He let out a short breath, trying not to laugh. It bloody hurt when he did. “I wasn’t half as brave as you.”
Her fingers stilled in his hair. “We’ve been over that. My bravery was really foolishness that might yet get you killed.”
He winced. Clearly, he wasn’t quite on his game. Then again, her guilt would go far in his argument. “I should have taken you away from the club the moment you arrived.”
She leaned down then, and her lips brushed his temple even as liquid poured onto the wound. Why hadn’t the doctor warned him? His fists clenched as burning pain coursed through him.
One of her hands wrapped around his wrist, a soft stroke against the tense muscles in his arm. “I should never have gone there at all. I put you in danger. I…” Her fingers tightened.
He wasn’t going to lose this battle. “I should have moved the club’s location. It’s not the first incident and it won’t be the last. The fault is mine.”
She paused, relaxing her hand. “Did you just best me at blame?”
He opened his eyes to look into the clear blue of hers. “You saved my life six years ago, Clarissa. I’m here today because of you. I refuse to accept that you are the reason bad things happen.”
Her lashes fluttered down, covering her eyes. “You’re the only one.”
“No,” he said it too emphatically, pain twisting his insides. “I guarantee that Penny does not think that.” He knew the next point to strike in his argument. “And the orphans? Do you think Natty thinks you’ve made her life worse?”
Her face spasmed. He knew he’d struck a chord. “Of course her life is better. But that’s Penny’s doing, not mine.”
He shook his head. He was very close. He knew exactly what she wanted. He hated manipulating her but he needed her at his side. “Listen to me. You are a caregiver. You always have been. You know how to touch people in a way that heals them inside and out.”
Her eyes flew open then, staring into his once again. “Do you really think so?”
He wasn’t just trying to get his way this time. He meant the words with his whole heart. “I know so.”
“I’m going to need to lift him to get the bandages around his middle,” the doctor interrupted.
Clarissa straightened. “Let me help you.”
Part of Mason wanted to forge ahead. But allowing a break in the conversation would only strengthen his argument. He remained quiet as the doctor helped to lift him and Clarissa wrapped fresh bandaging around his middle.
Some women might agree to marry an earl simply because they wanted to be a countess. Others because of his wealth.
But not Clarissa.
Clarissa would consent to it because of the children. And he loved her for it.
He only hoped she didn’t hate him when she realized the way he’d manipulated her.
Chapter Nine
Clarissa wrapped the bandages about his middle and tried to ignore the way, even injured, his muscles rippled beneath her hands.
The man had always been her weakness.
She’d dreamed of him before she’d barely understood what love was.
And now…here he was trying to convince her to marry him.
And she’d said no.
Ridiculous. Except her father’s voice echoed in her head. Bad luck…ruined his life…never be worth a shilling.
Tears stung at her eyes. She didn’t need shillings. But she did want to be good. Good for others, good for herself.
She skimmed her hand down Mason’s bare arm. Would she be good for him or would she destroy him with her misdeeds like she feared she would?