Colin sensed her distress and inclined his head towards her to ask.
“Are you alright, my dear? Would you like to sit down?”
He was always so attuned to her feelings and needs. Well, except in one respect, it would seem. He seemed oblivious to the fact that she missed him.
It had been a week since she had told him about the pregnancy, and true to his word, he had not visited her bed once in all that time. But now was not the moment to think about that. Not when she had trouble keeping her nausea under control.
“No. I need to get away from this crowded promenade. I think I’m going to be sick.” She said, her voice tight.
He called Elizabeth, and they turned into a more quiet lane. The nausea didn’t recede at once, but being away from the people, and their strong perfumes, helped a little.
They found an empty bench under a big oak tree. She sank into it, inhaling deep of the fresh clean breeze. Elizabeth came to sit by her side and fanned her face.
“I’m sorry Abby. I dragged you to this outing when–”
“Oh, but what a pleasant surprise. Imagine meeting you here again, my dear Abigail.” The irritating voice came from the path. Quimby was there, accompanied by two of his cronies. All of them friends of her despicable first husband.
“I thought I told you not to talk to my wife anymore, Quimby.”
“Oh, but your wife is an old friend of ours, Hartfield. I don’t think you have the right to withdraw her friendship just because you are jealous.” Quimby taunted.
“I have every right. And if you don’t walk away and leave us alone at once, I’ll make you regret it.” Colin snarled.
“Oh, tut tut. Don’t be such a stick in the mud. Although I can understand your jealousy. I mean, I don’t know how you convinced a beautiful woman such as Abigail to marry a freak like yourself. She must have been in desperate circumstances indeed to have accepted you.”
The three oafs cackled at their own lame wit, attracting the attention of several passersby. The situation was slipping out of control and they were about to cause a public spectacle.
Abigail saw her husband’s fists clench. His entire posture was like that of a panther ready to strike. Icy rage radiated from him. Did these idiots not realize the danger they were in? Were they out of their minds?
She placed a hand on Colin’s tense arm. “Don’t pay them any mind.” She said in a low voice meant only for him. His eyes turned to her for a moment, and she recoiled at the rage in his gaze.
“You should have come to me, dear Abigail. As your late husband’s heir, I would have been happy to assist you. Meet all your needs–”
Colin’s fist smashing into Quimby’s jaw cut off the rest of the offensive sentence. The blow was so hard, the movement so swift and without warning, that Quimby fell back against his cronies, looking dazed.
Colin walked towards the center of the lane, his movements unhurried, taking the fight away from her. He wasn't in a fighting stance. But anyone who cared to examine his posture would note that he was alert.
To give him credit, Quimby rallied fast. He shook his head and charged at Colin, his fists clenched. Colin elegantly sidestepped him and dodged the charging fists. Delivering a series of punches that left Quimby sprawled on the ground in a most undignified heap.
Her husband turned toward Quimby’s friends, daring them with a murderous gaze. The other two, seeing how he had overpowered Quimby with such ease, decided wisely to stay out of the fight. They went to their fallen mate and propped him up between the two of them, skulking away without further words.
Horror coursed through Abigail at the swift display of violence. She just managed to stumble two steps before she lost the battle with the nausea and threw up on the grass. By now, the once quiet lane was full of people who had stopped to watch the spectacle. The humiliation made her heave and be even more sick.
Elizabeth, bless her heart, was at her side, holding her head, murmuring soothing words, while trying to shield her from prying eyes.
Colin came to stand on her other side.
“Are you all right?”
His tone was curt and impersonal. Not a trace of the considerate husband who had escorted her with tender care and bid her to rest. She nodded, unable to meet his gaze.
“Good. Let’s go then. I daresay we have provided enough entertainment for the crowd.” He bit off, shooting a nasty, defiant glance at the surrounding people. Then he extended his right arm for her to take. She placed trembling fingers on his sleeve, darting a nervous glance at his countenance.
Elizabeth took his other arm, and they strolled back in silence to their carriage, which was stationed near the entrance to the park.
Once they climbed inside, she couldn’t stand the silence anymore. But what could she say? Please don’t be angry? Go back to being the kind, understanding man I thought I had married? She cast around for something to say. But he beat her to it.
“I think it is time to go back to the country.” Colin said between gritted teeth.
