Peter tilted his head back, his eyes shut tightly in a pain so apparent it must have been physical.
“I promise that in the future, I will be more completely honest with you, more forthcoming.Please know that it pains me to see you distressed.”
Ana’s throat hurt, her voice high and strained.Did he not see how he was hurting her?“It was no easy that you be gone from me.And what will I do when you leave again with thearmada?”
Tears soaked Ana’s cheeks now, running down her jaw.She had already lived through too many farewells, too many abandonments, too manydespedidas.She could not survive him leaving again, not when she had just started feeling safe in his presence, in his home.
Peter stepped toward her, cupping her cheeks with his hands, his touch warm.“It will be better in the future, Ana.I promise.I will be completely honest with you.You’ll never know a more faithful correspondent than I.But now I want to focus on today.On tomorrow.I want to see you happy.Do allow me to try again.Please, Ana.Por favor.”
“Bueno.”Ana folded her arms across her chest, dividing her from his touch, as if the action would protect her from further distress or disappointment.Peter dropped his hands to her shoulders, seemingly insistent upon still touching her, despite her clear indication that she did not desire his touch at the moment.He was quiet for a moment, his eyes visibly looking over her hair, her brow, her tear-soaked front.
“Come, let us not forget what we’ve missed together.It is not lost on me that I’ve been absent during some traditional holiday celebrations, including one called Twelfth Night.”
“Sí, Mrs.Thompson told me a little about this.”
“I promise it will be most diverting...particularly after the great dampening spirit I’ve brought back home with me from London.Allow me to make it up to you with a belated celebration tomorrow.”
“Very well.”
“Thank you, my dear.”A surge of hope warmed Ana’s chest as Peter wrapped her in his arms, holding her firmly, insistently, until she had no choice but to relax and return the embrace.Surely he had not intended to hurt her or cause any strain on her mind.He had simply been trying out that bond of trust that they had been building, believing that she would help him in his moment of need.She sighed deeply, burying her face into his chest.She needed to be a more trusting wife.After all, he had rescued her in more ways than she could count.
Chapter 20
January 8, 1814, Abbeygate, Surrey Hills, England
Peter had returned from his morning preparations for the day’s activities expecting to find Ana in her bedchambers, but he was surprised by its vacancy.Instead, she was taking her breakfast at the well-worn table in the kitchen with Elena and Mrs.Thompson.Perhaps it was not seemly or traditional, but it brought her happiness.Peter would never correct her after hearing her laughter light the place as she visited with her friends.
“Mrs.Thompson, Elena, may I be permitted to steal my wife away from you?”
“I suppose,” Elena whispered, her pronunciation crisp and rounded and her eyes twinkling with amusement.She rose and helped Mrs.Thompson clear away the dishes as Peter led Ana from the room.Their hands joined as they climbed the stairs together, approaching his bedchamber.
Her new, fruity scent still perfumed the air around her, much as it had yesterday.He breathed deeply.Had she always smelled so enticing?
“Ana?What is that smell?”
She cocked her head and placed a hand on her cheek.“What smell you speak of?The breakfast?”
“No...your smell.”
“Oh!”Ana blushed, her fingers brushing along her wrist as if feeling the remnants of the perfume.“It is a perfume of Elena’s.She had some fromEspañathat herabuelamadeespecialfor her.You like it?”
Peter chuckled and nodded vehemently.“It smells quite welcoming indeed.What is it made of?I’ve never encountered such a perfume before.”
“La granada de España.It is a fruitcomothis size.”She cupped her palms together in a shape that was considerably larger than an apple.
Peter shook his head and shrugged as he helped her take a seat on the chaise across from his bed.
“It is red and has the delicious, juicy seeds inside.”Her lips were quirked to one side, and her nose was scrunched in concentration.Peter nearly kissed that nose.His wife was entirely adorable.Even if she was hard to understand.
“Let me think back to the fruit I ate in Spain.It was all quite delectable, of course.”Peter tapped a finger to his chin.What fruit had large, juicy seeds?It could not be mango or papaya...“Ah!Pomegranate!”
“Sí, eso!Pom-e-gran-ate,” Ana sounded out, her face beaming.“Me gusta mucho.It is so nice and reminds me of my country.I am so happy Elena was so kind to give it to me.”
“I happen to have a few more things that may remind you of your beloved Spain,” Peter said, unable to school the grin that spread across his face.
“De verdad?”
“Sí.Just wait one moment and I’ll go fetch them.”
