-Next day-
Mary reached Sidney's forehead to feel his skin, and the fiery heat was gone. He still felt warm, but for the first time in days his eyes were clear and focused.
'Wh… Where am I?' Sidney said croaky and rough from disuse.
'You're home. You're safe.' Mary said gently.
"What the hell were you thinking, Sidney? You could have died" Tom said sitting next to him.
"I-I don't wanna talk about it" mumbled Sidney unable to face Tom whose his eyes were all worry and fear.
"Certainly we will! You did a brave thing rescuring that kid Sidney but for God's sake... staying there in that frozen day instead of coming home straight away was a stupid and reckless thing to do".
"I'm tired... please leave." he sighed and closed his eyes.
As much as Tom wanted to get answer it was obvious that today he wouldn't get any other response from Sidney.
Mary looked the conversation from distance and it may her chill from worry because Sidney's behavior remained her the same Sidney he knew after Eliza Campion left him broken hearted years ago. She needed to contact Lord Babington, he may be able to get Sidney speak freely was what bothering him before it was too late.
At first, Lord Babbington did not dare to enter. He had been told that his fever broke and he assumed he would see his friend in better shape however, looking at him, he saw Sidney was still far from well.
"I'm so glad you're awake. You gave all of us an awful scare."
Sidney turned his body slightly. His head pounded like someone was hitting just behind his left eye with a hammer, and he couldn't hold his eyes open as widely as he'd like from that pain, but still, he kept them opened, and saw his friend in the doorway.
"How are the kids? Is he ok?" asked Sidney remembering the kid he dragged from the frozen river.
Lord Babbington nodded as he came closer to his bedside. "Yes, you saved him Sidney. But what about you?" said with a sad smile upon his face.
Before Sidney answered him, the door creaked announcing Charlotte's arrival. Two pairs of eyes instantly looked at her.
"Mr Parker I'm glad to see you are feeling better now" said Charlotte acting as casual as she could.
"Miss Heywood... you're here" he couldn't hide the emotions he felt. He didn't expect to see her again after how he has treated her.
"Of course I am"
"You've…you've been here all this time?"
She nodded. "We were all sick with worry. We feared so greatly for your life".
"Even though when you think so badly of me?" asked Sidney not caring Lord Babbington was in the middle of the conversation.
Charlotte was uncomfortable to have this conversation in front of Lord Babbington and whispered. "No.. of course I don't think badly of you". She cleared her thought before making to leave. "I don't want to disturb you anymore, you should rest" said and left the room as quickly as she could.
Sidney let out a trembling breath and closed his eyes briefly. "What kills my soul is to have broken her heart. I feel I toyed with her affections..." confessed Sidney.
Sidney tried to move taking a deep breath but everything hurted still. He coughed and groaned.
"Do you love her, don't you?" asked Lord Babington. "She loves you too".
His eyes met his once, and he sent him a tight smile that seemed more like a grimace. "Does it matter?" replied Sidney before turning to look out of the window.
"You could cancel off the engagement"
"And send my brother to the debtors' prison? And his family to the poorhouse?" Sidney shook his head. "I do not have a choice. All the banks refused to get involved anymore than they already had. Nobody who has more than eighty thousand is willing to invest knowing what debts Tom is already in".
Babington sighed. "None except Eliza... I wish I could lend you the money. But now I'm about to get marry-"
"No, my friend" Sidney interrupted him. "I would never ask you this".
Sidney always gave the impression of being strong and steady, like a rock, capable of dealing with any obstacle. He had always admired his confidence and strength of will. It worried him now to see how the responsibility of Tom's debt weighed heavier.
