Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chloe sprinted up the front steps of the orphanage. She wiped a stray tear from her cheek as she ran down the hall that led to the room that housed the young girls and burst inside. She halted.
All the beds were empty.
Even Emily’s.
Chloe ran to the back of the room to Emily’s designated bed. The bed was neatly made with clean sheets, the brown blanket tidily tucked in all four corners.
She glanced around the room. The rest of the children would be outside playing, but Emily had been unable to join them in months. Good Lord, if the bed was empty, that could only mean one thing.
No!
Panic welled in her throat, and she rushed to the door and cried out. “Dr. Graves!”
Seconds later, Mrs. Porter rushed into the room. Her eyes were wide and her face flushed from running. “What’s wrong, miss?”
“Where’s Emily? Her bed is empty. Is she—”
“Outside, miss.”
“Outside?”
“Yes, she’s been feeling a bit better. A chair was taken outside, and the man carried Emily to join the other children.”
“What man?” Chloe didn’t wait for her response but threw open the door that led to the small garden behind the orphanage. She halted and blinked at the bright sunlight. Squinting, she shielded her eyes with her hand and scanned the lawn. The sounds of children laughing and playing reached her ears. A group of four kicked a ball back and forth. Several played with hoops and rolled them across the grass. Others played hide-and-seek—one boy was counting with his hand, covering his eyes while his playmates hid behind a hedge of bushes, a barrel, and trees. Emily was nowhere in sight.
A movement from the far end of the garden caught her eye.
Emily was seated in a chair, her glossy dark hair shining beneath the sun and her lips curled in a smile. A flash of white drew Chloe’s attention, and she spotted a man squatting with his back to her. Then he stood to hand a daisy to Emily.
Chloe’s heart hammered against her ribs as he turned and sunlight glinted on his dark hair.
She took a step forward just as Michael spotted her. He lifted a hand in greeting and grinned. A passionate fluttering arose at the back of her neck, and she found herself walking over to the pair.
“Miss Chloe, look what Mr. Michael brought for me today!” Emily held up a leather-bound book, the cover emblazoned with a fire-breathing dragon. “He said he searched three shops before he finally found one with a story that included a dragon and a princess. It’s mine to keep.”
“It’s wonderful, darling. Are you certain you feel well enough to be outside today?”
Emily nodded. “The medicine Dr. Graves gave me has made me feel better.”
A tear streamed down Chloe’s face. This time, she didn’t bother to wipe it away as she kneeled to hug Emily. “I’m so happy you feel well enough be outside.”
“Dr. Graves said I will have to build up my strength, but that there is a good chance I may be able to walk on my own one day,” Emily said.
A cry of relief broke from her lips. “That’s wonderful!”
Emily was precious, and because Michael had cared enough to send his physician to treat the girl, she’d been given a second chance. Chloe knew that Emily wasn’t miraculously cured, and that she would have a long, difficult journey ahead of her. But there was now hope, and it was all because of the man standing before her.
Gratitude and love welled in Chloe’s chest. But it didn’t explain why he was here today. Or the disturbing note from Dr. Graves.
Chloe stood and searched his handsome face. “I never had the chance to thank you for sending Dr. Graves to treat Emily. Why did you do it?”
Their gazes locked and he smiled. “Why have the power and riches of a dukedom if one cannot put it to good use?”
Chloe’s heart hammered in her ears. She opened her mouth to answer when Emily tugged on her skirt and drew her attention. “I saved the best news for last. Mr. Michael said I could come live with him.”
Chloe blinked. “Pardon?” She couldn’t have been more surprised if Emily had risen from the chair and danced a jig.
Emily’s eyes were bright with excitement. “He’s taking me home. He says I’ll even have my own bedchamber. Can you imagine?”
Why would Michael promise such a thing to the child? Had Emily misunderstood?
Emily continued chattering, oblivious to Chloe’s shock. “He said you can live with us there, too.”
Chloe’s eyes snapped to Michael’s face. He stood tall, watching her with his unfathomable dark eyes, revealing nothing and everything at the same time. She wavered on her feet. His hand grasped her arm to steady her.
“Emily, love,” Michael said, “will you excuse us and watch the others so that I may speak with Miss Chloe in private?”
Emily giggled with an unmistakable twinkle of mischief in her eye. “Good luck, Duke.”
Michael offered Chloe his arm. “Come,” he said simply.
She had no choice but to follow him as he led her to the far side of the lawn until they were concealed behind a tall hedgerow.
As she looked up at him, her heart lurched madly. Must he be so handsome? “Are you serious about bringing Emily home with you?”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“She needs a home. I have more rooms than I’ll ever need.” She still didn’t comprehend. Dukes didn’t just take home orphaned children. Did he intend for Emily to become one of his staff?
“Emily misunderstood. She thinks I’m coming along as well.”
“There’s no misunderstanding. I may own a mansion, but I have no clue how to raise a child.”
“You are a duke. You can hire the best nannies and governesses in London.”
“True. But Emily needs you. So do I.”
She frowned, her head puzzled by what he was saying. She met his gaze and the deep longing in the depths of his eyes nearly took her breath away. She gasped, hope blossoming in her chest. “You can’t mean—”
“I’m sorry for what I put you through. When I learned that you were leaving London, I realized what a fool I’ve been. Will you accept my apology?”
“How did you learn I was leaving?”
“Your sister Eliza paid me a visit.”
Chloe’s thoughts whirled. “Eliza…what about the note from Dr. Graves? Did you have something to do about that?”
“I needed a way to get you here.”
Then the impossible, beautiful man knelt on one knee before her. “I must do this properly this time. Chloe Somerton, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Longing flared as bright as the afternoon sun inside her. She loved this battle-hardened man. All his flaws and his perfections. She wanted to throw herself in his arms, kiss him, and proclaim her love.
She had wanted to marry a rich, titled man for as long as she could remember, but the fact that Michael was a duke and wealthy as sin didn’t account for her joy. She’d gladly spend the rest of her life with him if he were a struggling merchant, just as she had been years ago. He completed her as no other man. Little by little, warmth crept back into her body. His appeal was irresistible. She smiled at his arrogance and sheer confidence.
“I know that I’m not cured and will have moments where I will struggle. But I no longer fear my future, but look forward to it. With you by my side, I can face anything. Now, will you accept my proposal?”
Still, she needed to be certain. “Why? Tell me why you want to marry me.”
A flicker of unease crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced with resolve. “Because you ease my soul. Because I can sleep peacefully for the first time in well over a year. Because I’ve been a fool not to see what was so obvious to me before. Because the thought of losing you terrifies me more than marching into battle. And because I love you.”
Her heart leaped with joy. “Oh, Michael.”
“Is that a yes? Please take pity on me and accept because my knee is starting to ache.”
“Yes!” She threw herself at him just as he rose. Strong hands came around to grasp her waist, and his lips brushed her forehead. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
Her heart lurched madly. “I love you. I’ve loved you for so long.”
“Say it again,” he demanded fiercely.
“I love you.”
“Thank God.”
Hands clasped together, they stepped from behind the tall hedgerow to smile and wave at Emily across the lawn.
Emily laughed happily and waved back.
Chloe blew her a kiss. “What will you tell people about her?”
“That Emily is the daughter of a deceased cousin. I know we cannot claim her as our own, but I promise to treat her as one of ours.”
She gave him a cocky smile. “One of ours? Does that mean you have decided you want children?”
“A dozen. You have cured me of that fear, my lady.”
“Goodness! That’s a rather large family.”
“Then the wedding will have to take place quickly so that we can get started. I’m a duke, after all, and can obtain a special license. Henry shall be my best man.”
“Truly?”
“We have his blessing. And deep inside, I know I have his father’s as well.”
He was perfect. She leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him. “Then I look forward to a new beginning.”