Eloise, who had been gazing at the sky with distrust, turned away—her eyes aching from the brilliant light.
An afterimage of sunlight momentarily obscured her vision.
She blinked slowly, and everything gradually came into focus. Seeing the familiar—but cluttered—sitting room, she murmured with a confused expression:
"That's right. We are at my house, after all."
Yesterday, when the bridge collapsed, they had been trapped and come here.
And she had been lying on the sofa, which had been positioned away from the leaks.
She recalled watching Ryan's back as he checked the coals in the fireplace before falling asleep. She'd drifted off wondering if all military men were like this...
Having thought this through, Eloise felt her neck flush. She shook her head.
Last night, they had stopped at a kiss. Honestly, it could have been more. But just when it was about to deepen into something more, Ryan had pulled away.
And he had said, with an extremely serious expression:
**"I don't want to take you in this situation."**
Then, continuing to kiss her hand, he had added:
**"I'll do everything I can to get us out of here. And then, after explaining everything to everyone, I'll take your hand without hesitation."**
Having said this, he'd asked her to rest—with a very weary look—and laid her down on the sofa.
*"Ryan."*
*"Yes."*
*"I don't mind."*
Her words had made his face flush. He'd turned away and dragged a hand over his face.
*"If you're trying to drive me mad at a time like this, then you've succeeded, Eloise."*
At his answer, Eloise had laughed quietly and covered herself with the blanket.
She'd worried she wouldn't be able to sleep because of her pounding heart—but as soon as she'd lain down, the fatigue from the chaotic day had crashed over her, and her eyes had closed instantly.
And the last thing she'd seen was him kissing her forehead and watching the fire in the fireplace—so that Eloise would not grow cold.
*Ha...*
Remembering yesterday, Eloise sighed deeply.
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside. Eloise immediately ran over and opened the front door.
"Ryan!"
"We're awake, I see."
She saw Ryan walking toward her with a smile—and behind him, the blue sky.
"When did the rain stop?"
"A few hours ago. As if by magic, it died down, and the clouds parted instantly. But—" He took Eloise's hand as she was about to step outside and said, with a slightly tense expression, "When you look at Feltham, you'd better brace yourself."
At these words, Eloise also suppressed her eagerness and nodded with a grave face.
She recalled the landslide that had rushed through the rain. And the other houses it had swept away.
After walking with him a short distance and looking down the hill—
*Ah...*
Even though she had prepared herself, a groan escaped her lips involuntarily.
The peaceful Feltham landscape she always saw when leaving the house no longer existed. All she could see was red mud and utterly destroyed houses.
The lower floors had been demolished by the surging mud, causing the second stories to collapse.
"It's horrible."
But not all houses had been destroyed.
Turning her head, she saw dwellings that—like hers—had survived. Though not at the very summit, the shape of the hill had miraculously halted the landslide, and these homes remained standing.
Moreover, the livestock that owners hadn't had time to evacuate were wandering near these houses and, seeing Eloise and Ryan, lowed joyfully.
"And there—people are coming from Blissbury."
Eloise looked toward the approaching figures. Several carts, loaded not only with ropes but also with all manner of tools, were heading their way.
Ryan waved at them and continued explaining:
"As soon as it grew light, I went out to survey the area. As I said yesterday, Richard returned, and we assessed whether there was a way out."
He pointed to a place near the hill.
"The landslide is narrowest there. When the people arrive, we'll stretch a rope between the trees on both sides."
Just as he'd said, the people who had arrived from the opposite bank—seeing Eloise and Ryan—waved enthusiastically and called out greetings.
"Sergeant Thornton! Miss Eloise! Are you all right?"
At the villager's joyful voice, Eloise also shouted loudly and waved.
"We're fine, Mr. Foster! And what about Blissbury? Are all the residents safe?"
That was what concerned her most.
Had all the residents managed to escape? Was anyone buried beneath this terrible spectacle?
"There were wounded among those who evacuated to the other side, so I can't say for certain—but among those who reached Blissbury, no one was seriously injured!"
Eloise breathed a sigh of relief. When she'd first arrived in Feltham, there had been people so gravely wounded they couldn't rise.
At that moment, another cart pulled up from behind. Someone leaped off and ran forward quickly.
"My lady! Are you all right?!"
Emily ran up. Upon seeing Eloise standing there, she immediately burst into tears and collapsed to the ground.
She must have been desperately worried all night.
After confirming Eloise was safe, Emily said she would cross as soon as the rope was secured—and immediately returned to the cart.
She then unloaded kitchen utensils, firewood, and provisions she'd brought from Blissbury. She intended to prepare food for the workers.
"Looks like this will take some time. I think we should get something to eat and head back."
They immediately returned to the house.
"Make a stew like yesterday?"
"That would be good. If I prepare it now, the others can eat once they've crossed. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Then please stoke the fire in the fireplace. It's nearly gone out."
At these words, Ryan immediately went to the hearth and prodded the coals with a poker. Then he said to Eloise, who was heading for the kitchen:
"Make plenty. It was delicious yesterday."
"Don't you think you're a little late with your compliments?"
"I know—that's why I'm speaking so emphatically now."
Eloise giggled at his words and went into the kitchen.
She truly was going to cook a great deal.
---
By midday, they finally managed to secure the rope taut. Having positioned two sturdy ropes a man's length apart, Richard was the first to cross.
Though he checked the rope several times to ensure it wasn't slack, everyone watched with bated breath. Beneath the rope, the current—though calmer—still raged, carrying rocks and debris.
Once he'd crossed, Richard immediately embraced Ryan.
Ryan shoved him away in disgust. Laughter erupted from the opposite bank for a moment, and soon others began crossing as well.
Emily was among them.
"My lady!"
Emily ran to Eloise, sobbing, and hugged her. She was apparently so frightened while crossing the rope that her body was trembling.
"Why did you come? You could have stayed on the other side."
"I... how could I..."
Eloise embraced Emily tightly—this girl who had come running, anxious for her. Sobbing profusely, Emily recounted the situation at Blissbury.
"It was like a battlefield there, truly. But fortunately, Sergeant Osborne managed everything well, so there weren't any major difficulties. And Miss Julia—surprisingly—was very helpful."
"And Mother?"
"Don't even mention it. As soon as she heard you were trapped in the village, she fainted. When she came to, she wept for a long time."
"..."
Emily's words made Eloise's throat tighten.
She was the only child in the Severton family. Though her mother often fussed, Eloise knew perfectly well it was all out of love.
And here, in her father's absence—in such dire straits—how desperate her mother must have been.
"But at dawn, Sergeant Cameron came to survey the area, learned from Sergeant Thornton that you were safe, and hurried back to report. Thanks to that, she had calmed somewhat before I left. Madame will likely arrive this afternoon."
Having said this, Emily wiped away the remaining tears and released Eloise.
"Then I think I'll go inside."
She seemed in great haste to tidy up—Emily hurried into the house. Eloise, shaking her head as if to say it couldn't be helped, followed her.