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 With the wars, I thought I might not survive. Or become&  He d winced.  Maimed. A
monster.
 You are no monster but a strong and daring man, my love. She had risen from the bed
then to wrap her arms around his waist and lay her head against his chest.  And you certainly are
no cripple. I will show you.
 I can barely make love to you without shaking.
 A sign of you having lolled about here! No indication of your true potential. She d
kissed his throat.  Once the sun comes out, we will build your strength. Go for long walks. Put
you on that marvelous beast of a horse in the stable. And you will ride.
 No, I will not.
 Of course, you will. She had rubbed her breasts against him.  You would not let me
ride alone, now would you?
He had vowed he would not allow her out of his sight for year.  Perhaps not even out of
this bed for another five!
She grinned at the memory of his joke. It represented the return of his natural humor, a
quality lacking from his demeanor the first few days she d been here. The next quality she
wished to help him reclaim was his confidence in himself, and she pondered how to ensure its
return.
His revelation that he had never gone into the village since his arrival here weeks ago and
that he had sent Charles on every errand worried her. Her charming, clever colonel would not,
could not hide away from the world. She would not allow that. He had too much to offer to his
country, his men and to her to wither away in this old pile of stones.
She rose from the bed and pulled on her silk wrapper then paced the floor.
If Wesley would not go to the world, she would have to bring it to him. Wouldn t she?
How best to accomplish that?
* * * *
 I suspect the sun got jealous of the clouds and ordered them to exile, Lacy gaily told
Wes five days hence when they had enjoyed brilliant weather for four days running.
Wes had sent a message to the vicar as soon as the clouds parted, and he awaited the
cleric s presence here tomorrow as Wes had instructed.  About time, too. Now all we need is the
roads to emerge from the muck. And I will make Lacy a married woman.
Serving luncheon, Charles placed before Lacy a bowl of the stew Lacy had prepared
herself early that morning.  The road from here to town is dry. The riverbanks have receded, too.
The coach to London is running again.
Wes raised his gaze to Lacy but asked of his man,  When did it resume?
 John Topper said day before yesterday.
Lacy bit her lower lip and considered her dinner.  When you went to buy the ale today,
did he give you any news of the post?
 Mail went out three days ago. John expects our delivery here restored tomorrow.
Charles glanced sideways at Lacy.
Wes smarted at the look. What was that? His man was not still making advances on Lacy,
was he? Would Charles dare to touch Lacy now? Now that he knew she slept in Wes bed? Now
that he knew what Wes planned for tomorrow? Still, the incident shook him. Good thing you
have made arrangements with the vicar or you would be fit for bedlam with your worry over her
reputation.
 Thank you, Charles, he instructed in his commander s voice.  We are well served. You
may leave us.
 Yes, Colonel.
After a minute of silence, Lacy put down her fork and inhaled deeply.  You must know
he is not being bold with me.
Wes met her glance.  I have only one eye, but I know what I see. He gave you a look.
 It was&  She waved a hand.
Wes threw down his napkin.  Do not demean yourself by telling me 
 If you will let me finish, Wes, I will tell you that he is concerned for me. That is what it
was. Concern.
 He is not making himself a nuisance? Wes blood pounded with the very idea.
 No. She put a hand over his.  Darling, stop. He is your loyal man. Always has been. He
was helping me make you jealous, and now that you and I are one, he is done with paying me
attention. Besides Charles has confided in me that he cares deeply for a maid in the service of
your Aunt Amaryllis Stanhope.
Wes felt mollycoddled and grumbled.  It s true. Patsy O Shea is a parlor maid in my
aunt s house in Park Lane. She served briefly in my father s house, but Aunt Amaryllis took her
a few years ago when she needed new staff.
 So there you have it! Lacy lifted both shoulders, a smile wreathing her face.  You
should let them marry, you know. Suggest it, in fact.
Wes frowned at her once more.  I doubt my Aunt Amaryllis needs a sergeant who 
He shut his mouth with a snap. And smiled.  I see your line of thought.
 Wonderful. She beamed at him.
 You think we need a maid? He took Lacy s hand in his own.
 I believe we will, she said with an air of expectation to her tone.  You are not sending
me away 
 No. Never. He picked up her hand and put his lips to her palm.
 And though the sun is shining, darling, I certainly am not inclined to pack my bag and
go.
 As if you ever intended to leave, he said with rueful joy.
 There you have it! So you see, if I am staying and we are, shall we say, living together,
then don t you think we should 
 Get married. I do. I definitely do, Lady Featherstone.
She got the most sublime expression on her face.  Please say that again. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]