He didn’t need to be told twice. He laid the book aside and eased his legs off the bed, pivoting until his feet were flat on the floor. Using the back of the chair for balance, he rose. A wave of dizziness and stars exploded in his head, but he gripped the chair and fought to stay upright. When his vision cleared, he looked down at his half-naked body. He certainly couldn’t go to her like this.
The fresh uniform Banks had brought for his trip back to Langford tomorrow hung on a hook across the room. Though it took an interminable amount of time, Levi dressed himself, mostly. He managed to put his injured arm through the sleeve, but buttoning the garment with one hand proved impossible, nor could he manage his boots. Though not completely attired, his small accomplishment made him smile. Now, if he could just walk to the door without falling.
Pushing the chair in front of him as a sort of crutch, he shuffled to the entry, feeling a little stronger with each step. Fresh air and sunshine greeted him when he stepped out the door. With a deep breath, he filled his lungs. It felt good to be upright.
He glanced toward the kitchen then toward the house. Where would he find Natalie this time of morning? According to Samuel, she had been assisting with nearly every chore there was on the plantation, bringing Levi a smile of pride for her efforts.
Taking a chance he would find her in the house, he stepped off the narrow porch onto the expanse of lawn. He chuckled when his feet hit the cool, prickly greenery. How long had it been since he’d walked barefoot in the grass? When he reached the porch that surrounded the house, he grasped a post and hoisted himself up. Though his shoulder throbbed, his determination kept him going.
Inside, all was quiet.
He glanced up the back stairway and listened. No sound came from upstairs. With a hand on the wall to brace himself, he made his way toward the front foyer. He’d look in the parlor and dining room before checking outside. He moved soundlessly down the hall.
“Ouch!”
The exclamation came from the parlor.
When he reached the doorway of that room, he found Natalie sitting beside the window, her head bent over what looked like a pair of Samuel’s overalls. A needle and thread dangled from her hand. He drank in the sight of her like a man at a deep well after being lost in the desert. Beautiful. If he weren’t mistaken, she was wearing the same blue-and-white striped gown he’d seen her in the first day he and his men had arrived at Rose Hill with the freedom proclamation.
Her brow knit in frustration. She examined her thumb before popping it into her mouth. She looked up, and her eyes rounded.
“Levi!” She stood, the overalls falling to the floor.
He smiled. She’d used his given name. A good sign. “I hope I’m not interrupting.” He indicated the small garment on the floor.
“No, of course not.” She bent and picked it up. Clutching it to her, her wide eyes met his. “Should you be up? The doctor said tomorrow.”
“I managed fairly well,” he said. Her concern quieted any lingering doubts he’d had about her feelings. “I could use some help with the buttons on my shirt, however. Accomplishing the task with one hand is beyond my talents, I’m afraid.”
Her eyes traveled to his bare chest, and a pretty flush filled her cheeks. When her gaze met his again, he raised his brow in question.
She laid the overalls on the chair and crossed the room. He breathed in the rose scent of her hair, savoring her nearness after the prolonged absence. When she reached to push the first button through the hole, the slight trembling of her delicate fingers gave away her nervousness. Once the job was completed, she released the breath she’d been holding.
“Thank you.” A wave of dizziness hit. “I believe I should sit now.”
She steadied him and helped him to the sofa. He had to admit, having her see to his needs was rather pleasant.
“I’ll call Moses and have him help you back to your room,” she said, heading for the door.
“Please don’t. I’m glad to be away from my bed, even for a little while. Besides,” he said, his eyes imploring her to see his heart, “you and I need to talk.”
She swallowed. “Oh?”
“Come.” He patted the space beside him.
She settled on the edge of the seat. The sheer fabric of her skirt touched his leg, and she tucked it beneath her.
“Why haven’t you been to see me?”
Her face lifted to his, her eyes wide. “It … it wouldn’t be proper.”
Her answer made him smile. He studied her features. Her creamy skin. The thick lashes surrounding her sky-blue eyes. When she looked away, he put his finger beneath her chin to turn her back to him, sorely tempted to kiss her. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
She shook her head. “I’ve been busy.” She rose and crossed to the fireplace, nervously smoothing the fabric of her dress over her corset. “The work around the plantation never ceases. Harvest is just a few weeks away, followed by the sale of the cotton.” She paused and moistened her lips. “Then there are all the necessary preparations for closing the house.”
“Closing the house?” Levi frowned. This bit of news caught him off guard. With Lopez on his way to Mexico, taking his phony marriage proposal with him, Levi knew she had no plans for matrimony. What was she up to?
Indecision flickered in her eyes when she met his. She seemed hesitant to answer, but finally, squaring her shoulders, she said, “I haven’t mentioned this to Moses and Harriet yet, but I’ve decided to leave Rose Hill.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Natalie’s legs trembled, and she grasped the mantel for support. She very much needed to sit down, but not beside
