Page 39 of Tamed By a Passionate Lady
James looked awkward. “I was wondering…that is, if it would not hinder my recovery…would I be able to move back into my own chambers?”
“Your own chambers?” The doctor blinked. “Out of this sick room, do you mean?”
“Yes,” said James, looking sheepish. “Back into the chambers that I share with my wife…”
The doctor stared at him for a long moment. Then he looked at Adaline. Slowly, a smile spread over his face.
“I think that is a perfectly splendid idea,” he said, his mouth twitching in amusement. “You have my full endorsement.”
Adaline felt herself blush to the roots of her hair. She turned away slightly, unable to look at either of them.
“Thank you, Doctor.” She heard the note of deep satisfaction in James’ voice. “You have made my day.”
Chapter 14
James put his hands on the top of the wheels of the wheelchair, pushing them so that he could gain momentum and move forward. It had been a bit tricky to work it out, but he was adept at it now. And it meant that he could get around the bottom of the house by himself, if he needed to.
He gazed up at the top of the staircase. She had not emerged from the bedchamber, as of yet. For a moment, worry consumed him; it was unlike her to sleep in. She was always at his bedside, in the sick room, promptly. But this morning it had been Mrs. Bolt, the housekeeper, who had helped him dress, getting two of the gardeners to carry him down the stairs to breakfast.
He lingered for a while longer at the bottom of the staircase, thinking about her. She had agreed to his bumbling request to return to their marital chambers, but he had seen the hesitation within her. Was he pushing things too quickly?
He contemplated it. It was so very difficult to know with Adaline. She seemed to enjoy his tentative attempts to re-establish their connection; he knew that she delighted in the time they were spending together. But there was always that split second hesitation, as if she was in two minds about him, and was not entirely convinced how she should proceed.
He sighed heavily. She was all that he had hoped she would be, since that shocking moment when he had learned that this woman was his wife. A truly beautiful woman, and not just in the physical sense. She was also kind, gentle and clever. He eagerly anticipated when she would join him, looking forward to their conversations, as well as just sitting with her in companionable silence.
He sighed again. It was like he was courting her all over again, but without the hindsight of how he had done it to start with. Had she always been this shy, so hesitant?
But then, he remembered that all of this was strange and bewildering for her, as well. It must be very hard for her to acknowledge the fact that he no longer knew her; that he remembered nothing of their life together. He could not even recall their wedding day. How devastating must that be, for a woman, to know that her husband had turned into a virtual stranger overnight?
She was being cautious with him because he was no longer the man that she had married. And she must be heartsore, thinking that his love for her must have vanished along with his memories.
He blinked rapidly. He knew that he must have been in love with her – how could he not have been, discovering the woman that she was? Surely, it had been a love match. He knew that she loved him. He had heard her tell him, when he had been fighting his way back to consciousness; and besides, it was always there in the way that she spoke to him, the way that she treated him, and the way that she looked at him.
He closed his eyes for a brief second, trying to picture what their courtship had been like. Had they anticipated their marriage vows?
He stirred, feeling his loins tighten at the very thought. He imagined it was entirely possible. He wouldn’t have been able to stay away from her, in that way, until they were legally wed. Having a woman like that by his side, falling in love with her, dreaming of her. A fierce hunger for her consumed him, almost overwhelming him.
He opened his eyes, fighting the urge with difficulty. They had agreed that he would move back into the marital chamber today. Tonight, he would be sleeping beside her again. The thought of her body, so luscious, so accessible, lying beside him, almost tipped him over the edge. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheels of the chair.
He took a deep, calming breath. He must not assume. She was still so shy, so very hesitant. He must proceed slowly in that regard. He did not want to overwhelm her with his need. And besides, he was still injured. They must be careful.
But as he gazed up at the staircase, sick with longing, he knew that he would not be able to wait forever. That he would slowly go crazy if he could not touch that skin, or kiss those lips. His whole body burned with a deep fire at the very thought.
***
Reuben and Isabel were already at the breakfast table when he wheeled himself into the dining room. They both looked up. Isabel smiled, looking surprised.
“How clever you are, James,” she beamed, as if he were a quick child, who had just learnt a tricky sum. “There will be no stopping you, now that you know how to navigate yourself around the house.”
He smiled in amusement, parking himself at the table. “I fear you will never see me,” he said, winking at her. “I shall be tearing around the grounds so rapidly.”
Reuben gazed at him. “Steady on, old fellow. You do not want to overdo things, do you?” He paused. “We do not want to find you overturned, fallen out of your chair. Do not push yourself so hard.”
James picked up a piece of toast, buttering it quickly. “I shall be careful, of course. But it is wonderful to have a bit more independence.” He paused. “Every day, I feel stronger. It will not be long at all until I do away with the chair entirely.”
Isabel beamed, nodding her head in encouragement. But Reuben looked solemn. His friend picked up his teacup, sipping it thoughtfully.
James felt his good mood deflate slightly. He knew that his friend was only being cautious, not wanting him to stretch himself too much and hinder his recovery. But he didn’t want caution at the moment. He wanted everyone to encourage him, to tell him that hecouldmake a full recovery, that he was on the right track.
