Chapter 24

As much as Lark resolved to stay away, he found himself making his way to the hospital the next day. The young woman had successfully been operated on and Lark was permitted to see her.

He entered her ward and was shown to her bed by a nurse. The young woman was asleep and he decided not to wake her. He placed the bouquet he had brought for her on the table at the bottom of her bed along with a box of chocolates.

He looked at her for a long moment, studying her. Her face was beautiful but nothing like Emma’s. Her hair was raven black and her cheeks were sprinkled with freckles. The freckles were the only similarity.

He finally turned and began making his way to the door. He was almost at the door when a small voice said, “Excuse me, Sir?”

Lark paused and turned. The young woman had woken up and was looking at him sleepily. Lark slowly retraced his steps to the young woman’s bedside.

“Good day,” he said softly loo