He said nothing for a moment, and her smile died.
“Robert?”
“It is not always a thing I want,” he said, regret in his voice. “Not here. It was too easy to be swayed by it, to feel the power of my position. I thought the army beat that out of me, but apparently not enough.”
She leaned forward, “Oh, no, I did not mean it that way. You smoothed the way for my acceptance—that’s what I was talking about. Growing up as I did, my family helped to create my inner doubts. I felt confident in my own home, but that was it. Andhere, now, I need to emulate you, so don’t regret your belief in yourself.”
“I have confidence in you, Audrey. You’ll discover strengths in yourself you never knew existed. The army showed me that. Moving to a new village, a new home—they’re your own private battle to overcome.”
“A battle,” she mused. “So was this my first foray into enemy territory?”
“Or perhaps meeting and negotiating with possible allies.”
She laughed. A man approached the table to talk with Robert, and she listened politely, wondering what all these people saw. She knew what shefeltwhen she was with him, his charm and confidence and humor. It was a dangerous combination, one that drew her more than she felt comfortable with.
She mustn’t start relying on him too much. He was taking Molly’s place temporarily—she had to remember that. But would she and Molly have been greeted so eagerly by all the villagers? No.
It was almost … fun to be the pretend-fiancée of an earl.
12
By the time they returned to Rose Cottage late that afternoon, Audrey was anxious to see how Molly fared. Robert was waiting to help her from the carriage, and this time she didn’t think twice about leaning into his strong hands, resting her own on his wide shoulders. He swung her down before him, and her thighs and stomach brushed his. She gave a little gasp of shock, of embarrassment, but he didn’t let her go. Unless she pushed herself away, she couldn’t keep her breasts from brushing his chest.
“Robert,” she began, surprised to feel a shiver move through her.
“I’m your fiancé, remember,” he said in a low, rumbling voice. “We’ve just spent the day together in front of people, where I could look at you and not touch. How would I be expected to resist your delicate waist in my hands?”
“You are teasing me,” she whispered, biting her lip. “I have heard stories of men who try to seduce women.”
He let her go. “I don’t mean to tease you. I’m trying to help you. Bridegrooms aresupposedto show desire for their fiancées.”
She nodded, but couldn’t speak, and their leave-taking was more strained than normal.Bridegrooms are supposed to show desire for their fiancées,she thought. But her first groom had misled her—every experience she’d had with a man had been false. And she’d gone along with Robert’s false engagement.
So why couldn’t she stay distant and unemotional?
Sighing, she went up to Molly’s room in the attics and found her dozing, Francis watching over her. He excused himself, his voice humble, and left the room.
Audrey was considering him when she heard Molly murmur in a hoarse voice, “He’s a nice young man. He doesn’t say much to me, but he has a comforting way about him.”
Audrey sat down on the edge of the bed, knowing her smile must be foolishly wide. “You sound better.”
“Then tell that to the rest of my body, for I feel like I’ve taken a beating. It’s a good thing you can’t see me.”
“Why? Have you been studying yourself in a mirror already?”
“No, but I saw Francis wince.”
Audrey chuckled, then couldn’t resist touching Molly’s forehead. “Hmm. I think you’re still a bit warm.”
“The doctor visited today, and he said that was normal, that it’ll be days before I’m up and about. Days! I told him I’d prove him wrong.”
“No, you won’t. I’ll see that you stay right here.”
“You won’t ‘see’ anything.”
“Oh, yes, I will. I have spies, you know.”
“I think only one spy. You have him quite dazzled, I believe.”
