Page 90

“Your leg must stay elevated at all times, Your Grace,” the physician said.

Eveline nodded.

The physician handed the prescription to William. “These are the herbals Her Grace will need,” he said, then turned back to Eveline. “You can start walking around tomorrow. However, it will take a few days to be fully healed.”

“Are you certain that she will be fine?” William asked, his eyes still wide with worry. “Perhaps you need to check her body to see if she sustained an injury to her spine.”

Eveline could not believe her ears.

“I assure you, Your Grace,” the physician replied, “the only injury Her Grace sustained has been attended to.”

With that, he left with his apprentices.

Finally, Eveline was left alone with her husband.

“Are you now satisfied that I am not about to drop dead?” she asked.

When she turned to him, however, he did not seem to be relieved or reassured.

“It is all my fault,” William said in a low voice.

“What nonsense are you saying?” Eveline was surprised by his words. “Of course, it is not your fault.”

“But it is. I persuaded you to come riding with me.”

“This is only but a minor injury. This could have happened even when I was in the castle. I could have slipped while walking down the stairs.”

“And yet it happened when you went horse riding with me. I failed. I had only one duty, and that was to protect you. And yet I let you go riding on your own. It could have ended worse.”

“But it did not. I am fine, save for a twisted ankle, which will heal in a matter of days.”

William shook his head vigorously. Eveline was not quite certain he heard her at all.

“You could have been badly injured,” he repeated.

“And again, I am letting you know that it was an accident—an accident that could have occurred in this castle.”

“You are right, Eveline,” William sighed, taking her hands in his own. “This could have happened anywhere.”

Eveline was relieved. She was glad she was able to talk some sense into her husband.

“Do you now know that it was not your fault?”

William smiled in response as he rose to his feet.

“Thank you, Eveline. You have told me everything I need to know, and now I know what I should do.”

With that, he walked out of the room.

While Eveline was glad he had finally snapped out of his panic and self-blame, she could not help the nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach telling her that things were, in fact, not fine.

William had been in his study for hours, and yet he had not been able to get any work done.

In fact, he had canceled his plans for the day. His heart has been in turmoil all day. He could not think quite clearly, and it disturbed him terribly.

Eveline’s fall had affected him a little more than he could have imagined, and no matter what happened, he could not help but blame himself for it.

He opened the curtains to let in the night breeze while he wondered for a moment how she was feeling now. However, he could not bring himself to stay with her for another moment.