Page 87 of Rescued from Betrayal
“I did, but not now.”
Nathaniel’s face trembled as he sucked in a breath. She rubbed her thumb back and forth hoping he could feel her sincerity even if he could not see it.
It was the reason she so dreaded letting him know how deceitful she’d been. What had started as an unequal and seemingly unwelcome union was now everything she ever wanted. He had become more than simply a husband and provider; he’d become her friend. Perhaps the only one she had.
That was not fair. Javenia had stepped in when Agatha and Edith had deserted her. She was not completely friendless.
Nathaniel’s hand settled over hers. “Melior,” he whispered.
“Yes,” she said in equally hushed tones, feeling the tension about them.
“Your stomach is rumbling.”
She laughed.
“When was the last time you ate?” he asked.
She pondered his question. “Not since we ordered tea this afternoon.”
“That was hours ago. Want to sneak down to the kitchens?”
“How romantic.” She giggled.
“About as romantic as your loud stomach.”
Chapter 29
Nathaniel blew out a breath the moment Melior rose and slipped into her dressing gown. Saved by a rumbly stomach. He fumbled at the end of the bed for his robe, grateful for the clearer head her distance gave him. He was a man of honor and he would keep his promise but blast it if she was not testing him to his very limits.
He lit a candle and they made their way to the kitchen, pilfering a pie that was probably meant for tomorrow. Plates in hand, they sat at the servant’s table to eat it. Melior slipped several forkfuls into her mouth quickly and he watched her, thankful that her appetite seemed to be improving.
She locked eyes with him and ducked her head, chewed rapidly, and swallowed. “I am sorry. I did not realize how hungry I was.”
“Do not apologize. It is good to see you eat. I had not realized until your uncle came to visit how much you picked at your food.”
“It’s a terrible habit, but when I am nervous or upset, my appetite flees like a rabbit before wolves.”
“Does that mean you are not distressed now?”
She stopped chewing and tipped her head to the side. With her dark brown plait over her shoulder and eyes scrunched in thought, he could not help but think how lovely she was even when dressed in simple night attire.
Reaching for the cup of buttermilk he had placed by her plate, she took a long drink to wash down her food. “I am still upset about the situation with Edith, but at least I am not as concerned that you will throw me out on my ear.”
His head jerked back. “You thought I would toss you out?”
“My parents did.”
He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, her matter-of-fact statement pinching his heart. “What in my behavior made you think I am anything like your parents?”
“Nothing”— she glanced down at her hands— “and everything. You were so cold the day we married. Your words in the carriage felt like a warning. Almost like if I did not measure up to expectations you would…”
“I would what?”
“I do not know. I can see now my thoughts were a bit overdramatic. Edith always said I had a propensity to think the world was ending at the smallest slight.”
She sighed and put down her fork. He had not meant to chase away her hunger. “Please eat, I did not mean to upset you.”
“You have not. I misjudged you. I misjudged a lot of people it would seem. Agatha and Edith were my dearest friends and yet when everything happened they deserted me, and now I find that they may have been the problem all along. Our whole friendship seems so contrived.”
