Page 27 of The Make-Believe Marriage
She sighed. “Not yet. I don’t have much of an appetite just now.”
“Are you feeling all right?”
She looked up at him with big, worried eyes. “I don’t know. It is all hitting me at once. I don’t know what to think.”
He wrapped his arms around her so that her back rested against his chest as they continued to watch the activity in the courtyard. Carriages were pulling up fast as the rain continued to intensify. His thoughts now turned to Sir Henry, hoping this deluge had slowed him down, too. The man was fierce and determined, especially when it came to claiming Syd as his prize.
Octavian had not been too worried about encountering him at any of the inns where they stayed. His real worry was about tomorrow and whether Sir Henry and Syd’s father would be waiting to ambush them at the Gretna Green blacksmith shop. After all, that unsavory pair only needed to catch him and Syd before they married, and everyone knew Gretna Greenwas the first town across the Scottish border where they could accomplish this task.
Well, nothing to be done about it tonight.
But he would have to scout ahead tomorrow to make certain all was clear before he brought Syd there. They could move on to another village and take their vows further north, if necessary.
Syd’s father was a bit of a dolt.
But Sir Henry was wily and dangerous when crossed.
He had to be furious by now.
It would not take Sir Henry longer than a day or two to piece together that she had run off to Scotland with him. He hoped the bounder did not have men already positioned in wait for them at every town along the border.
Octavian believed it unlikely but not altogether impossible.
Syd thought they were well ahead of Sir Henry, but a fast horse could cover more miles in a day than a coach.
Chances were slim that Sir Henry had brought along anyone other than Syd’s father. Most of the men around him came from the meanest parts of London. These were ruffians who knew how to prowl the back alleyways and use a blade with skill, but most had never been on a horse.
Riding was a gentleman’s sport.
He kept his demeanor casual because he did not wish to worry Syd needlessly.
In truth, she already looked as though something was bothering her. It wasn’t the stupid comment he had just made about her rash behavior. No, something more serious was troubling her and had been for several days now.
He studied Syd as she moved to the bed and sat on the plump mattress with yet another sigh. But she wasn’t reveling in the comfort of their surroundings. She was pensive and staring down at her hands. “What are you thinking about, Syd?”
A guilty look immediately sprang into her eyes. “Nothing.”
Bollocks.
Was she still thinking of returning to her father and allowing herself to be pledged into indentured servitude with that arse, Sir Henry? He thought they had resolved this dispute days ago. And had she not assured him earlier today that she would not run off? He would never allow her to leave his side until he gave her the protection of his name. “Forget it, Syd,” he said with a soft growl. “I know what you are thinking and it simply won’t work.”
Her eyes rounded in surprise. “How can you know what I am thinking?”
“Because your expression reveals everything.”
“It does?” Her blush deepened and now spread to the tips of her ears. She moaned and buried her face in her hands when he frowned at her. “How can I ever look at you again? This is so humiliating.”
“Why?” he asked, now confused because he did not think describing her decision to return to her father and an odious forced marriage to Sir Henry as humiliating. Well, it was a stupid decision. Upsetting and distasteful, for certain. But she was blushing so furiously, one would think he had accidentally walked in on her while she was naked.
“How can it not be humiliating?” she asked, sticking her head up for a moment before burying it in her hands once again. “Well, I suppose it is quite commonplace for you. But it is not at all for me. Please forget I said anything.”
“No, Syd. I won’t forget about it. We need to clear the air about this.” He did not know what else to say because her response now left him even more confused.
What was commonplace?
She could not be talking about abduction or forced marriage.
She glanced up at him, obviously pained and struggling to maintain her composure. “I will not say another word aboutmy idea. Obviously, I misunderstood your willingness. I thought men were not all that particular about the women they took to bed.”
