Page 57 of To Heal a Broken Earl
“I’m so glad you’re back. Lord Michael saved you and brought you home. And he wouldn’t leave your side. Look.”
Emma turned and was surprised to see Michael seated next to her bed. He, too, was sound asleep.
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Lord Michael is a hero too,” she whispered.
“We’ve got two heroes right here,” Katie said with a yawn.
“Let’s go back to sleep. We all need to rest,” Emma said as her own eyes once more grew heavy. She kissed Katie again and then turned and gazed at Michael and, in a soft voice, said, “I love you, Michael.” And then she closed her eyes and fell asleep again.
Sometime later, Emma opened her eyes to see the spaniel and Katie next to her bed, watching her. Finn raised a paw and touched her arm, bringing Emma’s gaze to the dog. “Oh! Finn, I’m so glad to see you are here. You are a true hero to me, and I love you, little fella,” she said, her gaze moving slowly from Finn to a now-awake Michael as her eyes closed again.
~*~
Michael’s heart hitched. He wished she would say those words to him. Maybe she would one day. “Your aunt will be better soon, angel,” Michael said, kissing Katie on her head. “She’s strong, but she’s been through an awful ordeal and needs her rest now.”
“Michael, would it be all right if I leave Polly next to Auntie for a while longer?” Katie asked. “She’s very good at making you feel better, but I don’t think Auntie Emma has started feeling better yet. And Polly is also good at watching over you.”
“That’s a really wonderful idea. Polly will be an excellent nurse,” Michael agreed, taking the doll and tucking her under one of Emma’s arms. “I’ll put Polly here, so she can be as close as possible to your auntie.”
“Polly watched over Finn when he got hurt. And it made him feel better,” Katie said. “But I think she needs to stay longer with Auntie.”
Michael looked at Finn, who was lying next to Katie’s feet, and could tell that the dog was struggling, but his need to be with the little girl had somewhat overruled his good sense. Michael had heard that spaniels tended to work through pain, even excessive pain. That was how Finn kept going when he’d been in the hull of that ship, starving.
“Katie, did Dr. Bianchi mention anything about Finn getting lots of sleep?” he asked.
“Oh, yes. He told me I should be quiet around him and let him nap. I let him sleep. But now he wants to play,” Katie said, giving Michael her sweetest smile.
“Sweetling, I think Finn’s side may be hurting him a lot. He has blood on the bandage,” he said.
“He does?” Katie asked, walking around to the other side of Finn, where he’d been injured. “Oh, Finn. You’re bleeding,” she cried out, sounding anguished.
“Perhaps you should take him back to your room and read to him, and let him cuddle up on his bed,” Lady Beadle suggested, walking into the room. “But first, I need a hug,” she added, pulling Katie close. Then the older woman leaned over and kissed Finn on the head.
“Finn needs another nap, so I’ll take him to my room, where his bed is, Lady Beadle,” Katie said, leading Finn from the room.
“Precious child,” Lady Beadle said. “She’s been worried sick about her aunt. I’m so glad you found her.” Her tone turned serious. “But you need some rest, too, Michael Robinson. And I won’t hearnofor an answer,” she said, patting the pocket where she’d been keeping her ear horn since her arrival. “I don’t want to have to tell Lizzy that I failed to take care of her brother whilehe was on my watch. We just celebrated your birthday. She’s going to be upset enough that she couldn’t be here to celebrate with you.”
Michael laughed. “I will. I promise.” Before he left London, Lizzy had sent word that she would be visiting him here, a notice that added more urgency to his need to get the house in decent shape.
Hastings stepped into the room. “My lord, Dr. Bianchi wants to check on Lady Emma again, but he also plans to check on your wound. He needs to change the dressing and do his best to keep it from becoming infected and fevered. We both know how bad that can be.”
The man’s tone suggested he wasn’t takingnofor an answer either, which amused Michael. But he was in no mood to quibble anyway. He had been watching Emma sleep most of the night, and she was safe. That was all he wanted to focus on for the time being.
“Fine. I’ll meet you in my room. Just give me a few more minutes with Emma before I leave.”
He heard his valet say, “Stubborn man,” as he left the room, and laughed.
Everyone had finally gone, so he moved his chair closer and sat down next to Emma before taking her hand.
“Emma, there’s so much I want to say. But I will limit it to three things. First, I will be back as soon as Bianchi is finished checking my wound. Second, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met—inside and outside. No one in my life could come close to how I see you, my sweet Emma.” He leaned down. “And I love you, Emma. Please get well, so I can ask you something very important.” He placed a kiss on her lips before standing up to leave. “I hope you heard me. But if you didn’t, I plan to say it over and over. I love you.”
~*~
Emma opened her eyes, and sunlight was streaming into the room.
Katie was asleep, curled up under her right arm, with her doll in her hands. And Finn was still curled up on the bottom of the bed, snoring away. She thought she remembered them standing next to her, but maybe that had been part of her dreams. She wasn’t sure.
“You’re awake,” Michael whispered in a raspy voice.
