with all her belongings on their journey to Gretna Green. Which seemed odd, but Rock had explained that it had fallen off of the mail coach. He’d taken her shopping shortly after they’d arrived.
Upon opening the boxes, she was delighted to learn that not only did she have a most adoring and generous husband, but that she herself had excellent taste. The purchases included two fashionable gowns, underthings to go with them, and all manner of accessories.
A married couple now, they would not return to London in the same manner they’d left. Earlier that morning, Stone had gone in search of a conveyance they could rent so that she would be comfortable, and so that they would not be beholden to anyone’s schedule but their own. And although her brother, mother, and sister would be anxious for their return, Stone said it was more important that they travel at a pace she was comfortable with.
Mrs. Hettrick, the innkeeper’s wife, had gone out of her way to assist her. She’d not only had hot water sent up for a bath, but had also excused Wilma from her morning chores so she could assist Tabetha with her bath and then help her dress and fix her hair.
Looking her best was almost as good as getting her memory back.
Tabetha leaned forward, studying her reflection in the small looking glass that she’d propped up on the bureau again, and bit her lip.
Nothing was as wonderful as Rock’s kisses. Even the thought of them had her skin flushing pink. What had making love been like? He was a passionate man. She felt it vibrating beneath his calm and it… excited her.
No wonder she’d fallen in love with him. He bought her gifts, held her when she needed comforting, cared for her health, and even though she knew he wanted to make love to her, refrained in deference to her doctor’s orders. Nothing in the world could convince her that she hadn’t married the perfect gentleman.
She almost didn’t want to go back to London, which didn’t make sense. She ought to be more concerned about learning who she was than getting to know this man she’d married.
But she was happy. So, so happy. It was ironic, really.
She twirled one way, and then the other, billowing the skirts of the pale sprig muslin she’d chosen to wear that day. It felt heavenly to be changed out of her nightclothes.
“What do you think, Archie? Will he like it?” she asked the cat.
Archie glared at her and then went back to clawing and chewing at the pink gown she’d dressed him in that morning. Much more of that and she’d need to secure it with a ribbon.
“It’s for your own good. Running about naked like that isn’t at all proper.” She wagged a finger and then turned back to stare at her reflection.
A knock sent her heart leaping. Because it would be him. A last quick glance in the mirror and she padded across the room and slid the locks back.
“You didn’t ask who was at the door.” Rock glowered. Even vexed with her, he was so very adorable.
“I knew it was you by the sound of your footsteps.” She hadn’t really. But who else would come knocking at their chamber? “Did you have any luck?”
In lieu of an answer, he folded his arms across his chest and planted his feet a little over shoulders’ width apart. Apparently, he was not going to allow the matter to slide.
He set his jaw and stared at her with narrowed eyes. “I don’t ask much of you.” He was so very serious. “This is a small thing, however, and I expect you to heed my request.”
“Who could possibly want to harm me here?”
He exhaled as though calming himself. “There are all manner of… ruffians about.”
He was right in that he had not been demanding, but… ruffians? She pinched her lips together so as not to laugh out loud.
“Tabetha,” he growled. Her husband was not in a laughing mood. Even more than that, behind his bluster she sensed something else: fear.
And since she was his wife, and since she adored him, she wouldn’t fight him on this. His entreaty wasn’t completely unreasonable and denying it most definitely wasn’t worth annoying him.
She gazed at him with the most abject remorse possible, pursing her lips into a dejected pout. “I’m sorry, Rock. I promise, I’ll be more careful in the future. I don’t want to worry you.”