for staying with her. Though she would deny it, I think your mother was very grateful for a respite.”
“It is what I should have been doing all along.” If I had stayed home instead of going with my father, my mother would not have been so worn out in the first place.
But if I had stayed, would I have regretted driving Lord Williams away? I would never have known about the wager. Except if Mr. Northam should have come after all, determined to capture the winning kiss.
No matter what way the situation was inspected, I lost.
Alice lasted through the day with no change. Dr. Johnson and the London doctor came and left, warning us she could pass at any moment.
Assembled in the drawing room later with my father and Daniel, a clattering on the stairs silenced our movements. It had finally happened. I braced myself as Mary burst into the room.
“She spoke!” Mary exclaimed.
My father shot out of his chair. “What?”
Daniel and I glanced at each other, eyes wide.
“It’s Miss Alice, sir. She spoke!”
“What did she say?” my father demanded.
Mary’s excitement dimmed. “Well, she didn’t actually say anything. She just mumbled a bit, you see.”
“But,” Daniel interjected, “that must be a good sign, when she hasn’t shown a hint of life in days.”
Mary nodded, her smile brightening again. “Yes, that’s what the missus thinks. She bade me come and tell you all the news.”
“I want to see her.” My father strode from the room.
I slumped in my chair, powerless against the relief washing over me. “Thank you, Mary.”
She curtsied and left.
“She’s going to recover,” Daniel said, his tone light. “I haven’t been out of the house in days.” He stood.
A sudden thought struck me. “Do you think she’s still going to—I mean, have you heard that sometimes people, right before they pass, appear to revive a little?”
“I’m going for Dr. Johnson.” Daniel threw his book on the table and ran out.
I bit my lip and struggled out of my seat, making my way back to Alice’s room.
“I believe she has made it through the worst of it,” Dr. Johnson declared an hour later before turning to the doctor from London as though awaiting the final word.
“Yes,” the man said. “I believe she has. What she needs now is rest.”
Dr. Johnson put his things back into his bag. He stood, glanced at Alice, then shook his head. “I’m unsure if I have ever seen a case so hopeless turn around. I am very happy it has.”
“As are we,” my father replied, walking both doctors out of the room.
“Margaret, did you hear? She’s going to live.” My mother fell into the chair next to Alice’s bed and cradled her hand.
Daniel cleared his throat. “I’ve—um. There’s something I need to see to. Excuse me.”
I followed Daniel into the hall. “Where are you going?”
He stopped, but avoided my eyes. “I’ve a matter that needs my attention.” He took the stairs two at a time.
An hour and a half later, Daniel returned. I’d finally left Alice’s room for the study, hoping that now that the danger for Alice was over, I might lose myself in a novel or two. I avoided the one Mr. Northam had read to me and chose one recently acquired, something Lord Williams could not yet have read and so could not have yet determined to be worthwhile or not; I didn’t want to spend my whole day wondering if he would have approved of my choice. My father sat in his chair behind the desk, though he didn’t seem to be doing much more than relaxing in the knowledge that Alice would be fine.
Daniel stepped into the room. “Father, may I speak to you?”
“Where did you go?” I asked.
Daniel glanced at me. “In private.”
I walked out and Daniel closed the door. Something was up. I leaned my ear against the door, hoping I could hear something of the conversation and discover what Daniel was about, but the voices were too low. When they emerged, Daniel requested everyone to gather in the drawing room. Once our mother arrived, Daniel cleared his throat. “Mother, Margaret, I have asked Louisa to marry me. She has consented. The banns will be read beginning Sunday.”
He’d done it. He’d finally made it official.
“Oh, Daniel.” My mother looked ready to weep. “I’m so happy for you. For both of you.”
“What made you decide to ask now?” I asked.
Daniel met my gaze briefly before looking away. He didn’t respond, but he didn’t have to; that look had said