Oh, my! Whatever must Mr. Randolph think of me? With a flurry of arms, legs and ruffled petticoats, Elizabeth jumped from the bed. I must see him immediately! I have to explain. I She stopped dead still. What would she say? What could she say?
Now, now. Theres no need to work yourself to a dither about last night. The woman retrieved Elizabeths soft, satin slippers from under the bed and held them out to her. Youd best put your shoes on, lest you catch a chill. Theres no need to sicken yourself over the matter. Your husband aint the first man to be disappointed on his weddin night, an he aint likely to be the last.
Oh! Oh, my! She hadnt even thought about that! Hot blood surged into Elizabeths cheeks. She looked away from the womans knowing gaze, accepted the offered shoes, then grabbed her dress from off the back of a chair where someone had tossed it. Had it been this woman who had removed it from her unconscious bodyor Mr. Randolph? The thought made the nausea worse. Elizabeth clasped the dress and shoes to her chest like a shield and forced herself to concentrate. Why was she here with the proprietors wife? Where was herher husband? And what was going to happen to her?
She closed her eyes for a moment to gain composure, then opened them and smiled at the short, stout woman who was watching her closely. Her eyes widened and she gave a startled little yelp as pain darted along her facial muscles. She lifted her hand to cup her throbbing jaw and her gaze fell on her upper arm. It was covered with ugly purple marks. Well, I look a sight. II had a fall. A tremor slid through her body at the memory of crashing to the floor when Reginald struck her.
Disbelief flashed in the womans eyes, her face softened. Ill bring you the tub I have tucked away in the kitchen an you can have yourself a proper soak. It will help with the soreness. She headed for the door.
Wait! Panic overrode Elizabeths embarrassment. She took a deep breath as the woman looked her way. Why was I left here alone? Where is Mr. Randolph?
Alone? Well bless my soul, child! You wasnt left here alone. Your husband set me to watchin over you cause you was took ill, is all. Hes waitin on you down in the common room. Youre to join him there as soon as youre able. She pulled the door open and stepped into the hallway. Hell be at the table in front of the fire. He always sits starin at the fire. The door closed behind her.
An odd sort of quivering began in Elizabeths knees and spread throughout her body. She dropped into the chair behind her and stared at the door. What had she done? How could she explain to this Mr. Randolph that she had been forced by circumstances to accept his offer of marriage? She couldnt tell him about the betrothal agreement her father had signedor about Reginald Burton-Smythes attackor running away. He might send her back.
Elizabeths stomach roiled. She took a deep breath, but it didnt help. This time the nausea wouldnt be denied. She dropped the dress and shoes she still clutched in her hands and leaped for the washbowl. She reached it just in time.
She felt betterat least physically. The proprietors wife had been right; the warm bathwater had taken a little of the stiffness and soreness away. Elizabeth dropped her hairbrush into her open bag, leaned closer to the mirror and pushed her ivory hair comb into the piled-up mass of her still-damp hair. A few rebellious curls popped free and fell onto her smooth forehead. Why, just this once, couldnt her hair behave? Elizabeth scowled, tucked the offending curls back under the confined tresses, then pulled a creamy length of lace from her bag and draped it around her throat to hide the ragged scratch left by Reginalds attack. With the sleeves of her dress hiding the bruises on her arms, that took care of everything but her face. There was nothing she could do to hide that
reminder of Reginalds cruelty.
Elizabeth shuddered, closed her bag and stared down at the large gold ring resting on the table beside it. When she put that ring on her finger she would be readythere would be no further reason to delay her meeting with Mr. Randolph. A fit of trembling seized her. Before she lost all courage, she snatched up the ring, slid it onto her finger and hurried from the small bedroom.
Dear heaven! She could not identify her own husband! Elizabeth bit back a nervous giggle and gripped the banister for support as she skimmed her gaze over the men in the common room. One of them, seated at a table in front of the fireplace at the far end of the room with his back toward her, seemed to be staring into the flames. Was that he?
Any inclination toward laughter, nervous or otherwise, left Elizabeth in a rush. The mans long legs, crossed at the ankles, stretched out toward the fire, and one broad, long-fingered hand rested on the table. Her heart fluttered as she noted the powerful look of that hand. She suppressed a sudden, intense desire to turn and run away, descended the last step, and crossed the room.