My Favorite Major (Heroes Returned Book 1) (15 page)

He opened his eyes to find both of his friends had come closer to him on either side of the bed. How nice to have dutiful friends he could count on, since he couldn’t count on himself. “I need you to help me find Mason.”

“
The authorities are looking for him,” Tristan said. “Clayworth has seen to it.”

But that wasn’t good enough, not by a long shot. “To Hell with the authorities.”

Russell agreed with a nod and did, all of a sudden, look serious. “I’ve been searching too, Philip. I’ll find the bastard one way or another.”

Which was a relief. When Russell set his mind on something, he was more determined than all of Wellington’s forces combined. “I won’t be a sitting duck for another attack from him, and I won’t let him hurt Amelia.”

“
Of course not,” Russell growled. “Damned coward. What sort of man shoots another in the back? You’re damned lucky to still be breathing.”

“
I am well aware of my luck.” Then he tilted his head towards Tristan. “You’ve seen Mason. You know what he looks like.”

Tristan nodded.

“
I’ve sacrificed everything I had for England. Olivia, my future, years spent making certain the French never invaded our shores. And for what? To be shot in the back in my own bloody country by some spineless Welshman?” He pushed up on his arms once again, ignoring the pain until he was sitting up and staring Tristan Avery in the eyes. “I won’t stand for it. If I have to hobble from this bed to put a bullet in his skull, I will. But I need you to find him.”

The blood drained from the lieutenant’s face. “I’m fairly certain Amelia will be unhappy to find you sitting up.”

“
We’ll find him,” Russell promised. “But when we’re through with him, there might not be anything left of the bastard for you to seek out your revenge.”

Philip nodded. “Thank you. You know I would do the same for you.”

Russell smiled tightly. “I do indeed.”

“
And don’t mention this to Amelia.”

“
God forbid.” Russell snorted. “We won’t mention it to Cordie either.”

A faint smile tilted Tristan’s mouth. “God no, she’d want to tag along like she did when we were children.”

He was probably right. Cordie would want to be involved, which could not be allowed. It was bad enough that Amelia was in danger every day Mason inhaled a breath of fresh air. The fewer people involved in tracking down the villain, the better.

Russell chuckled. “Cordie is too distracted with acquiring a special license for you and Amelia. She’s beyond worried people will learn how attentive the chit’s been to you.” Then he laughed harder. “Such a hypocrite, our sister of Scottish wedding fame.”

A special license? The idea brought a smile to Philip’s face. Could he truly be married as soon as all that? “Does Amelia know?”

Tristan shook his head. “I doubt it. Her attention has been solely focused on you and your expedient recovery.”

Good. Then he’d get to tell her himself. “When you leave, will you send her back to me?”

Russell laughed once more. “Indeed? Have you become accustomed to being doted upon?”

A man could get used to her ministrations. Not that Philip would ever admit as much to anyone, and certainly not to Russell Avery. “Go on with you.” He gestured towards the door. “Send her to me and find that bastard, will you?”

Amelia bounded up the stairs, her heart nearly in her throat. She brushed past a maid in the corridor and bolted into Philip’s chamber without even knocking. “Are you all right?” she asked, trying to catch her breath. “Good heavens! You’re sitting up! Doctor Watts said—”

“
I’m not going to die, Amelia.” A lazy smile spread across his face. “Did you race all the way up the steps?”

Her mouth fell open. As soon as Captain Avery said Philip had need of her, she was afraid he’d opened his wound or was in terrible pain. “The captain said—”

“
What
did
he say?”

Clearly, she’d misinterpreted Russell Avery’s summons, but he’d looked so dire when he’d sought her out, which wasn’t like him at all. But now that she truly looked at her fiancé, Philip appeared better than he had the last few days. “That you asked for me.” She bit the inside of her cheek. What a ninny she’d become.

“
I did ask for you, but I didn’t mean for you to run a footrace to reach me.” He patted the place beside him on the bed. “Come here, love.
Slowly
, that is.”

Amelia’s face burned. “I’m a complete dolt, Philip. I’ve just been so worried.”

He smiled again, comforting her a bit. Then he patted the bed once more. “Amelia, I am quite lonely all by myself. Won’t you please remedy the situation?”

Lonely? Had he lost his mind? Had his fever returned? Amelia crossed the room and touched her hand to his brow, but he didn’t feel warm. And he
did
look better than he had.

“
Sit here beside me. I have something to tell you.”

Sit on the bed? What if someone saw them?

He laughed when she frowned at him. “You removed my clothes and tended my wounds, and
now
you’re concerned about propriety?”

He had a point. Amelia sat on the bed, the very edge of it, careful not to touch or bump the injured man. “I didn’t remove all of your clothes. Just your shirt and jacket.”

“
What a pity to have missed it.” Philip lifted his arm, gesturing for her to snuggle against him. “Though I’m sure I’ll enjoy it much more the next time you do so.”

“
Philip Moore, what is the matter with you?” He might look better, but he didn’t sound like himself at all.

“
Nothing to fret over, love.” He heaved a sigh. “Did you know Cordelia Clayworth is procuring a special license for us?”

She was? Amelia’s mouth fell open. “I beg your pardon?”

“
So sit here against me, love. We’ll be married by the end of the day, I’m certain. Your reputation is safe.”

Married by the end of the day? Amelia wasn’t certain what she thought about that. She’d never had any real intention of marrying the major to begin with. But when she thought she might lose him, her heart had ached more than she knew was possible. She most definitely felt something for him, but could it be love? Wasn’t it too soon for such an emotion? Should she really marry a man she wasn’t certain she loved? Certainly she admired him, respected him. But love…?

Amelia studied his face, the strength of his jaw and his dark, honest eyes. She could do worse. She
had
done worse. Philip was sincere and noble and everything she’d ever wanted in a man. She smiled shyly at him as she snuggled against his side. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”

“
I don’t think you ever could.” His arm came down around her shoulders and he gently caressed her side. “You won’t mind heading to Leverton Park after Watts says I’m well enough to travel, will you?”

Leverton Park. To her husband’s home. Her husband? The idea still seemed so foreign. But she had to say something. He was waiting for an answer. “Cordie said your mother had beautiful roses.”

“
Do you like roses?”

“
I do.”

“
Then you’ll love Leverton Park.” He jostled her a bit so her head was resting atop his chest. “Mother had every variety in Britain. The most amazing garden.”

“
You’re certain I’m not hurting you?”

“
On the contrary, you make me feel better whenever you’re near.”

Amelia tipped her head up to look at him, and found that his warm brown eyes held no mirth, just the truthfulness she’d come to expect from him. She leaned back against his chest and let her hand settle gingerly on his stomach. “Tell me about your home. Cordie only mentioned the roses.”

“It’s the most peaceful place I know…” he began, and—settled there against him—Amelia’s anxiety slowly dissipated. His soothing voice, his gentle touch, his lovingly descriptive words all blended together, painting a picture in her mind of the Nottinghamshire home they would share. She closed her eyes to see the lovely picture more clearly in her mind.

Philip opened his eyes to discover someone had opened his drapes, allowing the afternoon sunlight to bathe his chambers with a golden glow. Amelia rested in his arms. A soft sound of contentment escaped her lips, which made Philip smile to himself. He could get used to waking with her beside him, something he couldn’t have even fathomed as far back as a few weeks ago. He wasn’t even sure how his circumstances had changed, but they most definitely had.

“
Interesting. I didn’t know you knew
how
to smile,” came a smug voice a few feet away.

Philip turned his head, blinking away the afternoon sleep from his eyes, and then scowled when he realized the owner of the voice belonged to the Duke of Kelfield, who inexplicably appeared to be sitting vigil by Philip’s bed. Twice now he’d awoken to find the damned reprobate in his chambers, which was not a situation he wanted to make a habit of.

“
I’ve heard rumor that you’ve done so on occasion in the past,” the duke continued, “but I’ve never seen evidence of it before now.”

“
What are you doing here?” Over the last year, both of them would have been happy to learn of the other’s demise, after all. “I can’t believe you’re concerned for my well-being. So what do you want?”

Kelfield shrugged, then leaned forwards in his seat. “I don’t wish you ill, Moore, despite what you may believe.” Then he gestured to the still-sleeping Amelia with a cock of his head. “Quite the nursemaid you’ve found for yourself. Never left your side, from what I hear. You’re a fairly lucky man, if you ask me.”

Philip held Amelia tighter to him as though to protect her from the duke’s notice. “I’m certain your duchess would do the same for you.” Saying so didn’t have the same sting it once would have.

Kelfield agreed with a nod. “Indeed. We’re both lucky men.” Then a rakish smirk settled on his face and he had the audacity to tsk. “An innocent miss found in
your
bed, Major Moore. You have quite compromised the girl, I’m afraid.”

Philip glared at the blackguard. If Kelfield even considered impugning Amelia’s good name… “We’re to be married,” he growled.