AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER4
Owen peered at Selena, silently hoping that she would join him. He wanted to spend time with her. It hurt to know she had avoided him today. Was he so repulsive? Were the memories of their past so terrible that it would overshadow any chance of future happiness? He hoped not.
Talking with Selena’s brother had given Owen a glimpse into who his wife really was. Rodney said that Selena had been a happy child. Their upbringing had been one of privilege, even though their father did not have a title. Selena had always been the child to bring in a wounded animal, or the first person to help a friend. She was kind, reliable, and loyal. The type of person one wanted by their side in trying times. If Owen had ever needed Selena, it was now.
So, here he was, waiting to see what Selena’s decision would be.
“I will join you.”
Owen let out his breath.
“You never cared for chess in the past,” she said as they went over to a table and set of chairs.
“I had plenty of time to learn during my convalescence.” Owen fished out the chess set from a cabinet.
Selena watched him set up the pieces. “I haven’t played in a long time, so I may not be much of an opponent.”
“It’s the company that I appreciate.” He gave her a warm smile.
She averted her gaze. Was that a slight blush on her neck? Point for me.
“Do you remember anything from your time in New Zealand?”
Owen moved his bishop. “The earliest memory I have is waking up in the medical tent. My head was pounding, and I had a terrible pain in my side. Besides being knocked over the head, someone had stabbed me.”
Selena gasped. “Good heavens. No one told me, not even at the hospital.”
“Probably because the wound had healed by the time I got home. Luckily, the bastard had missed anything vital. I lay in that bed for weeks until the ship brought me home. During my voyage, I met several soldiers who took me under their wing.”
“How so?” Selena moved her knight.
“When I told them I had amnesia, they took turns giving me tutorials on English life. They talked about politics, etiquette, games—anything that I might need in my new life. They even had to tell me about the damned war I had been fighting in.”
Owen noticed Selena biting her lower lip. It must be a nervous habit. Again, he had a powerful urge to kiss those luscious lips. His mind may be muddled, but it seemed his body had not forgotten what it meant to lust after a beautiful woman. His erection strained at his breeches.
“Tell me more about your friends.”
The game forgotten, Owen settled further into his seat. “There were six of us. Each man had suffered injuries, some worse than others. One man lost his leg, another his vision, and one had suffered severe burns. We were a ragtag group, all brought together by our common bond of misery.”
“It’s terrible.”
“What?”
“All that you and the others had to endure.”
He recalled Selena’s earlier statement, that she had wished him dead. Did she still wish it, or was she softening toward him? Or worse yet, was it only pity she felt for him? Anything but that.
“I’m sorry.” Her words broke through his ruminations.
“Sorry for what?”
“For what I said this afternoon.” Was she a mind reader? “When I said I hoped you would die. It was a cruel thing to say. Please forgive me.” Her lips trembled as she twisted the material of her skirts tightly in her hands.
If he didn’t think she would recoil, Owen would have gone to her, comforted her, but he stayed in his chair.
“It’s understandable, under the circumstances. I was a heartless scoundrel who saw you as nothing more than an object, a thing to do with as I pleased. There is nothing to forgive. Anyone would have wished the same thing if they were in your place.”
Moisture glistened in her eyes. “How can you be so understanding? I have been aloof, bordering on rude, since I met you at the hospital. And instead of being bitter or mean, you have been the picture of a gentleman.”
