‘Of course maybe next time I shouldn’t just watch. Maybe next time I should join you.’
She looked down at her plate, feeling warm and tingly on the outside now as well, embarrassed and excited in equal measure. It was certainly an interesting idea, even if he was just teasing her... But since she was feeling brave this morning...
She pushed her chair back and moved around the edge of the table, wrapping her arms around his neck before seating herself squarely on his lap.
‘It’s a pity I’m already so clean...’ she peeked up through her lashes, teasing him back ‘...but I’m afraid Mrs Gargrave might think it strange if I take two baths in one morning.’
His gaze darkened instantly. ‘Tonight, then.’
‘Tonight.’ She felt a tremor of anticipation ripple through her body as he slid his hands over her shoulder blades and down her back. ‘Isn’t it strange to think we’ll be married in a few hours?’
‘No second thoughts?’
‘None, although my mother won’t be happy about the lack of time to prepare. The clothes, the food, the...’ She paused mid-sentence. ‘Where will we even live? At the farm?’
‘That was my intention.’ His hands stilled on their journey downwards. ‘Unless you have any objections?’
‘No. I like it there.’ She leaned forward, rubbing her nose against his and then touching a kiss to both of his cheeks, trying to ease the look of tension that had appeared on his face suddenly. ‘Is it so difficult being here? Are the memories so painful?’
‘Not as much as they used to be—’ he frowned ‘—only I suppose I’m afraid of falling back into old ways.’ He looked on the verge of saying something else before the sound of a knock on the front door distracted him. ‘Besides, it’s Lance and Violet’s home now.’
‘And Francis and Sophie’s.’ She clambered off his knee reluctantly at the sound of voices in the hallway. ‘In that case, we’ll live at the farm, just as long as you don’t expect me to round up any stray piglets.’
‘Duly noted. You can take charge of the chickens.’
‘Or cats. I like cats.’ She grasped hold of his hand, pulling him up out of the chair after her. ‘Speaking of Francis and Sophie, I’d like to see them again before I leave.’
‘Good, because I doubt you’d be allowed to leave without seeing them again, although it sounds as if the doctor’s just arrived. Care to join me for a quiet stroll around the garden until everyone’s ready?’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘There’s a maze with some particularly secluded corners.’
She feigned a look of shock and then giggled, skipping happily towards the door. ‘I suppose if it passes the time...’
* * *
Arthur propped a shoulder against the door jamb, watching as Frances sat down on the bed next to Violet. Even Mrs Gargrave’s grey gown couldn’t dampen his desire for her, nor block out his memory of the body beneath. Not that he wanted to block it out. On the contrary, he wanted to think about it, to remember and savour every last curve and detail of how she’d looked and felt, but now wasn’t the time or the place. That would be tonight. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a tightening sensation in his chest every time he looked in her direction, which was all the time since he appeared unable to drag his eyes away.
He’d told her that he was happy and meant it. It was a strange feeling, like the echo of some emotion he remembered from a long time ago. Except that echo wasn’t a strong enough word. There was nothing quiet or restrained about this feeling. It was all-engulfing, a deep-seated sense of contentment and joy. He felt like a new man, a man whose past didn’t matter, as if the presence of new life in the house had given him a new sense of optimism. The easy way in which she’d accepted where they would live had made him happier still. If she could be so calm about that, then maybe he could tell her the rest of his worries, too. Soon. Very soon. Perhaps on the journey back to Whitby...
‘You slept here, then?’ Lance came up to him, clasping his hand in a firm grip. ‘I wondered about that.’
‘What about you? Have you had any rest yet?’
‘No.’ His brother shook his head ruefully. ‘I’ve just been looking at them, all three of them. I can’t tell you, when I think of what might have happened...’
His voice broke and Arthur put a hand on his shoulder. ‘It’s all right. They’re all right.’
‘I know and I need to thank you for what you said last night. If I’d started drinking, then you’d have probably found me out roaming around the moors this morning.’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Then maybe you think better of me than I deserve.’ Lance dashed a hand across his face. ‘I think I understand how you felt now.’
Arthur lifted an eyebrow quizzically. ‘What do you mean?’
‘When you ran away. You were desperate, weren’t you?’ Lance put a hand through his hair. ‘I’ve never felt as desperate as I did last night, not even when I was shot. I’m only thankful you were here to stop me from doing something stupid.’
‘The situations are different.’ Arthur frowned, struck with a vague sense of disquiet. Somehow the parallel disturbed him. ‘You would never have abandoned Violet.’