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“Yes?”
“Where is my father?”
She stilled. “He is at home. At Ravenwood. I promised him we would send word the moment you awoke.”
Pippa moved to rise, and William lifted his hand to stall her. “No, not yet.”
“He was so concerned and actually a little angry that you’d been brought here instead of your own cottage, but Mac smoothed things over. Roger is gone, though.”
“Did he say where to?”
“He went to join Jack.” She pulled a frustrated expression. “I can only imagine how heartbroken Lily is.”
William made a noncommittal sound. Sending Roger off with Jack was a wise move until things died down here. At least they could be sure that Ainsworth would no longer be on their tail.
“Yes, of course that would come as no surprise to you.” She cleared her throat and seemed to decide between staying and leaving the room. Sucking a breath into her lungs, she faced him with determination. “I need to know what you intend to do. I’ve...I’ve fought for you, and for us, and I need to know now if it was in vain.”
“What do you mean?” William struggled to rise, and she crossed to him quickly and pressed against his good shoulder.
“No, do not try to sit up. Dr. Garvey warned us to help you move very slowly after you awoke.”
He cared little for the doctor’s directions when faced with her pronouncement. “What do you mean, Pip? Who did you fight?”
She lowered herself on the edge of his mattress, a gentle line forming between her eyebrows. “Mabel and Mac are a little concerned about our...relationship. That was their term for it. I fought for us, but I need to know now if it was in vain.”
William found her hand and squeezed gently. Her gentle blush was endearing, and he longed to pull her into his arms and kiss away her concern. “I love you, Pippa.”
A smile swept over her lips. “Oh, good. I was so worried after Roger left that you’d go as well. I didn’t dare hope that you meant what you’d said, that you truly wished to build a life here. For I could never leave Collacott.”
“Could you move into a tiny, damp cottage near the sea?”
Pippa beamed, closing her other hand over the top of his. “Yes.”
“Then tell me who I am to ask for permission for your hand, and I will ask this moment. Shall I write a letter to your father or call Mac in here?”
“We better wait until Mac’s awoken, and I’ve already asked for you.”
“Of course you have.”
She leaned close. “They’re wary, but they trust me. Mac will grant permission in my father’s stead so long as you promise not to take me far away from them.”
“I can promise that. For now.” His dry lips widened into a smile, and Pippa reached over to move his hair away from his eyes.
She regarded him thoughtfully, her dark navy eyes sparkling with warmth that he wanted to lose himself in. “I am so very glad you’ve awoken.”
“As am I.”
William slid his hand around the back of her head and gently pulled her down until her lips met his. The softest brush at first, and then with more pressure, speaking to how deeply he’d missed her. Heat shot through his chest and hammered at his heart, and he tugged her closer, unable to reach his fill.
Pippa’s hands framed his face, and her gentle fingers were lost in his hair. She pulled back and rested her forehead against his. “I don’t wish for you to be hurt so soon after waking.”
“I think you are more medicine than damage, Pippa.”
“Well, in that case.” She leaned down and kissed him again, filling his body with warmth and light. When she pulled away, she was breathless, and he had never felt so complete.
“I think I just might love you, William.”
“That is good, for as I’ve previously mentioned, I most assuredly love you.”
