Page 68 of The Fighter who Needed Me
Persephone
Whitechapel, England March 1813
When she woke in the morning, she had a band of strong arms around her.
Except where she thought to find naked skin, she found a clothed arm.
She looked around at him and sure enough, he was fully dressed and even had his boots on still.
When she turned her head, he moved and then sucked in a breath and opened his eyes.
Those bright blue eyes crinkled at the corner as he smiled, showing off his white teeth.
Her heart skipped a beat and even after all this time her stomach flipped, and she just loved this man.
He leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss, “Good morning love. How did you sleep?”
She sighed, “I slept better than I have in years. But when I fell asleep last night, my husband was as nude as I. And now he is fully clothed. May I ask why?”
He gave a soft chuckle, “I stayed up checking the house. I didn’t want Bruce or Reginald to find us here. Not after everything. I will protect us all. So, yes. After you fell asleep, I dressed and stayed downstairs.”
She softened, “Oh, you are too good to me.”
He shook his head, “Not even close.”
He sat up and she did as well, keeping the blankets around her bare breasts.
He gave a disappointed sigh and she laughed softly, “Are we leaving London today?”
He nodded, “That is the plan. Though, I wanted to stop someplace first. We will be very careful going there, but it is very important to me.”
She felt her eyebrows draw down, “What is it?”
Brooks grinned, “The orphanage.”
She smiled, “Truly? You wish for me to come?”
He gave another chuckle and she loved hearing the sound. “Of course, my love. It is important to me and we never had the chance before. And I have neglected them as of late.”
She reached forward and touched his arm softly, “Are you upset?”
He nodded, “In the last few months, I barely survived. I did not want to see anyone or do anything besides fight. And because of that, I let everything I hold dear to me be forgotten. Those children deserved better from me.”
She let the blankets fall and crawled to him, cupping his face in her hands again, “We shall see them today. And you can make up for it. Children are very forgiving. I assume anyway.”
He smiled at her, and it reached his eyes. “You are right. These children are. Come, let’s get you dressed so I don’t spend the morning ravaging you.”
She laughed and stood on her still shaky legs. Each day she grew stronger, but it was not easy and by the end of the last few days, her body had been sore and exhausted.
This was the most she had ever walked, aside from the ship.
Brooks stood by her and let her get her bearings. “Are you all right?”
She nodded, “I am still getting used to walking and being up and about. It will get better. I assure you.”
He gave her a skeptical look but after a moment nodded. “If you are certain.”
“I am. I want nothing more than to be strong. To be the person I was truly meant to be.”
