Page 61 of Never Second Guess a Lord
To his mind, that meant returning to his castle, where there were no reminders of her. Although he went about business as usual, his days felt empty and hollow. Lacked meaning and purpose. Yet he knew his people needed him, so he set aside his anger and grief. Set aside emotions that could not be shown around his castle.
He could show them beyond it, though.
Especially when he went hunting one warm, blustery day. He had been pursuing a boar and pushed his horse too hard. So he could not be angered when the boar turned on them, and his horse reared. Could not be upset when the boar was shot down, but not before his horse fell and landed on his arm.
He recalled his horse’s cry. Felt excruciating pain. The next thing he remembered, he was on the ground, covered in blood. His last thoughts were of how foolish and impulsive he had been.
Was his horse all right? He hoped he did not suffer.
“Your horse is just fine, Your Grace,” he swore someone said but could not be sure through his pain.
For that matter, he could not be sure of much after that.
Was he back in his castle or at Prudence’s estate? Because he swore she was there comforting him with her cool, soothing touch. That she read to him. Shared letters he had never heard before.
At several points, he tried to respond but could not.
Rather, he continued listening. When her letters ended, she talked of his estate. How she’d toured it without him and had much to say, so best he listen. He imagined that he walked with her. Conversed with her. Discussed everything he showed her. As always, she was inquisitive. And, as always, he was enchanted by her. Loved that she had finally come. That he could, at last, escort her through his corridors. Show her his hallways full of old paintings.
Every so often, he would pull her close and kiss her. Tell her he was crestfallen she had decided not to be with him in the end. How sorry he was that he kept the truth from her about the lasses he had helped after his wife died. He hoped she understood he meant no harm. Those relationships had paled in comparison to what he shared with her.
How he felt about her.
“You say all this,” she whispered into his mind. “Yet you lie there when I know you have more to say. Know you want to come back to me.”
Come back to her?Shehad left him. Fled without telling him why. Better still, fled, telling him everything he needed to know. Or so it had seemed despite feeling her by his side even now.
He had watched her carriage pull away.Knewshe was gone.
Even so, she continued to whisper in his ear. Told him how much she loved him. How she had every intention of marrying him. He had it all wrong. She had joined him on the battlements.
Run into his arms.
Kissed him.
Agreed to marry him.
“You have to stay with me, my love,” she murmured, yet again making no sense. She placed his hand over warmth. “You have to stay withus.”
Something about that. The urgency in her voice, combined with the heat beneath his fingertips, made everything suddenly seem different. Closer. Part of him in a way that made things crisper. Brighter.
So bright he opened his eyes and blinked.
“Prudence,” he said hoarsely, parched. “Are you there, lass?”
“I am.” Her face appeared above him, her smile warm. She cupped his cheek. “Welcome back, love.”
Never so happy to see her, he tried to respond, but it was too difficult.
“No, no.” Prudence put a finger to his lips. “You have been ill for some time, but you are back with me now. Back with us.” She narrowed her eyes, challenging him to defy her. “And by us, I mean me and the babe in my womb, so you best stay right where you are andneverthink of leaving again.”
He could do little more than try to smile as she faded into darkness. Eventually, light returned, and he opened his eyes again. Terrified he had lost her once more, he bolted upright, only for his doctor to ease him back down.
“Rest, my love.” Prudence sat beside him and gazed at him lovingly. “Rest so we can marry the moment you are well.”
“Post the banns,” he managed, grateful for the cup of water the doctor brought to his lips. “Do not hesitate.”
“I will not.”
