Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) by Higgins Marie

Author:Higgins, Marie [Higgins, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Canyonland Press
Published: 2011-09-21T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

William fidgeted with the bed covers and groaned from inactivity. He pulled the sheets tighter across his leg, and the subtle movement caused a sharp pain in his knee. He gnashed his teeth. Thankfully, his head wound healed quicker. He prayed his leg would be as speedy so he could get out of this bed and back home with his family where he belonged.

His nerves had been tight and his temper ready to explode since the accident. Of course, it didn’t help when his wife kept herself from joining him in bed, laying blame to his injured leg. She didn’t want to accidentally bump it, she told him. As much as he protested, she had stuck to what the physician said about not moving him. If he could get his hands around the physician’s throat, he’d strangle him for giving such a command.

The physician allowed William to bathe this morning, although it was only a sponge-bath, and it irritated him that Mercedes hadn’t offered to assist. Instead, the colonel’s servant helped. After the bath, William had slipped on a pair of his breeches, but nothing more. The servant had to rip the pant leg up the side just to get it over the brace strapped to his calf.

With a deep sigh, he prayed this week would pass in a hurry. The Burwell’s other visitors had returned to their homes, and because of this, Lady Burwell occupied Mercedes most of the time. The colonel had other tasks to perform, so the man hadn’t bothered to check on his injured guest. But it was just as well. The old man irked William. Too bad because now would have been the perfect time for him to look for information. Unfortunately, the staff wouldn’t allow him to leave his bed either.

Curse his critical state of health.

The bedroom door opened and Mercedes poked her head inside, interrupting his foul mood. “William? Are you up for a surprise?”

“I know not,” he snapped, shifting his weight on the bed. “What is it?”

She grinned before fully opening the door. James and Lizzy rushed into the room, giggling. “Papa,” they shouted in unison.

His heart beat with life again, and he smiled wide. He held out his arms as they ran to his side. His wife rushed behind them, keeping them from bumping his leg.

He laughed as he gathered them close. “What a pleasurable surprise.”

“Look at your leg, Papa,” James exclaimed.

Lizzy cautiously reached out and touched the brace. “Hurt, Papa?”

“Only once in a while.” He met Mercedes’ cheerful expression with one of his own. “When did they arrive?”

“Only moments ago. I sent a message to Gabriel, informing him of our delay. He and Jane brought them.”

He winked at her. “Thank you. Seeing my children is the best medicine of all.”

“I knew it would be.”

The children sat around him and he listened to their tales of how they’d spent their weekend. It seemed since Mercedes’ heroism with the dog, his children had obtained more friends. William’s heart burst with pride as he listened to them.

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