“I shall be back. I promise.”
Before Serena could protest, Matt had enveloped her in her cloak, whisked her outside, and put her up before him on his horse. He settled Serena, one arm holding her tightly to him.
“Close your eyes and I shall have you home in no time.”
And in truth the ride through the clear, cold night was on wings. Again, as on the outing to the ruin, their journey ended before he was ready to release Serena from his arms.
To his delight he discovered he didn’t have to let her go, for she’d fallen into an exhausted sleep. Although he tried to shift her gently as they came to a halt at the side door, her eyelids fluttered open.
“Are we home?”
“Yes. We’re going in the back way so I can take you straight to your bedchamber.”
He leapt down and swept her off the horse and into his arms. Striding past a stunned maid at the side door, he barked an order. “Send Lady Cecily to Lady Blackwood at once!”
She bolted to do his bidding. This night he’d been uncharacteristically sharp with the servants, which would no doubt be the talk of the hall tomorrow. He would make amends. But nothing else mattered now except getting his exhausted wife safely into her bed.
“Blackwood, truly you shouldn’t. I can certainly walk,” she protested, but with none of her usual spirit.
“Yes, I know. But indulge me.” Reaching her bedchamber, he opened the door and kicked it shut behind him.
A ghost of a smile curled her mouth. “I thought this sort of behavior only occurred in novels. Truly you may put me down now.”
This time he complied, slowly lowering Serena to the floor. For just an instant she leaned into him, her palms flat against his chest as she regained her balance. With his hands still at her waist, he lowered his head, unable to resist her another moment.
The door crashed open and he jerked back, startled.
“Serena! Are you all right? The maid said you were being carried to your bedchamber!” Cecily declared, her eyes wide with fear.
A flush colored Serena’s pale cheeks. “I’m just exhausted, that’s all.”
He could hear it in her voice. With reluctance he realized now was not the time to explore his feelings, which could no longer be repressed.
“I’ll leave you then.” Unable to resist at least one touch, he lifted her hand to his lips. “Rest well, Serena. We shall talk in the morning.”
He was rewarded with a wavering smile and a nod.
That was enough to fire him with an excitement he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He paced back and forth across the carpet of his chamber, staring at the door separating them.
After what seemed like hours, he knocked softly. As he expected, his sister answered.
“She’s asleep,” Cecily whispered, motioning him in.
Going to the bed, they both stared down at her sleep-flushed face against the white pillowcase, her ebony curls spilling around her.
“She told me what happened. Poor Serena! What a terrible tragedy to witness.” Cecily’s young face was marked with sadness. “She must have been terrified!”
“She was magnificent.” Regardless of his sister’s presence, he lifted one ebony curl in his fingers, rubbing its texture through his fingers.
“Should I stay with her in case she wakes?” Cecily whispered, touching his arm.
“No, I shall leave the connecting door open so I can hear if she needs anything.”
Before he left, he built up the fire so a bright glow lit her room. If she woke during the night and needed anything, she wouldn’t be in darkness.
He lay in his own bed for a long time, listening, but she slept soundly.
Witnessing her indomitable strength, her courage at such a tragic time, her tender offering of hope to the child, had relit some of his old idealism. The world was not a perfect place. No one should expect that. But life went on. And in the response to the tragedies and hurts, as well as the triumphs, true character was formed.
Tomorrow he would search out his answers and devise a new direction. One that would bring him to Serena…
A shout woke her.
The instant she sat up, she saw the open door and knew Blackwood was again trapped in his nightmare.
After all that had happened tonight, she couldn’t turn away from him and ignore his needs. She feared the agony he must be suffering more than she feared his rejection.
The bright firelight cast into relief his wide, firmly muscled chest tapering to narrow hips. As she’d done before, she leaned into him, using her weight to help her grip the twisting shoulders in her hands.
“Matt, please wake up. Matt, please!” A sob in her voice, she leaned closer. No more pain tonight. For any of them. “Matt, wake up and it will end!”