*
Mariel awoke tolamp light. The curtains had been drawn and from what she could see, food had been left on a table near the window. She sat up quickly. Had she slept through dinner?
“You’re awake. I had hoped you’d sleep through the night.”
At the sound of Marcus’ voice, she turned her head to find him sitting in an armchair near the fireplace, a half-filled glass near at hand, wearing a dressing gown, his sling of linen a stark white against the russet fabric. “Did I miss dinner?”
“You did, but as it was, only your parents joined me and my mother. They didn’t want any of you disturbed.”
“Your mother?” Her voice rose to a squeak and embarrassment filled her. “She must think me horribly rude.”
“Not at all. In fact, she plans to apologize to you at her first opportunity. She was quite put out that she slept through the events.” He paused, obviously puzzled. “She even blames herself for Anthony’s condition. She said if she had been awake, she could have sent the grooms out to look for him.”
“That isn’t logical.” She didn’t understand how his mother could assume that. “Even were she awake, she wouldn’t have known to look for him.”
“Very true. I’m afraid that the recounting of events by your father may have been slightly embellished and the timeline somewhat obscured.”
“That does sound like my father.”
“My mother is sorry that you had to take on the hostess duties after being through such a harrowing experience.” He gave her a soft smile. “But like myself, she is happy everyone is in good health.”
She grasped the quilt. “Not everyone.” She gestured with her head to his left shoulder and his swollen eyes. “You were shot, beaten, and Anthony is barely alive.”
His brow furrowed. “I did visit Anthony after the meal. He is eating a little, so no harm was done to his stomach, so he tells me. But he lost so much blood. Your sister stitched him up nicely and said he could eat and drink as much as he wished.” His face relaxed. “He will live because of you and your talented family. I will enjoy being a part of it.”
Relieved that Anthony was doing well, she smiled. “I do believe you will need to make some changes to rub along well.”
He rose from his seat, carrying his glass and setting it down on the end table by the side of the bed closest to him. “For you, I can make any change. What did you have in mind?”
She pretended to think, setting her chin upon her hand. “Well, you need to be odd, too. Do you have any strange habit or hobby that is out of the ordinary?”
He sat on the bed, prying her fingers from the cover to entwine his with hers. “Only loving you.”
“I do have to admit, since you are the only one who does so, that would qualify.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her bare knuckles. “I will be eternally grateful that every other man to meet you has been blind.”
Her cheeks heated at his statement. “And I am eternally grateful that you lived through the war and came home.”
“I’m sorry I remained hidden from you. I nursed a broken heart and a broken body never realizing that you were all I needed to heal.”
At the regret in his gaze, she let go of the quilt and cupped his cheek. “I’m just happy you are here with me now, and we can have the future we used to dream of.”
“Only we are a little older and wiser now.”
She smiled, her heart filling with joy. “Yes, and thankful for what we have.”
His gaze lowered to the open neckline of her shift.
Heat started in her belly as her state of undress registered. “Should you be here, my lord?”
“There’s nowhere else I belong, my lady. From here ever after, I pledge to be by your side. And tomorrow I will make that pledge before witnesses. But tonight, I want the wedding night we were denied.”
She couldn’t help scanning his chest where his dressing gown opened. His own state of undress becoming more obvious. “Did you truly walk the hall in your bare feet and dressing gown?”
A sly grin turned his lips upward. “Not at all. I simply used the connecting door to your dressing room.” He pointed behind him.
She forced her gaze from the larger view of his chest to look where he pointed to find a doorway she hadn’t noticed. Then again, she hadn’t noticed anything when she walked in. The significance of where she’d slept was not lost on her. “And your chambers are on the other side.”
