It was one of the best meals she’d ever had. She hadn’t expected a honeymoon. Lucy and Kent had insisted on it and even still, she would never have expected such tenderness from Garrick.
Hastily, she wiped the tears that began to fall from her eyes.
When she finished, Garrick leaned away and signed, “I know you did not want this marriage, but that does not mean it can’t be good.”
He was right. It could be good. So far, it was great.
She nodded in reply. She didn’t want to speak and break the silence. She never enjoyed quiet quite as much as she did with Garrick. He had speaking eyes.
“You were an eager lover yesterday.” It was hard to know if he was made happy by this. He wasn’t smiling. His eyes held a vigilance that made her squirm.
Nora’s mouth parted with embarrassment. “Did you not enjoy it?”
A shadow of lust covered his irises. “I enjoyed myself very much. You’re very talented. I especially liked it when you—”
She covered his hands as if to quiet him.
He laughed and then cupped her cheeks. “Sore?”
She nodded softly.
He let her go. “I should have been gentler.”
“You were perfect,” she told him.
“You are not used to this.”
Her face flamed, as did her temper. “I can adjust.”
“There is no need.”
“Why? Because you have so many other women to choose from?”
“Is that what this is about? Why you would insist we have sex when you are in pain? You believe I will seek out other women?” He didn’t miss a thing. He remained calm and continued to observe her.
Nora realized she’d revealed too much, said too much. Wives were not to confront their husbands about their sexual habits. Feeling foolish, she tried to get up, but Garrick’s arm wrapped around her hip and kept her anchored.
She stared at the table. “I wish to get up.”
He let her go.
She gathered the sheet around her and moved to her feet.
She gave a shout as her legs failed her, but Garrick was there before she touched the floor.
He carried her back to the bed and laid her out.
“I’m not an invalid.”
He placed his hands on either side of her hips, trapping her in the bed. “I know.”
“I can walk and will leave this bed today.”
He shook his head. “No.”
“No? Am I to be made a prisoner in my own home?”
He shrugged.
Shrugged!
“The minute you leave, I will get up,” she warned.
“I’m n-not leave.”
“You’re not?”
He shook his head. “Stay.”
Stay?
He left.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 1
* * *
Nora remained in bed.
When Garrick returned, he had a fresh pitcher of water. He poured it into a basin and then dipped a cloth inside. With the damp cloth in hand, he returned to the bed and flung her sheets back.
Nora jumped for them and pulled them back over herself. Then he held out her hand. “I can manage on my own, thank you.”
He shrugged and gave her the cloth.
She took it and was surprised by how cold it was. “We have an ice house?”
He nodded. “At the estate, but not here. This ice is from Astlen’s.”
As she placed the cloth against her core, she groaned in pleasure and said, “I suppose it would be inappropriate to thank the duke at this moment?” Her eyes had been closed when she said the words. The coolness was heaven, but when she opened her eyes, she was startled to find that Garrick was glaring at her. His hands were on his hips.
She might have been scared if her womanhood didn’t feel so wonderful and if he weren’t so beautiful. “I meant that in jest.”
“What don’t you understand about the fact that I will hurt my friends?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re quite possessive.”
“Yes,” he said in a baleful tone.
She tried to fight her smile but failed. “And what if I were to be possessive? What if I didn’t want to share you?” Her heart raced.
He leaned over her and placed a hand at her hip. His other reached under the sheets and touched the cloth.
She held his eyes.
His face was inches from her own, but he did nothing more than remove it before walking back across the room. He wrung it out and she was glad when he once again poured cool water on it. Then he returned and handed it to her before he sat on the bed by her hip. He turned to face her. “Why did you ask Andreas to teach you to sign?”
“I don’t know. I find the language interesting and I… wanted to be able to talk to you.” She’d even dreamed about what it would be like if she were the only one who could understand him. In her more fantastical thoughts, they lived in a place all of their own, two creatures out in nature with nothing to cover them but their own skin and the light of the sun.
Of course, she’d never tell anyone of those precious and taboo thoughts.
When Garrick’s expression grew serious, her thoughts sobered. “It is because you thought I was lonely?”
She began to shake her head, but then stopped. “Perhaps, I did, just a little. I wanted you to have someone… I mean… I wanted you to know that someone…” She didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t reveal her feelings.
His eyes softened and then became haughty. “You liked me.”
She scoffed. “I felt sorry for you.”
“You thought me strong,” he countered.
She handed him the cloth and then turned onto her side. Blessedly, there was no pain. “I think I’m quite through with this conversation.”
She felt him ease from the bed.
When he returned, he rolled her body to face him. “Thank you.”
“What for?”
“For learning to speak to me. I didn’t know how alone I was until it was no longer so. It is the greatest gift you could have ever given to me, my wife. It is all I’ve ever wanted.”
Her stomach flipped with heavy emotion. “You’re welcome,” she signed. At the moment, her lungs could hardly support her breathing, much less speech.
He took her fingers and kissed them before placing them at his heart. “Rest.” He put her hands down. “I’ll stay with you.”
She relaxed and turned away to make herself more comfortable.
He hadn’t answered her question about whether she had the right to be possessive where he was concerned, but she felt certain that in time they’d find their way.
* * *
“I don’t believe... that if anyone plans to kill me... it will be quite like this.” A moan trembled from Nora’s lips at the end.
Garrick kept his arm wrapped around Nora’s waist. The other cupped the front of her throat. His tongue curled against her nape, and she shook and pressed back into his body. Her hands gripped him.
He spun her around and took her mouth. Their bodies were fevered. Each had exerted themselves during their second day of training. Nora was terrible with a blade. She also didn’t seem to understand the concept of treating him like a threat and fighting him off. Instead, whenever he grabbed her, she clung to him. Her body quivered against his and then training turned into something else entirely.
His only hope was that when the time came, and an attack was coming, she didn’t think. She simply thrust the blade and ran.
She was fairly good at running. They’d practiced racing as well, though that had been more of a game for Garrick. He liked chasing her. He liked catching her even better.
Nora leaned her head back slightly and said breathlessly, “I suppose it is good thing Clive isn’t the one teaching me.”
He glared and she laughed. The sound of it cooled his temper and then he smiled. She was growing used to his possessive nature. At first, it had frightened her. He’d seen it in her eyes,
but now there was nothing but warmth at the thought of being possessed by him.
He’d known it would be this way. He’d known they’d be good together, that their feelings would grow and entangle as they were doing right now.
Yet, somehow she managed to not be affected by his darkness. Where she should have been tainted by his sins, Nora remained as pure as the day they’d wed. She still didn’t want to kill anyone. She didn’t even want to use the blade, though she took the training seriously. Or at least, as seriously as Garrick allowed it to go.
She even practiced cutting him. They’d dueled, though he’d been weaponless. He was proud of how far she’d come but would likely always fear for her safety.
They stilled as what sounded like a stampede rushed down the hall and into the room.
Kent and Clive rushed in, followed by Garrick’s footmen.
Something was wrong, and Garrick prayed his suspicions were wrong.
Kent said, “Miriam is missing.”
“What?” Nora broke from Garrick’s hold. “W-what do you mean?”
“We were at the park and she vanished,” Clive said. “James and Marley are still there looking for her with a few footmen.”
Garrick took Nora’s hand and rushed to the door.
“How long has she been gone?” Nora gasped and breathed through her terror.
Kent and Clive kept pace. The footmen followed. Apparently, they knew they’d be needed.
“A few hours,” Kent admitted.
“Hours!” Nora cried. “She could be anywhere.”
Garrick was engulfed in rage.
Kent turned away. His expression bore something Garrick had never seen before. Shame. “I didn’t wish to frighten you if it all turned out to be nothing. She and George were playing. He said she wandered away.”
“Miriam would never wander away. We’ve spoken about it a hundred times.” Nora’s face was red as Garrick helped her into the carriage with the other men.
He sat by her and wrapped an arm around his wife, trying to give her strength, all the while trying to fight his own internal struggle.
“Perhaps, she went with someone she knows?” Kent asked. “She and George had been playing a game with some other children. Hide and Seek.”
Nora stiffened and then placed a hand on Garrick’s arm. “My brother. We must go to my brother’s house.”
Garrick frowned but didn’t bother to ask why. He only looked at Kent and nodded.
Kent told the driver where to go.
Clive asked Nora. “Do you think your brother took her?”
Nora sighed and closed her eyes. “It’s… possible.” Then she covered her face and began to weep. “We have to hurry!”
Lord Thinbrook did not live far, but every second it took to reach him caused a great amount of panic within Garrick. A pain bloomed heavy within his gut. It spread and ached.
What if her uncle didn’t have her? What if Miriam was with Lord Van Dero? What if something terrible had happened to her?
This was his fault. Now was far too dangerous a time for a honeymoon. He should have kept his family close and protected. Instead, he’d begun to live a life that was not meant for him, the life of a jovial gentleman who had few worries or responsibilities.
But the truth was Garrick was a man of nothing except responsibilities. He’d neglected his business. He’d neglected his duty to his friends and family.
If given another chance, he’d not do so again.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 2
* * *
Upon their arrival, Garrick, Nora, Clive, and Kent all leaped out, yet before anyone could reach the door, it opened, and Miriam came out. Garrick watched in amazement as the girl rushed down the steps. Her blond hair glittered and flew upon the wind she created, and she had a blissful expression on her face.
“Miriam!” Nora wrapped her arms around her daughter the moment she was within reach and then began to weep hard. She would have crumbled to the sidewalk if Garrick wasn’t there to catch her.
Lord Thinbrook appeared at the door and smiled down at Nora and Miriam’s reunion. “Miriam is an angel, Rah Rah. You should be proud of yourself.”
“Are you mad?” Clive asked, speaking the very question Garrick wished to have the answer to. Was he made glad by the pain he’d caused his sister? Could he not understand what he’d done wrong?
Garrick passed Nora and Miriam to Kent and gave his friend a stern look.
“I’ll not fail you again,” Kent promised.
Garrick nodded.
Nora lifted her hands and held Miriam’s face. “Are you all right?”
Garrick wished to know as well. He’d make sure Thinbrook paid for each and every one of his sins.
“I’m fine, Mama.” The words seemed to ring with truth. Miriam touched her head and there upon her crown sat a small tiara. It was beautiful, and Garrick could tell that it had not been made of paste jewelry.
Nora touched it and gasped. She paled. Why was she offended by the jewel?
Miriam had been grinning, but slowly, her smile fell as she saw her mother’s grief. “Uncle Meri said if I’m good, he’ll tell me the story about the princess who owned the tiara. Then he said I can meet her. He said she had hair like mine. Isn’t is pretty, Mama?”
“He said that?” Miriam asked, gripping her daughter’s arm. Her gaze was hysterical. “He said you could meet her?”
Miriam nodded. “I’ve always wanted to meet a princess.”
Garrick didn’t understand what was going on, but he’d heard enough. He wanted to deal with Meri and make it clear to the man that he wasn’t allowed near his family again. And that he should avoid walking the streets of London at night. Death lurked in the shadows.
“No.” Nora grabbed his arm. She still looked panicked as she licked her lips. “I must speak to Meri.”
“No,” Garrick said. The man had already stolen his daughter. He’d be a fool to let him near his wife. He didn’t care what their relationship was.
“Please.” Nora let go of Miriam and grabbed his shoulders. “It’s very important that I speak to my brother.”
“No.”
Nora’s brows shot down in a glare. “He is my brother. You will let me speak to him.”
Garrick started for Thinbrook, who was standing at the top of the steps.
The man was still grinning, but his eyes were on Garrick. “If he touches me, I’ll never tell Miriam the story about the princess.”
Garrick didn’t stop.
Nora rushed in front of him. She was crying again.
“Garrick, please,” she begged. “Don’t do this.”
“Tell me about the story. What is he talking about?”
Nora shook her head. “I don’t know.” She was lying. “I must speak to him.”
“Trust me,” Garrick found the words to say. “Let me help you. Let me handle him.”
“No! Nothing good will come of this if you get involved.”
Her words slammed into his chest.
“I must speak to him,” she said.
Garrick shook his head slowly. “No.”
“Garrick.” She touched his cheek. “Meri won’t hurt me.”
He didn’t believe her. He wasn’t even sure if she believed it herself. He tried to pass her.
“Garrick! If you touch him, I will never speak to you again.”
He stiffened and stared down at her.
She moved closer to him and hissed in a low tone, “If you touch him, I will never touch you again.”
He scoffed, doubting that would last long.
“I mean it,” she said, reading his thoughts for what they were. “I will never let you touch me again.”
Garrick’s nostrils flared, and he allowed his anger to show because he couldn’t let her see how much pain her words caused. She was his. Her brother had no right to her. He had every right to her.
This man had stolen their daughter, yet she would choose him over Garrick?
It hurt.
The truth hurt.
Their days together had been a dream and were likely meaningless to her if she could so easily deny him.
But then again, she’d never denied the fact that she’d never wanted their marriage. Perhaps, their lovemaking had not been about him but her own needs. He’d been guilty of the same, never with Nora, but with other women.
Yet with Nora, he’d given a part of himself. She’d seemed like such a gift. He should have known better than to trust anything good that came to him.
Even if Garrick had known how to speak, he’d still have remained silent at this moment.
He took a step back and then another.
Nora didn’t hesitate to turn and rush into her brother’s home.
He noticed how she skirted about Thinbrook though. She still didn’t want her brother to touch her.
It was clear that they were not on good terms, but those terms were likely better than whatever Garrick and Nora were on since she trusted her brother more than him.
Thinbrook smiled at the men. “We won’t be long, I’m sure.” He then closed the door. They’d not been invited in.
Garrick turned to Kent. “Where is Clive?” He couldn’t see him anywhere.
Kent had a hand on Miriam’s shoulder. The girl looked troubled as she gazed up at Garrick, but he refused to meet her eyes. “He went to tell the others that we’ve found Miriam.”
Just recalling how the girl had been lost burned deep within Garrick.
Finally, he looked down at Miriam. She was upset. There were tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Garrick touched her head and wondered if she knew why she was apologizing. He let go of Miriam and looked at Kent. “Watch over them for me.”
“Where are you going?” Kent asked.
“Just watch them.”
Kent grabbed his shoulder. “Garrick, what Nora said, she didn’t mean it how you’re taking it.”
Garrick shook him off and sprinted for a hackney. He heard Kent shout at his back, warning him against making any foolish decisions he’d live to regret later. Garrick was glad when the driver pulled away.
Nora didn’t want to touch him? Very well. He knew where he wouldn’t have to beg for any favors, where his authority held some weight, where his ‘involvement’ led to very good things.
Wounds of A Viscount: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 21