A Bride for Alfie (Yorkshire Brides) (7 page)
Read A Bride for Alfie (Yorkshire Brides) Online
Authors: Kimberly Luke
Chapter 14
Audra watched in horror as the blaze raged on before her. At last Robert exited the inn, a bit singed, but well enough to carry his patient out to safety. Her eyes fixated on the door: waiting for Alfie. Her eyes flitted back to Robert as he briefly looked at her before running back in. Something was wrong. She ran before realizing it. She ran straight into the fray. The heat and smoke struck her like a physical blow. Her eyes and lungs burned. Her ears caught Robert’s voice. She ran to him through the debris. Alfie was trapped in the stairwell but had escaped serious injury. Alfie and Robert simultaneously admonished her. “Get out of here Audra.” Her eyes met Alfie’s, “...not without you.” He acknowledged her with one of his signature smiles. The three of them worked together to free him, once freed he began to climb over the debris until they heard a scream from above stairs. They paused. Robert began clambering over the debris toward the voice until he was overcome by the excess smoke. Alfie pulled him back. “Get Audra out of here.” He took one look back and disappeared into the blackness.
“Alfie...” Robert was as stricken as she at Alfie’s decision. Robert struggled for breath. She made one last attempt to call out to her husband, but received no response. She and Robert fumbled out of the inn together. By the time Robert had somewhat recovered his breath, the building collapsed. She dropped to her knees. Robert tried to console her, but so many people were screaming in agony; he had to begin seeing to them as best he could.
Audra shivered uncontrollably in the heat, when someone yelled victims were being found around the back of the building. She rose, and frantically began going from victim to victim: many badly injured. Then she saw him and dropped to her knees at his side. He was alive.
Robert’s surgery was overrun, but midwife to barber helped care for the wounded. Robert insisted Alfie is placed in one of his own bedchambers. He remained unconscious. She cared for him day, and night.
She had been a fool. Robert deserved a woman to love him wholeheartedly; she would not have been able to give him that once Alfie came into her life. Robert understood, and loved her enough to let her go.
Her pride had denied Alfie the love he deserved in what may have been his final days.
*
A week had passed since the fire. Alfie’s fever abated, and he finally woke. Robert and Audra were by his side.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Alfie, I thought I may lose you.”
Robert gave him a smile and left the chamber.
He raised his hand to her face. “Please stop crying Audra. His voice was raspy. “It hurts me to see you cry.”
She wiped at her tears. “Alfie I was wrong to treat you as I did.”
He tried to stop her with a finger to her lips. She took his hand in hers. “No, I must confess to you. I have loved you wholeheartedly all the while, but my pride...”
“Please Audra, I understood until I saw the two of you together, right before the fire. It was then I doubted my instincts. I began to think you may truly care for Robert more. Until that moment, I could not understand why Robert encouraged me to pursue you. I understand now, and I will request an annulment if that is what you wish.”
Tears pouring down her cheeks she kissed the man she loved. “Alfie you don’t understand. I have decided husband; pride is rubbish. That day before the fire, I was making my peace with Robert. Robert is already beginning to heal; we will always be friends. You, and I will be much more.”
*
A week more of forced recuperation produced a healthy, but impatient husband. Robert and her family saw them off on their return to Lockwood Farm. The passion building between them was unbearable as they rode hip to hip, thigh to thigh. Lockwood’s young groom handled the horses upon their return. They entered the house together: greeted his small staff briefly, excused themselves, and requested to be undisturbed, save being brought warm water for a bath.
He escorted her directly to his bedchamber. As their bath was prepared Alfie sat her in a chair, and began removing her shoes, and hose. He had her down to her chemise by the time their bath was ready. She stopped him from undressing her any further until he stood undressed before her. He entered the tub. She pulled the chemise over her head and joined him. He reveled in her abandon. They took their time bathing one another, and exploring one another. As the bathwater chilled, Alfie stepped from the tub; he dried himself as she looked on. He lifted her drying cloth in invitation. She stepped from the tub, and into his arms. He wrapped her in the cloth and carried her to his bed. He unwrapped her. Alfie stood a moment to enjoy the scene of her naked upon his bed: her dark hair fanned out over his pillows. She was finally his. She loved him completely as he loved her. This night was for them. He joined her on the bed: his knees between her legs. She pulled his mouth down to hers. Her warm, fervent kisses broke the last of his will; they, at last, consummated their marriage.