The Artist's Healer - Regina Scott Page 0,77

love you, Linus. Make no mistake about it.”

His hand trailed along her cheek, leaving her trembling. “I love you too, Abigail. You risked much tonight, but you saved my life.”

“So you are willing to admit that having an unconventional bride might come in handy,” she teased, hope brightening with the day.

“I would change nothing about you,” he insisted. “Except perhaps one thing.”

Abigail frowned. “What?”

“Your seating position at the moment.” He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her, and she could not find the least fault with him either.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Linus had never felt more thankful. He and the others were safe, and he was set to marry the most remarkable woman of his acquaintance. Together, there was nothing they could not do.

Including capture a French agent.

Mother Archer was awake when they returned, and she encouraged Linus to sleep a few hours in her bed. Abigail took to her own bed. She woke him at nine.

“Sorry,” she said as he sat up, still fully clothed in the rough shirt and breeches he’d borrowed. She had changed into a green sprigged-muslin gown, the sort the ladies favored these days, and her ginger hair was curled about her face.

“Did you sleep?” he asked, rising.

“A little.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He held her close a moment, breathing in the scent of peaches. He would never think of the fruit the same way again.

Then he released her to run a hand back through his hair. “I’m in poor shape to be manning the spa today, but I don’t want our guests to be concerned. How many will have heard about our adventures last night?”

“This is Grace-by-the-Sea, sir,” she reminded him, sparkle in her green eyes. “Everyone will have heard about our adventures last night.”

She was right. Mother Archer had gone to his house with Ethan, after asking Mrs. Kirby to let them in, and brought him back clean clothes, so at least he looked like a competent spa physician when he walked in an hour later, Abigail at his side.

The guests stood and applauded. Lord Featherstone offered him a bow. The Admiral stumped over to shake his hand. The rest of Mrs. Harding’s set surrounded him with congratulations. Even tiny Mrs. Rand joined them.

“I had no idea you could perform such manly feats,” she said admiringly.

Linus looked to Abigail. “Thank you for your kind words, but it wasn’t manly in the slightest. I don’t know how I might have fared if Miss Archer hadn’t intervened.”

Mrs. Rand raised her silvery brows, but Miss Turnpeth beamed at Abigail.

“I only wish that scurrilous Doctor Owens had been found,” Mr. Crabapple said. “Imagine having the temerity to impersonate a physician.” He positively trembled with indignation.

“Unforgiveable,” Mrs. Harding agreed.

Mrs. Rand sniffed. “I knew he was a charlatan. He never once asked me to cough.”

“I told you he was a troll,” Mrs. Tully reminded them.

Mrs. Denby took pity on him. “Perhaps a glass of our marvelous waters is called for,” she suggested, and they obediently turned for the fountain.

“Then the magistrate wasn’t successful?” Linus asked her before she could move away as well.

“Eva ordered the militia out first thing,” she told them. “But there was no sign of that Owens fellow at the Swan this morning. Lark was disappointed at the result as well. The magistrate sent word he is delaying the races one more day, but I don’t know how many will remain.”

Abigail frowned at her. “Surely we can determine where Owens went. Did Mr. Truant at the Swan see him leave?”

“No,” she admitted. “Nor did the stable hands.”

“The maids, then,” Abigail said. “Stay with the spa, Linus. We’ll sort this out.”

Linus caught her hand and tucked it in his arm. “Mrs. Denby, please reschedule my appointments this morning. I’ll be assisting my beloved, though I doubt she’ll need it.”

Mrs. Denby smiled. “Of course. And good luck!”

Abigail waited only until they had left the spa before giving his arm a squeeze. “Sorry. I’ll do better at remembering we are partners. I promise.”

“You’ve learned to trust only yourself,” Linus allowed as they started up the hill for the coaching inn. “I understand. I fell into the same trap. But we aren’t alone, Abigail. We can rely on each other. I hope you know I would never let you down.”

“I do, Linus,” she said. “I love you, and I trust you to do what’s best for us both.”

Love. He had feared to feel the emotion again, doubted his ability to truly recognize it. Looking into her