Thank God he had.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
Nate’s head pounded like someone was beating on it. His mouth tasted like he’d eaten barn hay and he wasn’t sure where he was. Wherever he was, he was not alone. The sound of another person breathing, someone very close by, made him turn his head. The scant warmth of a candle touched his cheek and he knew he’d be better off not looking at it. But he needed to see who was here. Raising his hand, he blocked the light and squinted down at the head, shoulders, and arms of a female sleeping as she leaned over from a hard, wooden chair to the side of his bed. Her hair was in a long black braid. Curls escaping from it framed the side of her face where she slept on her arms.
Henrietta. What is she doing here?
He slowly lowered his hand and reached out, brushing back the locks covering her face. She was so beautiful, he ached to kiss her.
“Nate?” Her green eyes lifted to his, and he could see the fatigue in her face. “You are awake. Thank God! You are awake.”
Opening his lips, he tried to talk, but nothing came out.
“Let me get you some barley water.”
Nate started to shake his head. He didn’t want her to leave, but a stab of pain took his breath away and stopped him from moving again.
“Do not move.” She leaned over and poured a glass of what he could only assume was barley water. “The doctor said you would have a headache when you woke. I will help you.”
How the hell he was going to drink without sitting up he didn’t know.
Henrietta braced herself against the headboard and, using his pillow to support his head, lifted him slightly. His temple still throbbed, but that was all. “Slowly, now.” She lifted a wide-rimmed glass to his lips. “If I have to, I’ll spoon it into you.”
He drank, swishing the liquid in his mouth until it no longer felt so dry. “How long?”
“Four days. You have given us quite a scare.” She wiped his chin and set the glass to his lips again. “We were afraid.” Tears filled her eyes. “I was afraid you might never awaken.”
Four days?
No wonder she was upset. Nate wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her he was fine. “Never leave you,” he managed to croak.
“I know.” She brushed a tear away. “Drink some more of this. I added the willow bark powder the doctor left to help with your headache.”
How did she know his head hurt? Instead of asking, he did as he was told. He’d seen enough about head injuries to know he would be in bed at least another day or two. “Tired.”
“I imagine you are.” Setting down the glass, she took his hands, and he squeezed them.
He closed his eyes and closed his fingers more tightly around hers. “Don’t leave.”
“I will remain with you.”
Her other hand caressed the unhurt side of his head, and he leaned into her touch. She kissed him lightly, and he moved his lips against hers, then sighed. He was in no condition to even kiss her properly.
When Nate woke again weak light filtered into the room. His head was not throbbing as much, but he was still unwilling to move it on his own. He opened his eyes, testing the light, but there was no pain.
Henrietta was still there. Or there again. Her hair was up and her gown was fresh. If only he could wrap his arms around her.
She studied him and frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“I must change your bandage, but Dr. Daintree will be here soon. He might wish to do it himself.” Apparently having made up her mind, she rose. “Mrs. Garford brought something to keep the broth warm. Would you like some?”
His stomach growled. He wanted more than broth, but that was all he was going to get until he could talk this Daintree into real food. Nate was definitely not going to be a difficult patient for his betrothed. “Yes, please.”
“Good.” Henrietta placed another pillow behind him, easing him up high enough for him to drink the broth before going to the fireplace.
Slowly he turned his head and enjoyed watching her derrière sway under the skirts of her gown. This damned injury had better not delay their wedding.
