If only her parents could see fit to forgive them. Surely, once they met their grandbaby, they would come around…
“It’ll all work out,”Arthur had promised her on more than one occasion. And when she’d admitted the fears she had concerning his safety, he’d laughed and kissed her affectionately. She tamped down the panic that rose whenever she contemplated the possibility that…
Stop it, Naomi.
It did no good to imagine the danger he would inevitably place himself in. As a British Captain, he had no choice but to put himself in harm’s way while serving his country. He’d maintained that he could keep himself safe. He’d promised her he would return.
Once the baby was here, he would take her to his family home, Galewick Manor, to meet his mother and brother. Before they’d eloped, there hadn’t been enough time, and he’d resisted a visit later, claiming he’d wanted time alone with her before he would be compelled to leave.
There would be plenty of time after his return, he’d assured her.
He planned to permanently resign upon completing this last mission and live a quiet life as a family man and landlord, managing the holdings surrounding Milton Cottage. Everything was going to be just as it should be.
Until then, she would do what she could to keep their home from falling down around her. And she would be brave. She had their child to take care of in his absence.
Whereas his duty was to protect and defend the British Empire, hers was to protect the life growing inside of her.
Another hearty gust of wind stirred the leaves on the trees and, despite the warmth of the afternoon sun, a shiver had her hugging her arms in front of her. The little radish growing inside of her kicked, almost as though he had felt it too, and at that thought, she felt a squeeze of excitement tightening in her chest with surprising strength. A wave of near-hysterical euphoria almost brought her to tears.
Silly. Carrying this babe had caused her to become overly emotional.
The rising sound of hooves along the road broke into her thoughts, though it did nothing to erase the sensations she’d experienced only seconds before.
Her first thought was that it was Arthur returning earlier than he’d said. She pushed herself up from the ground and then rose onto her toes as though this would help her to see the rider sooner. The man wore a uniform. He was whole and hearty and racing to be at her side. Her heart leapt. She’d be back in his arms in seconds rather than months.
But as the horse approached, her heart dropped.
The rider sat slightly taller and his shoulders were broader than Arthur’s. Whereas Arthur’s hair was an almond brown, this man’s was darker, more of a chestnut color.
Why was a soldier who was not her husband riding toward her? Fear trickled down her spine.
Was it possible he was lost? But he seemed quite certain of his destination. And as he neared, she recognized the piercing blue gaze locked on her.
Lord Major Lucas Cockfield, the officer just above Arthur. She remembered being in awe of him when they’d first met. As the Duke of Blackheart’s younger brother, and having achieved the rank of major at such a young age, he had been quite impressive.
She’d danced with him on a few occasions. He’d taken her rowing at a garden party.
Most importantly, he was Arthur’s friend.
Arthur had boasted that he’d saved the major’s life more than once and the other man boasted the same. Comrades in arms. They spoke a language all their own. Arthur had referred to it as a brotherhood. Honor bound them to care for one another… and in some instances, to watch out for one another’s loved ones.
He must be bringing her a message. Was Arthur hurt? Had he been injured? She could almost picture Arthur asking for her from a hospital bed, laid up with a broken arm or some other surface wound.
Surely, it wasn’t anything more serious than that.
Surely…
But less than twenty feet away now, the major’s expression was anything but encouraging, indicating that that was not the case.
By the time he’d covered half the distance and pulled up on the reins, Naomi’s blood had run cold. Perhaps if she didn’t move, time would stand still. She would not breathe or allow her heart to beat again until she knew Arthur was safe.
The major’s throat pulsed as he swallowed hard, as though to delay the words he must speak.
“No.” The strangled word escaped past suddenly dry lips.
He shook his head and frowned.
She dropped to her knees, mindless of the dirt and gravel. “No.” The word came out like a cry from a wounded animal.
