Love Comes Blindly: Victorian Romance (Fielding Brothers Saga Book 5)

If love isn’t blind to past indiscretions, can absence truly make the heart grow fonder?

Gregory Fielding has been wounded when he travels to Scotland to find the next big story for his London newspaper. Now blinded, he relies on the soft, comforting touch of one of the nurses at St. Mary’s Abbey. He thinks she’s a novice, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to give her his heart.

Madeline O’Neil cannot believe her misfortune. The man she had almost married three years ago is back in her life. Gregg doesn’t know who she is and she doesn’t dare tell him. Not until she makes him like the new Madeline. But as each day passes and her heart grows fonder, she fears he’ll hate her for certain once his eyesight returns. Especially when he discovers the secret she’s been keeping from him for three years…

****
“Where am I?”

“You are at St. Mary’s Abbey,” Madeline told the injured man on the cot.

“Am I…blind?”

Her throat tightened and her eyes stung with unshed tears. She could not predict his fate, but she didn’t know what to tell him. “The doctor used healing cream on your eyes. He hasn’t said how long your condition will last. Your fate is in God’s hands now.”

His mouth tightened in a thin line and he fell silent. She didn’t know what to say, and especially what to do, but she had to do something to ease his agony.

“Sir? Is there anything I can do for you? Would you like me to write a letter to your family?”

After a few silent minutes, he nodded. “Thank you. That is very kind. I’m certain my family would worry if they don’t hear from me.”

She collected paper and quills from a bureau drawer. “Begin any time you are ready, sir.”

“Address it to my brother, Nicholas. He is the head of the family now.”

Although Nicholas was a popular name in England, every time she heard it she thought of Gregg Fielding since this was his older brother. Such a kind an endearing man Nicholas had been to her…before the truth had come out, anyway.

She wrote fast to keep up with his dictation. He mentioned the newspaper in London that he owned, and asked his brother to take care of his country estate and townhouse. He made no mention of a wife or children, and she almost breathed a sigh of relief that he didn’t have a family depending on his income.

As he talked, his voice softened, and familiarity struck an odd chord in her memory. Where had she heard his voice before? Had she met him once? Or did he remind her of someone she’d known?

While growing up, she lived in London and Essex. Since she left that area almost three years ago, all ties to her past were severed. She couldn’t bring shame to her family. She was needed here in Scotland with these good Sisters. Now Madeline’s life had meaning. But what were the odds she’d known this man before?

When he ended his dictation, his voice tightened. Her eyes misted again. Obviously, he loved his family and his life at the newspaper. She prayed he would see again. Only God knew the outcome.

“Sir? I will send this letter as soon as possible, but I need your name first.”

“Oh, forgive me. I suppose my brain isn’t functioning too well.” Slowly, he lifted his hand again to his bandaged head. “My head is throbbing and it’s hard to concentrate.”

“I understand.”

Once his hand dropped to the cot, he breathed deeply. “My name is Gregory Fielding.”

The name from the past hit her like a physical blow to her chest. She gasped and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Gregg?

She jumped to her feet as her heart hammered. Dizziness threatened her vision and she feared she would swoon. No, she mustn’t. She had to remain strong. After three years and being this close to starting a new life, how could fate throw into her path the one man she’d wronged so badly? No matter what, she couldn’t let Gregg know who helped him. He hated her. Thankfully, he couldn’t see. Her identity must stay a secret.

As did her other secret that he must never discover.