The American and the Duke

Chapter 12 Katerina

All I could feel was pain. Dull aching pain as I opened my eyes. Light was trickling in from the windows. The setting sun was straining against the clouds and the curtains that were drawn. The servants had started to light the candles around my bed and room. I was laying in my bed. The covers up to my waist. I was in a simple nightgown and shawl. But how? The last thing I remember was Julian on top of me. Screaming that he would kill me. I felt hot tears form in my eyes. As I remembered his hands and my throat and his breath on my face.

“Hush my darling, it is alright. You are safe now,” I heard Rowan’s voice. I felt a hand clasp around my own. I turned and saw Rowan sitting in a chair beside my bed. His hair was curly and unruly. He appeared to have slept in his clothes. How long have I been unconscious? What had happened in that time? Was Julian still here? His threats were still in my ear.

“Rowan, what,” I started. But cough, my throat hoarse and it had burned. Rowan jumped up and poured some wine from the pitcher beside my bed. He sat down next to me. He helped me sit up, propping pillows up. 

“Here drink this sweetheart. This will help,” he said. I took a sip. Feeling the wine go down my throat. The soothing liquid helped the burning go away in my throat.

“What are you doing here Rowan, in my room,” I asked. I finished the glass. I handed it back to him. He set it down on the table and then took my hand again. He gave me a small kiss on my palm.

“James sent word to me of your attack. That was yesterday evening. You have been unconscious for a day now. I was fearful that you would not wake up. That I had somehow lost you,” he said. I covered our intertwined hands. He had come to me, he had stopped everything and came to me. Me? How was that even possible? 

“You came for me,” I whispered. I looked up into his brilliant blue eyes. Seeing love and desire peer back at me. It made my heart skip a beat. He cupped my cheek gingerly. 

“Yes Kat, darling, I will always come for you. No matter the time or day. I love you, ever since I first met you I have become drawn to you,” he whispered. My heart almost burst through my chest. Those three words changed everything. He did love me, as I loved him. We were young, and had just met. But we loved each other.

“You love me,” I murmured. He chuckled and kissed my forehead. His thumb softly stroked my cheek. This man, a man I had just met, loved me. Was this even possible? 

“Yes Katerina darling, I have loved you since the moment I saw you at my ball. The look in your eyes as you told Julian off. No woman had even done such a thing. The desire and passion I long thought dead was ignited,” he replied. I felt tears fall. This is what papa was talking about. When he spoke of love he felt for mama. Rowan was in love with me. And I was in love with him.

“Please do not cry Kat sweetheart,” Rowan whispered, leaning forward and kissing the tears away. I looked into his eyes. Staring into those eyes that captured me that night. The night he had told me to trust him, the night he danced with me.

“I love you too Rowan. I was so frightened that I was just a game to you. That you would fall in love with a proper English woman,” I said. My anxiety rushed up. All the insecurities that I had felt rose up all at once.

“Never, you were never a game to me. You are the only woman I have truly wanted. Who I truly love in this world. I have loved no one in my life. And now you have come into my life to show me what love is,” Rowan replied. 

“We have only just met, I fear it was just lust. And after Julian’s attack. You would not want me anymore. That I was somehow spolied for you,” I said. He gently caressed my cheek.