Page 61 of Rose
“Breathe, Rose,” Tristan said, coming up behind her.
She whirled around, her breaths short. “I assure ye, Tristan, I am trying.”
Darby hastened toward them with the white stallion in tow. “Thank you,” Tristan said, taking the reins.
When they cleared the stables, Tristan lifted Rose into the saddle and swung up behind her. He cut back through the courtyard, then out the main gate. When they trotted onto the open road, Rose clasped Tom’s mane tightly and cried, “Faster, Tristan.”
He drove his heel into the horse’s flanks and thundered down the road, but all too soon the roadway grew crowded with wagons, people milling about, livestock, and racing children. He was forced to slow their pace.
Rose’s heart pounded. All she could see were Elizabeth’s adoring eyes.
“Stop, Tristan. I must get down.”
The moment her feet touched the ground, she hastened down an empty alleyway.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she paced back and forth, wringing her hands. “Heavenly Father, forgive us.”
Tristan gently grabbed her shoulders. “Rose, you have to calm down.”
Her eyes widened. “I cannot. Did ye not see their faces?” She grabbed his tunic. “They believe this is real. If they ever find out we’re not actually married, it will break their hearts.”
Tristan raked his hand through his hair. “I know. They can’t ever find out.”
Rose shook her head. “Mayhap, we should just tell them the truth.”
He shook his head. “We cannot. It is too risky. If ever the truth were to spread, whether from a servant overhearing them speak, anything, their lives would be forfeit. We have no choice but to see this through.”
The truth of his words cut through her panic. Of course, they could not end the charade. They had gone too far for that. Were they to tell the truth, not only would it devastate Elizabeth and Iris, but the wrath of Baron Roxwell would surely come down on all their heads.
Her arms hung limp at her side as she slumped against the wall of the stone building behind her. “Ye’re right,” she said. “We have to carry on.”
He stood in front of her and took her hand. “It will not be for much longer. Soon, we will be able to leave, and then I will take you home and…”
His words suddenly trailed off. She looked up at him. His brows were drawn, and his lips downturned.
“And I will no longer be yer wife,” she said softly. The realization made her heart ache worse than ever before.
He stepped closer and took both her hands in his. “I know you long for home, but Rose, I must tell you that these last days have been the happiest I have ever known.”
She swallowed the knot in her throat. “I cannot begin to tell ye what these last days have meant to me.”
A sad smile curved his lips. “You are a very special woman. It will not be easy to let you go.”
She rose up on her toes and cupped his cheeks. “But that time is not now,” she breathed before pressing her lips to his. He pulled her close, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, stroking, feeding the longing that ripped through her core. She pressed her body closer, wishing they were once more on the ship in his small cabin so that she could feel his hands on her body. She moaned softly, weaving her fingers through his hair when, suddenly, the bite of strong hands seized her shoulders, yanking her away the instant before Tristan was slammed against the wall.
