While they waited, he said, “After I leave, I would consider it a great favor if you would visit Winnie from time to time. Kate goes up fairly often, except when Miss Blake is here. Mrs. Hill sends up trays and a maid to help her, but she is busy with the household. Please check on her for me every few days, will you?”
“Of course. Happily.”
“Thank you.”
Libby rushed in, apologizing for her delay, and moaning about polishing endless rounds of silver.
To keep up the pretense that he planned to spend the night with his wife, he remained in the room, instead of ducking back into the dressing room like the interloper he felt himself to be.
Sophie swiveled on the dressing stool to face Libby, and the maid flipped back the hem of her gown and began untying the ribbons holding her stockings above her knees.
Over the maid’s bent head, Sophie sent him a shy, uncertain glance. What did she expect him to do? Turn his back like a stranger? A monk? Instead he went to stand at the window, even though he could see almost nothing of the dark gardens beyond.
But his rebellious gaze now and again shifted to the side, capturing a glimpse of bare ankle as the maid rolled down one stocking, then the other. Then a glimpse of upper arm, when she unlaced Sophie’s gown and stays, and her shift slipped from one shoulder.
When the maid pulled the shift up and over her head, Stephen forced himself to avert his eyes, fisting his hands in a wad of drapery, every muscle tense. He forked his free hand through his hair in agitation. Another swish of white fabric and Sophie’s nightdress was over her head, cascading over her body and rustling to the floor. Only then did Stephen release the ragged breath he’d been holding.
When the maid disappeared into the dressing room, he whispered, “Only one more night, little rabbit. Never fear.”
Only one more night, Overtree, he added to himself.Be strong. You can do this.It was a good thing he was leaving the next day. He wasn’t sure he could resist much longer.
chapter 12
In the morning, Stephen trudged down the stairs toward the breakfast parlour. He had not slept well. Dashed sofa was a rock. His thoughts about the woman in the next room had not helped either, as usual. But he congratulated himself—he had made it. He was about to leave to rejoin his regiment with his dignity intact, and his vow to himself, and to Sophie, honored. As he had promised, he had not expected anything of her or pressured her. He had been a perfect gentleman, at least in outward behavior. His foul, irritable moods and sometimes his words? Not as gallant as they might have been. His inward thoughts? His desires? Probably not as pure as God would have liked. But then again, she was his wife...
Even so, he had kept his distance, at least physically, hoping that would make the coming separation less painful. Or would he second-guess himself every hour? Berate himself for not taking her in his arms while he could?
“May I walk with you?” Sophie’s voice called from above.
He paused and waited for her on the half landing. “You’re up early.”
“I wanted to be. For your last day.”
He nodded and they continued down the stairs together. In the breakfast parlour, he helped himself to a full plate, knowing it would be a long time before he ate this well again—if ever.
Sophie chose hot chocolate and a bread roll. She sipped daintily at one and picked at the other.
“I hope you eat better than that while I’m gone.” He glanced toward the door to make sure they were alone. “You are eating for two now after all.”
She nodded, and her chin quivered. Was she sad to see him go or relieved to be rid of him? Who knew? Women were strange, foreign creatures.
His grandfather entered the room, waving an open letter like a flag. His face was as jubilant as a child’s on Christmas. “What a surprise I have in store for you, my boy. You shall never guess. Ah, good, Sophie is here as well.”
“What is it?” Stephen felt himself tense. He despised surprises.
“We shall call it a late wedding present.”
“Oh?”
“I rode over to see my old friend Forsythe a few days ago and just received confirmation. I negotiated another fortnight’s leave for you. No bridegroom should have to run off to rejoin his regiment when there isn’t a war on. Another two weeks of wedded bliss with your bride. Not a real wedding trip, I grant you. Your grandmother and I traveled the continent for the greater part of a year. But as this more than doubles your current honeymoon, I think it must suffice.”
Stephen sat there, stunned. He turned toward Sophie, meeting her startled look. Without removing his gaze from hers, he said, “I... don’t know what to say. You shouldn’t have, sir.”
“Of course I should. No use reaching this rank if I can’t be of some use now. It is a great pleasure to do something good for my grandson and his wife.”
“But I am all packed. Sophie and I have discussed everything related to my absence and have said our good-byes.”
“Well, then, now you may say hello and good-bye all over again. Though I daresay you shall enjoy the former more than the latter.” The colonel’s eyes twinkled.
