This made the butler, who was still hesitating whether to report Amelia Shaw's illness, feel as if he had seen a savior!
"Young Master, you're back!"
The butler stepped forward a few paces, his voice urgent. "Miss Shaw has fallen ill..."
Thomas Shannon strode rapidly upstairs. Pausing on a step, he turned his head. "What did you say?"
The butler raised a hand, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. "Miss Shaw has fallen ill and is still unconscious," he said.
"What happened?" Thomas Shannon's eyes darkened slightly.
"She has a high fever that won't go down. She... she keeps calling your name." The butler then asked cautiously, "Would you like to go and see Miss Shaw?"
After a moment's hesitation, Thomas Shannon's brow furrowed. His voice, characteristically icy and unreadable, said, "Lead the way."
"Yes."
The butler led Thomas Shannon to the servants' quarters where Amelia Shaw was staying.
In her room, Thomas Shannon saw Amelia Shaw lying unconscious.
