Page 51 of To Honor

“Indeed.” Her father looked at their joined hands. “’Tis done. And I must return to Blackwood immediately.”

“You would not stay for at least a meal?”

“Nay. I would be back before the sun rises. There’s an inn on the edge of town.” He pointed in the opposite direction from where they came. “That way. I will send word as soon as I am able.” He turned to Amalia. “Perhaps you should return with me?”

Amalia was as surprised as Evelina with that declaration.

“Father?”

“I know it will be a long journey,” he said. “But I’ve been considering . . . if there is a question of the legality of their marriage, it may aid Evie and Gareth’s cause to have a witness that is not related to either party.”

“She cannot go back to Ashcroft,” Evelina said, the thought of Amalia having to face the baron alone unthinkable.

“Of course she cannot.” Eamon addressed Amalia. “You will stay at Castle Blackwood under my protection.”

“Until Evie can return?”

Evelina and her father looked at one another. She wished there was more confidence in his expression that such a thing would be possible. But the truth was, their return depended on Ashcroft.

“Aye, until she can return,” he said finally.

“I will come,” Amalia said. “And give the newly married couple time alone to enjoy—”

Her father coughed. “I think perhaps we should be on our way.”

Evelina smiled as Amalia rushed up to her. They squeezed each other tight, neither saying aloud what they both knew.

None could say when they would see each other again.

“Fare thee well,” Amalia said to Gareth as the women broke apart.

Evelina hugged her father tight, thanking him for all he’d done. After he shook Gareth’s hand and led Amalia to her mount, Evelina and Gareth were alone at last.

“Husband,” she said, wishing to try the moniker.

“Wife,” he responded with a smile. “Shall we find that inn your father mentioned?”

“For a meal.”

Gareth winked. “That too.”

25

“Is this my wedding gift?” Evie asked when she walked into the room.

A wooden tub, filled to the top with steamy hot water, sat in the center of their bedchamber. While they were below, Gareth had told the owner they were newly married and asked for the bath. Despite the late hour, he arranged for it, and Gareth was pleased to see Evie’s eyes light up when she saw it.

Closing and locking the door behind them, Gareth only hoped he could keep his hands from his wife long enough for her to use it. Pushing aside thoughts of their future, one more tenuous than he would like as Lord Ashcroft was sure to be incensed at their actions, he took Evelina’s cloak.

But did not stop with that.

“Turn around,” he said, more than glad to assist her from her gown. With light from the fire and two candles next to the bed, the chamber was dark but not completely so, thankfully. He wanted to see all of her.

“It feels strange to have someone other than Amalia untie my gown.”

“Strange,” he said, finished with the ties. Pushing Evie’s hair to the front, he kissed the nape of her neck. “That is the word you would use?”

Gareth pushed the sleeves of her gown down on both sides, freeing her arms from them as he continued to kiss her. Evie’s shift prevented him from moving any lower, but he planned to remedy that. Piece by piece, he removed her clothing. First, Evie’s gown. Then, as he guided her toward the bed to sit, her boots and stockings. When she wore nothing but the shift, Gareth began to undress himself, not wanting her to feel alone in her nakedness.