One side of Robert’s lips twitched upward. “I see I’ve gone a little too far.” He sat back. “I’m sorry, Rachel. My flippancy and flirtatious tendency has a leaning toward ignoring limits.” Robert crossed his arms and again rested his head back as he smiled at her. “You are great fun to tease because I know you aren’t afraid of giving me my own back. Damon is the only other who understands me and my humor to that point. And ladies?” Robert laughed. “I can hardly tease them about any subject at all, and especially not kissing and corsets. They don’t seem to understand my meaning.”
The rumbling behind the calm and control settled as she continued to regard him, now not certain if his statement on the different levels of intensity in a kiss could be construed as part of his tease or part of a fact, and unwilling to admit that she wanted to know one way or the other.
~~~
Robert couldn’t tell if the silence that settled over the carriage was anything but innocent as they continued their way to whatever first errand had been decided upon. Even Rachel’s reasoning for heading into town had been lost as he chastised himself for the kiss and the tease and the flirtatious attitude that was exceedingly too much fun. Idiot! What are you doing? But he didn’t know. The line between being led by what God deemed best and what his heart told him had begun to fade. I’m sorry, Lord. I don’t mean to push the boundaries. You know that. Now the kiss was done and Rachel had again pulled back behind the almost cold calm he had seen on so many different occasions.
He scrubbed at his scalp and the back of his neck, intercepting Rachel’s sidelong scrutiny with a smile. Rachel, I am so sorry for pushing you into a showing of tenderness when I know you aren’t ready for it. Not after the few confessions she had made of what her training in Europe had consisted of. Brow-beatings. Manipulations. Hard lessons that had eradicated the shy and sensitive young girl taken away from the guidance and support of her parents.
Then to be manipulated still by her father upon her return? It was no wonder she viewed him with suspicion, for she very likely believed he would use and abuse her as her father had done. Please, Lord, continue to guide me. I don’t know how deep the hurt burns, but I know that I want to help her through it. I know I want to help her learn to trust again. The action of trust, once lost, was so hard to teach and cultivate. Hence her continued showing of reluctance. Suspicion. Her questions. Her intrigue when she regarded him.
Robert wasn’t certain how to encourage the trust between them, other than what he had done so far: doing his best in voice and action to be as trustworthy and truthful as possible. At times it was the hardest confession, especially when it showed him in a less-than-perfect light. But how else could he show her that he admitted his failings and utilized them to be the person he was? How else could he show her that he did not, under any circumstances, believe himself to be her better? How else could he prove to her that he would never purposefully hurt her?
In his experience, actions had always spoken louder than words.
The carriage rumbled to a stop, the driver scrambling down to open the door and help Rachel down before Robert could exit to do the same. Then she waited outside their apparent first stop as he climbed down and came to stand beside her, watching her with a slight smile as she lifted her fan with a graceful motion and gestured toward the building, a single-story jeweler’s boutique.
Rachel faced him, giving no reaction to his smile or his expression. “This, obviously, will be where we decide upon the rings to be exchanged during the ceremony.”
“Am I allowed to request an engraving for your band?” he ventured.
“An engraving? For what reason?”
His lips twitched upward. “Call it romantic nonsense.”
A smirk flashed across her lovely face before she faced ahead and stepped toward the boutique’s front entrance. “Do what you will.”
“That’s a dangerous thing to say,” he said under his breath. The kisses shared being a perfect example. I am sorry, Lord. Yes, the moment had cried out for it, and yes, he had wanted to kiss those inviting rose lips since the cottage visit before, especially when it had seemed she had done her own bit of flirting. Yet he knew those weren’t reasons enough to jeopardize all that he had encouraged between them. All I can ask is that You use it. Goodness knows it’s easy enough for You to make miracles out of mishaps. He had already done so on more than one occasion.
As Rachel and Robert entered, the boutique shop door chimed a cheerful greeting using a collection of metal bells affixed to the top of the door. Moment’s later, an older man wearing a light brown leather apron and shirt-sleeves grubby with gold and silver flecks came from the back. He had a ruddy face and curly auburn hair as well as a quick smile and bushy red eyebrows above sparkling hazel-green eyes.
“Greetings, my dears,” he voiced, his tone very much like the chimes of the door. He reached under the counter for a stained towel and wiped his hands. “What can I do for you?”
Unfortunately, due to the expectations of society, the man looked to Robert for the reasons behind their visit. Robert, knowing full well that his answer would put Rachel in a mood, only smiled at the man and then moved his attention to her to ask, “May I look at the different displays while you speak with him?”
The tightness around her lips softened as she met his gaze with a blink. Then she inclined her head with a carefully calm, “Of course,” and returned her focus to the gentleman. “We’ve come to see about purchasing a double-band wedding set.”
As Robert moved away under the pretense of observing the shop’s inventory, he heard the sound of the man’s soft clearing of throat before he vocalized a “Certainly, certainly,” and went to the task of pulling out the displays close at hand.
A twisted part of Robert’s humor enjoyed the prospect of causing shock and frustration with his continued deference to Rachel’s authority. Of course he didn’t expect her to control and lead each and every aspect of their life and relationship, as they had already discussed, but he had no qualms with deferring to her if she had been the one to set specific things into motion. Only an arrogant ass assumed control when plans had been made beforehand; plans of which Robert had no idea.
Besides, I’m perfectly content to simply attend the wedding. Goodness knows that’s the most enjoyable portion of it in the first place. Well, that and the night following. Robert smirked and then grimaced. Good night, old man! And he immediately cast a glance heavenward, knowing full-well that if he hadn’t observed that particular fact, Damon certainly would have.
“Robert.”
Robert straightened from his unseeing scrutiny of a display and looked toward the front reception counter where Rachel and the attendant still stood. He smiled and then approached. “Yes, dear?” And he nearly laughed aloud, especially at her responding smirk and slight twitch of eyebrow. How many years have I wanted to say that? Yes, it had been said in jest and yes, he had fully intended it that way, but that was the entire… attraction in saying it.
The idea of people believing him to be a whipped lap-dog of a husband held a particular twinkle of humor for Robert.
“What say you to these? Nothing extravagant, no, but definitely attractive and elegant.”
Robert moved to stand close beside her, his arm brushing against hers as he reached to retrieve one of the men’s bands. The gold was pale, much like her engagement ring, and etched with an intriguing design that gave the impression of being a vine. “Hm. Very nice.” The continuing circle of unity and the vine-like representation of their connection with Christ and His Father. “Quite symbolic.”
Rachel looked again to the nearly half-a-dozen collection of rings and then back to the one he held in his fingers. “Hm.”
She retrieved the ring from his fingers and then surprised him by taking hold of his hand and slipping it onto the appropriate finger. Then she tilted his hand this way and that while he looked on in silent amusement. Rachel’s expression of concentration and regard was as attractive and beguili
ng as her expression of intrigue, consternation, and spark of temper. Mostly due to the fact that the expression was true to what she felt. It wasn’t feigned to encourage and manipulate a reaction or action. It was felt. It was experienced.
Rachel pursed her lips and then retrieved the ring, slipping yet another and then a third and forth onto his finger and gauging the ring’s appearance much as she had with the first. Most, save the first, received a brief shake to her head before being removed and set aside. Finally, she had decided upon the first ring and then presented it to the jeweler, seemingly not noticing when Robert leaned one arm and elbow against the glass counter as he watched her make final arrangements.
“Please have these resized and sent to the Samson estate in care of Miss Rachel Samson. I will deliver Mr. Trent’s to his hotel once they are received. Also, send along the bill to the former once they are completed and I will recompense you for your trouble.”
“Will there be anything engraved upon them?” the attendant asked as he jotted down the directions.
Rachel looked to Robert. “What did you want engraved?”
Robert’s smile widened momentarily before he faced the attendant and requested a pencil and paper. He jotted down the words, ‘this mortal’s Angel’ and then presented the paper and pencil back again.
The man smiled as he read it and said “Very nice,” before attaching the bit of paper to the appropriate portion of the order and looking to Rachel. “And you, Miss?”
She paused at that, which gave rise to one of Robert’s eyebrows, and then accepted the presented pencil and paper. Robert deliberately kept himself from reading what she wrote and only used the attendant’s smile and nod as a gauge to the appropriateness of it. The curiosity and eagerness to see it himself would make the moment at their wedding all the sweeter.
“All right, Miss. I’ll have these shipped to you as soon as I have them finished.”
“Thank you, sir,” and then she gave a slight nod and turned to exit the boutique, Robert following after touching his forehead with his finger in a type of salute.
He had to admit that being led and following behind was rather fun. No demands upon his person. No expectations of performance. No demands upon his expertise. True, some would consider his ‘performance’ nothing more than what a faithful dog would do, but who cared of that when Robert knew she respected his opinion?
The driver helped Rachel back into the carriage, made certain Robert didn’t trip as he stepped up beside her, and then waited for Rachel to direct, “To Mr. Belding’s please, Randall.”
“Yes, Miss.” Then he scrambled aboard and the carriage lurched forward.
Robert regarded her lovely profile as she gracefully opened her fan to stir the air of her neck and throat, making a particularly determined errant curl at her ear dance in the breeze. Robert fisted his hand to keep from reaching out to tease it. “You aren’t still angry with me for the teasing of the kiss, are you Rachel?” he asked.
The question drew her gaze, and he saw a slight flutter of surprise in her expression. “I wasn’t angry to begin with.”
As he had supposed. The showing of tenderness and how it had made her feel had apparently shuffled her back behind the protection of her training in control and calm. So, Robert smiled and followed an urge to reach out and give the hand that rested in her lap a gentle pressure. “I’m glad of that. Putting you in a temper is my last intention, especially when your father seems determined to do it each time he sees you.”
Rachel scoffed and looked away, but she didn’t retrieve her hand from his hold. Instead, the action of her fan in her other became sharper and less graceful. “He only seeks to test my resolve.”
Robert noticed his thumb had taken up its new addiction of caressing her skin, but when she still didn’t retrieve her hand, he allowed it to continue. “Well, if he persists, he’s liable to find myself in his office threatening elopement.”
She scoffed again. “Don’t be absurd.”
This time Rachel pulled her hand from his. It seemed that each time an action taken would negatively impact business or the reputation of her family, she veered from it with tenacious determination. Even distancing herself from the one that had suggested the action. Pay attention, old man, he chided.
“No,” he said after a deep breath. “I don’t suppose that would be a wise idea, would it? It would cause difficulty for the business and jeopardize your family’s reputation.” Robert released another breath. “Rachel, I only don’t care for seeing you so upset. I suppose seeing how he puts you into a fit of rage sparks my temper.”
Rachel looked at him this time, regarding his expression while the tempo of her fan became less aggravated. Then she faced ahead once again. “Let him test me to his heart’s content, Robert. I haven’t trained for eight years to be coddled and ignored. I’ve been trained to handle arrogant and aggressive men. Unfortunately, it seems my father is no different than the other men I’ve met up to this point.” She glanced toward him. “With you as the exception, of course.”
Robert smirked and adjusted his position to rest his elbow on to the back of the seat while resting his temple into his fist. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” He noticed her sidelong glance and the continued change in the rhythm and ‘temper’ of the fan. “So, who is Mr. Belding and why is he on our errand list?”
“Mr. Belding is the Samson family tailor.”
“Ah. My suit mentioned before.”
“Precisely.”
Another sidelong glance, longer this time, and then Rachel again guided her focus forward. Robert noticed the fan rose a bit, hiding slightly more of her face and slowing to a mere whisper of movement.
“I suppose I should save this visit until after lunch,” she continued, “as it is liable to take more than an hour with the fitting and decisions of materials and colors and whatnot, but I know of a small café around the corner that can supply us with ample food while we see to our business with Mr. Belding. I’ve but to make my way over while Mr. Belding takes your measurements.”
Robert decided against teasing her about whether or not he or Mr. Belding could be trusted with the responsibility. “Yes, dear,” was what he chose as a response instead.
Her lips quirked upward, deftly hidden by a motion of the fan. “I may need to have Mr. Belding do his best to alleviate the burden on Mr. Thorne, whom Father has chosen to create my trousseau. Therefore, once your measurements have been taken and the questions of preference for material and color and style have been answered, I shall have him take my measurements as well.”
“I don’t suppose I could have him create a new wardrobe for me? Since we’re here, of course.”
“I don’t see why not. You will need to discuss it with Mr. Belding. Though you may want to pause on the choosing of a wardrobe until we know for certain where we intend to take our holiday. That won’t be discussed until this evening over dinner.”
“Yes, dear.”
Again the lilt of lip, but this time followed by a sidelong glance and a whispered scold of, “Robert,” before she again faced forward and continued with the subject at hand. Robert only continued to watch her, an absent smile teasing his lips as he watched the curl at her ear still teased by the fan; the movement of her rose lips as she spoke; the slight arch of her eyebrow when she would remember a fact or point that would need to be considered later; and the hint of blush on her cheeks that occasionally darkened for a mere whisper of a moment.
“I doubt Father will object to an outdoor ceremony, and as it will be June when the ceremony is finally performed, the weather should cooperate nicely. Be sure to keep the weather and temperature in mind when you consider materials for your suit,” she directed as she momentarily looked toward him, the action of her fan pausing as she closed it with a deft movement and motioned toward him. Then she focused forward again and continued.
Robert fought back a laugh and again moved his free hand to enfold hers. The action didn’t pause the action of fan
or speech. Neither did she twitch.
“After the majority of the plans have been made for the wedding and the holiday after, I will do my best to arrange a few visits to the office so that we might familiarize ourselves with the workings of it. A place for you will also need to be determined, as I’ve no intention to waste your intelligence and training in law. While I doubt there will be a place on the Board for you, perhaps we can see about the possibility of opening a position under the current Executive Officer. I’m embarrassed to say I don’t remember now who has the current standing. Although, perhaps you would rather a partnership in a local law firm?” she asked, her eyes focusing on his.
His smile softened as he found himself thoroughly enjoying the act of her arranging his life rather than vice versa. “I had hoped to do something of the sort, if you don’t mind?”
“Would you rather a partnership be found? Or the funding of your own firm?” she pressed.
He blinked. “I rather like the sound of that.”
“Your own?” Then, before he could respond, she gave a nod and again looked ahead. “I’ll see that my father’s secretary begins the interview process for your staff while arranging a location. You will, of course, want to be kept abreast of the possible choices for each, so I will have him report to you at the hotel once the process has been started.”
“Be sure he chooses staff partial to children.”
Rachel focused on him again, her fan pausing mid-stroke. “Pardon?”
“I’ve always been of the mind to begin a firm that defends the needs of children; orphans and parented alike. Wards of the state, political immigrants, et cetera. Finding them places to stay. Securing papers for residency. Putting through adoptions or applications for independence… I’m certain I could balance that as well as the firm’s role in your family’s business.”
The fan pulsed, paused, and then pulsed again as she regarded him with that same intrigue and curiosity he had come to expect. The suspicion seldom appeared, except for when he pressed upon the more intimate details of their relationship.
Broken Angel Page 24