She shot James a lingering glance, he lay on his back in the grass chewing on a hard bread crust. It was hard to let him out of her sight now for some reason, as if he would somehow disappear.
Hanna unpinned her skirts from her waist and slowly followed Alaric into the house.
He led her to the bottom bedroom, where Maria had installed herself. He gestured to the bed. “Sit down, Hanna. I want to show you something.”
She frowned but obeyed, hiding her fingers in the folds of her apron as he looked again at her hands.
“Don’t hide from me,” Alaric muttered, stepping close and reaching out to grasp one of her chapped hands, holding it up to examine her palm and fingers.
“We will send the washing out, I don’t like you working so hard,” he said, with a finality to his tone.
Hanna gasped at the extravagance. “What? You can’t be serious, think of the expense. I can do it.”
“You could, but you will not,” Alaric shot back, holding her hand trapped in his. “Don’t worry, there are many ways for me to afford the things we need. The forest provides much.”
Hanna frowned, knowing that he was referring to somewhat underhanded means, but also knowing that was the way of things.
“This is why I want to talk to you,” he said, sitting down next to her on the mattress and raising her hand to his mouth for a brush of his lips.
“You are mine to care for now, and I will not see you in want. I have made arrangements with the store in the village, they will order some new things for you and you must tell me what you need for James. Until then, I have some items of my sister’s that you can alter, she was near your size.”
Hanna gaped at Alaric as he bent and reached under the bed, pulling out a long trunk that he opened to reveal a number of cotton and wool dresses, a fine burgundy open robe, several shifts and stockings, and other fripperies.
“I thank you. But, won’t your sister need her things?” asked Hanna softly, staring down as she considered her own meagre belongings. Enough to fill a single bag when she arrived at this house.
“No,” said Alaric. And for a moment it seemed the subject would end there. But then he sighed, his shoulders slumped, andhe dragged a hand over his face, his afternoon beard rasping against his palm.
“She is not coming back,” he said finally.
Looking over at her with a pained expression. “I searched for her in the rookeries of London for months, but to no avail. I fear she is lost in the thrall of gin and vice, for the man who lured her there has moved on, but she is not with him.”
“You looked for her?” repeated Hanna as she struggled to take in the story.
“Yes,” said Alaric, crossing his arms over his thighs and leaning down to stare at the floor. “I searched for close on a year, followed her path all the way to London, to no avail. I failed her.”
Hanna thought about his words. Searching his expression as he clenched his jaw and looked up at her.
Hanna knew nothing of London, but she did know that no one would have come looking for her.
She reached out, carefully placing her hand over his. “You did not fail her. You tried, you did not give up on her.”
“Didn’t I?” Alaric said, his brows drawing together as his eyes lingered on her hand where it pressed against his.
“Maybe she did not want to be found,” said Hanna, the words surprising her, but somehow feeling like they could be true. “Maybe she will come home one day when she is ready.”
He blinked slowly, glancing at her. Then he placed his other hand over hers, trapping it there as he leaned towards her, his eyes on her mouth so that she did not doubt his intention.
The kiss was slow and sweet, tentative almost, and Hanna leaned forward, wanting more.
Her boldness seemed to break the spell, and then Alaric was cupping her cheek, tilting her head so that he could taste her mouth properly. Kissing her deeply, then pulling back, teasing her lips with his as they drew apart.
Hanna found herself breathless, her cheeks pink as she stared at Alaric.
Her husband, she reminded herself.
“I will bring the chest up to our room,” he said, rising to his feet and bringing her with him, her hand still held in his.
He looked down at her, then bent and pressed another kiss to her mouth, before turning and walking away.
