“Wereally need to leave soon,”Slicesaid.
“Iknow, but you didn’t give me enough time to do whatIneeded to do,”Rowangrowled. “So, get the hell out soIcan do it.”
Latham,Slice, andNelsonnodded, turned, and left.
“I’msorry,Lucy,”Rowansaid. “Ididn’t hear them arrive.”
“I’msorry, too.”
“Whatare you sorry about?”
“Forputting you in this…”Shewaved her hand down the front of the shirt she had on.Rowan’sshirt. “…this position.”
“Youdidn’t do anything wrong,Lucy.”Rowanrubbed the back of his neck and began to pace. “Itwas all my fault.MyGod, you’re an innocent.Ishould have known the consequences.”
“It’squite all right;Iam a widow, after all.”
“God,Lucy, you’re a widow in name only.Thingshave changed.Ican’t allow you to go back and face theton.They’lleat you alive.”
“It’sfine.Iwill manage.”
“No,Lucy.Look,I’msorry that we argued last night.Iwas more tired thanIimagined.Ishould have anticipated this.Ishould have slept in another room…”Hepaused. “Ifolded your clothing yesterday and laid it on the table in the corner.”
Shelooked and noticed it. “Thankyou.”
“I’llleave so you can get dressed.Butwe have to talk.Weneed to talk before we head back.”
Shenodded. “Doyou think you could askLathamif we can bringAshe?Iintend to take him home with me.Iknow we had discussed letting him out here, but it’s cold, and he might find himself back in the same situation asIrescued him from.”
Hestared at her. “Lucy, did you not hear anything thatI’vesaid?”
“Yes!Iheard everything.I’mnot a child.ButIcan still be worried aboutAshe, can’tI?”
“Lucy…you’re worried about a wild fox when you should be worried about yourself.Yourreputation.”
“Myreputation?”Shelaughed, a mirthless laugh. “Myreputation for what, exactly?Beingthe subject oftongossip?Please,I’mused to that by now.”
“You’repretending that none of this bothers you, butIknow that it does.”
“Please,Rowan,Ineed to get dressed.Ican’t think in these clothes.”Shewas trying so hard not to cry.Shewrapped her arms around herself tightly as thoughRowan’sbig warm shirt that smelled exactly of bergamot and orange and him could somehow protect her.Nothingcould protect her.Herlife was going to change.Again.Andthere was nothing she could do to stop it. “Willyou please askLathamaboutAshe?”
Rowanblew out a breath. “I’lllet him know.Ithink there’s a cage in the?—”
“Hewon’t need one.Heseems quite domesticated already.ButI’llwork something out withFrankiewhen we get to the manor.”
“Lucy, you’re assuming everyone will go along with this,” he said.
“Areyou talking aboutAsheor everything else?”
“EverythingLucy.I’mtalking about everything,” he said.
“Please,Rowan,I-Ineed some privacy.Ineed to get dressed.Ineed some time to myself before we talk.I’llleave the clothing in a folded stack.”Shehated to part with his clothes.Thebreeches fit her perfectly, and the shirt was the most comfortable piece of clothing she could ever recall wearing.Butthey were his, not hers.Shewould have loved to have kept them to remember him.Toremember the time they’d shared and his kisses.
“Allright.I’llsee you in a little while.”
Rowanturned and left.AndLucyfinally gave in to her tears.
CHAPTER TEN
