Like forlorn sheep, Sterling lay still whilst Nelly continued with her shearing but his attention slowly turned to Lilly McKinney as she stood listening to the doctor. From the corner of good eye, he watched the actress silently give lip service to the orders Croaker was giving her, turning the name of the concoction she was to fetch over and over until it was committed properly to memory. With a final nod, she got ready to once again venture out into the night.
Sterling watched her as she looked at him before she was willing to leave, her expression hard for even him to fathom. She was the consummate actress, so much so that he now wondered if she had ever truly loved him at all. When she continued to look on, he slowly raised one hand. Running fingertips over blond stubble, he turned full attention on the actress.
"I am certain the doctor knows what is best. Ye see, already I grow cold without it," he offered. Lilly's reaction was little of what he had expected. Her hand flew to her mouth, covering soft lips and the sob that she struggled to hide, before she ran from the room.
"Lilly! Wait!" he called after her, pushing Nelly's hand and the scissors aside and vainly endeavoring to pursue her. Futile attempt only gained him verbal abuse from Croaker, as the doctor pushed him back down.