The Huntress ✓

32. Secrets and Revelations

Lucien passed the hours as Bronte regained her strength reading or telling stories from his childhood. Many times, he read from the Bible. As the days passed Bronte began to relish the companionship she felt with Lucien and wish for something more.

She'd often drift in and out of sleep as his voice rumbled on, telling fantastic stories of giants and floods and things that seemed from a child's storybook. During those times, Bronte thought about what had happened in the prison. She was on the brink of sharing it with Lucien more than once but always stopped herself.

Bronte's habit was to keep everything about herself, to herself. And a small part of her was afraid it wasn't real; that it was all some delusion stemming from her illness.

Time ticked by and before long, Bronte nearly felt herself again.

"So, how about letting me out of this stuffy room? I'm beginning to think you're holding me hostage," Bronte remarked one afternoon as Lucien came in.

"I've news," he said, ignoring her plea. "Sam's back, and with an interesting story to tell."

"Sam's back?" she reiterated. "Should he be?"

"You mean is there still a warrant out for him? Yes," Lucien said with his head tilted to one side. He seemed to think there was something she wasn't asking.

He was right.

"Is he still...?" Bronte broke off.

"You two should talk. I'll send him a note," Lucien stated.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Bronte asked skeptically.

"You're right. I'll go to him in person," Lucien said, intentionally misinterpreting her question. "What would you like me to tell him?"

"Any chance I could come? I really am feeling better."

Lucien looked thoughtful. "I don't think you're ready yet. You shouldn't rush it."

Bronte sighed.

Lucien crossed his arms.

"All right," she finally acquiesced. "Please tell Sam I would like to see him."

Lucien smiled and strode toward the door.

"But I'm not staying in bed!" Bronte called after him.

Lucien turned toward her as he opened the door, wearing a wide smile. "I'll be sure to tell Eliza," he said as he pulled the door shut behind him.

He'd better blasted well not, Bronte thought as she defiantly threw back the comforter.

***

Lucien smiled as he pulled the door closed. He couldn't have been happier to have Bronte physically healthy again, but he still wished he could do more to help heal her soul. It surprised him that Bronte never protested his frequent Bible readings, and he'd been praying every night that she find her way to the Lord's side. At times Lucien felt guilty over the personal interest he had in Bronte's salvation. He would never marry a woman who did not share his faith; and he could not deny that thoughts of marriage crept up increasingly often as they shared this time together. During those moments of guilt, he reminded himself it was not purely selfish motives that made him pray for her. He would want Bronte to find God's peace regardless of his attraction.

Lucien plodded slowly toward the harbor as he thought and ran into Sam near the docks. Sam was not as well hidden as Lucien thought he should be, and he told Sam as much. Lucien no sooner finished relaying the message from Bronte, when he got a whiff of something all-too-familiar.