Indeed, a simple kiss did not need to make sense right now. She’d needed comforting, and he’d been there to hold her.
If only his heart would accept such an explanation. That kiss had surpassed all his expectations.
“You are a good friend, Lucas Cockfield. I don’t know what I would have done without you these past few weeks.” She touched swollen belly. “I don’t know whatwewould have done without you.”
Ah, yes. She would require a good deal of time. In less than half a year, she had become a wife, then a widow, and soon she would be a mother.
He would wait. He could be patient.
He relinquished her hand as they drove into the small village of Hull Crossings and parked at the end of the small cluster of buildings lined up along the single road through town. Before he could even jump down to come around and assist Naomi, a boy of about eleven or twelve was offering to watch the horse. Luke wasn’t concerned anyone would steal Naomi’s old pony in this sleepy little hamlet, but Luke tossed the boy a coin, nonetheless.
It was the most natural thing in the world to place his hand on her back as they approached the various storefronts. His desire to protect her and the baby she carried had become powerful. How would he feel if the child was his? He shoved the question away without answering it.
“I’ve only come to town a few times,” Naomi offered. “It’s quiet compared to the village near Somerhill House, my father’s home.”
If he remembered correctly, she’d grown up not far from Suffolk.
This particular villagewasinordinately sleepy. Almost as though it had been forgotten by the rest of the world.
A bell rang when Luke pushed open the door to Mr. Clapwell’s mercantile and echoed as he held it wide for Naomi to enter.
“Once you’re finished, meet me in front with your selections.” He’d allow her time to look around while he located the supplies he would need for the next few days. She might appreciate time to simply browse. His sisters seemed to enjoy doing just that in London far more than making actual purchases.
Why hadn’t she ventured to town more often?
Although the tavern at the posting inn could become raucous late at night, the establishment boasted a few private dining rooms where Gil could have brought her out to share a meal. A person couldn’t spend all of their time hiding away in the country, could they?
Hearing the bell ring again, Luke glanced up in time to see another young woman enter and look around. He could just make out ebony hair tucked beneath her bonnet and she seemed oddly familiar.
The exaggerated sway to her hips jolted his memory. She was the barmaid who’d attempted to… provide him with… entertainment of a sensual nature several times since his stay.Bridget,if he recalled correctly.
When the young woman caught sight of Naomi, who was perusing fabrics near the front window, the woman froze. Naomi glanced up and offered a tentative smile.
Naomi must miss the company of other ladies. In London, she’d not only attracted the gentlemen, but she’d been popular with several of the other young women in society.
The barmaid’s demeanor transformed, and Luke tensed before she even spoke.
“You!” She spoke loud enough that any other customers would have easily overheard. “You’ve ruined everything.”
“Pardon me?” Naomi’s expression fell.
“He was mine before he ever met you. Mine! He was going to come back to me. He was going to marryme. But he left because of you. And now he’s gone!”
“You are mistaken.” Naomi reached out a hand to reassure the woman, but her gesture only caused the woman to recoil.
“Arthur. He loved me.”
Luke rushed around the aisles to Naomi’s side, an insidious foreboding causing the hair on the back of his neck to stand up.
What in the hell have you done, Gil?
Luke saw the exact moment Naomi realized what the young woman was saying. The color drained out of her face and she moved her arms in front of her as though to protect her baby.
“Whatever you believe of my husband is a mistake. He married me last spring because he wanted to marry me. I’m sorry if you think—”
“But that’s not precisely true, now is it? He married you because he had no choice. Do you think he didn’t tell me everything? Do you think he didn’t come to my bed this summer whenever he could? He said goodbye to you and then spent his final night in my bed.My bed! He was mine.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and her complexion had turned a ruddy pink. “He was supposed to be mine.”
For all Gil’s mistakes, Luke would have done anything to protect Naomi from this one.
