Because of Rebecca - By Leanne Tyler Page 0,72
“Anything you like, my love.”
Rory stepped between them. “I’ll still send Higgins to fetch you.”
“Have him call on us at the Bakersfield Hotel.” Jared instructed.
A sly smile formed at Rory’s mouth. “Can’t wait until you arrive home, Cousin?”
Rebecca’s cheeks flamed at his words, but she continued to smile.
“We’re going to see her aunt and tell her the news,” Jared explained. He fought the urge to grab Rory by the collar and throttle him for his crudeness.
“Beg your pardon,” he said with a grin.
“No harm done,” Rebecca assured him, touching his arm. “Thank you again for your aid today. You didn’t have to come in search of us, but you did, and for that I’m truly thankful.”
Rory half-bowed and flashed a smile. “It was the least I could do. You did marry my cousin and for that I’m eternally grateful. Perhaps now he’ll be less cross with me.”
Jared grimaced at his cousin’s attempt at charm. “Get going.”
Rory sauntered a few steps ahead, but turned back. “I’ll get rid of Delaney if he should be waiting around Oak Hill. After all, I instructed Mary to be cordial and offer him a room if he wished to wait for my return.”
“How very hospitable of you,” Jared grumbled.
Rory shrugged. “He does believe the place mine, so why shouldn’t I be generous?”
Rebecca remained quiet until he’d left them. When he was out of hearing, she turned to Jared. “You don’t think Delaney is waiting for Rory at Oak Hill, do you? Surely if Mary paid him the debt, he’d take the money and leave.”
Jared sighed and offered her his arm. She placed her hand on it and they began walking toward the main street. “It’s hard to predict what a gambler will do, and after meeting Delaney, I could see him wearing out his welcome.”
“I can’t take Lucas to Oak Hill until I know Delaney is gone.” Her brow creased with concern. “Maybe I should…stay in town…tonight while you make sure he has?”
“No.” Jared’s stomach tightened in frustration at the thought of another night apart from her. Damn Rory and his interference.
“We both should stay in town?”
“Yes. We are married now. Don’t you think we should stay together?”
A wicked grin lit up her face. “And as your cousin has reminded us, we haven’t had our wedding night yet. Besides, you did promise to kiss me soundly each morning when I wake.”
“Yes. Yes I did. And I can’t very well do that if you are in town and I am at Oak Hill. It just isn’t a way to start a marriage.”
He slowed their pace and turned to face her. “However, as much as I detest the idea of being apart from you, I can wait for our wedding night, if we must. And I can stay at Oak Hill alone tonight if you desire. But if we stay apart I promise to arrive early to keep my word and to bring you home to Oak Hill.”
She smiled. “Darling, there is no need for us to stay apart. I want to be with you tonight and I can bear to be away from Lucas another night to ensure he’s safe from Delaney. I will ask Aunt Josephine to bring him out tomorrow. Besides, we will need time to prepare him a room before he arrives.”
Jared cupped her cheek in his hand. “The nursery is already furnished. It only needs to be cleaned, and I’ll set Mary on it first thing tomorrow, but I think you will find it sufficient for his needs.”
Rebecca blinked and her green eyes glistened. “Oh Jared. The room that was meant for your son? Are you sure you want my Lucas to have it?”
“Our Lucas,” he corrected.
Her eyelids fluttered and a lone tear rolled down her cheeks. “Our Lucas,” she whispered. “I like the sound of that.”
“For now and for always.”
She nodded and he brushed his lips against hers, not caring who might see them. They were married now.
They began walking again. “It’s such a beautiful evening. I wonder what your aunt will say about our news.”
Rebecca laughed softly. “She’ll be pleased. She thought we were eloping and that was the reason behind my going to Memphis so suddenly anyway. I assured her it wasn’t, but you changed that.”
“I’m glad I did.”
It wasn’t long before the Bakersfield Hotel came into view. From behind the doors, gay music could be heard. “They must be having another extravaganza in the dining room,” Rebecca said. “I wonder what the theme is tonight. Aunt Josephine and