Chapter Six
A Little Light
The irritating chirping of the birds awoke Marguerite the following morning. She was haphazardly teetering on the edge of the mattress, her face pressed into the crook of Roxton's neck. Her eyes were puffy and felt as though someone poured acid into them. Her muscles stiff, she stretched herself out, wincing in pain as her back protested.
Marguerite hoisted herself up to be face to face with her husband. She gazed at his pale, expressionless features and felt a tugging in her heart. She would sell her soul if she could have him back. Yet, her offer went unwanted for he continued to lie there peacefully.
"You gave me a scare last night," she muttered, her voice scratchy from sleep. "I swear to God if you ever do that to me again I will kill you myself." She caressed his cheeks with the back of her hand.
A light tapping against the wooden doorframe drew Marguerite's attention from her lover's face to peer up at her intruder. She smiled faintly at Veronica. "He's doing much better this morning. Some of his color as returned." Her small smile turned into quivering lips. "I really thought I had lost him last night. I couldn't bare the thought. I've already lost my little boy. I can't lose him, too."
Veronica quietly came to her side. "I know, Marguerite." She gave her friend a gentle hug, sending her an unspoken message of warmth and understanding. "Why don't you come have breakfast?"
"No. I want to stay here."
"Marguerite, you need to eat. You hardly do and it's wearing your body down." She grinned, yanking Marguerite to her feet. "Do you want Roxton to wake up to a weak twig?"
"He may never…"
"He will, Marguerite! You have to believe that he will."
"Oh, you mean like believe that Dr. Burns could have brought my son back to life? Or that my son wouldn't have died to begin with?" Marguerite's fury caused her fists to clench and her face brightened with rage. "He was only two years old, Veronica! Two years old! How could God take him from me!"
"God didn't take him from you, Marguerite. A drunk driver in England did." Veronica sighed, her eyes betraying her by welling with tears. "I can't imagine your loss, Marguerite. I don't even want to. James is now two years old and I can't grasp what it would be like to lose him. So I won't lecture you, but I will support you. Don't give up on, Roxton yet." Veronica slipped from the room calling over her shoulder, "Breakfast will be ready in ten."
Marguerite gazed at her still husband. What if he were to die? The terrible things she had said him. Marguerite knelt beside the bed, grasping one of his hands in hers. "I don't blame you for Adam. I don't blame you for William. And I'm so sorry I said the things I did. Just, please, John, come back to me."
To her astonishment, she felt his fingers give a slight pressure in return.
End Chapter Six
Velma-Kelly-online: You always write the most enlightening reviews! I'm thrilled every time you send one. Thank so, so, so much! I can only hope I continue to write to your satisfaction. Spirita: See, I'm not that cruel. Not even I could kill off our beloved Lord John Roxton! Thank you a million for your reviews. LoveMR: Thank you so much for the compliments! I really appreciate them.