The Gift of Love (The Book of Love #8) - Meara Platt Page 0,68

problem?”

“The but is...I think I know who it is she loves.” She sighed. “And here’s the bigger but...the duke will never approve of the man. How can I tell the duke his name? It would be betraying Lady Melinda. I know that using you to further her deception wasn’t right, but I truly believe she never meant to hurt you. And yet, if I don’t tell her father...and he finds out I knew all along, he will take it out on you.”

He caressed her cheek again. “Queen Pea, don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”

“Says the man who is lying helpless in bed right now after almost getting himself killed in Tilbury.” She sighed. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

They spoke no more as Robbie marched back in with her uncle close on his heels. “Let’s get back to it, shall we?” Uncle George said, shooting both of them a warning frown. “Dahlia, why don’t you take a seat over there?” He pointed toward one of the comfortable chairs by the hearth.

“No.” Ronan was not at all in agreement with the arrangement.

“Seems my presence has done nothing to cure his stubbornness.” But Dahlia was not really put off by Ronan’s highhandedness. An enveloping warmth flowed through her as she realized her importance to this magnificent man. She still did not understand why he wanted her, but it seemed he did, and she was not going to toss his gift of love away. “I’ll draw up a chair on the other side of the bed. This way, I’ll still be close enough to take his hand...if he intends to continue being a big baby about this important medical examination.”

Ronan chuckled, but even that small laugh brought him pain. “Indulged and insulted at the same time. You are a marvel, Queen Pea. Will you take my hand now? You know you already have my heart.”

“Uncle George, is he drugged?”

Her uncle was smirking. “If you consider love a drug, then yes. Otherwise, no. I’ve given him nothing yet.”

“Should I do as he asks?” She awaited his instruction, reluctant to interfere with whatever he needed to do.

Examining Ronan thoroughly was most important. Once her uncle was done, she would take his hand and hold it for as long as he wished. But Uncle George was in charge now.

“Go ahead, Dahlia. I’ll let you know when you are in the way.”

She took Ronan’s blistered hand in both of hers and ran her thumbs in slow circles over it. His attention remained on her as he was poked and prodded, on occasion painfully. However, her uncle was doing his best not to purposely hurt him.

The oddest feeling came over her as Ronan continued to look at her. She could only describe this feeling as one of permanence. Perhaps forever was a better word for it. That he would love her forever. That he would desire her forever.

That she was in his heart forever.

She squeezed his hand lightly and smiled at him, hoping he understood the feeling was reciprocated. He was still staring at her as he spoke to her uncle. “Patch me up as best as you can. There is something important I must do tomorrow.”

Her uncle groaned. “You are to stay in bed tomorrow. What is it about my instructions you do not understand?”

“I understand them perfectly. But I need to marry your niece as soon as possible and must obtain the special license first.”

“Need to? Dahlia, what in blazes–”

“Uncle George! No!”

“Want to,” Ronan said, correcting himself. “The need is my own. I cannot bear to be apart from her a moment longer. Since I am forced to lie abed anyway, why can I not make the most of it?”

Dahlia wanted to smack him over the head with a pillow. But she dared not do him any more harm. She released his hand and rose to stand over him. “You have declared it as fact. You have made plans and decisions on your own. You have assumed my answer. But you haven’t actually asked me yet. What game are you playing? Why won’t you simply ask me straight out?”

She was taken aback by the pain evident in his eyes, and immediately wished she could take back her words.

“How can you think I would ever trifle with your affections? It isn’t a game for me.” He emitted a ragged breath. “I haven’t asked you straight out because...I’m afraid you’ll refuse me.”

“Oh, Ronan.”

“I know it’s too soon for you, Queen Pea. You’ve hardly