Chapters (50)
- Cover
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- The Pengarron Sagas
- The Harvey Family Sagas
Last night, after waking screaming from another nightmare of the fire and Alex’s gruesome death, she had lain in the comfort of Jack’s arms, in the double bed that Luke had procured for them.
‘I’m sorry, Jack. I keep you awake every night and you have to start your work so early in the mornings.’
‘I don’t mind,’ he had replied softly. ‘Do you want a drink of water? Or a drop of Beatrice’s camomile tea? ’Tis soothing.’
‘I just want to stay awake, Jack.’
‘There’s no need to be frightened any more, Alicia.’
‘I can’t help it. I fear for my life, and yours and Luke’s, and I’m so afraid for my child. Its existence could be used as a ransom to call in Alex’s debts. It’s unlikely his younger brother, the new Lord Longbourne, would pay, but if he did and he were to demand Alex’s child in return, I couldn’t bear it. Or as a warning to others, the Society might kill the child.’
‘Nothing like that’s going to happen, Alicia, believe me. Have faith.’ He had rubbed her arm, and she knew he would like to have turned the affection into something else.
‘You’re so good to me, Jack.’ In the candlelight, lit to help chase away her terrors, his eyes were warm and caring. ‘I’ve not been a wife to you at all. I don’t cook your meals or do anything for you. And you’ve been patient with me – you know what I mean.’
‘I’m happy to wait as long as you want. You’re still grieving for Lord Alex.’
‘I’m grateful for your compassion. You deserve more than I can give you.’
Jack had cleared his throat, but even so his voice had come husky and a little shy. ‘I’ll be happy for the rest of my life if you give me no more than you already do.’ He had kissed her cheek then and ventured a soft kiss on her lips. Then retreated.
Remembering Alex’s perfect, long, deep kisses, she was caught unawares by grief again and sobbed throughout the rest of the night.
As she sat in the privacy of the apple trees, she felt guilty about denying Jack his right to the fullest use of the marriage bed. She had lost so much, escaped so much, and gained so much, in having a wealthy protector and an understanding husband.
She forbade a further time of weeping by reflecting on everything she had learned and witnessed in the last few days.