Page 34 of The Lady in Pearls
“I’ll be back with some hot tea,” Moira said before she, too, slipped out of the room.
After Daphne thanked the doctor and saw him out, she returned to Lachlan’s side and set a chair next to the chaise, thankful she could just sit beside him. She curled her fingers around his hand. He had protected her when she was desperate for help. Now she would protect him.
A few minutes later, Moira returned with tea and poured them both a cup.
“Is he doing better?” she asked.
Daphne had been paying close attention to Lachlan’s breathing. It had deepened rather than become shallow. That was a good sign.
“Yes. I think so.”
Moira swallowed hard and looked at Daphne. “I pray you are right. I cannot lose him, not like I did William.”
Daphne placed a hand over Moira’s wrist, squeezing it gently. “You won’t lose him.”
“You are so sure… How?”
Daphne smiled sadly. “Because Lachlan is a fighter. He won’t let go of life, not without a struggle. It’s one of the reasons I love him.”
“You love him?” Moira’s eyes softened with sorrow. “But you must know why he brought you here.”
“I overheard you talking in the study. It’s why I left. What I didn’t hear was that his feelings had changed.”
“He said he loved you. I know my son. He spoke the truth when he said he loved you. I didn’t want to believe, but it was in his eyes, in his voice.” Moira stroked Lachlan’s cheek and he groaned.
“If he can love you, then I believe I can too,” Moira said. “I already was fond of you, my dear. I couldn’t have chosen a better woman for him. Fortunately, I didn’t need to.”
Daphne’s throat constricted as she focused on Lachlan, afraid she might burst into tears if she looked at Moira right now. It was all she ever wanted, to be accepted and loved.
I’m so afraid it won’t last, that this dream will prove false.
Chapter Eleven
Lachlan woke, his mouth dry and his head throbbing. A soft weight rested on his ribs. He moved and felt a feminine body slumped over his chest. He blinked, clearing his vision, and saw Daphne sitting beside him on a chair in the drawing room.
What had happened?
The last thing he remembered was standing on the side of the road, holding her in his arms, after she agreed to return home. He reached for his temple and touched bandages. The drawing room door opened a crack and his mother peered inside. She looked between him and Daphne.
He carefully slipped off of the chaise, then eased Daphne back in her chair. He touched his head again gingerly, fighting off a wave of dizziness.
“You need to stay down,” his mother admonished, trying to force him back to the chaise.
“I will, in a moment. I wish to speak with you outside first.” He pointed to the hall. They both exited the room and he leaned against the corridor wall to preserve his strength while his head pounded.
“Lachlan, you scared me.” His mother embraced him with a gentle, careful hug, reminding him of when he was a wee lad and he’d come to her afraid of shadows. She’d held him just like this and whispered the words only mothers knew that could put a child’s fears to rest.
“I’m all right, Mother.” He kissed her forehead and then gently lifted her arms away so she would step back. He needed to see her face and he couldn’t do that while she hugged him.
“I was so afraid,” Moira’s voice trembled. “I couldn’t lose you too.”
“You didn’t. I’m right here.” He looked back through the doorway, where he could still see Daphne’s blood covered, sleeping form.
“She’s a sweet, brave lass and I want her to stay,” Moira said. “She loves you, despite the terrible reason you brought her here.”
“I love her more than I ever thought I could love a woman. I thought, at first, fate was being cruel by letting me fall in love with the daughter of the man who drove William to his death, but she’s suffered too. Greatly. And when I’m with her, my heart doesn’t feel so broken.”
Moira hugged him again. “Maybe we can finally heal.”
