“Really?” The word came out so quietly that he barely heard it.

“Yes,” he confirmed, feeling emboldened now that she’d come out with her own feelings. He moved to the edge of his chair, putting him that much closer to her. “Is it all right that I call you Hannah?”

“More than all right.” Her smile beamed from ear to ear. “But am I to continue to call you Dr. Alcott?”

He took hold of her hand. They had touched many times in the past months, but this was different. This was not doctor to patient, this was human to human. And dare he hope, lover to lover? There was so much promise in this simple gesture of holding hands, and it took all of Graham’s willpower to keep from exploring those unspoken promises.

“I would be honored if you would call me Graham.”

“Graham,” she whispered, as if it were a prayer. Then she swallowed, her slender throat working, her brows coming together in a frown. “What does this all mean?”

Graham had no idea. “I’ve never fallen in love with a patient before,” he said, making her frown fall away in favor of a laugh.

“I’m very glad for that.”

“But if you’re asking where we go from here, I really don’t know. I can’t imagine your family will be thrilled to hear that we…”

“Care for one another?”

It was all Graham could do not to sweep her into his arms and kiss her until she forgot her own name just then. How could her husband not have seen what a lovely creature she was? How could he have treated her so poorly, this beautiful angel that sat before him? It was unfathomable that anyone would ever take advantage of her, and Graham swore no one ever would again. He would be her protector from now on, and she’d never come to any harm so long as he was alive.

“Care for one another,” he confirmed.

Hannah closed her eyes. There was a smile on her lips, but one couldn’t miss the tiny tear that eked from between her eyelids.

“Do not cry, dear one,” Graham whispered, reaching across the divide with his other hand to wipe the tear from her cheek.

“I—I’ve wanted to say something to you for so long.”

“And I you.”

“But you’re right,” she continued. “What will my family say?”

“I suspect this will be challenging territory.” He took both her hands now and squeezed. “But we will navigate it together, if you will have me.”

She gave a snort of laughter through her tears. “Of course I will have you. But we may want to consider elopement.”

“No.” He was happy to give her just about anything to make her happy but that was not one of them.

“No?” She batted her lashes at him, her eyes wide as a young doe.

“I want to marry you,” he said, making certain he was clear on that point, though saying it aloud was somewhat terrifying, if he was being honest. “But I’ll not do it in secrecy, as if we have something to hide.”

“But the scandal…”

“Is of no consequence to me,” he finished for her. “I want our families to be there. I know how much yours means to you, and there is no one more precious to me in this world than my sister.” He quirked a smile. “Although, there is someone who may offer a challenge to that position.”

Hannah gave a little laugh, and squeezed his hands that were still entwined with hers. “I suppose the news would reach the gossips either way, wouldn’t it? What with Chloe being a Wetherby and all. News travels fast with that family.”

“Then it is settled.” He started to pull away—he was so full of excited energy, he needed to stand or walk or run to Surrey and back—but Hannah kept him still.

“Wait,” she said, meeting his eyes with a sober plea in her own. “Might we keep this a secret? Just for a little while,” she added to reassure him. “This is all so…new, and I just want to savor it for a bit before the rest of the world starts offering their opinions on the matter.”

Graham supposed it was all moving rather too quickly anyway. In a normal situation, he would court her for several months before offering for her hand and then there would be several more weeks or even months of waiting before they married. Of course, they’d have to have the banns read, so that would take time, but he could see the logic in her request. It would be nice to have this secret between the two of them. Besides, surely the dowager wouldn’t allow them to be alone if there was any sign of affection between them. Perhaps they could take advantage of their current situation.

“I think that is a wise idea,” he finally replied. “What if we were to announce our engagement at my sister’s soiree? It will be a small gathering, mostly family and close friends. I can think of no better time to make such an announcement.”

That serene smile he loved so much graced Hannah’s lips. “I think that is a wonderful idea.”

The breeze lifted a strand of her mahogany hair just as he lifted her hand to his mouth. He closed his eyes as he pressed his lips to her soft skin, lingering far longer than he should.

“Ho, there! Dr. Alcott!” came the boisterous greeting of the duke from somewhere behind him.

Hannah’s face flushed pink, but Graham kept his calm, holding onto her hand and offering a wink to reassure her.

“Your pulse is just fine,” he said, slowly lowering her hand back to her lap just before he turned to greet his future brother-in-law. “Your Grace.”

“Everything all right?” he asked, his eyes narrowed on Graham.

“Just checking her pulse. I wanted to make certain she wasn’t taxing herself by being out here.”

Somerset took a seat. “Her progress is remarkable, Doctor. I feel horrible I ever doubted you.”

“It is not the first time I have been challenged, and I don’t imagine it will be the last.”

“Well, not from me, ever again,” Somerset said. “Which leads me to my next question…”

“I’ve already told him,” Hannah put in. “And he says he is happy to care for Grace.”

Somerset turned his ice-blue gaze on Graham. “Is that true?”

“You think I would lie?” Hannah interrupted.

“May I speak with the doctor myself, Bunny?” he asked of his sister then turned to Graham again. Graham couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him. He was no stranger to sibling spats, and knowing other siblings had similar arguments was somewhat comforting.

“Your sister is correct,” Graham finally put in. “I would be happy to be of service. Should I see to her now?”

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Hannah said. “Poor girl has been suffering so. Perhaps you can ease her suffering as you’ve done mine.”

Any fool could see the loving way she looked at him, with admiration and adoration in her eyes. If she wanted to keep things a secret, she wasn’t doing a very good job of it. Of course, he probably wasn’t either. He only need glance at her to feel his heart lift along with the corners of his lips.

“I will endeavor to do my best,” he replied, lingering in her gaze.

“Well, then,” Somerset said, giving two loud knocks on the garden table, “I shall lead the way. Are you all right for now, Bunny?”

“I’m fine,” she assured her brother. “I shall sit here and read for a while.”

As much as Graham wanted to stay by her side and hold her hands all afternoon, he also felt the familiar excitement of seeing to a new patient. The anticipation of helping someone find their way back to good health. So he dutifully followed Somerset through the house to the ducal chambers on the second floor.

“I will warn you,” the duke said as they approached the door. “She is quite ill.”

“It is not so unusual for a woman in her position,” Graham assured the man. “Another few weeks and she should be right as rain. But hopefully I can do something to ease her ailments in the meantime.”

The duke nodded and then opened the door quietly. It was dark inside and smelled of sickness—much like Hannah’s room had smelled that first day he’d come to meet her. How much had changed in such a short amount of time.

A small figure writhed upon the bed, covered in blankets. Graham went to her and placed a hand on her back. She groaned but didn’t settle.

“Darling,” the duke said, approaching the other side of the bed. “Dr. Alcott is here to see you.”

There was a small whimper, and then, “Can you help me?”

Graham smiled. “I can try,” he said. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”

“Like I…” She put her hand to her mouth. “Like I can’t get through a sentence without…”

Graham reached for the chamber pot and held it out for her while she heaved into it.

“Have you been able to eat anything?”

She shook her head no.

“Drink anything?”

No again.

“All right. We must first settle your stomach so that you can keep food and drink in, lest you become dehydrated. You may still feel ill, perhaps for a few more weeks, but that is completely normal.”

“This is torture,” she whimpered as she lifted her teary eyes to him.

“So I’ve heard. But you will be fine. I will return shortly with tea and bread.”

He settled her back onto her pillows and then left to instruct Cook on how to prepare a tea of ginger and peppermint for Her Grace. Once he had the nourishments in hand, he headed back toward the ducal chambers. He was halfway up the first staircase when a sweet and familiar voice called out for him.

“Dr. Alcott,” said the voice, and when he turned to find Hannah standing behind him, clutching the banister, she gave him a wink. “How is my sister-in-law?”

He descended the steps again, until he stood just over her. Light from the fanlight poured into the room, shining upon her dark hair as if she truly wore a halo above her head. The urge to kiss her was stronger than ever, but this was neither the time nor the place. “She is as expected. Quite nauseous, unable to keep food down.”

Hannah’s lovely, dark brows drew together with concern. “Will she and the babe be all right?”

Graham nodded, giving what he hoped was a reassuring smile, and gestured to the tray he held in his hands. “Once she’s had this, they will be.”

While concern still marred her brow, she gave him a smile in return, touching her hand to his arm. “Thank you,” she said. “And, erm…if you would come see me after you’ve seen to Grace, I do believe my leg needs tending to.”

Everything in her tone and in her eyes told him her leg was just fine, but he would go to her, nonetheless.