She groaned in frustration. “Stop talking like a doctor.”
He inclined his head to the side, and a small furrow appeared between his brows.
“How should I talk then?”
“Like my husband.”
His gaze lowered, and he expelled a loud breath. “I’m sorry Abby. I’ve just been so worried about you. Acting as the doctor is the only way I have been able to keep myself together.”
“What happened? My memories are fuzzy after the pistol went off.”
“You were hit by the bullet. On your back. I brought you to the house with the help of the coachman and had to perform surgery on you to extract the bullet, debride, and stitch the wound.”
A sudden horrifying thought came to her, and she put her hand over her belly. “The baby!”
“Is fine.” He hastened to assure her. “Dr. Finlay examined you and he said the pregnancy was not affected and should continue as normal.”
“Oh, thank God!” She inhaled a deep breath of relief, before her back muscles protested. She tried to contain her gasp, but Colin missed nothing.
“You should rest,” he repeated.
“In a minute. First, I want to know what happened to the kidnapper?”
“He is in police custody.”
“He said he was your heir. He was going to kill us to get your title.”
“So I have gathered. He is denying being behind the previous assaults, and swearing up and down that he never meant to kill us, just get the ransom and go start a life somewhere. But given the evidence, it is highly doubtful he’ll be able to convince anyone.”
She shuddered. “He definitely meant to kill us.”
“I agree. But that is enough for now. As your doctor and your husband, I insist you must rest.”
For the first time, she noticed the shadows under his eyes. The tightness around his mouth. “Won’t you lie down with me?”
“No, you can’t be disturbed, and I need to keep watch over you. To monitor your condition.”
The stubborn man. He was obviously exhausted, but would not relent.
“You won’t disturb me. Please. I’ll rest better if you are next to me.”
He looked at her dubiously.
“You have never slept with me. I’ve always wanted you to.” She cajoled. “Besides, I’m in your bed. I’ve never been in your bed either. It feels... nice.”
The morphine was taking effect. She felt less pain and was feeling almost buoyant. Almost as if she were drunk. That must account for her boldness to ask her husband to sleep with her. But it must have worked, because he settled carefully on the other side of the bed, facing her and taking her hand in his.
“Sleep, my darling. I’m right here.” She drifted away on those sweet words.
