Free Forever Mine by Monica Burns Page A

Victoria. Come back to me. Come back to me now.”
    She knew she should recognize the man’s voice, but she couldn’t remember how or why. She took a step toward the roughly spoken sound, when the mist blew away as swiftly as it had come. Victoria took a breath and shuddered as fresh air filled her lungs. Strong arms held her steady, and she blinked several times until her gaze focused on the Nicholas’ worried expression. She was at Brentwood Park.
    “Nicholas?” she murmured.
    “It’s all right,” he said in a gentle voice. “You fainted and managed to give Molly quite a scare.”
    “Fainted?”
    Victoria shook her head slightly in an effort to throw off the dizziness still making her feel off balance. His fingers lightly brushed her forehead and a sensation pierced her disoriented state. The rock hard strength of Nicholas’ arms around her. It was a strong and protective embrace, and she’d never felt so safe.
    “My lord, shall I call for the physician?”
    The young woman who’d entered the room earlier stepped into view, and the fearful apprehension on the maid’s face made Victoria shake her head quickly.
    “ No . No, doctors.”
    “You’re clearly unwell, Victoria.” A dark frown creased his forehead giving him the appearance of a dark angel, but she wasn’t frightened. It was the look of a man intent on protecting her.
    “I fainted. I’m sure it’s from hunger. I don’t remember the last time I ate.” Victoria stared up at him with a silent plea not to call a physician. He studied her for a long moment before he nodded.
    “No doctors,” he said. “But if this happens again, I will call Dr. Bertram.”
    “Thank you.” Her response caused his eyebrows to arch.
    “Three times in one day,” he said quietly. His puzzlement said he was struggling with his conviction as to her identity. “Molly, help the countess with her bath and arrange for a meal to be brought up. As for you madam wife, you’re to spend the rest of the evening in bed.”
    “But—”
    “No arguments, Victoria.”
    The inflexible set to his features made her frown, but she remained silent. When she was capable of standing on her own, he released her from his embrace. The moment her body was deprived of his heat, she wanted to throw herself back into his arms again. She swallowed hard, as he retreated for a second time to the corridor connecting their rooms. Once again his departure left her feeling bereft, but this time she didn’t want to try and determine the depth of the sensation.

Chapter 6

    Present Day
    T he hospital room was quiet except for the steady beep of a heart monitor as Nick stared at the woman in the bed. Nothing made sense to him anymore. One minute he’d been arguing with Nora about a portrait he’d been unable to part with since he was a teenager, and in the next he’d seen that portrait come to life in the gallery. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the movement of the door opening. He’d expected the nurse and was surprised to see his sister walk into the room. With a quick glance at his watch, he realized it was eight in the morning.
    “Hi,” Nora said softly. “How is she?”
    “The same.”
    “I brought you a change of clothes since you were so damn determined to spend the night.” Nora held up an overnight bag and he nodded.
    “Thanks,” he said quietly.
    “You look like crap. When was the last time you had something to eat?”
    “I’m not hungry,” Nick muttered as he shoved his hand through his hair.
    “Did you get any sleep?”
    “Enough.” He didn’t bother to point out it had been impossible to sleep.
    “Damn it, Nick, you can’t stay glued to this woman’s side day and night. It’s crazy.” Nora glared at him with sisterly concern.
    “I’m not leaving her.”
    “Well for God’s sakes, take the time to visit the cafeteria. If you insist on staying here, you at least need to eat.”
    “When I get hungry, I’ll go down and get a sandwich. Will that satisfy