Tulip once again rested her head against his shoulder as he now strode down the hall toward the duchess bedchamber.“I love you, Alex,” she whispered.“I knew you would save me.”
He shuddered to think how close a call it was.“Always, sweetheart.Always and forever.”
He ought to have added that he loved her, but there was too much commotion swirling around them.Tulip was going to make a big thing of it when he told her, and he did not want others listening in.
He would tell her tonight when taking her in his arms because he meant to keep her securely wrapped in his embrace while she slept.
In truth, even handing her over to the maids felt like agony to him.
The maids blushed and giggled with embarrassment when he insisted on remaining in the duchess chamber to watch as Tulip was undressed and bathed.
He did not care if they thought it was improper.
He was worried that she might take a sudden turn for the worse and the maids would not understand what was happening.
For her part, Tulip must have felt the same concern.
She appeared relieved when he remained beside her, and she was not at all bashful that he watched her while she was in the tub.He would have taken over the chore of washing her, but that would have been too scandalous for these maids.
He went into his own bedchamber to quickly change into dry trousers and boots while they put Tulip in her nightgown and robe.
He returned in time to carry Tulip to his bed.“She needs watching tonight.She’ll stay with me.”
The maids grinned and giggled.
Tulip wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
The maids grinned and giggled some more.
“Leave us now,” Alex ordered once Tulip was settled in his bed.“Send Dr.Harding up here once the magistrate has no more need of him.”
He turned to Tulip when they were alone again.“You might need a few stitches, love.I’ll be right here by your side.When that’s done, I’ll order a light broth to warm your insides.That is, if the doctor says it is all right for you to have anything just yet.”
She nodded.“You are with me, that’s all I need.”
He took her hands in his, but his heart lurched as he felt the welts and scratches on her palms.“You almost died because of me.”
“You?I do believe Ernfield was completely to blame.”
Alex took a deep breath.“I should have anticipated the threat.All those deaths…”
“They were ruled accidental by some very intelligent and experienced people.”
He shook his head.“I should have investigated on my own and left you in London while I found out for myself.I should not have married you until I was confident there was no danger to you.But I wanted you so badly, and I could not bear the thought of anyone else marrying you.”
She laughed.“There was hardly any risk of that.I was never going to marry Caruthers, even if it meant my ruination.”
“I’m sure there would have been other suitors, genuine men of good reputation.You are a gem, Tulip.”
“Well, I don’t know about that.But I married you and had no intention of allowing you to leave me behind.”
“I should have, though.Even if you objected.But I could not bear to be apart from you once we were husband and wife.Tulip, it is long past time I told you.”He raised her hands to his lips and kissed them.“I love you.”
Her eyes widened and she cast him a breathtaking smile, then she hugged him fiercely.“I hoped you would come around in time.”
He laughed in relief, for she seemed to be regaining her strength.“I did not need any time at all.”
“Alex,” she said, easing back to look at him, “I think I was already in love with you by the time you kissed me in Lady Fullerton’s garden.”
