Chapter 89

“Don’t you know?” Leander’s voice was rusty with disuse, but gentle. With a feebleness that was painful to watch, Leander reached up to put his hand over Chance’s. “You were lost at sea, Chance. You and Kit both. You’re dead now.”

A chuckle escaped past the lump in Chance’s throat. Leander was trying to reassure him? “No, Lee, listen to me. Our ship was wrecked, but we survived—we both did. We got back to Pelham and heard that you had sailed for London. We’ve been looking for you ever since.” He twisted his hand to grip Leander’s thin one. “Kit is waiting for us in London. Daisy too. Kit married her before we sailed.”

Leander blinked slowly and Chance wondered if his words even made it through.

“I tricked Morleigh into leading me to—” Chance stopped when Leander’s eyes widened and, impossibly, his waxen skin grew even paler.

“Chance?” The blue eyes filled with tears, “No, this is…no. I don’t…how…?”