that much color. Obviously, it didn't any longer. Tyler must have robbed every garden in the territory, and maybe a cemetery or two. She didn't know where he'd found the paper roses.
Tears were rolling down Evie's cheeks when Tyler entered. She didn't look at him, just stood there clasping her elbows and shaking with sobs. He glanced around to better examine his handiwork in the light of the one lamp he had lit earlier.
The easel and canvas he had glimpsed once were stored away, as were the books and other niceties that Evie liked to travel with. The towering stack of trunks told their story. She had meant to move out of this room.
He didn't want to know what that meant. He came up behind her, but he was afraid to touch her. He'd thought the flowers would add a festive touch for a less than festive occasion, but he hadn't expected floods of tears. Not from Evie. He was afraid she would crumble if he touched her.
"The stores were closed. I couldn't buy a wedding gift," he offered tentatively. He'd never really had to court a woman before, and Tyler felt awkward at the business. Had she been anyone but Evie, he could have her out of her gown and on the bed within minutes. But Evie had every reason to despise him and what would happen on that bed. It put a man in a damned awkward position.
Evie dashed at her tears with the back of her hand. "They're lovely. I wish I knew what they were all called. I'd like to have a garden someday with all of them in it."
"Roses, lilacs, Easter flowers, and I don't know what they call the pink things, but I can find out. It's a good thing they don't hang a man for flower theft around here, or you'd be a widow tomorrow." He tried the light touch, but it didn't sound so light after he said it.
Evie nodded hesitantly. "It would be very confusing to be twice widowed and never married. I guess it's a good thing you won't hang."
The laughter wasn't there, but at least she was making jokes. Tyler allowed himself a small breath of relief as he loosened his tie. The Evie he knew wasn't overly inclined to tears. That must be the effect of pregnancy. Already, she was starting to bounce back. They would have to learn to make the best of a bad situation.
"I guess the live ones ought to go in water. I don't suppose that collection of trunks has vases?"
"The top one has the china," Evie answered vaguely, her gaze traveling to the flower-filled water pitcher. She would have to wash and prepare herself for bed. How could she do it with Tyler in the room? She didn't think stringing a sheet across the room worked with a husband.
Tyler reached for the trunk. "Take the Easter flowers out of the water pitcher. I've ordered up hot water. You can go behind the dressing screen to get ready while I dig out your china."
She watched worriedly as he lifted the smallest trunk from the stack, but he handled it with care. A knock at the door sent her scurrying for the screen. She didn't want anyone to see her right now. It was as if the whole world knew she was newly married and could see in their heads what was about to happen to her. Or she thought would happen to her. Tyler hadn't touched her. Maybe he would leave her alone.
She really didn't think he would, but Evie clung to the notion as Tyler moved around the room while she cautiously unfastened her shirtwaist. He handed a pitcher of steaming water around the dressing screen, and it looked inviting enough to encourage her to wash. She had heard of marriages of convenience. Perhaps that was what Tyler intended. She felt better just imagining it.
As she washed, Evie threw a dubious look at the high- necked linen nightgown she usually wore to bed. She wasn't at all certain that she could step out from behind the screen wearing that. Perhaps she ought to keep on her chemise and corset and pantalets. Sleeping in a corset sounded highly uncomfortable, but to allow herself to be unfettered beneath a thin piece of linen seemed a wanton thing to do in Tyler's presence.
She compromised and wore just the chemise and pantalets beneath the gown. It was going to be infernally warm that way, but she couldn't