“Sometimes you do.”
“Only when you disregard obvious dangers. Otherwise, I like this trait in you. There are many things I like about you in addition to your being beautiful.”
She blushed.
He really thought she was beautiful? More than merely pretty? He had once told her she was prettier than Lady Clementine. Had he truly meant it?
“You are intelligent, resourceful, honest, and you are not afraid to stand up to me. I admire this so much.”
Her eyes widened. “You do?”
He nodded. “As for yourwifelycomment, I have already told you that you are a traditional girl at heart. You would make any man a good wife, if only you were not so prickly all the time. All I meant by my remark is that I did not expect you to let down your guard and be kind and nurturing so soon. I thought breaking down your defenses would take longer.”
“Well, obviously I have not broken them down since I was ready to poke you in the nose for your remark. Sorry, Octavian.” She removed the cloth from his brow and rose to dampen it again. “This is why I fear our marriage will not work out. The fault lies with me, not you.”
He stretched out on the bed and regarded her while she wet the cloth and returned to his side. “You are a work in progress, Syd. Don’t give up on us before we’ve ever gotten started.”
They said nothing more as there was a knock on the door.
“That’s our tub.” Octavian rose to answer the door.
“Look out for those low beams or you’ll bump your head again,” Syd warned.
He smiled. “Another wifely comment. See, it comes naturally to you.”
She snorted in dismissal.
He gave her cheek a light caress. “Only a few hours married and you are already invaluable to me.”
She gave him a playful shove. “Answer the door, you big ox.”
But she was smiling.
Two men rolled in a hip tub and then carried in buckets of hot water. When they left, Octavian secured the door latch and then returned to her side. “I can leave, if you prefer privacy. I’ll grab an ale and return in half an hour. How does that sound to you?”
“A good plan.” She turned her back to him. “Would you help me out of my gown first?”
“With pleasure. I’ve quite enjoyed undressing you.”
“Octavian!” But she tingled as he moved closer and placed his hands on her body to loosen her ties.
“What? Am I not permitted to enjoy my wife? Seems a shame to get dressed again to dine in the common room,” he muttered. “Are you sure you want to bother, Syd?”
“Yes, but it isn’t to avoid being alone with you. I want to enjoy being lawfully married to you, having us step out together as husband and wife without it being a lie.” She glanced at him, wincing as she met his gaze. “And yet, I am giving you an awful time about our marital situation. I don’t know what you must be thinking when I am as inconstant as the shifting winds.”
He gave her a light kiss on the neck as he undid the last hook and helped her slip out of her gown. “I’m a patient man. In truth, I am not giving our situation any thought right now. Nor should you. We have nothing to prove to anyone here in Scotland. Nor do we need to fool anyone here. So, enjoy these next few weeks. That’s what I plan to do.”
“You are right. I’ll try my best to enjoy our time together and not worry about everything that could go wrong.” She sighed. “But I am sure I will do something to get you angry. It seems to be what I do best.”
“You are kicking yourself again,” he remarked, pulling something out of the travel pouch he had brought in for himself. “Soap,” he said, in response to the questioning arch of her eyebrow. “For us to share.”
She took a sniff when he handed it to her. “Is it sandalwood?”
He nodded. “There was nothing else available at the coaching inn where we stopped at midday. We’ll shop for something more suitable for you when we reach Greenock, although they won’t have the variety of choices that are available to us in London. You’ll also need a few more gowns, especially warmer fabrics as the weather turns cold.”
She listened to him plan out their next few weeks.
As he spoke, the one thing that struck her was how dependent she was going to be on him. Not his fault, of course. “You’ll need pin money,” he said. “And I’ll arrange credit with the local shops as soon as we arrive in Greenock.”
