For an answer, she turned her face into his shoulder and clutched at him.
Walter hurried up to them. “What the devil is this?”
Peter jostled Imogen in his arms until he had a firm grip. “She fell at the seaside and now has a pain in her head. I thought she’d suffered no harm. We should send for a physician immediately and have her examined. I’ll take her home and wait with her until your return.” He strode off without waiting to see if Walter agreed with his decision.
Imogen pressed her face against his chest. “The light hurts,” she sobbed. “I should never have come out.”
Determined not to put her down anywhere but her bed, he kicked at the door with the tip of his boot until her startled butler opened it. “Miss George is ill. Her brother is fetching a physician. Send them straight up as soon as they arrive.”
Peter quickly ascended the stairs and deposited Imogen on the bed. He brought her a glass of water when she asked for one and stood back, unsure of what to do next. “Where the hell is that physician?”
Imogen rubbed her eyes. “Oh, don’t look so worried. I’m sure the pain will pass.”
He’d look as worried as he wanted. Peter stilled. “What did you just say?”
He paced toward her, arrested by her eyes tracking his movements in a way they hadn’t done since his return. Could she see him? No, that couldn’t be. He must be imagining what he wanted. Walter would have told him if such an outcome was at all possible.
“I said don’t look so worried.” An expression of wonder crossed her face. “Stop frowning like that.”
Peter caught the back of a chair as the idea flared into fierce need. “Can you see me?”
She glanced about the room and then her gaze rested on him again. “Not well. The light hurts my eyes but I see you.”
He hurried to the bed and pulled her into his arms. “I did not believe it was possible to be happier than I was today, but I surely am now.”
He drew back and cupped her face between his hands. Her gaze flickered over his face. Her fingers rose to brush against his lips, his cheeks, his sideburns. “As handsome as I remember, Sir Peter.”
He grinned then and kissed her soundly relieved beyond belief. By some miracle her sight had returned. He just hoped there was nothing else wrong.
When the physician arrived, Peter stood at the rear of the room while the elderly man he knew only by reputation peered into each of her eyes. He waved a lit candle before her and Imogen winced, squeezing her eyes shut against the brightness. The physician sat back suddenly. “You shouldn’t get your hopes up.”
Disappointment crashed through him. Could it only be a temporary reprieve? Surely seeing again after months of darkness was a good sign. “What could have caused the change?”
The elder man shrugged. “Time perhaps or an elevation of the patient’s spirits, I cannot say which. The important thing is not to hope for too much more of an improvement.”
Peter turned his gaze to Imogen. Worry had creased her brow. He pushed off from the wall, reached her side, then took her hand in his. “We will take whatever good fortune comes from this. Thank you for your time, sir.”
The man nodded, his expression thoughtful as he withdrew.
Julia Radley pushed into the room, her clothing slightly mussed as if she’d d
ressed in a rush. She stopped at the foot of the bed and stared at Imogen, wringing her hands. “What happened? Did I hurt her with all my jumping about? Oh, I’ll never forgive myself if I’m the cause of this. It’s all my fault.”
“I’m all right, Julia. Really. The headache is fading although this room seems terribly bright even with the drapes nearly fully closed.”
Valentine Merton, who’d been silently observing proceedings from the hall, stepped up to Julia and curled an arm about shoulders. He pulled her against his side. “I’m sure you did nothing wrong. Come. I think Imogen should rest. George will let us know when we can call again.”
When everyone else shuffled out, Imogen tugged on Peter’s hand. “Did I really just see Mr. Merton act a trifle too familiar with Julia Radley?”
“You did indeed.” He laughed. “I guess his interest is a great deal more fixed than I suspected.”
She’d had her sight returned in time to see what might prove to be a most interesting romance. She grinned. “That’s wonderful.”
“I agree, but imagine what will happen when Melanie finds out.” Peter pulled a face. “She’ll make Julia’s life a living hell.”
That was true. Julia had nothing in common with Melanie Merton. She could easily have her feeling bruised. “That’s unfortunate.”
Peter settled at the side of the bed. “Enough of everyone else. How do you feel?”