Chapter Twelve
Pippa was grateful for the quilt that cushioned her back, and wondered when the shards of pain streaking through her wound would begin to fade. She was desperately trying to maintain a modicum of control—but who could, really, after being stabbed?
“I came as soon as Mrs. Green let me know that you were awake. How are you feeling?”
Millie’s voice had her looking up. One glance and fear sliced through Pippa. Her friend was here…alone! “Where is Roarke?”
Millie’s concerned expression slowly eased into an indulgent smile. “In the nursery with Prudence and his new self-appointed protectors, Percy and Phineas.”
“Those lads are crafty,” Flaherty added. “They’ve managed to get the better of meself and me cousins on more than one occasion. Millie’s babe is safe with them. Tell yer friend what’s on yer mind, lass.”
“But I thought you would,” Pippa replied.
Millie glanced from Pippa to Flaherty and back. “Well, since I’m here, one of you should.” Her easy demeanor changed instantly. “Oh Lord, It’s Trentchester, isn’t it? He’s found us!”
Millie spun, and was about to leave when Flaherty stepped around her, blocking her exit. Reaching for her hand, he gave it a gentle tug to get her attention. “’Tisn’t Trentchester. He is not here. Ye’re safe and have nothing to worry about.”
Pippa rose from her seat, and Millie waved at her. “Please sit down. I’m sorry to have jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
“Given all you have been through, you have every right to react in a panic,” Pippa replied. “I know I would have if our places were reversed.” When Millie remained silent, Pippa beckoned her friend to come closer. “Dillon and I have news.”
A ghost of a smile appeared on Millie’s face as she sat in the empty chair next to Pippa. “I knew there was more between you than misplaced pride.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Pippa grumbled.
“Oh, I think you do. We have been friends far too long for me not to suspect what was really bubbling beneath the surface between you and our handsome protector,” Millie said. “When’s the wedding?”
Pippa’s jaw dropped, but she recovered quickly. “What makes you think—”
“I have eyes, Phillipa Rose Stanhope.”
“So do I, Millicent Alison Trentchester!”
Flaherty grumbled, “I’m not telling either of ye me middle name—even if ye threaten to torture me.”
The gruff expression on his handsome face loosened the knots of worry in Pippa’s belly. He would not take no for an answer, and would protect Millie and Roarke with or without Millie’s consent.
His next words confirmed it: “Just ask her, Pippa-lass.”
Millie gave Pippa her full attention. “Ask me what?”
“Pippa has given a request to me concerning yerself and yer son. I have agreed upon the condition that she ask ye herself. No one should have their lives upended without their consent.”
Pippa frowned at Flaherty. “Isn’t that what you had in mind when you asked me to marry you?”
“I knew it!” Millie crowed. “Will you wait for the banns to be read?”
“Nay, not with the possible threat still lurking around yerself and yer babe, and thereby me hardheaded bride-to-be—yer self-proclaimed protector,” Flaherty said.
Millie waited, but Pippa didn’t know how to ask without her friend thinking it was out of pity. Then she decided she would lead with that. “We have never lied to one another.”
Millie nodded. “Our friendship is based on trust and the truth.”
“As it should be,” Flaherty interjected.
Pippa sighed. “I have grieved the loss of Roarke with you, Millie, and have never pitied you. The love the two of you shared was a beacon of hope that I have held in my heart, praying that I would find the same, if only my father would relent in his bid to see me married to an older gentleman.”
Millie’s eyes welled at the mention of her husband, but she blinked the moisture away at the mention of Pippa’s marriage prospects.
“Elderly…not older,” she corrected her. “I do hope my father talked yours out of arranging a marriage between yourself and Lord Hinchman.” Millie grimaced. “Or Lord Ives.”
Pippa shuddered, and Flaherty walked over and gently placed a hand on her uninjured shoulder. “Baron Summerfield has obtained a special license on our behalf. We’re to be married—as the lass has informed me—as soon as she’s recovered enough to stand on her own two feet.”
“Tomorrow, then.” Millie’s knowing look should have irritated Pippa, but her friend knew her far too well.
Flaherty chuckled. “Aye, Millie, tomorrow. But there is the matter of yer safety…and that of yer babe.”
“Er…yes.” Pippa rushed on, “I accepted Dillon’s proposal on the condition that you and Roarke will live with us and will be under his protection for as long as you wish.”
Before Millie could refuse, Flaherty added, “With me protection comes the added benefit that me brothers and cousins will add yerself and Roarke to those they protect.”
Millie’s frown deepened. “But I haven’t met your brothers.”
“I haven’t either,” Pippa said, “but Dillon has assured me that should anything happen to him”—she paused to lift her gaze to meet his—“and Lord willing it won’t, his three brothers and twelve cousins would protect me with their lives.
” When her friend remained silent, Pippa added, “I cannot, and will not, marry Dillon unless you and Roarke accept my terms, too.”
“Pippa, you do not know what you are asking of Flaherty. He has every right to enjoy your marriage without interference. You have witnessed that my son has a strong set of lungs and would no doubt raise the roof before either of you are ready to begin your day.”
“I grew up in a small cottage with me three brothers, da, ma, and grandma,” Flaherty said. “Family takes care of family.”
“But I’m not your family,” Millie reminded him.
“Yerself and yer son will be after Pippa and I wed. Ye’re the sister of her heart, and Roarke is her adopted nephew. Don’t let yer pride get in the way. Search yer heart, and let it guide yer answer.”
A tear escaped, and then another. “Mayhap you should ask Garahan and O’Malley—”
“Ask me what?” Garahan said as he entered the room. “O’Malley and I heard there was a situation brewing that we needed to know about.”
“’Tis the same situation I agreed to without having been asked ahead of time the day the both of ye wed,” Flaherty said.
“That ye did, Dillon,” O’Malley replied. “Caro and I are grateful.”
“I never said I wouldn’t agree,” Garahan grumbled. “The twins were the ones who overheard yer discussion earlier and told me wife.”
“And Prudence told ye,” Flaherty finished for him. “Then ye agree?”
Garahan walked over to stand in front of Pippa and Millie. O’Malley did the same. They nodded to Flaherty, who put his hand over his heart.
“I pledge to love and protect ye, lass, and will gladly add Millie and her babe under me protection—and will do so with me life if that is what God demands of me.” He nodded to his cousins, who put their hands over their hearts.
Garahan was the first to echo the pledge. O’Malley second.
“Our brothers and cousins would add their vows if they were here,” Flaherty added.
“But why? They don’t know me either,” Millie insisted.
“Ah, but they know Flaherty,” O’Malley said. “And if he has pledged his heart and his life to the lass, and his protection to include yerself and yer babe—”
Garahan interrupted, “That is enough for us to add ours as well. Accept our pledge.”
“And accept Flaherty’s,” O’Malley added.
Millie rose from her chair and threw her arms around Flaherty first, then Garahan and O’Malley. “Thank you all, though I will never fully deserve—”
“I’d stop at thank you,” Pippa told her.
Millie smiled. “Thank you. What time is the wedding?”
“Aren’t you going to ask where we will live?” Pippa asked.
“It doesn’t matter where we live, as long as you and Flaherty are happy. Roarke and I will be happy and try to stay out of your way.”
Flaherty shook his head. “I’m partial to babes”—the sound of a scuffle coming from the hallway beyond the door caught his attention, and he grinned—“and irascible, interfering twins. Come inside, lads, and hear me good news!”
Percy and Phineas ducked into the room and gave a cheer. “We knew you were stuck on her,” Percy said.
“Stuck?” Flaherty asked.
Percy shrugged. “You stare at Pippa all the time.”
“And?”
Phineas grinned. “You are either smiling at her, or frowning and grumbling. We noticed Garahan did that when he fell in love with our cousin Prudence.”
“O’Malley acted the same way with Caro,” Percy added.
“Well, there ye have it, lass.” Flaherty grinned as he handed Millie his handkerchief. “The experts on marriage have spoken.”
Millie dried her eyes and blew her nose before asking, “Are you certain? I’d rather you change your mind now than after when you have had a chance to live with Roarke and myself.”
“I won’t be changing me mind.” He bent to press his lips to the top of Pippa’s head. “I’ve a feeling the lass will be strong enough to stand by me side tomorrow. All I need to do is speak to his lordship. He said he’ll send word to the vicar. We’ll exchange vows then.”
Pippa reached for Flaherty’s hand and held it tight. “Are you certain you will you be able to set aside time to marry me tomorrow afternoon? And that Garahan and O’Malley will be there, too?”
Flaherty raised their joined hands to his lips. “I’m certain. Faith, I’d move the sun and the moon if ye asked it of me, lass.”
Pippa snuck a glance at Millie and then looked up into the brilliant blue eyes of the man who had stolen her heart. “You already have, Dillon.”