Unexpectedly Wed to the Officer (Regency Belles of Bath 2)

The sight had stolen his breath away and apparently addled his senses, too, because he’d volunteered to ride out to Ashley without even asking what her brother looked like! But it was too late to turn back, even if doing so wouldn’t have made him feel just a little bit foolish. All he had to do was keep his eyes open for a man who looked as though he might have a hangover—and probably one with fair hair, too, if Henrietta and the boys were any indication.

On a more positive note, at least the weather was co-operating. It wasn’t particularly sunny, but the roads were dry and navigable. The views were like a balm to his soul, too, the rolling hills and arable valleys familiar and comforting. They made him want to start quoting poetry or break out into song. He’d missed these views over the past five years, he realised. In all of his travels, he’d never ever seen anywhere to compare, not because the landscape was particularly dramatic or spectacular, but because it was home.

Not that he’d waxed quite so lyrical two days ago during the interminable stagecoach ride from Plymouth, but now he seemed to be viewing the world in a whole different light and there was only one reason he could think of to account for it. A reason with golden hair and a willowy figure that, despite the unfortunate circumstances, had struck him as even more attractive on the second day of their acquaintance. He wondered how she would look on the third and fourth and fifth...and fiftieth.

It was tempting to remain in Bath to find out, but they were just friends, he reminded himself sternly, just friends who exchanged long and intense looks on the street—or had he imagined that? Not that it mattered. He was only staying a few more days, no matter how attractive she looked or how poetically inclined he found himself. Hopefully her brother would have turned up by then. Because after that, he really had to go.

* * *

It was three hours precisely before Sebastian opened the back door of Belles and raised his hand to his forehead in a salute. Henrietta’s nephews were all sitting fidgeting around the kitchen table, looking ready to burst out of their seats at any moment.

‘Who’s ready for some naval training?’

‘I am!’ Peter was the first to his feet.

‘Not so fast.’ Henrietta came through from the shop, wiping her hands on her apron as she looked at him enquiringly. ‘I need to speak to Mr Fortini in the parlour first. You can be getting your shoes and coats on in the meantime.’

‘I won’t be long.’ Sebastian threw Peter an encouraging smile before following her up the stairs. He wished he had better news to impart, but unfortunately all he could do was shake his head the moment they were alone. ‘I’m afraid there was no sign of him.’

‘Oh...’ Her eyelashes dipped as she pressed her lips together. ‘I told myself not to hope, but I still wondered...’ She put a hand to her throat and rubbed gently. ‘Thank you for trying.’

‘He might just want to lie low for a while.’ He couldn’t resist the impulse to reassure her. ‘I doubt that he’s gone far.’

‘Then he’s probably still in Bath.’ She looked hopeful again. ‘Maybe I ought to go and look for him? I could visit a few of the taverns.’

‘Absolutely not.’ He closed the distance between them in two strides, putting his hands on her shoulders without thinking. The very idea of her visiting a tavern made him feel suddenly, fiercely protective. ‘It could be dangerous.’

‘I have to try.’

‘You can let me do it.’

‘No. You’ve done enough.’

‘Visiting a few taverns isn’t exactly a hardship. I can be more discreet and I’m a lot less likely to be groped.’ He slid his hands over her upper arms, vaguely appreciating the irony as his fingers skimmed across bare skin. ‘Only I forgot to ask what your brother looks like. It would be useful to know.’

‘Oh, I never told you that, did I?’ Her voice caught as she glanced down at one of his hands, as if she were uncertain what to make of its presence. ‘Just like Michael, only a larger version. They’re almost identical.’

‘Well, that should make life a bit easier.’ He smiled and released her, his fingers still tingling with her body heat. ‘I’ll go tonight with James. If your brother’s still in Bath, then we’ll find him, I promise, but first you and I have an expedition to the park to enjoy.’

‘Yes, but please don’t feel obliged. You must be tired after your ride...’

‘Any more objections and I’ll make you join in cadet training, too,’ he interrupted sternly. ‘I keep telling you, I want to help.’

‘But why?’ Her eyes flashed with a look of suspicion. ‘It can’t just be because of Anna.’

‘Actually it can, although not just because it’s what she would want me to do.’ He paused. It was the same question he’d asked himself earlier, but suddenly the answer seemed a lot clearer. ‘The truth is, I wasn’t here when Anna needed me after our father died and I’ve always felt guilty about that. She had to run the shop almost single-handedly. And now she’s married, she doesn’t need me at all and there’s no way I can make it up to her. But I still want to make it up to her. I thought perhaps I could help you and your nephews instead, if you’ll let me?’

‘I see.’ Her brows knotted, as if she were thinking the idea through. ‘So, you want to help me to make amends to Anna?’

‘Yes.’ He nodded. It was the truth, too, or at least the part of it he understood. ‘And because there was a time in my life when I felt utterly

futile and helpless. It was a horrible feeling and I hated it. Now that I can help, I want to. You’d be doing me a favour, giving me a chance to redeem myself, if that makes any sense?’

‘It does.’ Her gaze softened again. ‘In that case, I’d be honoured by your help, Sebastian.’

‘As I am to give it.’ He bowed his head, feeling a flicker of heat in his chest at the words, a flicker that built into a glow, then flared into a blaze, until he felt hot all over.

‘Well then...’ She turned towards the stairs, mercifully oblivious to the inferno now raging inside him. ‘I’d better fetch my bonnet.’