The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(75)

"I still have that pile of letters to read through, and we ought to go visit the Millers, to reassure them that you're fine."



"Good. After we eat. For now I just want to sit here and bask in the warmth of being with you like this." He took her hand.



"Like what?" she whispered, squeezing his fingers lightly.



"So warm and happy. So in love with you I feel like I'm going to explode from joy."



"Funny, I feel the same way too. It's wonderful."



"Mmm, so is this food. Come, darling, eat up. You need your strength after all the rampaging last night. Or was it marauding?"



She giggled. "Yes, I do believe the word was marauding."



As soon as they had eaten, she gathered their outerwear and helped get him ready. He took her arm and held her close. She wondered at the wisdom of going out with him in public looking as he did. Every move and gesture seemed to connote that they were lovers. In the end she put a brave face on it and told herself she didn't care who knew how intimate they had become. While they strolled down the lane, she talked of Bath.



"Now that the shearing is done, there's no reason why we can't go at the end of the week."



"No reason except that you've neglected your parish duties because of me."



"Not at all. We've been busy, you know."



"But they need you here."



"You need me too. It will only be for a fortnight or so. Where's the harm?"



He shrugged. "I suppose."



"If you don't want to go, you have only to say," she remarked, wondering at the change in him.



"I would love to go, but I also love it here." He sighed, and added a short time later, "And I'll admit to being afraid."



"Afraid of what?" she asked softly.



"Going out into the world, of things changing between us, Sarah. You not being happy with me as I am. Being ashamed of me. Me bringing shame down upon you because of what we've become to each other."



She halted in mid-stride and turned to face him. She grasped both his shoulders and shook him lightly. "It won't change, Alexander. Except to keep getting better. We don't have to go. But the waters at Bath are supposed to be most salutary. Immersing yourself twice a day, plus good food and walks and company, will do wonders for you, I'm sure. We can go to concerts and lectures, even the theater if you think you will enjoy it.



"But the main thing is to help your back. We can wait a few weeks if you like. However, you need some new clothes now that you're filling out again, and nothing very important seems to be happening here that Jenny and Caleb can't take care of whilst we are away. And I could never, ever be ashamed of you and what we've shared. I love you."



His tempestuous expression calmed somewhat. "If you really think the Baths will help..."



"I'm sure. We have nothing to lose by trying, do we?"



"No, I suppose not."



She could still see his doubts clearly written on his face. "I tell you what, we'll talk about it later. Wait to see how you feel at the start of next week. I can write to the Duke's housekeeper at any time."



After their walk, they went into the village to look in on Sarah's special cases, and to say hello to Mrs. Miller. Alexander gave her a hand with the garden again, and afterwards they went for chocolate at the bakery.



Quite a few of the women wanted an introduction to the handsome gentleman they had seen the spinsterish bluestocking Sarah Deveril with a few days before. She spoke with the ladies cordially, while he pleasantly inquired after their health.



"We haven't seen you for an age, Sarah. Do you want to come with us to look at fabrics?" fluff-brained little Miss Minton asked, looking at Alexander as though she would be more than glad to examine his yards.



"Perhaps another time," she hedged.



"Oh, do please join us," Miss Agnews begged, simpering up at Alexander.



"We might as well, as long as we're here, my dear. A woman can never have too many gowns," Alexander said.



"Or a man too many shirts and cravats and waistcoats. Though some men would do better without," one of the other women tittered.



"Very well, Miss Treeves, you've convinced me," Alexander consented with a smile.



He took Sarah's arm and led her across the street.



"You don't have to do this, you know," she whispered.



"I can tell by your voice you'd like to have a look."



"For you, yes."



"Very good. You can have my opinion instantly."



"But in front of all these vultures?" she whispered worriedly.



He laughed. "If I can pass muster with them, I can pass muster with anyone."