“Move over.” Holly nudged her legs aside to settle on the settee beside her. “You must understand you are doing him no favor by deciding what is best for him. I never understood what love meant until I met Joshua. The two of you simply cannot be without each other. This is why he’s behaving like a child, throwing a tantrum. He needs you by his side. He will move heaven and earth to make it happen. So, do not make it difficult for him. If you love him...”
“I do.”
“Then marry him and stay by his side.”
Heather was weeping again.
Holly went over to their younger sister. “Not you, too? Why are you crying?”
“I want to find a love like the two of you have found.”
“You will,” Holly said, giving her a hug. “Don’t be impatient for it, or you will make the same mistakes Dahlia and I made. Wanting to be in love is not at all the same as truly falling in love with the right man. I jumped into a hasty marriage and was not happy. Dahlia convinced herself that Wainscott was the man for her even though he’d done little to prove it.”
Heather shook her head. “But he wrote her all those adoring letters.”
“Anyone can do that. Was he ever there when Dahlia really needed him? Was he ready to put her desires ahead of his own? Would he ever risk his life to protect her? Ronan would.”
Heather dabbed a handkerchief to her cheeks. “How am I to find a man like that? You two got the last of the Brayden men. Who’s going to love and protect me like this?”
“Och, Heather. Why are ye still crying, lass?” Robbie was standing in the doorway, filling it with his size and brawn. He crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at the three of them.
Dahlia sat up. “How is Ronan?”
“Better. Yer uncle’s done all he needs to do for now. He’s given Ronan some laudanum, but he isn’t permitted to take too much. Will ye go upstairs to him before he does something stupid again?”
She nodded. “I’ll go right now.”
“What can we do to help?” Heather asked.
Robbie stared at her. “Stop crying, for one thing. Help Holly with whatever she needs to do. Joshua’s about to ride off to tell his brothers and Miranda. I’ll be riding out to report to the Lord Admiral and Lord Liverpool. Parliament will not convene until Monday, but those two need to be kept current on all that’s happened. The Marquess of Tilbury has assured Josh and Ronan he’ll be giving a favorable report, but who knows with these noblemen? Some of them will say and do whatever is to their advantage. Although, Tilbury is one of the better ones. He’s always been fair in his dealings with me.”
Heather patted away the last of her tears. “Will you come back here afterward, Robbie?”
“Aye, pixie. Ronan is one of my best friends. I will no’ abandon him.”
Dahlia hurried upstairs while her sisters remained talking to Robbie. She encountered Joshua on the stairs, but he paused only long enough to mutter that he was riding off to tell the family and would be back shortly.
Her uncle had closed his medical bag and had just finished washing his hands when she walked in. He dried them on one of the washcloths. “I should tell you it is most improper for you to be in here alone with Captain Brayden. But since my words of warning have held no sway whatsoever over any of my nieces throughout the years, I’ll spare you the lecture.”
“Thank you, Uncle George. Not about sparing me the lecture, but saving Ronan’s life. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this.”
He picked up his medical bag, then walked over and kissed her on the cheek. “It is what I do. Nothing is required in return. Just be happy. And follow my instructions as I’ve written them.” He pointed to the note he’d left on the night table beside Ronan’s bed. “Tonight will be rough for him. Send for me immediately if he begins to struggle for breath. I’ll be at home with Evie.”
She hugged him. “Give her my love.”
“I will.” He strode out, leaving her alone with Ronan.
The first thing she did was read the note her uncle had left for them. It seemed simple enough, so after perusing it, she set it back down and turned her attention to this man she loved.
The handsome brute was stretched out in the middle of the bed, his eyes closed, and his arms at his sides. His back was propped up by several pillows. The covers were drawn up only far enough to cover his body to his waist. His chest was exposed, and she could see that her uncle had placed an unguent across the length of the rope burn, no doubt applying the foul-smelling substance to his flesh to prevent infection.
She sat beside Ronan on the bed and took his hand onto her lap.
His eyes flickered open, and he cast her a gentle smile. “Queen Pea, I missed you.”
She laughed. “I was only gone a few minutes.” Perhaps it was longer. She could not tell for certain how long she’d been unconscious. Her sisters would have been frantic if she had been out for more than a minute or two, so she doubted it was any longer than that.
“I still owe you a marriage proposal. Let me get this right before something else happens.” His voice was little more than a raw whisper. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes, my love. I will marry you.”
His smile broadened. “I’ll try to obtain the special license as soon as possible. My brothers will help me since I’m not allowed out of bed for another three days on pain of death...my death, or so your uncle warned if I don’t lie still.”
“I’m sure Tynan and Finn will be able to accomplish this on your behalf. They have connections to everyone important in London.” She cast him an impish smirk. “Just remind them my name is Dahlia, not Queen Pea.”
“I think they’ll figure it out for themselves. I love you, sweetheart. Will you marry me tomorrow if I obtain it?”
She inhaled lightly. How was this possible? He couldn’t get out of bed. “You don’t waste time once your mind is made up, do you?”
“Is that a yes?”
“Uncle John is my guardian while I am here in London. My parents have given him authority over all decisions, so I assume it includes giving his consent and signing the betrothal contract.”
“Bollocks, I’ll sign a blank piece of paper. He can fill in any terms he likes.”
“You will put Finn’s heart in spasms if he ever hears you speaking so foolishly. It doesn’t have to be a formal agreement. But you have to think this through, Ronan. You can agree on the general terms and seal it with a handshake.”
“I want you. That is my only term. I still don’t have your answer. Will you marry me tomorrow?”
If she agreed, then she would deprive herself of the elegant wedding she’d always dreamed of having. Nor would there be time to put together an informal affair hosted by her aunt and uncle at their home on Chipping Way. The ceremony would have to be quick, held right here, with Ronan lying in bed while she stood beside him.
She glanced around, taking in the proportions of the bedchamber.
Oh, dear. They wouldn’t be able to squeeze more than fifteen people in here. Her sisters. His brothers. Maybe their wives. Miranda and Robbie had to be here, too. Aunt Sophie and Uncle John if they could spare the time between their own family obligations.