“It’s almost as though I’m no longer a whole person. The girls are growing up, Rhoda’s married. I no longer have my mother, really, or the home I grew up in. Jean Luc’s cousin will eagerly take ownership of Pebble’s Gate to take ownership.” She hadn’t acted as the mistress there for years, nor would she again. It was all so final.
She stared at the side of Niles’ head, just as though he was listening raptly to her every word.
“I’m no longer a wife, and yet I have a great deal of my life left to live. At least, I hope I do. But as who? Who am I now?” The question taunted her even as she spoke it into the quiet night.
“Eve Mossant.” Apparently, he’d not dozed off.
“What?”
“You asked who you are. You’re Eve Mossant.”
And then he surprised her by turning his head and meeting her eyes. “Only now, you are free to be whoever you wish to be.” He gazed at her with stern but hazy eyes. As though chastising her for questioning her own strength.
“It’s silly, I know. To be afraid.” The man was going to believe her completely daft by the time they arrived at their destination. He probably already did.
But instead of looking annoyed by her, he reached one arm up and pulled her closer to him. “You’re not silly, Eve. And your fear is only natural.”
Why were tears welling behind her closed eyelids now? She’d just promised him that she would not cry again.
It was the sympathy. And the comfort. She was not used to it, especially from a man.
“There were times when I wished I’d never married. But then I wouldn’t have had Rhoda or Coleus or Holly.” Her daughters brought her so much joy.
“You’re a good mother, Eve. Not many women would have found the means to protect their daughters as you have.”
His words brought her some comfort. But she’d only done what was necessary.
“What of you? Do you ever wish you’d married? Had a family?” She didn’t want to talk about herself any longer. But she was only met with his deep, even breathing.
Eve relaxed into the side of Niles’ very solid form. She could not remember ever falling asleep in her husband’s arms. She might have been a great deal lonelier over the past decade if she had.
The heat of his body mixed with hers. The bedcovers cocooned them in a sanctuary she had not known existed. She felt safe, protected, connected.
And she rather liked it.
Morning
In the normal course of his days, Niles didn’t require a great deal of sleep. Usually he performed most efficiently with less than five hours, and often did so on four.
Today, however, would not be one of them.
Although a bright light filtered through the curtains, and he had details to attend to in order to organize the remainder of their journey, he made no effort to move.
His ribs hurt worse now than they had yesterday.
Furthermore, a warm, pliant woman was curled up beside him.
Eve. He barely remembered the confessions she’d shared before he’d fallen asleep. Anger stirred in him at the thought that this woman was feeling lost.
She mumbled a few unintelligible words and buried her face against his shoulder. Her hair tickled his chin and her sweet scent wafted into his nostrils.
A woman such as her deserved so much more than she’d been handed in marriage.
Her slim leg slid along his.
Her feet tangled in his. She’d awakened, obviously, but…
Doubts assailed him. He oughtn’t feel so uncertain at his age. This woman assaulted his senses and created havoc in his normally astute brain.
