Page 61 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
Mr. Tyler met them at the door. “A missive from Clayton House has just arrived.” Devlin grabbed it off the tray before his butler could say more. His heart rose into his throat.
The fever has broken. She’s awake.
Philippa.
ChapterNineteen
Why did Tobin’s house have so many stairs? Devlin took them two at a time and then raced down the corridor to Dharma’s room. He slid to a halt outside the closed door, but before he entered, he gave thanks to God for sparing the woman he loved.
Only then did he enter the room.
Rosemary was by Dharma’s bedside, helping her take a drink. They took care of Dharma’s right arm by bandaging it close to her chest to protect the collarbone to help it set. She looked exhausted and her limp, dirty hair clung to her head. But he’d never seen such a glorious sight as the smile on Dharma’s wan lips when she saw him.
Rosemary slowly stood and moved towards the door as he made his way to her bedside. Once there, he stood looking at the woman he thought he might lose.
“Don’t tire her out, brother. She still needs plenty of rest.” With that, the door closed, and they were alone.
Choked with emotion, he went to his knees beside her bed and took her small hand in his. “I thought I’d lost you.” Tears filled his eyes.
Rosemary and Philippa had filled her in on all that had occurred while she was indisposed. They’d told her how he’d spent most days and nights by her bedside.
“How could I think of dying when I haven’t had the joy of hearing you say that you love me?” she teased.
His head snapped up. “I do love you. I love you so much.” And conscious of her injured shoulder, he sat on the bed and gently pulled her into his arms. “I should have listened to you and not tried to right the past?—”
“But then our children will be looked down upon. I’m very pleased you kept looking. Not so pleased about being shot.”
His arms tightened around her. “Never leave me, Dharma. Promise me you’ll never, ever leave me.”
“All I wanted was for you to love me and you do. I love you too much to leave you. I fought so hard to be with you.”
He covered her face with kisses. “We will have a lifetime together, forever. I want you to be the mother of my children, to share my life and make me the happiest man alive.”
When he stopped and went still, gazing down at her, she slid her one unbandaged arm around his neck and held his tender stare. “I love you. I tried so hard not to because I was petrified you’d never love me back. But you’re such a good man, trying so hard to look after the people you love. When you were so worried I would get caught in the crossfire of Longton's evil, I realized that I was a person you were concerned about.
“I still can’t believe you risked your life for me. I should put you over my knee. I told you not to leave the house.”
“Right now, because I am in pain, I wish I had listened to you too.”
“Does that mean in the future you’ll do as you're told?”
She laughed. “I’d do it again if it meant saving you.” She leaned up and kissed his lips, lingering gently before the effort was too much for her.
“I should let you sleep and get your strength back.”
“Don’t leave me.” She’d fought her demons to survive and come back to him, and she was scared to sleep in case she didn’t wake up, but Devlin would keep her safe. “Stay with me for a while. Hold me until I fall asleep.”
He lay down beside her and wrapped her in his embrace. He pressed a kiss to her hair.
“There is one more thing I need to ask before you sleep.” She turned to look at his handsome face, lines of worry still around his eyes. Proof of his love and how much he cares. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“I’ve heard you are no longer in need of money. I’ve learned you’re actually quite rich and are now the catch of the season. A lady would be stupid to decline such an offer.”
His eyes narrowed. “You are a little minx…”
She cupped his cheek. “Of course I’ll marry you, because I love you, but most of all because you love me back. I don’t care about anything else, but that you love me.”
“I do. There is no part of you I don’t love. Always remember that.”
