Page 64 of Dare it all for Love

Florence leapt to her feet and ran to him.

“Henry, darling, should you be up and about? The doctor said you needed to rest.”

“What I needed was to see you, love,” Henry murmured, taking her hand, squeezing it, and wishing everyone else to the devil. He wanted to hold her close and never let her go but, as her parents were in the room, he supposed he’d best behave himself.

“Come and sit down before you fall down,” Gabriel said gruffly, vacating a chair and steering Henry into it.

“Thank you,” Henry said, sitting down with a sigh of relief.

“How’s the shoulder?” Gabriel asked.

“Nothing compared to my head,” Henry said with a short laugh. “Feel like I’ve been run down by the mail coach.”

He looked up in surprise as Helena came over, leaned down, and kissed his cheek.

“I shall never, never forget what you did, Henry,” she said, her green eyes shining with tears.

A blush stole up the back of his neck and he cleared his throat, feeling a little uncomfortable. “Oh, er… think nothing of it.”

“Think nothing of it!” Evie exclaimed. “You saved my sister’s life. I’ve never seen anything so heroic. Frankly, I hope I never do again, but it was dreadfully brave, Mr Stanhope, and we shall never be able to repay you.”

Henry stared about him to discover everyone looking at him with admiration and warmth. He turned to Florence, who was smiling at him with such adoration his heart skipped about like a spring lamb. He was utterly sunk, and he didn’t give a damn.

“Anything for you, love. You made me remember what it was to be alive. I couldn’t lose you, Florence. I’d rather die.”

There was a collective sigh from all the women present, though Henry barely noticed, too lost in Florence’s green eyes. God, but he was in way over his head, and he’d never been so glad of anything in his life.

“Oh, Gabe. We must get them married. Just look, it would be cruel to keep them apart,” Helena said, sniffling and dabbing at her cheeks with a lace handkerchief.

Florence turned to her mother with a little cry of delight and ran to her, hugging her tightly.

Helena laughed and hugged her back, and then they both stared at Gabriel, who scowled, folding his arms.

“Ugh. Oh, very well, but it’s to be a proper ceremony, all the trimmings. No daughter of mine is to get married in some hole in the wall fashion.”

“Well, if we work very hard, I think ten days should do it. Don’t you, darling?” Helena asked Florence.

“Yes, please, Mama. Henry, what do you think?”

He laughed and held out his hand to her. “Whatever you want, darling. Absolutely anything you want.”

Florence gave a delighted smile and then her expression faltered as Sterling Oak appeared in the doorway.

“Glad to see you well, Henry,” he said, gruff as ever. “Susan wants to speak to you.”

Henry looked up at Florence, who squeezed his hand and nodded. “Yes, of course. If you are up to it, Henry?”

“She almost killed Florence,” Gabriel growled, not looking at all pleased by this turn of events.

“Oh, Papa,” Florence said, her voice soft and so full of understanding for the young woman Henry felt a swell of pride for her. “She didn’t mean to. She was aiming for Mr Foster, and I think we need to hear her out.”

Henry nodded. “It sounds as if Pippin and Mrs Dharani were right, and my family has something to answer for. I’d rather know what it was and make amends if I can.”

“It would be best, Mr Stanhope,” Pippin said. “Time to lay old ghosts to rest.”

“Karma,” Mrs Dharani said, nodding.

“Right, I’ll fetch her,” Mr Oak said, turning away.