I have been asked if I intend to include Percy and Marguerite. The answer is yes. This is a short transitional chapter and I will be working on telling the story (or parts of it) of Percy and Marguerite from Elizabeth's perspective. I have also been asked about what I plan to do about Yvonne. Honestly - when I came up with this story, I had not yet read "Lord Tony's Wife". I think in my partially AU, she may not exist, although if I am fortunate to write that many stories to get to that point in time, I may perhaps borrow some of the story lines. Thank you for reading this

"Oh thank God," Elizabeth breathed as she busied herself propping Tony up with pillows, adjusting the covers, and bringing him watered wine.

Tony reached out and grabbed Elizabeth's hand. "Thank you," he said weakly. "It is because of you, that I am alive."

Elizabeth attempted to brush this off with humor. "I am sure the surgeon would have a vastly different opinion of the role that I played."

Tony would not be dissuaded. "I do not recall much, but I do know what you did to make sure the Thenards, and I...," Tony's voice hesitates as if he was ashamed, "that we all reached safety. Do you realize what this could have cost you?I know you have been here with me. Every time I awoke, I saw you. The voice I heard was yours. You brought me back when I do not think anything else would have." He leaned back into the pillows clearly exhausted by the length of his speech.

Elizabeth pulledher hand away, embarrassed. "There was nothing else to be done," Elizabeth said simply. "I could not," a sob escaped her lips and she turned away to try to contain her emotions, "I would not, lose you."

As she stood there with her back to Tony, trying to contain the emotions raging through her exhausted body and brain, a surprisingly strong hand reached out for her wrist. With a strength unexpected from a a man who had suffered so much, Tony was still able to pull Elizabeth toward the bed while also making her turn her face to his. She stared at him, tears still in her eyes. Tony let go of her wrist and reached for her face with both hands pulling her closer and closer. He wove his hands through her hair.

Their lips met. It was the passionate kiss of a man in love; a kiss that reaffirmed he was, in fact, alive. It was a kiss that shook Elizabeth to her core.

The emotions overwhelmed Elizabeth. She had tried to be strong for Tony. She had been so worried about him and she was exhausted. All of a sudden she found herself sobbing uncontrollably with her head on Tony's shoulder.

A maid chose just this moment to enter. She gasped and ran down the stairs. "Messieurs, Messieurs. The Gentleman. You must come."

Elizabeth heard the pounding of feet and soon, Percy, Andrew and Timothy burst into the room. They had been expecting the worst based on the maids reaction, but were met with the tableau with Tony gently holding Elizabeth and stroking her hair while she wept.

Elizabeth noticed the men, and jumped up and away from the bed in chagrin trying to dry her tears with her hands. "Forgive me gentlemen. The fatigue... I believe I will go outside for a breath of fresh air." she tried to sound nonchalant and realized that she failed miserably.

Elizabeth made it to the top of the stairs, before her world began to spin and turn dark. Her last conscious recollection was of a pair of strong arms around her waist as she fainted and knew no more.

I hope that you enjoy this story as much as I enjoy writing it. Reviews and critiques are always welcome.