His arm came around, stroking my hair and pressing my face to his chest. It was a fiercely protective gesture.
I’ve found someone I can rely on. Always.
The thought made me want to kiss him again. So I did. Why the heck not? I couldn’t infect him twice in a row, could I?
When we broke apart again, he took my face in both hands and forced me to look him straight in the eyes. I wasn’t about to complain about the view.
‘How is she?’
A sliver of pain stabbed into the happiness that filled my heart.
‘Bad. Very bad. I’m not sure…I’m not sure she—’
His forefinger on my lips silenced me. ‘Sh. She will.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Because you won’t give up until she’s well again. And neither will I.’ One finger gently stroked down my cheek. ‘You look exhausted. How long is it since you’ve last slept?’
‘Says the man who did an experiment to see whether one can go without sleep altogether.’
He gave me a cool look. ‘It was a perfectly reasonable experiment.’
‘Then let’s just say I’m repeating it.’ I grinned up at him. ‘It’s always good to check the results of an experiment, right?’
Mr Ambrose did not look amused.
‘Are you familiar with the expression “working yourself into an early grave”, Miss Linton?’
‘Indeed I am, Sir. I feel its suitable use has been grossly exaggerated. Besides,’ I gave a helpless little shrug, ‘who’s there to help?’
‘Me.’
I stared at him, mouth open.
‘W-what?’
‘I am certain I spoke at a perfectly audible volume, Miss Linton.’
‘B-but…you can’t…the risk…’
His hand took a firm hold of my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze head-on. ‘Was I not clear enough earlier? Need I repeat my demonstration for it to be more convincing?’
‘Yes, please, right away for the next half hour.’
‘Miss Linton! Be serious!’
‘Who says I’m joking. I’m a sceptic by nature and need a lot of convincing.’
He promptly pressed a very, very convincing kiss on my lips.
‘I’m not a man who shies away from risk,’ he growled. ‘If I were, I wouldn’t be where I am today, with more power in my hands than most men can imagine! Some things are worth fighting for, and when the fight comes, you face it head-on.’
‘But…but she…is…you know.’
‘I’ve mucked out plenty a stable in my time. It won’t be that different.’
Holy moly. He really meant it. He was really willing to go in there with me and care for Ella through all the risk, the muck and the things you didn’t want to face but had to. Ignoring for the moment that he had, with his customary tact, compared my little sister to a horse, this was the most romantic and loving thing he had ever done.