Page 21 of Until I’m Safe in Your Arms

“Emma.” He rose swiftly, came around to her side of the table, knelt, and put his arms around her. “Shhh, my dear. Yes, the exercises take place out in the field, but it’s nothing to worry about.”

Tears continued to flow, even though his arms around her were warm and comforting. Never had she thought after she married that Alex would have to leave her. “But I will be all by myself.”

“Darling, you have six servants here with you, two of them strong men. This is a quiet neighborhood. You will be safe here, I promise you.”

“I only feel safe when I’m with you.” She leaned her face against his chest, hating her weakness, but unable to overcome it.

“That is nice to hear.” He pulled back so he could see her face. “But not very practical when you are married to a military man. There may be times when I am called away for more than a few days. What will you do then?”

Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, Emma sniffed and turned her pleading gaze on him. “I didn’t think that would happen. You said I could follow the drum.” She would do that too, wherever it took her. As long as she had Alex by her side. “Can I do that now?”

“No, little soldier, you cannot.” He stood and pulled her up to stand in front of him, a glint of sternness in his eyes. “It’s only for a few nights, Emma. Why are you so afraid of spending the nights alone here?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him, but Emma paused long enough for the impulse to pass. She wanted no one to know of those horrifying days and nights in India. “I have never been alone, Alex. I’ve always had my parents or my aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Tilney, or you to look after me. I’m afraid to be alone without a man for protection.”

“So it doesn’t have to be me then?” He looked at her, an eyebrow raised.

“What do you mean?”

“As long as you have a protector, you will not be upset if I am gone?”

“Well, of course I’d prefer to have my husband by my side.” Emma didn’t like where the conversation seemed to be going.

“But another man would do?” The stern look was back in his eyes.

Sighing, she nodded. “Yes, I suppose so.”

“Then I will send a note to Aunt Lucinda asking if you can come stay with her and Uncle Jack for a few days.” His mouth softened as he bent his head to kiss her brow. “You might like having the company.”

The offer was tempting. Even though his aunt was several years older than Emma, she’d liked her very much after meeting her at the house party and wedding. But… “Hampshire is a long way to travel just for a couple of nights, my dear.” Perhaps she could stay with Augusta instead, although Emma loathed inviting herself. Maybe she should tough it out here alone, although the very thought made her shiver. “I’m afraid it won’t do, my dear.”

“If my aunt and uncle were in Hampshire, I wouldn’t have mentioned it. You’re correct, that would be too great a journey alone on a train for you to attempt for just a few days’ stay.” Alex pulled a strand of her chestnut hair from beneath her lacy cap and wound it around his finger. “But I received a note from Uncle Jack yesterday saying he and my aunt had come up to Town for a few weeks before the Little Season begins.”

“You didn’t tell me that.” This put a whole new light on the scheme.

He chuckled and dipped his head to whisper in her ear, “That is because you fell asleep immediately after we had our bit of jam last night, so I didn’t have the chance to tell you.”

“You could have told me before we…” Emma’s face heated. She shouldn’t be so embarrassed still about having marital congress, but she was. “Before we did it.”

“I might have, my love, had you not been looking so delicious lying there in bed.” He kissed the sensitive part of her neck just below her ear. “You can’t expect me to think of anything other than having a game in the cock-loft when you lie there inviting me in.”

Emma drew back, staring him down. “Well, I suppose there’ll be no gaming of any kind tonight, will there?”

Alex sighed. “Unfortunately not.”

“Then by all means, send a note to Aunt Lucinda and ask if I may stay with them.” His cavalier manner about the matter made the devil fly into Emma. Serve him right if he didn’t get any “jam” for several nights. “If she’s willing, ask if I might stay until Saturday.”

“Saturday?” Her husband’s face drooped. Today was only Tuesday.

“I think you’re right. I would like some feminine companionship.” Now perhaps Alex would see how much he’d been neglecting her. “We see each other so seldom these days, I’d like to have someone to talk to about something other than…mundane topics.”

“Very well, my dear.” Alex stepped back, his gaze taking her in from top to toe. “I will write to her at once and send it by James. I’ll direct her to send the answer to you. I expect it will arrive by lunch time.”

“Excellent. I’ll instruct Cooper to begin packing.” She’d finally hired a lady’s maid, and not a moment too soon. “I will see you on Saturday then.”

Alex looked at her, his forlorn face making him look like a little boy, and Emma’s heart gave a hitch. This was their first quarrel and the first time they had been apart since they wed. She didn’t wish for them to part in anger. Raising up on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek. “Please be careful out in the wilds.”

“Hampstead Heath is hardly the wilds, my dear.” He smiled grudgingly, his good mood restored. “But I will take care to come back in one piece.”