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M aggie woke up feeling warm and disorientated.

Why had she fallen asleep sitting up? And why did she feel so safe? So cozy?

She shifted her head, looking around. Tension filled her. Where was she?

“You’re all right, Little girl,” Ian told her. “You’re safe. You’re at the hospital. Remember? William fell down the stairs.”

She gasped, sitting up straighter and pushing at the blanket.

“Easy,” Ian soothed, pulling the blanket off. “Everything is all right.”

“Uncle Willy?” She glanced over at the man still asleep on the bed. Why wasn’t he waking up? “How long was I asleep?”

She shouldn’t have fallen asleep at all. What had she been thinking? What if he’d woken up needing her?

Except Jack had grown all bossy on her and demanded that she nap or go home. And she’d been too tired to fight him.

“Nothing happened. You needed the sleep.”

She climbed off Ian’s lap, embarrassed that she’d fallen asleep on him. “Are your legs numb?”

“Of course not.”

“You should have moved me off you.”

“I would have sat there forever if it meant you got more sleep,” he told her as he stood.

Crazy man.

She blushed as she glanced around the room at anything but him. “Where’s Jack?”

“He went home to shower and get us all a change of clothes.”

“He should stay and sleep. You should go home and sleep too. I can watch Uncle Willy on my own.”

Ian snorted. “If you think that’s happening, then you need to think again, Little girl. There is no way we would leave you here on your own. And if anyone needs to go home for a sleep, it’s you.”

“I just slept for two hours.” And she didn’t feel any better than when she went to sleep, unfortunately.

She had a thumping headache and felt nauseous.

“You need more than that. You only got a few hours last night, plus this has put you through a lot of stress. You also need to eat and drink. I’m going to see about getting some food for you.”

“I don’t want to be a bother,” she protested.

“You’re not a bother. I want you to stay here, understand? Beck is just outside and I’ll be back soon.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

After Ian left, she quickly used the bathroom. As she returned to the room, a nurse was there checking Uncle Willy’s vitals. He stirred, opening his eyes. “Who’re you?”

Maggie’s heart skipped and she raced to his side, hoping he was more awake this time.

“Hello, Mr. Stonehurst, my name is Kate. I’m a nurse. You’re in the hospital.”

“Hospital?”

“Uncle Willy? It’s me. Maggie.”

Please remember me.

“Maggie, dear.”

Relief flooded her, even though Uncle Willy looked terrible. He was pale and drawn. Weak.

“What’s going on?”

“You fell down the stairs at the house where we’re staying and hit your head. But don’t worry, we’re in the hospital and you’re going to be just fine.”

“Hit my head . . .” Worry filled his face.

“It’s all good, Uncle Willy.”

“Good. Right.”

She knew he was worried that people would view him differently when they learned of his dementia which is why he’d begged her not to say anything. But, to be honest, Maggie wished she had more people she could lean on. Indie knew, but she was the only person she’d told.

Well, other than Jameson.

“How is your head feeling, Mr. Stonehurst?” the nurse asked.

Maggie let the nurse go through a few things, turning as the door opened and Ian walked in with a tray of food.

Relief filled his face as he saw her uncle was awake. She smiled up at him. He set the tray down on the table at the end of the bed and came over to her side.

“William, good to see you awake.”

“Ahh, yes. Thank you.”

She tensed slightly. Had he forgotten who Ian was?

“Ian has been worried about you too,” she told him. “He and Jack found you. Ian’s been here with me the whole time.”

Ian placed his hand on the back of her neck, squeezing lightly as though lending her his support. He probably thought she was rambling out of nervousness.

Which was kind of true.

“Everything looks good,” the nurse said. “I suspect you’re feeling sore and tired. Just rest and relax. The doctor will do his evening rounds soon.”

“Thank you, dear,” Uncle Willy replied, already sounding tired. “Looks like I’m in excellent hands. Maggie? We need to contact the queen and Princess Pippa. Let them know this won’t delay anything.”

“I’ve spoken to Prince Kassim,” Ian reassured her uncle. “He said to rest. There’s still eleven days until the wedding.”

“The show must go on.” Uncle Willy closed his eyes, falling asleep. “I’ll be fine in a few days.”

Relief almost made her feel dizzy. She slumped forward, resting her head on the mattress.

“Hey, Little Misfit. You doing all right?” Ian asked.

“Just happy he woke up and spoke to me.” She straightened, staring at Ian. “Thanks for staying with me.”

“Of course. I’m not going anywhere,” he said quietly.

“You don’t have to be quiet. Uncle Willy can sleep through a volcano eruption. I once had to wake him when we were staying in a hotel and the fire alarm went off. It’s crazy how deep he sleeps.”

He stared down at her for a long moment. The look in his eyes wasn’t something she’d seen before. He seemed soft. Caring. But hungry at the same time.

He kneeled in front of her and she leaned into him. It happened almost without conscious thought. His lips brushed hers with a softness she didn’t know he could display. His hands cupped her face and he held her steady as his mouth pressed against hers.

His tongue slid between her lips, teasing. Tasting.

More. She wanted more. She slid her hand behind his head, her fingers tangling in his hair.

An alarm sounded from outside the room, making her jolt, and she suddenly realized what they were doing.

Making out while her uncle slept beside them.

This was not her greatest moment.

“I’m sorry,” she said at the same time as Ian started apologizing.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he said.

Great. That was what every girl wanted to hear. A man regretting kissing her.

And, of course, it just had to be the best kiss she’d ever experienced.

Why couldn’t a nice guy who wanted to be with her, to worship her, kiss her like that?

Sometimes, the world just wasn’t fair.

“I, um, it was my fault.”

“No. It wasn’t. I took advantage of you when you were vulnerable. That’s not acceptable.”

Right. Cool. Good talk.

“I can’t . . . let’s just . . . I can’t . . .”

Apparently what she couldn’t do was spit out an entire sentence.

“Let’s just forget about that for the moment. We need to concentrate on looking after you.”

Right. Okay. Forget. She could do that.

Maybe.

“Forget about it. It never happened. Got it.”

“I never said to pretend it never happened,” he told her in a low, growly voice. “I don’t want to forget it happened forever. Just that this isn’t the right time.”

What?

What did that mean? That he’d liked the kiss? Oh God. Now she was even more confused.

“Just let it go for now. You need taking care of and I’m falling down on that.”

She really didn’t agree.

“You need to eat,” he insisted.

“I’m really not hungry.”

“You have to be. You haven’t eaten all day.”

“I feel kind of sick,” she admitted.

“That’s from the lack of sleep and stress. Now, either you eat or I feed you.”

She sighed but nodded. Ian moved the table around so it rested over her lap. There was a chicken salad sandwich. Some cut up fruit with yogurt and a glass of orange juice.

“What about you?” she asked.

“I ate before.”

“That’s good.” She just continued to stare at the food. She was too tired to even pick the spoon up for the fruit.

Ian let out a small grunt before he opened the sandwich packaging. He held one half up to her mouth. “Open. Bite. Chew.”

She rolled her eyes at him but did as ordered. To her surprise, she quickly found herself taking another bite.

Turns out, she was hungry. She ate most of the sandwich and some of the fruit before shaking her head.

“Very good.”

A flush filled her cheeks and he gave her a knowing look.

“Thanks for staying with me. I know it’s your job to watch out for us, but I . . . I appreciate it.”

“It might be my job, Little Misft. But it’s also my privilege. And I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

She gaped up at him in surprise. He said that like he really meant it.

“I’m just so worried.” Her lower lip trembled.

“Hey. Everything is going to be all right.” He moved the table away and drew her up so he could sit down. Then settled her in his lap. She turned so she could press her face into his chest. His arms surrounded her, filling her with a sense of safety.

“You spoke to him,” Ian told her. “He seemed good. And you heard the nurse, he’s doing well. Everything is going to be okay.”

Would it, though?

Because eventually, this horrible disease would take him from her. A sob escaped. She tried to hold it in, but she couldn’t.

“What is it? What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” Alarm filled his voice as he tried to draw her back away from him.

But she clung to him like a barnacle to a ship’s hull. No doubt he could have removed her with some force. But she knew Ian would never risk hurting her.

The sound of the door opening barely registered.

“What’s going on? What’s wrong with Maggie?” Jack asked quietly. “I thought you said William was doing better.”

“As far as I’m aware, he is,” Jameson said.

Great. Jameson was here too.

“Ian? Did you say something to her?” Jack snapped.

She’d never heard him sound so angry. Maggie wiped at her cheeks, turning her face away from Ian’s chest.

“It’s nothing Ian did. I’m just . . . I’m relieved that Uncle Willy is okay. He’s . . . I’m much closer to him than anyone else in my family. He’s always been there for me, always understood me. When I desperately needed a job, he gave me one. I know it was because I’m his niece, but I’ve worked hard to help him. I hope I do.”

“Of course you do,” Jameson said. “And Kate said that he woke up and was conversing. So far, everything is looking really good. So you don’t need to worry.”

“I . . . yes. Thank you.”

“Jack said he went home and got you all some clothes, but I think you should go home and get some rest,” Jameson told her. “You look exhausted. I’ve finished my shift, but everyone here will take good care of him.”

“I don’t . . . I don’t think I’d sleep even if I went home.” All three men frowned. “But you don’t have to stay with me.”

“Stop that,” Ian commanded. “You know we’re staying.”

Jack just nodded.

Jameson studied her. Moving over to her, he took her hand in his, placing his fingers over her pulse. After a moment, he nodded. “All right, you can stay tonight. But you’re going to sleep in an actual bed.” He held up his hand as she went to protest. “These are the rules. I’m the doctor. If I wanted to, I could have you removed. Or I could have you admitted. And frankly, you look bad enough that no one would question me.”

Great. That was just lovely.

Such a boost to her ego.

“I’m going to have another bed wheeled in here for you. You’ll sleep in it. You’ll stay in the bed for at least eight hours. Understand me? Did you eat dinner?”

“She did,” Ian said in a strange-sounding voice.

“Excellent. So first, a shower. Then, rest. And I’m going to stay with you tonight.”