The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 261

Chapter 261

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The moment Nolan mentioned a headache, Eliza didn't even have time to react to how intimate he'd just sounded calling her by name. Her expression changed instantly as she asked with urgency, "A headache? What kind of pain? Does it come in waves, or is it constant and sharp?"

Nolan replied, "It comes and goes... like there are dozens of voices shouting inside my head. It's loud. It hurts."

He stared straight at her. The man who was always poised and untouchable now looked like a wounded wolf-lost, fragile, trying to bare his pain to the only human he trusted.

Eliza had never seen Nolan like this.

Even that first time by the stream on the back hill, when she'd witnessed one of his episodes, he'd still kept some degree of clarity. But now? It was like he'd peeled off every layer of defense, exposing his most vulnerable side completely to her.

Her heart ached. She reached out to check his forehead, then gently took his pulse. "Shh, it's okay. I'll read scripture for you -just sit quietly and listen. The pain will go away soon."

But Nolan, apparently struck by a rebellious streak, suddenly caught her wrist just as she was pulling her hand back. His voice was low and rough.

"Eliza... I don't want scripture."

"Then what do you want?" she asked, slightly thrown.

Of course, when someone's ill, they get to make the call.

But halfway through that question, she realized something was off. "Wait... did you just call me Eliza?"

Hadn't he always called her Serenity?

Across from her in the carriage, Nolan sat still, eyes dark and unreadable.

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, after a long pause, he said again, "My head... it hurts..."

She didn't know if it was part of the illness or just him pretending to be dazed, but he kept murmuring the same thing, like a broken record.

gaze. For a brief moment, she thought-maybe it was just her imagination-but she could swear

do you want me to go get more

This time, he answered quickly. Then his voice turned soft again, pleading. "My head hurts. No medicine... not enough. "That

it out now? Was it the

weren't ready. And

farm... if she used it

head hurts.

Eliza froze.

"What?"

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Chapter 261

man joking? Was he testing her? Since when did touching someone

actual episode, she'd have sworn he was just

Still, she didn't answer.

Nolan slumped his head low and murmured, "You won't let me touch

She didn't respond.

in the carriage, both of her hands gently rubbing his scalp. Her fingers threaded carefully through his soft silver hair as she asked, "Is this okay? Too much pressure? Am I pulling

a low sigh of contentment. "It's perfect... not

Eliza gave a

pressure points Mary had taught her. Combining that with

closer, adjusting her fingers along his scalp, carefully seeking the right

very quiet. Even with the rattling

up-he was asleep. Really

sure he was soundly

brow, she hesitated for a moment, then quietly reached into her pocket farm and pulled out

carefully held it to Nolan's

to the relaxing massage, he was completely defenseless. When she lightly tapped the bottle to his mouth,

edge of his lips with a cloth, then sat quietly by his

her voice finally broke the stillness-soft and low, as if whispering into his

she said gently. "Your medicine...

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