Angel of Mercy

Chapter 37

Emma awoke the next morning to find herself alone in Ethan's bed. Well not completely alone, Daisy was there as well but Ethan was nowhere in sight.

Emma knew as soon as she left this room the joy she was feeling would evaporate. She would have to get on with her life, a life without Ethan in it. She sighed and laid back on the pillows staring at the ceiling. He hadn't made love to her last night; he was too honorable for that. He wouldn't ruin her for another man he had said when Emma had started to protest. She hadn't the heart to tell him he already had. Instead, Ethan had held her and kissed her and touched her leaving the lingering promise on her skin of what things would be like if they joined together. Ethan said the only way that could happen was if they were man and wife. Though Emma knew full well he'd been with plenty of women, and he was not married, why was she different she had asked. Because I love you, he had said, and I shall not taint it without the bonds of marriage between us.

Marriage to Ethan would be lovely, she admitted. But it wasn't her place to stand by his side. She was meant to care for others, cure illnesses and provide for her family. It wasn't what she had planned but it was the life she now had and she'd rather clean up vomit after a pregnant woman then become Peter Camden's wife!

Emma dreaded the carriage ride ahead of her tomorrow. She knew Peter would not relent with his arguments about why they should marry. If only she could whack him over the head with a mallet maybe that would knock some sense into him!

Emma was just about to get out of bed when Ethan returned.

"Where did you go?" she asked.

"I needed to speak with Mrs. Dandridge."

He let Daisy out into the hall then joined her under the covers.

"Ooh your cold!" Emma cried.

"Sorry," he apologized, "Aunt Isabelle is right. It is drafty here."

Emma smiled, "So why did you need to speak with Mrs. Dandridge?"

"That's a surprise." he said smiling.

"Is that so?" she queried.

Ethan nodded, running a finger down her cheek.

"If this is to be our last day together then let's make it count."

"And how do you propose we do that?" she asked.

"First you can warm me up."

He pulled her into his arms and laid her down beside him. Then he took off his shirt and pressed her palms against his chest. He had a marvelous chest despite the weight and muscle he had lost. He was beautiful to her, even when he had been lying broken and dying, she had noticed his beauty and desirability.

"Come here," she whispered.

He leaned down and kissed her.

"Closer."

He wrapped his arms around her.

She sighed.

"It doesn't have to be this way." She could feel how much he desired her.

"But it does." He kissed her neck. "Unless you've changed your mind."

He looked at her hopefully.

"No, I haven't." She hated saying the words, but she knew she must.

"Then I will just hold you." Ethan amended, caressing her gently in his arms.

It wasn't what either of them wanted but it was still nice. Emma savored the moment knowing it would be all she had to comfort herself with when she was gone.