by Meara Platt
Finn shrugged. “It’s a hazard of being married to Belle. Now, I can’t help but think of scents. It’s the first thing that hits my brain. Which one will it be, Ronan?”
Ronan had a lot more to worry about than smelling like a woman. Besides, they always smelled delectable. Especially Dahlia. He could breathe her in for hours. “The cinnamon and apples.”
This was Dahlia’s scent.
Robbie patiently lathered his hair and then rinsed it out. Of all his friends, Robbie was perhaps one of the rowdiest of all. He was a hard-drinking, womanizing Scot who would not back down from a brawl. He often gave the impression of being shallow and careless. And yet, he was quite the opposite.
Ronan trusted Robbie with his life. He could think of no one finer to guard his back in battle. And now, the big Scot was proving to be a true friend in every sense of the word. Odd, how this simple gesture of washing his hair showed the character of the man.
Ronan did not remember being carried back to bed. Laudanum had a way of addling one’s senses. Perhaps he had passed out in the tub. But when he awoke, Dahlia was once again by his side, holding his hand in one of hers while stroking his brow with the other. “Queen Pea...”
She inhaled lightly. “You’re awake. Thank goodness.”
“What time is it?” He wanted to know how long he’d been asleep. Or had he been unconscious? Probably just asleep. Dahlia did not appear too alarmed.
“It’s midnight. Finn and Belle took Miranda back home. Tynan and Abby also left. They’ll all return tomorrow. I wrote a note to Uncle John asking for permission to marry you. Uncle George is going to deliver it and speak to him about it as well.”
Ronan nodded, however, he was not pleased about this. “It is something I should have done. Out of respect for you.”
“I know you respect me. He’ll understand the circumstances. Robbie is here. He’s going to sleep in the guest bedchamber where Heather was sleeping. This way, he can be nearby if he and Joshua need to lift you again. Heather will sleep on the sofa in Joshua’s library.”
“And you?”
“I’m not leaving your side. I know it is improper, but I am beyond caring what anyone thinks. My sisters will never tell. I doubt Robbie or Joshua will either.” She ran her fingers lightly through his hair. It had dried hours ago. But at least it was clean. “You smell like a cinnamon bun. Your hair does, anyway. I love the scent.”
“I know. It was your soap. This is your fragrance.”
She inhaled his scent again. “Uncle George put that unguent on your chest. That part of you smells like moldy cheese. But he says you only need to apply it for the next few days.”
He frowned when she resumed her seat in the chair beside his bed. “You’ll topple if you think to sit there all night. Stretch out beside me, Queen Pea. I promise not to have my wicked way with you. Not that I can do anything. Every bone in my body aches. My chest is still on fire.”
He was surprised when she made no protest. She removed her shoes and set the chair aside, then climbed onto the bed. She settled beside him atop the covers and rested one hand lightly on his shoulder. “I think this officially classifies me as a wanton and a ruined lady.”
“I’m marrying you tomorrow, so I wouldn’t fret too much about it. You’ll be respectable by tomorrow evening.”
“Are you serious? Do you still mean to go through with a wedding ceremony?”
He nodded. “More than ever. I need to give you the protection of my name. Whatever I possess will be yours. My family doesn’t need my wealth. I want you to have it. I want my brothers to take care of you. You’ll be a Brayden, and we always look after our own.”
“Ronan, you are being ridiculous.”
Since her hand was still resting on his shoulder, he covered it with his own. “It’s important to me. Don’t fight me on this, Queen Pea. I will not go to my grave abandoning you.”
“You will not go to your grave at all. I’ll never forgive you if you do. Don’t speak of such things. You’re a big ox. You are invincible. We are meant to be together. The Book of Love wouldn’t part us like this.”
“It’s just a book.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s magical. Don’t say it isn’t. How else would I have found you? It’s magical, and it will work miracles. It will make you better, and we’ll live happily ever after into our dotage.”
He took her small, soft hand and put it to his lips, irritated with himself for upsetting her. He was in pain, but so was she. Having to watch helplessly while a loved one suffered was almost worse than being the one injured.
She had to be taut as a bowstring and ready to break at the slightest provocation. “You’re right, sweetheart. Close your eyes and get some rest. One of us ought to look decent for our wedding ceremony. Since I’m going to look like fungus and smell like rotted cheese, I think the least you can do is look spectacular.”
She laughed at his remark, her voice gentle and melodic.
However, she was also exhausted, physically drained after this harrowing day. He hadn’t been an easy patient. She skittered closer to his body, resting her cheek against his shoulder. “I love you so much, Ronan.”
“I love you, too, Queen Pea.”
He fell asleep, holding her hand.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ronan awoke the next morning feeling much better. His fever had subsided considerably, but he was still in no shape to get out of bed. Of course, Dahlia’s uncle had warned him to stay put for another two days. He supposed he had no choice. Parliament would not be in session until Monday anyway. He would accomplish nothing other than hurting himself if he chose to disobey this simple instruction.
When he tried to move his arm, he felt it weighed down. “What the...?”
He looked over and grinned.
Dahlia had wrapped herself around his upper arm, clinging to him as she slept. Her face was buried between his shoulder and the pillows at his back, so all he saw was a mass of beautiful hair. She must have taken the pins out last night and left the silky mane long and loose.
She had spent the night atop his covers and refused to climb under them because he was naked. He realized she must have become cold at some point, and rather than leave his side to grab a blanket, she had sought the heat of his body for warmth.
“Ronan?” She stirred when he reached out to run his hand lightly over her hair. “How are you feeling? How’s the fever?”
“Gone, I think. I’m much better, Queen Pea.”
She did not appear to believe him and stared at him with her big eyes. “And your breathing?”
“No crackling or wheezing in my lungs.”
“You sound good,” she admitted, tipping her head toward his chest to listen for any railing sounds. “Do you feel a burning in your lungs?”
“Much less than before.”
She sat up and put a hand to his brow. Then she touched his neck. “Your fever has gone down considerably. But you’re not quite done with it yet.” When she smiled at him, he thought his temperature might spike again. All to do with the heat of desire and nothing to do with the physical mangle his body was in just now.
With her hair unbound and the sleepy look in her eyes, she looked like a sultry wood nymph. Everyone knew wood nymphs had beautiful bodies, and Dahlia’s was exquisite.
He could do nothing about it yet because of the damn unguent. It was meant to save his life, and he was not so foolish as to refuse to have it applied. He could wait two days to get himself healthy and spend a lifetime with this beauty who was to be his wife.
After spending last night with Dahlia beside him, he had no intention of waiting to get married. He would accomplish this today, assuming Finn had been able to obtain the special license on his behalf.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, taking him out of his musings.
“What am I allowed to have?” He could eat an entire wild boar, but he doubted he’d be permitted anything that hearty. No, he’d be placed on a diet similar to that of a
toothless ninety-year-old.
“Porridge. Broth. You are also allowed fish and cheese, but Uncle George recommends plenty of liquids first. He also recommends keeping ice on your ribs to reduce the inflammation. I’ll fetch some and wrap it in a cloth for you. Good thing there’s plenty of it at this time of the year. I’ll go downstairs and see if anyone is stirring.”
Ronan watched her as she took a moment to pin her hair up and then smooth out the wrinkles in her gown. It amazed him how pretty she looked in the early morning light.
Waking up to a female in his bed was not something he was used to, for it was never his practice to stay with a woman after he’d satisfied himself. Of course, these were not the sort of women one wanted to look at too closely, especially in the light of day. Even the finer ladies - and some of them were quite elegant and beautiful - had a jaded, used look about them.
But Dahlia was a breathtaking vision. “I’ll be right back,” she said, casting him an impudent smile. “Don’t you dare climb out of bed.”
She hurried out.
The door had been kept open overnight, a nod to maintaining a shred of propriety. Holly and Joshua were not going to force Dahlia to leave his bedside, but neither were they going to allow that door to close before they were husband and wife.
It was an unnecessary restriction.
He’d been in too much pain last night to accomplish anything.
No sooner had Dahlia gone downstairs than Robbie walked in. He had yet to wash up, and he looked half asleep. His shirt was untucked, as though he’d tossed it and his breeches on merely as an afterthought. “I just saw Dahlia in the hall. She said ye were much better this morning. Is this true?”
Ronan nodded. “Yes. By the way, I wanted to thank you for what you did for me yesterday.”
Robbie arched an eyebrow. “Ye’re welcome, although I dinna know what I did to earn yer gratitude. Dumping water over yer head was not much of a chore.”
“You looked out for me and proved yourself to be a true friend. I always thought you were, of course. But the truest friends are those who stick with you during hard times, as you did. Thank you.”
He nodded. “Ye gave us quite a scare.”
“I know. I’ll be on my best behavior from now on. I meant what I said about marrying Dahlia today. I may need help getting dressed for the occasion.”
Robbie laughed and shook his head. “Ye’re not putting on clothes today, laddie. Do ye have a robe? Perhaps Miranda will think to bring one over for ye. Or Josh may have something he can lend ye. Well, it will be a ceremony to remember. It’ll make a fine story to tell yer bairns. Yer da got married with his bare arse flapping in the icy wind.”
He groaned. “Ouch, stop jesting. It hurts when I laugh. Are those eggs and coffee I smell?”
“I’m surprised ye can smell anything over whatever it is Dr. Farthingale slathered on yer chest. Aye, they’re setting out breakfast on the buffet. Can ye have anything?”
“Dahlia’s bringing up something for me. Her uncle left a list of what I should eat. In truth, I’m ready to chew the furniture, I’m that famished.”
“That’s a good sign. Yer color looks good, too.” He sighed. “If ye’re comfortable, I’ll go downstairs to see Heather. I feel bad that I kicked her out of her own bedchamber. She gave it up for me last night, but all her things are still in there.”
“Dahlia never moved her clothes out of here, either. I suppose it doesn’t matter. She’ll be my wife in a matter of hours.”
“Assuming Finn gets ye the special license.” Robbie frowned. “Are ye sure about this? Not questioning yer wanting to marry the lass. Just the timing of it. All jesting aside, it won’t be much of a wedding for her.”
“I know. I felt as though I was at death’s door yesterday, and all the while, all I could think about was giving her the protection of my name. I know the Farthingales will always take care of her. It isn’t the same. And it isn’t merely a matter of protecting her. We belong together. She has my heart. I needed her to have all that goes with it.”
“It’s that damn book. I think I have to read it.” He shook his head as he walked out.
Within minutes, everyone began popping in to see how he was faring. Heather came first since Robbie must have awakened her and told her she could have her bedchamber back. “Robbie said you were doing well this morning.”
Ronan nodded. “I am. How did you sleep? Robbie still feels guilty about you giving up your bed for him. How was the sofa?”
“Very comfortable. I was fine. Robbie is too big to fit on it. His legs would have been dangling over the edge, and his shoulders are too broad for the seat. He would have rolled off at least a dozen times during the night.”
Then Joshua and Holly walked in, and they had the same conversation. “Yes, I’m much better this morning. Slept well. No fever to speak of.”
He felt as though he was the host standing in a veritable reception line, for the rest of the morning was taken up greeting family members who came by to ask after him. But he looked up eagerly when Finn strode in. “Did you get the license?”
Tynan and Joshua happened to be in the room with him at the time.
Finn shot him a look. “Of course, I did. Was there ever a doubt?”
“Were you able to find a minister willing to conduct the service?” Tynan asked.
Finn pursed his lips. “Working on it. Don’t you think we ought to hear from Dahlia’s uncle first?”
“I’m sure he’ll give his consent. Why wouldn’t he? Besides, you, Josh, and Romulus gave him enough practice negotiating betrothal contracts. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll sign whatever he hands me.”
“He and Rupert will be along later this morning,” Joshua said. “Let’s wait until then before you make your plans.”
Ronan was not going to allow his brothers to delay him. “I’m marrying her today.”
Tynan frowned. “What you are doing is barging ahead like a bull on a rampage. But there is someone important you’re trampling over. Did you think to discuss the wedding details with Dahlia?”
Ronan sighed. “She is agreeable to marrying me today.”
“Because you pushed her into it,” Joshua said. “What was she going to tell you while you were on the verge of convulsions?”
No, his Queen Pea loved him.
But he knew they had a point. He was rushing her, forcing her to give up her special day. “I’ll talk to her when she comes upstairs. What’s she doing now?”
“Having coffee with Belle and the others in the dining room. Miranda should be here shortly. This week has been bittersweet for her. She’s about to lose the last of her sons.”
Ronan pursed his lips. “It will be an adjustment for her to be alone in that big house. But we’ll all live close enough. Your wives have been good to her. I think she likes them better than she likes us.”
Tynan nodded. “She and Abby have grown very close. We’ll make it a point to stop by often to visit her. At least until she’s used to being on her own.”
“Holly and I will do the same,” Joshua said. “But I wonder if we ought to hire a companion for Miranda. There are lots of genteel women who would be suitable for the position.”
Finn chuckled. “Let’s get through Ronan’s wedding ceremony first, shall we? Don’t you dare raise the possibility to Miranda until afterward. She’ll eat you alive at the mere suggestion.”
At one o’clock, the Lord Admiral stopped by to see how he was doing. Joshua led him into Ronan’s bedchamber. Dahlia had been seated beside his bed, reading a collection of poems to him. She was in the middle of reading Ozymandias by the poet, Percy Shelley, but set her book aside and skittered out after hastily greeting the man.
The Lord Admiral watched her as she left. “I hear you are getting married.”
“That’s right. I want it to happen today, but there is a concerted campaign afoot to have my wishes overruled. The family believes I should at least be able to stand on my feet, not naked, and not s
melling like fungus growing in a cave.”
“Well, knowing you are to be married should square things with Stoke, although your lovely betrothed set him straight already and saved our hides.” He settled in the chair Dahlia had vacated. “I won’t stay long. I just wanted you to know that if there is to be any political chicanery over this navy scandal, I will make certain I’m the one to take the fall.”
Ronan frowned. “Dahlia read me this morning’s newspaper account. The Examiner is skewering Viscount Hawley, Lord Liverpool, and you. It isn’t fair what they are saying about you. What choice did you have in giving him this commission? The blame falls on all the lords who pressured you into appointing him, and this includes Lord Liverpool. I like the man, but this was an enormous blunder on his part.”
“Hopefully, some good will come of it. The incident would have been disastrous had we been at war. Having just ended a long and brutal engagement against the French, and having lost so many good men of our own, the country has no patience for this continued privilege nonsense. I only hope Liverpool isn’t brought down along with Hawley. As for me,” he said, shaking his head and chuckling, “I am eager to be booted out. I’m a tired, old man. I would enjoy being able to live out the rest of my life in peace and quiet.”
“And leave men like Lord Peckham and Viscount Hawley in power in the navy? I would rather take the blame for this incident than ever see you gone. But is there anything to be done about Hawley?”
“Other than promoting him to some inconsequential position? Doubtful. Well, it’s done now. Peckham, the arse, was hoping to place blame on you to misdirect everyone’s anger, but it didn’t work. The newspapers are touting you as the hero in all of this. Indeed, you are. I think the members of the House of Lords would have to be delusional to try to pin the blame on you. Mind you, many of them are.”
“Too many of them are locked in the past and refuse to see the old ways disappearing.”
“Then they will be smacked in the face by this changing world.” The Lord Admiral patted his arm as he rose. “I’ll leave you now. We’ll see what political storm hits us on Monday. Congratulations, Brayden. Rest up. I’ll need you in fighting shape as soon as possible.”