“She’ll be sore for a few days and will require much rest, but yes, she will be fine.”
“Thank Christ.”
“Blayne?” She couldn’t make sense of the world right now but at least he was there.
A large hand swiftly clasped hers. “I’m right here, lass.”
“You sound funny.” His voice was rougher than usual and slightly thicker as well.
“I’m just mighty relieved to ken ye’ll be staying with me,” he murmured.
In spite of the drowsiness trying to pull her back down, Charlotte forced her eyes open so she could gaze up at his handsome face. “Your eyes are wet.”
“Aye,” he said with a grin. He gave the tears a quick swipe, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Ye very nearly stopped my heart today.”
“What happened?” She glanced to the side and frowned. “We were at the lake together but now we’re in a small room. I don’t understand.”
“The lake must have been a dream. Ye’ve been asleep for at least two hours.” His hand stroked over the top of her head. “Someone tried to kill me, but they shot ye instead by mistake.”
“Oh. Good.”
“Good?” He sounded appalled.
“Better me than you.”
“Ach, lass. I’ve got to disagree with ye there.”
She chuckled and instantly regretted it when she felt an answering soreness in her shoulder. “The gunman?”
“He’s been apprehended. The constables at the Police Court are questioning him, which I’m hoping will lead to an order for Seamus to be arrested.”
“You think he was behind it?”
“Aye. I’ve nae doubt about it.”
Charlotte closed her eyes. She could feel her grip on consciousness slipping.
Blayne squeezed her hand. “Get as much rest as ye need. I’ll be here when ye wake.”
With this assurance, Charlotte sank further into oblivion.
When she woke again, she was starving. “I feel like I haven’t eaten in years.”
Blayne smiled. “I’ll order some food for ye right away.”
“Where’s Marcus?” Charlotte asked when Blayne returned to her bedside.
“Chatting with one of the doctors, I believe. Learning as much as he can about his profession of choice before he goes to visit the university.”
“We probably should encourage him to do so now that you’ve been released. I think you and I can manage well enough on our own from now on. Don’t you?”
“I do.”
A nurse arrived with a tray filled mostly with fruit and a few slices of ham. Bread and wine accompanied the dish and Charlotte dug in with gusto. She stopped mid-bite when she caught Blayne grinning. “What?”
“It’s just grand to see ye show such enthusiasm for food.”
“Would you like some?”
