Chapter 2 - Cousin

Baldwin fell ill—or so he said. Emberline was told not to enter his room, to avoid contracting his sickness, but she felt it was a lie. When she first heard of his illness, her stomach twisted into a painful knot. She rushed to see him, knocking at his door for any word, any confirmation. She longed to hear his sweet voice, to hear him laugh, or to be blinded by his optimism, but he never opened the door. No one entered his room—not a doctor, nor a servant. Emberline sat outside his room, waiting, hoping, trying to understand him, but she was never given reason to believe in his sickness. He had taken leave from home to tend to work, but beyond that, he did not interact with anyone.