Love Comes Blindly (book 5) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) Read Free Page B

newspaper.”
    “I don’t know, Mr. Fielding. I have heard General McFadden hasn’t been in his right mind since he returned from the war.”
    “If I wasn’t blind, I would take the imbecile to the authorities and have him hanged for what he did.”
    “Mr. Fielding, I don’t believe you will be blind forever. Besides, I did hear the man was arrested. I’m quite certain justice will prevail.”
    “I’m relieved you’re so positive, Sister Mary. Forgive me if I don’t see a light at the end of this dark tunnel.”
    Her heart twisted. She’d never known him to be like this. She’d met many men in her young life, but Gregg had been the one with the jovial attitude who could always make her laugh.
    She took his hand in hers and stroked his skin with gentle care due to his cuts. “I will help you all I can. Please know I am here for you whenever you need me.”
    After she’d said the words, she wondered why. Did she want to be here for him? She did want him to forgive the old Maddie , and if it took catering to his every whim, then she’d do it.
    “You are too kind, Mary.”
    “Sister Mary,” she reminded.
    The corners of his lips lifted slightly. “If you say so.”
    Even through his pain, he could still find humor. Perhaps he would recover soon after all. Then again, that might not be a good thing, especially until she could show him the loving and caring side of Madeline O’Neil.
    * * * *
    Gregg listened intently to the sounds around him. He knew Lord Drake’s bed wasn’t too far away since it squeaked every time his friend turned over. The nuns spoke in whispers, although he could still tell where they were in the room. By now, he’d guessed the room to be the size of the drawing room in his townhouse.
    Off and on throughout the day, singing could be heard from down the hallway as the nuns sang praises to God. He enjoyed the peacefulness settling in his chest during these moments. Yet at the same time, his future looked bleak. How could he run the newspaper as a blind man? Would he ever marry and have children? What was the point if he couldn’t see?
    “Drake? Are you awake?” Gregg asked, hoping his friend’s cot was nearby.
    “Yeah.”
    The weary tone of his friend’s voice tugged on Gregg’s heart. “How are you faring?”
    “Not as well as you, I’m afraid.”
    “I’m blind. How can you be worse?”
    “I might lose my leg from the middle of my thigh down or if infection settles in, I might die. At least you will still have use of your limbs.”
    Inwardly, Gregg groaned. “Forgive me, my good friend. I suppose I’m not thinking straight. How can I when I know it’s my fault for two of my employees dying and one of them being maimed?”
    “It’s not your fault.” Lord Drake’s voice tightened. “We chose to come here on our own free will, not knowing what we’d find.”
    “But what you don’t realize is if I hadn’t been looking for the next big story—”
    “Fielding, please stop. We can discuss who holds the blame all day and it will not make things better. We both have to admit we were at the wrong place at the wrong time—and deal with the consequences.”
    “That’s wise of you, Drake.”
    Silence stretched between them for a few awkward moments before Drake shifted on his bed, the ropes grinding against the steel bars under the mattress.
    “Do you know what keeps me from giving up?” Calvin said softly.
    “What’s that?”
    “My need to leave this place—walking—and healthy enough to find that devil of a man, McFadden and make him pay.”
    Gregg nodded. “Indeed. That thought has crossed my mind a time or two.”
    “I have heard whispers at night from the nuns.” Drake lowered his voice. “Apparently, Russian spies are rumored to be amongst the people in Scotland.”
    “Are you jesting? Why on earth would they be here?”
    “Because they would likely become captured if they were in England.”
    “True, but the war is over. What could they possibly gain