His Contract Bride (26 page)

Edward pulled down her chemise and gown and turned to walk back toward her. The way he held the clothes in front of him blocked her view of the muscled chest she'd rested her cheek against last night, but still gave her a generous view of his broad shoulders, built from years of paddling a small boat full of boys down the river. A smile took her lips. He'd make a great father. A wave of sadness washed over her. He wouldn't get to be a father if they didn't resume marital activities though. Perhaps tonight when he came to her she should meet him standing in front of her bed as she'd done when they'd first married and he came to her room.

Edward approached then and handed her her chemise. “If you'd like to put this on, I'll help you with your gown.”

Regina pulled her chemise from his grip, her face suddenly flaming. Did he know what she'd just been thinking? “Thank you.”

“
You're welcome.” With her gown draped over his left arm, he walked over to the shelter where she'd abandoned her slippers.

Quickly, she pulled his shirt over her head and then pulled on her chemise. It didn't offer a lot more covering, but it offered enough. The hem of the shirt barely covered her intimate parts; at least the chemise went down to her knees. “I'm ready,” she called.

“
I'll be there in a moment,” Edward called from inside the shelter. A few seconds later, he emerged with her slippers in his left hand and her gown over his arm, and something she couldn't make out in his right hand.

“
What is that?”

Edward walked over to her and held it where she could see his find.

“
A turtle?” she said with a squeak, stepping away from the dark green circular object that had six moving parts coming out in every direction, wiggling.

He grinned. “I went in there to see if I could find the pocket watch Jarred left out here and found this. Would you care to touch him?” He lifted the turtle so close to her she could actually see all the little scales that covered his legs.

“
You rascal.” He'd only asked her that because she'd said she hadn't touched the one she'd seen before.

He held it closer to her. “I should hate for this opportunity to pass you by. You never know when you'll have the opportunity to see another.”

“
I imagine there are quite a few back at Watson Estate I could pet,” she reminded him. Not only had he invited her to do so once before, but last night, he couldn't have been any more clear in his meaning had he shouted it from the mountaintops: anything that was his, he'd gladly share. Whether it was his pet turtles or his love for biological sciences, he'd share. And while she might not have an overwhelming interest in either, she knew his real meaning: nothing he'd invited her to do with him had been done begrudgingly.

“
There are,” he conceded. “But, they aren't here and this one is. Just touch him.”

“
And if I do?”

“
Then I shall go pick us some berries for breakfast after I help you into your gown.”

Her stomach grumbled. That trout hadn't been enough for her. Likely, it hadn't been enough for Edward either, but gentleman that he was, he wouldn't say anything about how much more filling the rabbit would have been. “And if I don't?”

“
Then I shall go pick us some berries for breakfast after I help you into your gown.” The corner of his mouth tipped up. “But I'd rather you touch him, even if it's just once.”

She swallowed. “All right, just once.” Taking a deep breath, she extended her index finger in the direction of the moving creature and ran the pad along the back of his shell. The turtle continued to swim in the air, his scaly legs going back and forth. “Will it hurt him if I touch his legs?”

“
Not at all.”

Tentatively, she crooked her finger and ran the back of it down his legs then touched the turtle's sticky foot with the pad of her finger. “Exactly how you'd described.”

A strange gleam shone in his eyes. “I'm glad you enjoyed it then.” He bent down and set the turtle down in the grass. “I don't have the means to take him home today,” he murmured as if he'd read her mind. He stood and dropped her slippers to the ground. “Those will not be making the journey back, either. I have no idea how you ladies can wear them anyway, but those are especially stiff.” He scowled at the offending slippers and held her stays out in front of her.

She stepped into her stays. “And what shall I wear back?”

“
Nothing. You'll be my barefoot bride.”

A slight thrill shot through Regina at his words. “I don't think my feet will manage as well as yours have.” She dropped her gaze to his dirty, bare feet. He'd walked quite a ways without his boots yesterday without a single complaint. There wasn't even the slightest chance she'd be able to do the same.

“
Not to worry. On the other side of the thicket of trees is nothing but grass for miles.” He pulled her stays up and began tying the laces. “I'll carry you there and then you can walk in the grass.”

With Edward's help, Regina got her gown over her head and down enough to cover her stays. But because Edward was a gentleman and not a lady's maid, her gown didn't have a hope of being buttoned. She just slipped her arms in the sleeves, thankful that at least it fit that well.

After Edward had cleaned up their mess from last night and picked them enough strawberries and cherries to last until they made it back to Watson Estate, he did exactly as promised and scooped her up and carried her through the thick trees to the grass.

By the time they arrived at Watson Estate, Regina was exhausted and the idea of a late luncheon held no appeal. The two of them had made their return into a giant game with multiple footraces to various objects, trying not to laugh at the other's jests, and they'd even sung various songs, some of which Regina didn't even know what the words meant! By the way Edward laughed and cheered her on, she could only guess they were naughty. Still, she didn't mind. Edward was unlike anyone she'd ever met before, and, for a reason she could no more explain than understand, he unleashed her inhibitions and gave her the ability to enjoy her existence.

Ignoring the looks of shock on the servants' faces, Edward took care of ordering Regina a bath and a servant to go retrieve any items they'd left where they'd camped last night.

Following her bath, Regina closed her eyes for a nap only to be awakened by Georgie the following morning, informing her it was time to don her travel clothes for her trip back to London.

“
Would you mind if I practice my speech?” Edward asked as Watson Estate faded from view.

“
You're not nervous, are you?”

“
Perhaps a little,” he confessed. “I've been trying to garner support for the biological society I'm trying to form for a long time. Lord Edgewood says he'll give his support and release his former experiments to be released as articles for a circular we could print to help gain more interest. But he'll only do that if I have enough others who are interested.”

“
Other than his articles and his support by joining the society, do you need him for anything else?”

“
No. But both of those are very important. Without his study journals, we'd be lacking a reliable source; and his patronage to our meetings would help give us credibility as a real society, and not a whim.”

“
But I thought
you
were known for your knowledge on the subject.”

“
I am. But I'm not as educated as Lord Edgewood.” He sighed. “My name would lend enough credibility to the group, if need be; but with his name and viable studies, the society would be stronger.”

Regina stared at her husband, stock-still. How was it someone who was so well-known for his biological accomplishments and extensive knowledge could be so humble? Her father was so proud it was infuriating. Nothing, it seemed, could humble the man. “Very well, I'd love to hear your speech.”

“
Thank you, Regina. This means a lot to me.”

She had the slightest urge to ask if he meant her listening or the event he was rehearsing for, in general, but decided against it. Sometimes, it was better not to know.

Edward's speech was perfect! “You'll win over all those biology driven gentlemen tomorrow, to be sure.”

“
I hope you're right,” he said, stuffing his speech back into his pocket. “Thank you for listening and making suggestions. Sometimes things sound good in our heads, but not when they come out of our mouths.”

She agreed with that logic as several such statements fitting that criterion popped into her head. “How much longer do you think we have until we reach London?” she asked before yawning.

Edward pulled out his pocket watch. “According to this, it's three o'clock, which would mean we've only traveled an hour.”

“
That can't be. Your speech itself must be that long.”

Edward's chuckle made her blush.

“
I didn't mean that how it sounded.”

He waved her off. “I know what you meant.” He handed her his watch. “It got wet when we fell in the water yesterday. I took it apart and tried to fix it last night but didn't have all the supplies necessary. So, until I get it repaired, it will continue to say whatever I turn the stem to.” He glanced outside. “I'd wager we have two hours until we reach Watson Townhouse.”

Regina nodded sadly. It was time to play the role of a lady again. Tomorrow she'd play hostess to the gentlemen invited over to discuss the formation of a biological society, then in a week she'd host her breakfast. At least Edward had been kind enough to take her on at least one adventure.

“
Thank you again for taking me to Watson Estate. I loved my adventure.”

“
Good. I shall have to commission you some new gowns—ones that don't require corsets or stays—for our future adventures.”

“
Future adventures?” she asked with a slight hitch.

“
Unless you don't wish to go on anymore...”

“
No, no, it's not that. I just didn't think you'd ever wish to take me on another one after being such an inconvenience on this one.” She hoped they could leave it at that and not discuss her refusal to eat the rabbit or him having to carry her around because of the blisters on her heels.

“
Inconvenience? I didn't think you were an inconvenience. I rather enjoyed our trip. It wouldn't have been nearly as fun without a few snags along the way.” He shrugged. “Besides, I'm already planning our next.”

“
You are?” She couldn't stop the excitement that flooded her voice, nor did she care.

He nodded. “We'll have another overnight excursion as soon as the telescope tower is built.”

“
You don't have to buy a telescope just because I asked about it.”

“
I'm not. I'm buying the telescope so I have an excuse to build a private building barely big enough for the two of us,” he said with a wink.

A slow blush crawled up her skin at the promise implied in his words.

Outside, the sun was fading from the sky and Regina had the strangest urge to lean against her husband and close her eyes.

Only a day ago, she'd have fought sleep or waited for him to urge her to lean against him. But not now. She moved closer to him, leaning her cheek against him. He wrapped his strong arm around her, holding her to him.

Regina shut her eyes. Sleep would be impossible, but rest wouldn't be. She breathed in his spicy scent and was transported back to their wedding day when she'd lain against him the same way.

Everything had been different then. She'd falsely believed she was riding off to start a new life; one with love and laughter; one where she'd be surrounded by people who loved her as much as she loved them. The thought was so foreign to what she'd known before, it was almost impossible for her to completely comprehend it.

Then the fantasy she'd been living crumbled like the vegetable display she'd seen that day at Covent Garden, leaving her lost and frayed; incomplete and uncertain. Alone.

Perhaps she'd been wrong though. She might have been some of those things, but never alone, nor incomplete. Edward, for as awkward as he was around her, at times, had never fully abandoned her. Her fears that he'd ignore her or cast her aside were unrealized. He'd done neither. Instead, he'd put aside the things he loved to spend time with her.

Her heart swelled and ached at the same time. Never, had she stopped loving him. Never once, had she wished him dead for his deceit. Compared to her father's manipulations and the lies behind Edward's hasty “offer” of marriage, what Edward had done was nothing.

She peeked up at him from below her lashes. His eyes were closed, breathing steady, and lips opened just enough to expose the bottom half of his top teeth. Was it possible—

The carriage lurched forward, abruptly ending her thoughts.

Edward's grip tightened on her then relaxed. “What the devil?”

Regina leaned forward to see what Edward was looking at out the window.