Nick’s heart ached for whatever painful memories were causing the nightmares. Talking about them would likely help her to dispel them.
“Frances?” he whispered.
She didn’t answer, so he said her name again. Still no answer. He heaved out a breath.
“What?” she said, tilting back her head.
Before he could say anything, Frances pressed her lips to his chin. Then he couldn’t speak. She kissed him again, this time closer to his mouth. What was she doing? They didn’t have people they had to pretend for. She reached up and pulled Nick’s face closer, her lips finding his. This was dangerous territory. The thought didn’t stop his arms from tightening around his wife.
And shewashis wife. Heknewhow passionate about things Frances could get. And spontaneous. She thought she knew so much, and shedidmore than most properly raised young ladies. But she was still naïve in so many ways. He doubted she’d considered where their kissing could lead. If they consummated their marriage now, without agreeing to it beforehand, she’d regret it. Might even come to hate him for it.
Nick loved this woman with all his being. His heart wanted Frances as much as his body did, but this didn’t feel right. He had no interest in loving her now and still having to split the blanket later. They’d do this right or not at all.
It took everything in him to break the kiss. He pressed his lips gently to her forehead and rolled over so his back was to her, praying she’d understand. Frances sniffed, something she’d been doing less often. Then she scooted closer and rested her cheek against his back, her left hand resting on his waist.
Nick let out a breath. That had beentooclose.
* * *
Frances scowledat her reflection as she brushed her teeth. She didn’t want to think about the nightmare, but she definitely didn’t want to remember the crying jag which had followed. Or the kissing.
Being married to Nick confused her. In so many ways he was still her chum. She liked sleeping next to him. He was thebestbedwarmer ever. Waking up, cuddled in his arms, felt like coming home. Like when she’d been a little girl before her mother had died, and she’d be lying in her tower bedroom, safe in the knowledge of a comfortable home with sisters to play with and parents who loved her and would keep her safe.
But Frances had to remember the marriage was temporary. She might not be interested in it for herself, but the Bible said it was sacred and should be honored. And then there was Nick. He should have a wife who loved him as more than a friend, who’d look at him like her sisters did their husbands and Luke did Judith. He deserved better than Frances.
After rinsing her mouth, she started braiding her hair. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected from the trip. Her only experience in traveling by train had been the journey from Indianapolis to Lilac City. That one had definitely not been taken in luxury, but it had been comfortable. It’d also been when Maude and Charles had first realized they had growing feelings for each other.
Because of that, Frances had often found herself watching them. She’d recognized their growing fondness and had even encouraged them when Charles had detoured his trip to San Francisco to court Maude.
Frances had always thought marriage would only strip a woman of her power and leave her a pawn to an unscrupulous husband. Like how Uncle William bullied poor Aunt Ann. But Charles wasn’t like that. Everything he and Maude did, they decided together. A partnership.
Their marriage was nothing like the society ones back home. Even Father, as much as he’d loved and adored Mother, had never looked upon her as a partner. His word had been the law in their home.
Done dressing, Frances went to the parlor. Nick sat with a book in his lap, but he was studying the passing scenery out the window. Their comfortable closeness wasn’t quite the same as it’d been before. Was he as confused by the kissing as she was? She said a silent prayer the temporary marriage didn’t ruin their friendship.
She sat beside him. Nick didn’t look at her but shifted his right hand to his knee, palm up. Frances recognized it for what it was: an invitation to take his hand.
Almost against her will, she slowly ran her fingers along his palm. Under her touch, his skin seemed to convulse, and the now-familiar electricity of attraction ran up her arm. She threaded her fingers through his and leaned her head against his shoulder. Frances had best not tease Nick. Or herself.
Her thoughts drifted to some of the recent kisses shared, but she didn’t want to look at those too closely. Falling in love with him wasnotallowed. But, for the first time in Frances’s life, she could imagine what it would be like to have a husband, to be a wife. Also, the thought was just the tiniest bit tempting.
It didn’t matter.Shedidn’t want to be married. Frances had made a promise to herself years ago she’d never give a man power over her. Uncle William’s behavior had only reinforced her decision. She wouldnevermarry. Besides, it was against the contract. When it was all done, Nick would be free to find himself a wife who was worthy of him, a young woman whowantedmarriage.
For a second, Frances imagined another woman kissing Nick, and she was glad she hadn’t brought her rifle. Taking a deep breath, she told herself to stop thinking about it. The answer wasno.
“Well, my wife,” Nick said, his voice teasing. “I suppose we should probably finish packing.”
“It’ll be late enough when we get in that we won’t be able to visit the bank this afternoon,” Marshall said.
“My father is sending carriages for us,” Charles added. “Mother is excited to have the company. It took everything I could do to convince her not to invite the rest of the family as the house would be full enough with us.”
“I hope having eight of us won’t tax your father’s patience,” Doris said, her expression worried.
“Nick and I could stay at our old house,” Frances suggested again.
“We already talked about this,” Nick said softly.
“I’d prefer we go together.” Maude’s face had blanched as it had every time the subject was raised. “Now we know there’s a possibility father was murdered, the thought of sleeping there makes me uncomfortable.”
