Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

TWO DAYS LATER

" I n vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Logan put down the copy of Pride and Prejudice he had been reading to Charlie—something Rose assured him that Charlie would like, even though she'd read it several times. Mr. Darcy had managed to win the heart of Elizabeth Bennet, the woman he loved, and Logan sorely hoped that he would somehow do the same.

Open your eyes and come back to me, Charlie . He leaned over to kiss her temple.

Logan had faced death many times on the battlefield when a split second determined whether you lived or died. He'd never dwelled on what that meant at the time. It had been easier to just keep moving, keep fighting, keep trying to stay alive. But sitting by Charlie's bedside for the past two days, he'd had nothing to do but think. Too much thinking. When all he'd wanted to do was act. If only he could travel into the darkness that held her in its grip and bring her back. He would do it if he could. He would face the fires of hell to save Charlie.

The longer Lady Charlotte remains in a deep, comatose state, the more unlikely it is for her to regain consciousness… Dr. Thakur's diagnosis continued to haunt Logan, but he refused to give up. He loved Charlie and wouldn't leave her side if there was even a smidgen of a chance she would awaken.

Logan stood and stretched out the stiffness in his arms and legs. He rubbed his hands over his face to refresh himself and felt the rough growth of beard. Bronson had offered to shave him, but he'd been too preoccupied. Logan hadn't slept in two days—he wouldn't sleep for fear of not being by Charlie's side when she woke up. Except to tend to his personal needs, he hadn't left Charlie's side. Neither had Chapelle. He smiled as he regarded Charlie's feline friend, curled up and snoring. That darned cat had taken a liking to him if sleeping at his feet was any sign.

Logan sat back down beside Charlie on the bed and reached for her hand.

"I love you, Charlie. I do. I love you." He swiped at a rogue tear. "Please, my love, please wake up." Could she hear him? Could she hear his words? He prayed she could. He wouldn't stop talking. Wouldn't stop telling her how much he loved her. Not if there was a chance that he could somehow reach her.

He closed his eyes and smiled as he remembered his first vision of her. "I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you. You were fighting off the bad guys and saving me. Your beautiful green eyes and silver-blonde hair had me besotted, even as I lay wounded."

Logan opened his eyes and gazed at Charlie, so lovely, so serene; like Sleeping Beauty. He reached out and threaded his fingers through her golden locks. He gasped and blinked. Had he just seen something? He could have sworn he saw her nose move.

"Did you see that?" He looked at Chapelle, who'd settled in her other favorite spot, under Charlie's arm. He ruffled the cat's furry head. Chapelle opened her eyes and regarded him with a grumpy, sleepy look.

No. I saw nothing. Chapelle didn't go back to sleep, though. She sat up and regarded her mistress for a moment, placing her paw gently on her cheek.

The cat must have sensed something, too. Encouraged, Logan continued, "Charlie, you were so brave—amazing, really. I have seen no one do what you and your brother did. When you get better…I want you to teach me your style of fighting—as long as you let me save you half the time." He squeezed her hand; it felt warmer. A ray of hope kindled his heart.

"Do you remember our first dance? It was our practice dance. I'll never forget it. Holding you in my arms—I could have danced with you all day—it was the headiest feeling I've ever experienced. I should have known you'd be a graceful dancer, having witnessed your incredible fighting skills. Logan continued to say positive words to encourage her to fight to wake up, to fight to come back.

"Ah, but then dancing with you at the ball was truly unforgettable. Though, I must confess to being jealous of all the gentlemen who couldn't keep their eyes off you. I was the luckiest man there." He kissed her hand. "When you are feeling better, my mother will demand that we host a ball of our own…that is, if you will honor me with your hand in marriage."

Give him something, Charlie , Chapelle said, stretching and then licking Charlie's face. The poor sot is pouring out his heart to you. He hasn't left your bed in two days—not even to bathe, and it's getting pretty stinky, let me tell you. Charlie, you've got to open those eyes! Do something. Anything .

"I hear you, Chapelle," Logan said, arching a brow. "Thanks for making me think I stink."

You're welcome. If you heard me, then you also heard me beg her to wake up for you, Chapelle meowed.

"Bloody hell! Charlie, you've got to come back, or Chapelle and I will likely drive each other batty—and I'm having a conversation with your cat."

I can concede to that, Chapelle thought. Charlie, this man loves you. And I know you love him. You must wake up; the poor fool is quite miserable without you. He's all you ever wanted. The cat looked up. I hope you appreciate the depths I've gone for you, Fitzwater.

Logan realized he'd come to rely on the cat's quips. They'd kept him alert, and he wanted to be alert for Charlie. "I do, Chapelle. I do."

He reached out and caressed Charlie's beloved face. "Chapelle is right, my love. I am miserable without you. I know we come from two different worlds, but all I can say is, I don't care about that. All I care about is you and being with you. Please come back to me. Give us a chance," he said, his voice cracking. He gazed at her through eyes blurred with tears. He'd fought the tears long enough, swiping them away. But he couldn't any longer. He lifted Charlie's hand to his face as the tears poured down. "I love you, Charlie." Logan leaned down and kissed her on the lips. "I love you, and I want you as my wife—magic and all."

Charlie clawed her way through the cold, thick fog toward his voice. It was warm and inviting and promised her the life and love she yearned for. Did he say he wanted me as his wife? With each word of encouragement, she felt the warmth begin to seep back into her limbs.

I want to go back. I want to be with Logan. I want to see my family and friends again, and my dear Chapelle.

She kept moving forward, and the fog began to dissipate. A light. She saw a light and warmth. She saw Logan and Chapelle…

How do I do this? I need to open my eyes. I need to wake up …

She blinked and opened her eyes.

"Charlie, are you awake, or am I just seeing what I want to see?" Logan rasped.

"Wa…ter," she whispered.

Chapelle stood and stared at Charlie. All it took was a kiss? Come on! I kissed you hours ago!

Logan grabbed the water glass from the bedside table and held it to her lips. She drank greedily.

When she'd had enough water, Charlie moved her head away. "Tell me what you said about giving a ball." Her voice sounded strange to her ears, raspy and ragged.

"You heard that?"

"Yes. Tell me," she cajoled.

"The part about my mother expecting us to throw a ball?" he asked.

She nodded.

"She would want to celebrate our union."

Her eyes brightened. She had heard it right. "Are you asking me to marry you?"

"I am." He grinned. "Did you actually awaken after I kissed you?

"I did."

He laughed. "My God! It might have been two days…but to me, it felt like a hundred years!"

"Yes, I suppose it was rather Sleeping Beauty-like. Does that make you my Prince Charming?" she asked. She felt like the luckiest woman in the world at this moment.

"I promise to be whoever you want me to be for whatever time this world gives us," he said, his voice smiling. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it in a courtly manner. "I will be your Prince Charming, your Knight in Shining Armor, and your Mr. Darcy."

She giggled. "I like that. I think I like the Mr. Darcy part most of all."

Logan leaned down and kissed her lips. It was a gentle kiss, but it held the promise of so much more.

"Chapelle, find Caden," Logan said, happiness flooding his chest. "Tell him she's awake… Tell everyone! Tell them Charlie has agreed to be my wife!"

It's bad enough I must share her with Prince Charming, but I won't tolerate you acting like King Tutt and issuing orders. I'll find Caden…but I'm a cat, for goodness' sake! Not your servant. We have our standards , Chapelle huffed. She flicked her tail and flounced from the room.

"Do you think there will be room enough for both of us?" Logan laughed after the cat had left.

"I do, my prince." Charlie pulled him close and kissed him with every ounce of strength in her body, determined to spend the next hundred years warm and in his arms.