any trouble. There's no one around this time of night."
Tucking money into her pocket, she brushed the unruly cowlick back from his face and dared a quick peck on his cheek. "You're the bravest, silliest man I've ever met," she whispered.
Daniel grinned and let her go with Max and his instructions to guide her. Georgina Meredith was made of stronger stuff than he had first imagined.
* * *
Georgina nervously rinsed off the plates they would need to take back to the restaurant in the morning. Had she married Peter, a maid would have been carrying off the crystal and china they would have received as wedding gifts. But her thoughts weren't on their lack of proper wedding gifts. They centered on the man resting in the easy chair by the room's only table.
Daniel had only sipped at his soup and coffee after attempting to chew a bite of sandwich and declaring it not worth the effort. She wished she had gone for the doctor.
He needed to be in bed. Georgina threw a glance at the pallet still lying against the wall. That was where she had intended for him to sleep, in here with his machinery and his dog.
But he looked so pale, she knew he was in pain. And the bed in the other room would be a hundred times more comfortable. She had moved all her clothes into that room, but she supposed she could carry some back here. It wouldn't hurt to sleep on a pallet for a few nights. She would feel much better when Daniel was back to normal, and that time would come sooner if he slept comfortably.
Having made that decision, Georgina started for the door, meaning to fetch her night things and some clean clothing for the morning.
Daniel opened his eyes and pushed himself from the chair. "Good idea. I don't think I can stay awake any longer."
Georgina stared in horror as he followed behind her, carrying the lamp. Trying to calm herself, she said sensibly, "I'll just get a change of clothes before you go to bed."
Daniel whistled at the dog and pointed to the presses, "Guard," he ordered. The dog whined and dropped obediently in front of the pressroom door, tongue hanging out and paws crossed. Daniel pressed his hand to Georgina's back. "He'll be fine. Come on. Let's test that new mattress."
Obviously it was the flames of hell washing through her at the touch of Daniel's hand at the small of her back and the sound of his words in her ear. Georgina's face burned with heat that coursed through the rest of her body. This wasn't the way it was supposed to be. Even on a proper wedding night, the groom was supposed to leave the bride some privacy. She balked halfway across the hall.
Daniel looked down at her quizzically. "Did you forget something?"
"No, you have." Gathering the shattered remnants of her courage, Georgina tried to explain. "I'm not really your wife, remember? I can't share that bed with you. I'll get my things and sleep in the room with Max."
"Don't be foolish. There's plenty of room in that bed for both of us. And I'm not in any shape to take advantage of you, if that's what you're worried about. You'd probably fracture the rest of my ribs if I tried." He pushed her toward the opposite door.
And she went. It was madness, but she went. She was tired and scared and lonely, and she didn't really want to sleep alone on a pallet with a dog as company. She didn't think she really wanted to sleep with Daniel, either, but he wasn't giving her much choice. She opened the door into the room she had thought of as her own.
Daniel surveyed it with a grim shake of his head. "It's not as if I was exactly prepared to bring a bride home, I suppose. We'll find a dressing screen on Monday. Shall I blow out the lamp?"
Georgina nodded and hoped he would see. She wasn't certain she could make her tongue form a word.
The lamp went out and the room plunged into darkness. The uncurtained windows formed pale rectangles against the walls, but provided little light. Georgina took a deep breath and wondered if it was necessary to undress at all. These clothes couldn't be any more ruined if she slept in them.
There was a rustle behind her, and then Daniel's voice spoke over her shoulder. "Do you need some help?"
Her one stroke of genius this day