When she turned back around, the disquiet Hammond noted in her eyes reminded him of the affection she harbored for Roman. What she saw in that vulgar gunslinger, he couldn’t fathom.
He dismissed his own irritation, however, upon remembering that the beautiful Theodosia Worth had chosenhimto take to her bed, not the ignorant Roman Montana. “Did you have a date and time in mind, my dear?” He hoped fervently that she planned to begin trying for the child this very night, for he’d wanted her ever since he first spotted her this afternoon.
“Not tonight,” Theodosia said, surprised by her own quick answer. “I…I’m afraid I am much too weary, Hammond. Roman and I have been traveling, and I—”
“I understand.” He kissed her hand once more. “Of course, you must rest. I shall collect you in the morning at eleven, whereupon we can enjoy a late breakfast together and become further acquainted with one another. And now, please allow me to escort you to your hotel room.”
As she walked back toward town at Hammond’s side, she heard Roman’s footsteps behind her. Before this night, he’d gone ahead of her, leading and protecting her with his skills. Now he trailed in her shadow.
A deep sense of sorrow gathered in the center of her chest, and she was suddenly glad Roman walked behind her.
That way he couldn’t see her tears.
“You didn’t sleep last night.”Roman stood in the middle of the room, watching as Theodosia emerged from behind the dressing screen. “I heard you tossing.”
She stopped beside one of the two beds in the room and stared blankly at the patchwork quilt. “You did not sleep, either, Roman. I watched you rise from your bed and pace.”
He didn’t reply but waited to see if she had more to say to him.
She said nothing until she noticed his belongings beside the door. “What—”
“I’m moving to another room,” Roman explained upon seeing her look of confusion. “I can’t stay in here with you, and you damned well know it. It wasn’t so long ago that you informed me that I would have to sleep somewhere else once you’d picked the man to father the child. You do remember saying that, don’t you?”
Her eyes burned, but she allowed not a single tear to fall. Holding Roman’s intense gaze, she nodded.
He stared back at her.
Silence clung to the air like choking humidity until a loud knocking at the door finally broke it.
“He’s here,” Roman said.Mr. Perfect,he added silently.
“Are you—are you joining us for breakfast?”
Roman swore the tension between them was thick enough to slice. “I think you’ll be safe enough with Sir Blueblood and his fine little English pistol. If any dragons come along, he’ll rescue—”
The knock sounded again. “Theodosia?” Hammond called from the corridor. He knocked again.
Theodosia crossed to the bureau to retrieve her gloves and bonnet.
Each time Hammond knocked, Roman’s agitation rose. He glared at the door. “I’ll go keep him company while you finish dressing.” Quickly, he moved toward the door, struggled with the doorknob, and stepped into the hall.
Hammond watched him shut the door. “Is Theodosia—”
“She’s not ready yet.” Roman leaned one shoulder against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I see.” Hammond fondled the large diamond on his finger. “And do the two of you always share a room?”
“Yeah.”
“The same bed as well?”
Roman smiled. “That’s none of your business.”
Flustered, Hammond patted his carefully combed hair. “I presume you will be tagging along for breakfast?”
“Where Theodosia goes, I go.”
Hammond scowled. “You will not be present when I perform the services Theodosia has chosen me to execute, will you?”
