alive. He would be saved.

* * * *

Edmund’s head throbbed and a great weight trapped his body to the ground. He could hardly breathe, but at least he was alive. Walls of darkness surrounded him, threatening to suffocate him. Panic seized him and his heart hammered against his ribs, causing pain throughout his body. Some kind of beam lay over him, keeping him from being crushed completely.

He couldn’t be dreaming. He was in too much pain. Yet, hadn’t he heard Megan’s sweet voice calling to him? And had he really heard the words
I love you
?

No, he couldn’t have heard correctly. He was hallucinating. Or, had he died and gone to heaven. Or hell? But, then he heard her voice again, urging him to respond.

He struggled to move, to at least remove the heavy wooden frame pinning him down. Every muscle in his body screamed in agony, so he stilled. He concentrated on breathing, on staying alive.

“Megan...” His voice rasped out in a gush, so he tried again, stronger this time. “Megan?”

“Yes, Edmund, it’s me.” Her excited voice came again, causing his heart to beat quicker.

He smiled. This wasn’t a dream. It was real. But he had to hear it again. He had to know for certain she loved him.

“Megan?”

“Yes, my darling.”

“I...love...you.”

“Oh, Edmund.” Her voice cracked. “I love you, too.”

“Megan...I can’t...move.”

“Edmund, stay still. These men will dig you out.”

“Hurry, my love. I’m having...a difficult time...breathing.”

He didn’t hear her words, but the sound of her voice rose in panic. It sounded as if she was shouting instructions to the others. He smiled.
That’s my wife.

Relaxing in his tight hole, he tried not to focus on the pain in his body. Instead, he remembered being with Megan, holding her in his arms, kissing her to distraction. He recalled the time at the woodsman’s cottage...the card game. He’d fallen in love with her then, whether he wanted to admit it or not. The woman had captured his heart, and he never wanted it to change. If he could get out of here...no,
when
he got out of here, he would make up for every terrible heartache he’d put that wonderful woman through. Megan was his life, his future, and he’d not spend another moment without her.

“Megan?”

“What, my darling?”

“I’m sorry...for the other day.”

“Edmund, please don’t fret. I have forgotten everything. We will start over.”

“Megan?”

“Yes?”

“I want...a child. I want...you to have...my child.”

Faint snickers came from the other side of the dirt wall, and he smiled. Megan’s face was probably scarlet red right now. He chuckled, but a fire ripped through his chest, so he stopped.

“We can have as many babies as you would like.” Her voice boomed loud and clear, making his heart melt.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. But please, Edmund, don’t talk anymore. Save your strength.”

Time passed much too slowly, but soon the walls of dirt around him were not as tight. A spot of light shone through, making him squint against the brightness. Within minutes, a bigger hole had been dug, and hands reached in to touch him.

“We’ve found him,” someone shouted.

Relief flooded through him and he sighed. He’d been rescued. Better than that, he’d soon be able to see his wife and hold her in his arms.

The men were careful when they pulled him out. His body hurt terribly, but the vision of his wife kneeling beside him made everything else disappear. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she stroked his face.

“Edmund.” She sobbed then leaned down to kiss him.

He moved his arms to hold her, but pain sliced through his muscles. It didn’t matter. He had to touch her.

But before he could, someone pulled her away. The same physician who had attended Megan only days ago now attended him. Men slid him onto a stretcher before lifting him into an open wagon. Megan crawled beside him and held his hand.

She squeezed, her mouth whispering the words
I love you
.

He smiled and closed his eyes.
Heaven.
No other word could describe the happiness growing within his chest right now.

* * * *

Megan stared at her husband, silently willing him to awaken. After they had gotten him home, she helped the physician wash then dress him for bed. The older man had given her laudanum for Edmund’s pain, and cream to rub on his sore muscles. She looked forward to her duty, especially since it meant touching him.

After the physician left, she sat on the bed next to her husband. She sighed and caressed his scratched face. He was still so incredibly handsome. She desperately wanted him to open his eyes and look at her. It thrilled her when he told her he loved her, and she wanted to make certain he wasn’t saying that because he thought he was dying.

They must talk, but right now he needed rest.

She traced his face with her finger, over his closed eyes, down his cheeks to his stubborn jaw before it rested on his lips. Gently, she traced the mouth that could turn her insides to pudding. He stirred and she yanked her hand away. His eyes fluttered open. When he focused on her, he smiled.

“Ah, my love.”

She fought the urge to cry.
Now was not the time.
“Yes, I’m here.”

“I missed you.”

She chuckled. “I missed you, too.”

“Do you forgive me?”

Tears formed in her eyes, and she tried blinking them away. “Edmund, the question is, do you forgive me for not telling you about the baby?”

He grasped her hand and pulled it to his mouth. With great tenderness, he brushed his lips against her fingers. “Let’s forget about the whole thing and start over. Life is too short. We need to live each day to the fullest.”

“I agree.”

He snuggled his cheek against her palm and closed his eyes. His breathing deepened, and within minutes, he was asleep again.

Tears streamed down her face. From now on, she wouldn’t keep any more secrets, and she’d tell him everything. Without a doubt, he would be hers for the rest of her life.

* * * *

Edmund grimaced as she shifted on the bed. Megan stuffed a few more pillows behind him to help him sit. The smell of scrambled eggs and porridge made his stomach growl, and he anticipated the moment the warm food would slide down his throat and fill his belly.

Megan sat beside him and scooped a spoonful out of the bowl. Keeping his eyes on hers, he parted his lips. Her eyes were fixed on his mouth, yet unconsciously, she opened her mouth as she pushed the spoon inside his. Once he took a bite, he couldn’t stop the chuckle from escaping.

“What are you laughing about?” She grinned.

He swallowed. “You don’t have to open your mouth when you feed me.”

She bumped her shoulder against him. “Quit teasing.”

A small pain shot through his arm, but he didn’t tell her. It was nice having her like this...having her back to the woman he fell in love with.

He remained quiet while she finished feeding him, content to watch her green eyes sparkle and the soft curve of her lips as she tried not to open her mouth. He loved everything about her and his heart swelled with pride. She was his, and would always be his wife.

Once the bowl was empty, she wiped his mouth with a linen cloth, then set the bowl and spoon aside on the tray. When she turned back to him, she stroked his cheek. Her eyes softened.

“How do you feel this morning?”

“A little better.” He grinned. “How do
you
feel?”

Her smile widened. “A little better.”

Her fingers played with a lock of hair hanging across his forehead. “Do you know how much I love you?”

He chuckled. “I think so, since you have been saying it all morning long.”

“And I hope you don’t get tired of hearing it.”

“Not ever.”

Humor disappeared from her face. “Edmund, I’ll never keep anything from you ever again. I’ll be so honest with you, you will get tired of hearing it.”

“Oh, I’ll never get tired of it.” He winked. “And you may be as independent as you wish. I’ll never try to control your life again.”

Her smile reappeared. “Is it any wonder I love you so much?”

Edmund leaned forward to give his wife a kiss, but a knock on the door interrupted him. Heaving a sigh, he sat back against the pillows.

Bertha opened the door and peeked inside. “Forgive me for intruding, but you have a visitor.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Who is it?”

“It’s Mrs. Williams.”

Megan glanced at him, her eyes wide.

He looked back at Bertha. “Let her in.”

Megan’s hand moved over his, twining her fingers with his. He squeezed, needing her support.

When his mother walked in, his heartbeat quickened. She carried a bouquet of roses. She smiled, and he realized there was one trait he’d inherited from his mother. Her smile.

“Please forgive me for calling on you so soon after your accident, but I couldn’t wait another minute to see how you’re faring.”