He turned and strode from the room.
“But where did he go?” Alexandra asked the maid tending to her fire. “And why? What made him leave?”
She had awoken to find herself alone, and it had frightened her after the events surrounding her homecoming. Was Hector angry with her? Was he planning to return to the old standby of ignoring her, claiming he was trying to be respectful and give her space?
Had he been frightened away by the fact that they had finally confessed their feelings for one another? Was that why he had left?
She didn’t like to think that it could be that, but she also knew it was possible. That was the reason she had hesitated to put her trust in her husband right from the very start. A man could always disappoint you.
She hadn’t been able to guard her heart when he had comforted her after the incident with Benedict. She had allowed the truth to come out. In that moment, she’d felt as though all her fears had been for nothing at all. She couldn’t possibly be in any danger—not from a man who so clearly cared about her as much as he did. It wasn’t possible—it couldn’t be.
But he had fled, apparently, and now she was no longer sure.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace,” the maid said. “I was to tell you he’ll return soon, and to see to it that you get something to eat if you’re hungry. Would you like anything?”
“No,” she managed. “I’m not hungry.” She didn’t think she would be able to relax enough to eat until Hector returned—if, in fact, he did. “Is there nothing else you can tell me?”
The maid hesitated. “Well,” she said, “I suppose I can tell you that he looked positivelyfearsomewhen he left. I’m glad those eyes weren’t fixed on me, that’s for sure.” She shivered a little. “Whoever he was going to see, I’d hate to be in their shoes today.”
Alexandra didn’t have time to even begin to imagine who the target of her husband’s wrath might be. The conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door, and Hector’s voice called out to them. “Alexandra? Are ye awake?”
Her breath caught; for a moment, she didn’t know what to say, but she managed to find words. “Come in,” she called, her voice softer than she’d have liked it to be.
He heard her just the same. He opened the door and stepped inside. “Leave us be,” he said quietly to the maid, and she scurried out, looking back over her shoulder as she went.
Hector moved to her bedside. She watched as he settled himself there and let out a long sigh.
Finally, he spoke. “It’s all me fault,” he said. “I should have accompanied ye to that party as ye asked.”
“No,” she protested. “Nothing is your fault, Hector. You did nothing wrong.”
He held up a hand as if to stop her. “I should have gone with ye,” he said. “And in the future, I’ll be sure to do just that.”
“You really don’t have to?—”
“Alexandra. Did ye nae hear me earlier? I love ye. I want to be with ye.”
Her heart filled, and a shudder escaped her. “I wasn’t sure—when I woke and you were gone, I didn’t know if perhaps you regretted what you’d said?”
His face darkened. “I daenae regret it. I left to deal with that damned brother of mine.”
So he knew. He knew everything. “I’m so sorry,” she breathed.
“For the last time—stop apologizin’. He’s the one who was in the wrong, accostin’ ye like that. I only wish ye’d told me—but yer faither let me know what had happened.”
“Father told you?” She blinked, trying to make sense of it.
“He saw ye leavin’ that party and put the facts together. Wish ye’d told someone. But ye daenae need to worry now,” he added. “Benedict is gone for good—or will be in a few days. He sails for America this week.”
“He’s leaving?” Alexandra repeated.
“Couldnae have him here with him threatenin’ ye. Best nae to ask any more questions about it, though,” Hector said. “Justtrust that it’s all been handled. He’ll nae bother ye again.” He hesitated. “And neither will I, if ye say ye daenae want me to. I understand ye daenae want to help me have an heir. I daenae require it of ye. I only want ye—whatever ye will allow me to have. I love ye, and that’s true.”
Alexandra bit her lip. “I’ve feared having children,” she said. “But with you…well, you make me feel as if it might be all right. You even make me yearn for it. Because I want to have every experience in life with you, Hector.” She chuckled softly. “I never would have believed I could feel that way about a man, but you have truly taken me by surprise.”
“Everythin’ about ye has been a surprise to me,” he agreed.
“Don’t give me my space again,” she said. “Promise you won’t. I’ve missed you terribly over these last few days.” She chuckled. “I even missed the way you call melass.”
