Elizabeth gave a small moan and turned overher cloak fell open. Justin scowled, removed his other boot, then rose and strode to the bed. He lifted Elizabeth into his arms, tossed her cloak aside, pulled back the covers, laid her down and removed the cream-colored satin shoes from her feet. With a snort of disgust at their inadequacy, he tossed them to the floor, then pulled the covers over her and tucked them beneath her chin.
Elizabeth sighed, and lifted her hand to rest on the pillow beside her cheek. The too large, gold ring she wore almost slipped from her finger. Justin stared at it for a moment, then slid it back in place. A sudden acute sense of loss stabbed him. He had made a mockery of everything he most desired. This woman was his wife. His wife! And he didnt even know her. He reached out and traced the path of tears on her face. Why had she been so frightened earlier? How had someone as lovely as she come to be in her present plight?
Elizabeth stirred. Her lips curved upward in a wistful smile and she turned her head toward his touchher lips brushed softly against his hand. Justin inhaled sharply and jerked away. The muscle along his jaw twitched as his hands curled into fists. Hed almost fallen into the trap again! A dull throbbing pain took up residence in his head as he turned and stalked back to the fireplace. There would be no more questions. To wonder about someone was to be involvedand that road led to disappointment and pain. It was a road hed sworn he would never travel again.
The fire snapped and crackled, its dancing fingers of light probing the darkness and highlighting Justins long, muscular legs, his lean hips, broad chest and powerful shoulders. He turned away from its warmth, pulled a robe over himself and stared into the shadows. The loneliness was on him again. He didnt want to face the light.
Chapter Eight
Elizabeth awoke at the sound of Justins movement. Immediately, the events of yesterday flooded her mindespecially last nights angry scene. The memory made her feel ill. She took a deep, quiet breath and lay perfectly still watching him from under lowered lashes. Her conscience pricked her when he stooped and began to roll the carriage rugs spread on the floor at his feet. So that was where he had slept. She winced inwardly and drew breath to speak, but before she could begin her apology he made a sound of disgust and straightened. Her shoes were in his hand. He was scowling. Suddenly, he lifted his head and looked her way.
Elizabeth closed her already slitted eyes. The apology could wait! She held her breath and strained her ears to detect his slightest movement over the pounding of her heart. Fabric rustledfootsteps crossed the floorthe door opened and closed.
Elizabeth popped her eyes open, threw off the covers, and ran to slide the bolt into place. Justin Randolph was still angry. And he had every right to beshe had treated him dreadfully. She sagged against the door and let her breath out in a long sigh. Yesterday had been a disaster andAnd that was yesterday! This was today.
Elizabeth straightened her shoulders and pushed away from the door. She would make a new beginning starting right now. She picked up her bag and reached inside for her soap and towel as she hurried to the washstand. There would be no foolish incidents today!
The weather had turned bitterly cold. Justin lowered his head into the wind and hurried from the necessary toward the inn to wake Elizabeth. It was a miserable day to travel, but he had no desire to spend an entire day with her in that tiny room. At least at home he would not be forced to spend every moment in her company. He blew on his hands, rubbed them together and glanced over at the sudden activity in the barn. Daniel was leading the horses out to be harnessed. Good! Now, if Little Fawn had finished altering those moccasins they could be on their way before full light.
Justin blew on his hands again, tucked his chin into his collar and sprinted the remaining distance to the inn. Miserable weather! It was cold enough to freeze a hogs squeal! With a last disgusted look at the leaden sky, he stomped the snow from his boots and went inside.
She was finished. Elizabeth pushed the ivory comb deep into the pile of curls on her head, dropped her hairbrush into her bag, then ran to the door and slid the bolt free. Now, she had only to don her cloak and shoes. When Mr. Justin Randolph returned he would find her calmly seated in a chair, ready and waiting. Oh, it was good to feel in control again!
Elizabeth smiled, dropped her bag on the floor beside the door and walked briskly to the end of the bed to get her shoes. They were not there. She checked the floor on first one side of the bed, and then the otherher shoes were nowhere in sight. How odd! She had seen Justin Randolph with them in his hands at this very spot. She stood for a moment nibbling thoughtfully at her soft lower lip, then bent and lifted one end of the neatly rolled bundle of carriage rugs at her feet. No shoes. She straightened and gave the rugs a vigorous shake. Nothing. Where were her shoes?