Why did she have to look so lovely in his nightshirt and bare feet?
“Do you need something, Ruth?”
“I want you to talk to me. I don’t want to be by myself. I’ve never been an overnight guest in Blaren House or anywhere. I missed putting my son to bed.”
“I’ll have you back safe and sound tomorrow.”
She brushed at her temples, thick curls dropping to her neck. “What are we going to do?”
He tied his belt robe. “What do you mean?”
“I want to know what you want. I want to hear your opinion of how we go forward, Adoniram.”
He folded his arms. “Well, one, we never use that name.”
“Chatsworth? Is that better.”
“Definitely not better.”
“I need to know what to call my husband. A woman should know that.”
“You want this husband, Ruth? After everything I and my relations have done?”
“Yes. I almost lost you again. I don’t want that. I don’t care about your name anymore, and I don’t want to be alone in your house, in your room, in a bed that smells of Bay Rum, when you are here and alive. Do you know how often I sleep on your cape?”
“Ruth, you tell me how we fix this.”
She took his hands and put them to her temples. “These lenses have given me a terrible headache.”
“Well, we can’t have that.”
With his fingertips, he stroked her skin. Then he put his thumbs to the nape of her creamy neck.
Her eyes were shut. Her lips were close and kissable.
“I didn’t get a chance to thank you for saving me and Lawden.”
“You’d do the same if you had good aim.”
He chuckled. The laughter felt cleansing. “Heaven help me, I can’t even stay mad at you.”
“Perfect. What good is it to have a husband if I can’t have him near? I definitely can’t have him sleeping in his study while I’m comfortable in his bed. Stay with me.”
He hesitated a moment then he picked her up in his arms, carrying her like delicate crystal to his grand mattress.
The bed was still red and gaudy, but the ivory sheets were sleek and smooth.
He laid Ruth down and followed her beneath the bedclothes. One moment, they were a foot apart. The next, he snuggled her close. “What’s the use of having a husband if you can’t share his pillow?”
“My sentiments exactly.”
She kissed him and put his palm to her face.
He drew her hand away. “There’s nothing to prove. We can take our time, Ruth, learning how we fit together.”
“That would only work if you loved me.”
“You know I do. Old habits are hard to break.”
