“Yes—”
“No. She’s going home.”
“But—”
“As your doctor, I demand you return to your house at once where I can properly examine and diagnose you. Until you are deemed fit, I must refuse any statements delivered to the justice of the peace until you are no longer under duress.”
“But—”
“Grace.”
Swallowing, she eventually nodded, evidently seeing something in his face that told her not to test him.
“Take me home, please.”
With that, she was wrapped up with his arm just as a number of police officers came into the room. They moved down the steps, out of the boarding house, and onto his horse, where he held her close to his chest, keeping the animal below at a steady pace.
Though they didn’t speak the entire ride home, James had to admit that he wasn’t sure what to say or where even to begin. Since learning that Grace might be in danger and then finding her so close to death, he had sensed his entire foundation shift. No longer was he concerned with the thoughts and ideas of his fellow physicians, colleges, or patients. All that mattered to him was Grace and as dangerous as that was, he knew it was a feeling that would never leave him. He loved her. He loved her so much that he was willing to put his entire life, his entire profession on the line if only to be near her and to make sure she was safe and close.
But did she feel the same?
Upon their arrival to Lady Belle’s home, James helped her off the horse and walked her in through the front door, only to be immediately met with the thankful sighs and yips of joy from the household.
“Oh, my goodness, Grace!” Arabella said, coming forward. “Are you all right?”
“Where did you go?” Mrs. Fletcher asked. “Are you hurt?”
“My dear, that was a terrible idea,” Aunt Belle scolded. “You should be ashamed—”
“She needs rest,” James yelled at the lot of them, causing everyone to quiet down. He continued to help her up the stairs. “I need hot water and blankets. Mrs. Stevens? Send someone to retrieve my doctoring bag from my house at once.”
Everyone began to follow him upstairs, but he turned on them, with Grace still in his arms.
“I will see the patient alone.”
Aunt Belle spread her arms as if to block everyone behind her from passing.
“As you wish, doctor,” she said matter-of-factly. “Everyone! Give this man some room!”
James was down the hallway and in Grace’s room within minutes, sitting her on the bed as he knelt before her. He touched her chin as gently as possible and turned her face to the side as she winced. The red marks on her skin sent a rush of fervor through him and he wanted to be back in that room at Rabbit House, pummeling those two men again.
“Bastards,” he said as he gazed up to her.
Her tears had dried on her cheeks and as furious as he was, he was also grateful. So grateful that she was there. Without thinking, his head fell to her lap as his arms reached around her waist and pulled her toward him. For a moment she didn’t move, but then her hands began to rub his back and he felt his spirit break.
“James, I’m sorry,” she said as he glanced upward. “I’m such a fool.”
“I can’t have anything happen to you, Grace. Not anything.”
She tilted her head, her brow furrowed.
“Why?”
“Because I love you. I love you as surely as the air in my lungs keeps me alive. I love you beyond reason, beyond measure, beyond clarity.” He paused, the emotion of his confession causing his throat to tighten. “Please, Grace. Promise me, you’ll never do anything so foolish again?”
“You love me?”
“Grace, please promise—”
