It took some persuading on the captain’s part, but eventually the men reluctantly drifted off, leaving Elizabeth alone with him.
Seated in the quiet waiting room, she felt inordinately weary. Earl was alive for now, but she had no idea the extent of his injuries, or indeed, if he would pull through. She felt a tremendous sense of urgency, afraid that if she didn’t see him soon, she could be too late. She couldn’t bear the thought of never having the chance to say good- bye.
“Don’t worry,” Captain Crawford said quietly. “The major’s a tough guy. He’ll make it.”
“I hope you’re right.” She gave him a wan smile. “This is very kind of you, Captain, but it really isn’t necessary for you to sit with me. I feel guilty keeping you away from your friends.”
The officer waved away her comments with an impatient hand. “Earl’s a great guy. I’m sure every one of those guys would rather be here than passing the time in a bar.”
Her throat threatened to close on her and she quickly swallowed. “Tell me about your home, Captain. You must have family waiting for you in America.”
“I do, and if it’s okay with you, your ladyship, I’d like it if you called me Duane.”
This time her smile was wider. “Of course, Duane. Now tell me about your hometown.”
For the next forty minutes she listened to Duane Crawford’s account of his life in Texas, only half aware of what he said, her attention distracted by her gnawing worry about Earl.
If the captain noticed her inattentiveness, he was much too polite to show it, and she made a mental note to express her gratitude later, when she was more composed.
He was telling her about a parade that was held every July the Fourth in his hometown, and how he and his brother rode in a cart pulled by two horses, when he broke off abruptly in mid sentence.
Following his gaze, Elizabeth felt a leap of apprehension when she saw the sister heading toward them.
“Here comes the old battle-axe,” Duane Crawford muttered. “Guess we’ll find out now how bad Earl really is.”
CHAPTER 15
“Madam has gone to North Horsham,” Violet said as she put the last cup and saucer away in the kitchen cupboard. “I don’t know when she’ll be back.”
Sadie glanced up at the clock. “It’s almost ten o’clock. Did she take her motorcycle? How’s she going to ride it in the dark?”
“Don’t ask me. I’m only the housekeeper.” Violet slammed the door shut.
“She must be so upset. She shouldn’t be riding in that state-”
“It’s not up to us to tell Madam what she should or shouldn’t do.”
“You do it all the time,” Sadie pointed out.
“That’s my business, not yours.” Violet glared at her. “Why aren’t you in bed, anyhow?”
Sadie plopped down on a chair next to the table. “Why aren’t you? You’re always in bed by this time.”
“I’m waiting up for her ladyship.” Violet started cleaning the stove with a dishrag.
“I cleaned that once already,” Sadie commented.
“Well, I’m cleaning it again.”
“All right, all right, keep your flipping hair on.” Sadie propped an elbow on the table. “I came to tell her ladyship that Martin is home. I saw him come up the driveway.”
Violet stopped cleaning and stared at her. “Walking?”
Sadie shook her head. “He got out of a posh black motorcar. Then it drove off. I couldn’t see who was driving it. The moon wasn’t bright enough that side of the house. I did see it ride over the flower bed as it went around the driveway, though. Desmond’s going to throw a fit about that.”
Violet came over to the table. “Never mind Desmond. How long ago was this?”
Sadie shrugged. “About half an hour ago, I suppose.”
“Why didn’t you come and tell me straight away? I could have asked Martin where he’d been. He’s more than likely asleep by now.”
“He wouldn’t have told you if you’d asked him.”
“He might have done if I’d told him you’d seen the motorcar.”
“Well, it’s too late now, ain’t it.”
“
Sadie drew invisible patterns on the table with her finger. “Do you think the major’s dead?” she asked abruptly.
Violet went very still, then said quietly, “I sincerely hope not, but if he is, well, that’s war, isn’t it.”
Sadie felt a spurt of anger. “How can you say that?
Everyone knows her ladyship is bonkers over him. This will break her heart. I know how I felt about Joe when I thought he wasn’t coming back, and I don’t even love him.”
Violet sent a sly look at her over her shoulder. “Don’t you?”
Sadie stared at her. “Well, no… of course not… I mean…” She let her voice trail off.
“I hope you mean that,” Violet said, her back to Sadie once more. “Because if you don’t, then you’re in for a heartbreak every bit as painful as her ladyship’s.”
A cold feeling crept up from Sadie’s stomach and settled in her chest. “I wouldn’t fall for no Yank,” she said roughly. “I’m not that blinking stupid. Nor would Polly, anymore. What’s more, if Major Monroe is dead, that will make us all the more sure of it.”
The telephone rang just then, startling them both out of their wits. Sadie held her breath as she watched Violet pick up the receiver and hold it to her ear.
The housekeeper kept murmuring, “I see, yes, I see,” until Sadie could have screamed with frustration.
Finally, Violet hung up the receiver, but then stood quietly for long moments with her back still turned.
Staring at that rigid spine, Sadie felt sick. Afraid to ask, she could only wait, the feeling of dread growing ever stronger.
Elizabeth watched the sister hurry toward her, her fingers curled tightly in her palms.
Duane rose to his feet, his gaze also intent on the nurse as she reached them. She gave him a quick glance, then turned to Elizabeth.
“You may go in to see him,” she said, her voice grave, “but I must ask you to stay only for a moment or two. I’m sorry to say the major’s condition is extremely serious, and he must not be disturbed.”
Elizabeth swallowed. She’d never been so frightened in all her life. If only her father were here to give her strength. He had always been there for her when she was growing up, a bastion of understanding, advice, and encouragement. But her father was gone… lost in the rubble of a bombed-out building, along with her dear departed mother. She’d lost so much, and now, it seemed, she was about to lose everything that remained to make her happy.
Her legs felt weak as she followed the sister down the long, narrow, bleak corridor, and she urged herself to remain strong. Pausing at the door to the ward, the sister turned to her. “Remember, no more than a minute or two.”
Elizabeth nodded, then walked slowly into the quiet ward, braced for whatever might be facing her.
On either side, men lay silent in their beds, some with eyes closed, others staring at the ceiling, and some with their faces covered in bandages. As she passed each bed, her dread grew. She knew nothing about Earl’s injuries, knew nothing about what to expect.
When she finally spotted him, her first reaction was a rush of relief. He wore no bandages around his head, and apart from a nasty graze across his pale cheek, his face was unmarked. In fact, if it hadn’t been for his lack of color, she might have thought he was sleeping, so peaceful did he look with his dark head on the pillow, his strong features relaxed.
