“Perry. She’s cold,” Beau insisted. “Let us bring her inside and warm her by the fire.”
Snapped out of his muddled haze, Perry nodded, releasing her only to lift her into his arms and hold her to his chest with tender reverence.
The earl inhaled. He had been holding his own breath while waiting to see if she would revive.
But of course she had.
He insisted upon it.
And God seemed to heartily agree.
His angel belonged here on earth, in his arms and wrapped in all the love he could possibly muster. The precious weight of his wife against his chest reminded him of how far they had come. He found her in her castle of solitude, where she had been locked away all those years. In return, she saved his life with her tender care and boundless love. His heart, beating steadily under her palm, would always find hers. The love binding them together, though unseen, was the most powerful force he had ever encountered. It would weather any storm, no matter how great.
* * *
“Shall I lift her eyelids? Just to see if I can awaken her?” Aurelia asked, blinking her wide eyes as they gazed eagerly upon her father.
“Now, Aurelia, you must be patient. Your mother needs to restin order to recover,” Perry warned, with a teasing tone. He brushed the back of Aurelia’s head with his palm, still marveling at how this lovely young person was his daughter.
His to love and his to treasure.
His to displease when he didn’t agree with her methods of waking the countess.
“Surely she has rested enough now. It has been days,” Aurelia grumbled, crossing her arms before her chest. “Doesn’t Mother know I require some attention, Papa?”
“Perhaps you should read her another story,” Perry suggested, shrugging.
Aurelia scowled. “Again? I have already read her five.”
“Then, it is time for a sixth. I’m sure she will awaken soon for her tea,” he declared.
As though summoned through his words, Aamina stepped quietly into the room, carrying a tray with broth and various treats to tempt the countess. The maid fretted over Charlotte, staying by her side when Perry needed to rest or eat. His wife had spent the last two days resting, on doctor’s orders, and recovering from her near drowning. Though it pained Perry to see her unwell, it gladdened him that she missed all the drama unfurling after she had been taken by Viscount Newbridge.
While she slept, the blackguard’s body floated up to the surface and was discovered downriver. Though it was a satisfying end to the attack on his family, Perry still would have preferred to watch as the life drained from his eyes. To see him suffer as much as he had made his family suffer.
Since the body washed up far away from their estate, a rumor was spread by someone—Perry suspected it was Michael or his agents, The Whispers—that Newbridge had tangled with the wrong people and ended up dead to fulfill a debt. No one had dared to contradict the story. Loyal servants who were present did their utmost to protect the countess and were diligent at making sure the new gossip was communicated and spreading likewildfire. If there was a scandal, it would only be attached to the Newbridge name.
A grin spread over his face as Charlotte blinked awake. Her corresponding smile a flurry of butterflies fluttering in his chest. To see those warm hazel eyes focused on him was a miracle. After almost losing her, each smile was an answer to a prayer.
“Finally, you are awake, Mama,” Aurelia said with a joyous clap, looking back at her father. “Do I need to leave so she can eat now?”
Charlotte reached to touch her daughter’s hand. “No, you mustn’t,” she said, her voice rough from sleep.
Perry helped prop his wife up in bed, adjusting the pillows behind her back, and moved to sit on the other side of her, while Aurelia took a plate from the tray and offered it to her mother.
“I see you have a lot of lovely treats here, Mama, but Aamina says you must drink your broth before having dessert,” Aurelia said, her brows drawing together seriously. With a tight nod, she examined the floral plate, turning it in her hands to inspect each tart.
Charlotte nodded as she blew on the broth and swallowed a spoonful. “How will I ever eat all of those tarts?” she said, shaking her head after taking a sip.
“I wonder if there is someone who could help you with them,” Perry mused with an easy laugh. “Perhaps I will have to eat them.”
Their daughter graced them with her most adorable scowl.
“Papa, you cannot eat them all! There will be none left for me!” She placed the plate back on the tray and crossed her arms, then gave Perry the most chilling glare.
With a hearty chuckle, he reached over Charlotte’s legs and rubbed Aurelia on the back.
“I would not risk your ire for anything. You can have all the leftover treats…as long as your mama has her fill. We want her to regain her strength.”
