The Hope of Love: A Historical Romance Novella (The Book of Love) by Meara Platt

Author:Meara Platt [Platt, Meara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-07-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Felicity wanted to sit up but pain shot through her arm and straight into her head the moment she tried. She gasped and fell back against her pillow. “Ow.” It felt as though a herd of reindeer was stampeding between her ears.

“Felicity, love. Don’t try to get up.”

Her head was ready to burst. Angus had called her love again. Was she still dreaming? Of course, she was. She’d had the strangest dreams all night. “Angus?”

“I’m right here,” he said, taking her hand and giving it a light squeeze. “You broke your arm. Do you remember?”

“No, but it hurts like blazes. All of me hurts.” She opened her eyes and saw him seated beside her. Oh, he looked so wonderful. Big. Muscled. He’d taken off his jacket and vest, and rolled up his sleeves. His cravat was off as well, and his shirt was open at the throat.

The man was beautiful…just, beautiful. Even now, with his hair slightly disheveled and the droop of fatigue in his eyes. He must have stayed up all night tending to her injuries. “How bad?”

“A clean break. It should heal fast. But you’ve also sprained your ankle and hit your head when you fell to the floor.”

“Oh, that’s why the reindeer herd is stomping through my head. I remember now. The mistletoe. I was trying to hang it when I fell off the ladder. I was so angry with you and the vicar.”

He frowned lightly.

“No matter what you think, I am not a pathetic, lonely spinster.”

“Damn it, Felicity. You were never that. You are not that. Don’t you realize how beautiful you are? How much we all care for you? You’re kind and generous. Everyone adores you.”

“How can they? I’m a mess. I can’t even…” She blushed profusely, and her eyes grew wide. “Angus…”

He realized her distress.

“How am I to…” She needed to use the chamber pot. But with a broken arm, a sprained ankle, and the blow to her head leaving her off balance, she would never be able to manage on her own.

“I’ll help you.”

Her heart shot into her throat. “You can’t!”

“There’s no one else, Felicity. Just close your eyes and pretend I’m not here.” Giving her no chance to protest, he scooped her out of bed as gently as he could manage and held her while she cried because she was so embarrassed.

His arms felt wonderful. Strong. Sturdy. Yet, so gentle.

But he held her for all the wrong reasons.

She wanted to be in his arms because he loved her, not because she required assistance with… She burst into tears and couldn’t stop crying.

She’d thought a wager over a first kiss was humiliating, but this was a thousand times worse. Only, he didn’t make her feel wretched about it. He was magnificently supportive and tender, knowing just what to say and when not to talk at all.

He also knew when to turn away.

She loved him so deeply, it hurt more than her physical injuries.

Once he had her back in bed, he handed her

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