Page 61 of The Lord's Compass
“Me wanting to see you?”
Yes. And her constant worry that one day he would stop.
“Being called your wife,” was what she said instead.
“It will become more familiar in time,” he said.
“You did not need to follow me,” she said. “I am not actually ill.”
“Obviously,” he said. “Do you ever get ill?”
She eyed him from over her bow before notching another arrow.
“Of course I do.”
“You seem so strong, it is hard to believe that you are not invincible.”
“A misconception, I assure you.”
He paused for a moment, his hands in his pockets. “I know you came out here to escape everyone, and I do not blame you. I shall go entertain our guests.”
Guilt dropped into her stomach, and she lowered her bow. “I apologize. I never considered that my leaving would mean that you had to take on that responsibility.”
He shrugged before winking at her. “That is one responsibility that I do not mind at all. When you need me, you know where to find me.”
And at that, he turned around, walking back toward Newfield.
Faith watched him go with a smile on her face. When he stopped, looked one way and then the other as though he had no idea which way to go, she couldn’t help it.
She laughed out loud.
This man was something else.
Something else, indeed.
CHAPTER20
Eric paced in front of the fireplace of his bedchamber.
A bedchamber that was conveniently located next to Faith’s. Of course, the two of them had been provided this suite together for their wedding night, but he saw no evidence of her moving into the room.
Which he was fine with. This marriage would go at her pace, he reminded himself.
It still didn’t tell him just what he should do – go to bed or wait to see if she might appear. Should he go say goodnight?
Goodness, he had not been this nervous about a woman in years.
His friends had retired for the night, his valet had come and gone, and he hadn’t been able to make eye contact with Lord Embury all evening, despite knowing there was little chance that anything would happen between him and Faith tonight.
She had made it abundantly clear that she preferred her independence and had only married him because she had no other choice.
Even if he knew that the two of them together would be nothing short of a fiery explosion.
After what seemed like hours of staring into the fire – but was likely only a few minutes as Eric did not exactly have a long degree of attention – he threw back the covers and lay down on the bed.
He tossed an arm over his eyes as he tried not to focus on the fact that he was now a husband, missing his wife on their wedding night.
He pictured Faith as she had looked that day. Her hair was up, curled, pinned away from her face with just the odd ringlet dropping down.
