Page 68 of The Blacksmith

“I am so sorry,” she said to her mother, for it needed saying. They should have ensured the doctor came much, much sooner.

Her mother wiped away a tear with her thumb. “There is nothing to apologize for, my dear. We are all quite relieved.”

“Skullcap,” she muttered. “How did we not know?”

Her mother shrugged. “We will not waste time attempting to answer that question. Better to focus on a different one.”

“A different question?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew of what her mother spoke. “Lance?”

“Ah, so you no longer refer to him as Master Lance?”

“Mother, we really should be speaking of you. Your health is all I care about.”

“Nay, we should not. I’m quite finished with speaking of my health.”

Her father wasn’t the only member of this family who could quell a discussion with just a few direct words. The countess’s ability to be both nurturing and firm in one breath was a feat Idalia only hoped to master in time.

“So?”

There was no denying her mother, especially not now. She told her of Lance’s meeting with the earl, the odd question he’d asked, and her visit to his quarters later that eve. She assured her mother they’d done naught but talk and laugh, although she knew perfectly well it had been inappropriate to visit him alone.

“My feelings on the matter have not changed,” her mother said. “If you think he is worthy, if you love this man, then I give my blessing.”

She heaved a long sigh, for this was something she’d thought of again and again in the past days. “If love is not wanting to be apart from someone for even a moment, wishing you could heal their every pain, and dreaming of being with them every day for the rest of your life, then aye, I love him.”

“And he claims to feel the same?”

“He does. But there is something . . . holding him back from me. I know not what.”

A knock at the door was followed by her sister’s voice. “You cannot have Mama all to yourself, Idalia!”

“She needs to see you.” Idalia stood.

“Go to him,” her mother said, meeting and holding her gaze. “Tell him how you feel.”

“And father?”

Her mother smiled, and though she still looked as ill as she had these past weeks, there was a glint in her eyes that had not been there before.

Her mother would be well, and truly, nothing else mattered.

She swallowed.

Perhaps one thing did.

“I will speak to your father when the time comes. Now go before Tilly breaks down my door.”

Wrapping her arms around her mother’s frail shoulders, Idalia pushed back the tears that threatened again. No more sadness.

She’d taken care of Stanton in her mother’s stead, and now it was her time to take care of herself.

Chapter 22

Lance swung his hammer, again and again.

As he’d always done when frustrated or angry, he took out his aggression on the metal. But instead of fighting back, it flattened and pulled exactly like it was supposed to.

Daryon pumped the bellows as he reheated the steel and pounded away at it again. It would be some time before the sword took shape, but Lance was grateful for the commission. He’d made enough hinges and nails to last a lifetime.