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but you are all alike. She struggled to get away from him, losing the towel as she did so. Oh, my dear. I am so sorry. Here & He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to her bedroom. He had already turned down the bed, so it was easy to lay her down on the crisp white sheets. 252 Beverly Sims If you touch me, Devereaux, I promise I will kill you. Quickly, he covered her delectable body with a blanket. I would never touch you against your wishes, Lucretia. I will do nothing until we are wed and go to your marriage bed as husband and wife. She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. Pictures flashed through her mind. On the train, where Ruby had warned her not to trust him. In his carriage, in the dining room, and here in the suite. Ruby was right. The idea of being in bed with him made her slightly nauseated. Thank you, Devereaux. I am feeling a bit unwell now, and would like to sleep. Please go and I will meet you for supper at seven in the dining room. She had to get rid of him before she did get sick. But, my darling, I want to stay with you. To help you, to nurse you. She cut him off. No, Devereaux. I must insist you leave. How will it look for us to be alone together? My reputation in this town will be ruined even before I have been here long enough to have one. Devereaux frowned, but agreed to leave to appease her and her anger. Her anger was the last thing he needed. He knelt to kiss her forehead and tucked the blanket tightly around her soft form. Breakfast is waiting for you in the dining area and I will lock the door behind me. I plan to spend the day searching for Ruby. I am so looking forward to dining with you tonight. The Major s Wife 253 Chapter 74 Claralee, can you hear me? Claralee, wake up. Honey, listen to me. It s Ruby. Oh, may God strike that cretin dead. Claralee, oh please wake up. She could hear the labored breathing of the unconscious woman, and suspected that she was badly injured. Ruby scooted on her butt toward Claralee. She turned herself again until her hands tied behind her felt the fabric of the skirt. She used her fingers to pull it up and up until Claralee s legs and hips were exposed. She looked over her shoulder and down until she spotted the knife taped to the inside of the huge thigh. It was so far down that her fingers could not reach it. Her only chance was to sit on the woman s legs above the knees and lie back on her prone body until her fingers and hands finally found the hilt of the knife, which she pulled away from the tape. Careful not to cut her own fingers, she rolled off of Claralee. She lay on her side with the mucky floor against the side of her head. She tilted the knife until it made contact with the rope. It seemed like an eternity until one strand gave way. Then another, then another. She pulled her swollen hands free and quickly cut the ropes binding her ankles. She tried to stand, but her feet would not support her. She ignored her own misery and with much difficulty rolled Claralee onto her back. She cleaned the filth off her face and forced her mouth open. Oh, Claralee, I think you have breathed in so much of that stuff, you are drowning in it. She forced Claralee s mouth open and pressed her own against it. She began to suck and spit. The taste of what came up into her mouth was beyond imaginable. She sucked, 254 Beverly Sims spit, sucked, and spit for what seemed like hours. When exhaustion began to take over, she heard a small sound from the comatose female. Claralee, can you hear me? Listen carefully. I am going to try to sit you up on your side. I want you to help me if you can. Then you need to cough out the shit in your lungs. Here is my hand. Squeeze me if you can hear me. She felt a tiny movement, but it was enough. She was crying as she rolled Claralee over on her side. Come on, girl. Cough, even if it is a little. Her reward was a small barking sound. Hooray, you did it! Now, again. Yes and again. Oh, Claralee. She hugged the filthy woman and kissed her cheeks. You are going to be all right. Now, let me help you sit up. Good, now cough some more. Claralee lifted her head and tears spilled down her cheeks. Her throat hurt when she tried to speak. Tank ya. Do not even try to talk. Just rest. We both are going to be fine. They sat together with Ruby s arms around the large woman. I have a plan. I will talk and you nod yes or no. We might end up dead if the plan does not work, but we are going to end up dead anyway when he gets back. Can you read or write? Claralee shook her head. Well, neither can I, except a few words Lucretia taught me. So you will have to remember the words. Can you do that? Claralee nodded. Lulu needs help. That is what you have to learn. Can you remember that? Lulu needs help. The large woman smiled and nodded. Ruby continued. Now, more to learn. You need to know the names I will say to you, just so you can tell the man at the telegraph office. Claralee shook her head. Dunna know telergraph. Her voice was raspy, but she could at least be understood. Do you know where to find a telegraph office? Claralee shook her head again. Then ask a policeman or go into a bank and ask or even hotel lobbies. Or a train station. Yes, that is the best place. You The Major s Wife 255 will need some money. We can steal it if we have to, but we will get some someplace. I git money. She smiled her confidence. Then let us get back to the words you need to learn. They are the words you must say to the man in the telegraph office. You want to send telegraphs to Cottonwood Creek, General Stanley Cotton in [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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