“Hey. Hey. You’re scared. Your heart is beating for two.”
He wrenched around so he could see her eyes, pretty eyes and those lips with the cupid’s bow that needed kisses.
“I’m scared, Daniel. I found you lying in the hall. I was terrified.”
He sagged against her. “Don’t you fret. And you are comfortable. We need to go home to my little girl, actually our little one. She’s claiming you now.”
“What, Daniel? What are you talking about?”
He gripped Jemina’s hand. “Oh, Hope. She can’t see me like this. She can’t know I’m a drunk.”
“You’re not a drunk. This isn’t your fault.”
“I’m not my father, you know, J. At least I’m going home to my little girl. I’m going home with you.”
“You’re a talkative and loud barrister.”
“And a singing one.” He started to hum the song Bridgetower composed to get Hope to settle. “That little girl, such an unexpected blessing. I have to tuck her in. How am I going to do that? She’s going to know.”
His arms felt too heavy to lift. “My head so fuzzy. Who hit me? Did I hit back?”
“Yes, champion. They’re all knocked to the floor.”
“Richmond, my friend the pugilist, he’d be proud. He said to fight for you.”
“Daniel, if I hadn’t found you—”
“You did, and other than a very queasy stomach and a head about to explode, I’ll live.”
“Well, I’m not fine. You could have been hurt worse. It’s my fault.”
Blurs shot through his mind. Sensations of skin, of touching Jemina, but how did any of that make sense?
“Wait. What happened? Did I . . . Did we . . . Oh, God, I missed heaven.”
She positioned herself in front of him and put her palms to his shoulders. “What do you remember?”
“None of the good stuff.”
She shook him. “Talk to me, Daniel.”
“Stop moving. I went looking for you, but Lavinia found me and some buffoons, her buffoons and Willingham. I guess he’s still mad about me kissing you.”
Her soft fingers pried open each of his eyes. “That’s your second mistake.”
“Wait, doesn’t a first come first?”
She rubbed his neck, the base of his skull. “You should’ve been with me this evening. You should’ve been by my side, dancing with me. That was your first mistake.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” His sighs burned. “Then everyone would know there was some truth to our rumored affair.”
“Oh, they’re more rumors now. They won’t stop talking about me and a baron.”
“You and who? Who do I have to duel?”
“You were the baron.”
He shook his head. “No, J. I’m an earl. I’m sure of it. My uncle.” He chuckled. “He tried everything short of killing me to stop it. I kept my head down and bought and sold all the assets he thought he’d sell on the cheap. Made a fortune off his foolishness.”
