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CHAPTER28
When William blinked his eyes open again, soft light fell through the window and the fiery pain in his side had been banked to low, smoldering embers. He looked about the unfamiliar room until his gaze snagged on Pippa, slouched in a chair just near the head of his bed, her head tilted at a seemingly uncomfortable angle as she slept.
He didn’t wish to wake her, no matter his numerous questions.
Instead, William set to discovering what had changed in his body. He lifted the sheets to find a bandaged chest, but despite the intense pain in his side, all seemed intact.
“You’re awake.” Pippa’s soft voice reached into his chest and wrapped around his heart, warming him from inside.
He turned his head and met her steady gaze. “Indeed.” His voice was hoarse and rough.
She let out a shuddering breath. Dropping her feet to the floor, she leaned forward and took his hand in both of hers. “I was so worried.”
“I’m a fighter,” William said, smiling. “It would take more than a gunshot to the chest to knock me out.”
Pippa shook her head. “You are mad. And the gunshot missed your chest, thank heavens. It was lower and much safer. What can I get for you? Water? Are you hungry?”
His stomach rolled at the thought of food, and Pippa must have read his corresponding expression.
She tilted her head softly to the side. “Perhaps only a little broth? And some bread?”
William squeezed her fingers gently. “I don’t wish for you to leave.”
“I should probably leave before Mabel wakes, or she’ll be vexed with me again.”
“And why is she vexed?”
“Because she told me to stay out of your room unless I’m chaperoned. It’s not my fault you are in the room next to mine, William. Well,” she paused scrunching her nose, “actually, I suppose it is. I chose your chamber when Mac carried you home.”
“Mac carried me?” William could not wrap his mind around the image that conjured.
“With Roger’s help.”
“Ah, Roger. Of course.” He cleared his throat and Pippa jumped up to hand him a glass of water. She slid her hand behind his neck and helped him to lean forward while tipping the cool, refreshing water down his parched throat. Once she finished, she set the water back on the little table beside her and lowered herself in her chair.
“You’ve been asleep for two days, William. We were all worried you weren’t going to wake up.”
“I’ve been awake a few times.”
“But never like this,” she argued.
“No, not like this.” All he remembered from those wakeful moments was the burning fire and pain and exhaustion, and Pippa’s sweet voice. “But you were there.”
She looked surprised. “You were alert enough to know?”
“I know you sang to me.”
Pippa’s cheeks flushed scarlet. “Please tell me you cannot remember that. William, I do not sing well.”
“I thought you sang beautifully.”
Pippa laughed. “You most certainly were in a dream.”
“It was a very enjoyable dream.” He thought of the fire in his chest. “For the most part.”
She rose. “I’ll go fetch you something to eat.”
“Pippa.”
