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It was the first time in their marriage that she felt like they were a couple. Owen asked her opinion about issues and listened to her suggestions. Their evenings together were pleasant. If it had been this way from the start of their relationship, things would have turned out differently. Selena shook her head. It was no use lamenting over what could have been. The important thing was to look forward.
When she came to the ruined church, she went through the crumbling doorway to find David standing near to what used to be the altar. Selena did not feel that twinge of excitement that she now felt each time she saw Owen. Looking at David, there was no stirring in her heart, no feeling of giddiness at seeing her paramour. Maybe that was the reason they had never shared a bed: she didn’t truly love David. Not that she loved Owen—at least, she didn’t think she did.
She shook her head. The more she thought about everything, the more jumbled her mind became.
“Hello, Selena.” David came up to her. “I see you received my letter.”
“Yes, it was good timing, since we are leaving for London tomorrow.”
“We?”
“Owen and myself.”
David frowned. “Why would you want to go to London? You hate the old city.”
“Owen wants to see if going will help him regain his memories. He asked me to go with him, and I agreed.”
“You want your husband to get his memories back?”
“I am supporting Owen’s decision.”
“So now you are a supportive and faithful wife?” He put his hands on her arms and smirked. “My dear, don’t you think it’s a little late for that?”
Selena shook his hands off. How dare he speak to her in that condescending tone. “What I do is my concern, not yours.”
“Oh, but it does concern me, since we have a history. Or have you forgotten what you promised me?”
She had promised to run away with David if Owen returned from war. When she had been told Owen had died in battle, Selena had thought it would solve all her problems. Part of her hadn’t truly wanted to leave with David. He had merely been a temporary solution to the dilemma of her unhappy marriage. Now, looking at him, she knew she couldn’t leave Owen. There was something growing between them, and she owed it to herself and her husband to see if anything would come of it. No matter how uncertain she was.
“I’m sorry, David, but I cannot leave with you.”
“You are choosing to stay with your lying, cheating husband? Typical woman, spineless when it comes to actually doing what you promised.”
Selena bristled. “Now, see here. Things have changed, and last I checked, I am not married to you, therefore I have no obligation to do as you ask.”
David did the last thing she expected and laughed. The sound echoed off the old stones. “Very well, my dear, have it your way.” He took a step closer. “But don’t come crawling to me when things go back to the way they were. Probably for the best. I don’t fancy another man’s used goods.”
She slapped his face with such force that David’s neck whipped back. Her hand throbbed from the sting, but it felt good. “How dare you insult me in that way. You’re just like any other man, a brute when you don’t get what you want.”
Without another word, she stormed out of the church.
“You’ll regret this, you’ll see.”
David’s words followed her all the way to Stonegate. The nerve of the man. What had she ever seen in him? An escape, nothing more. Now she was committed to Owen. No matter what, her fate lay with him.
As she walked up the front lane, Owen came out of the stables. He was not wearing a jacket. Sweat plastered his shirt to his muscular arms. He must have been out riding. The smile on his face faded as he came closer. He must have seen her distraught expression. “What’s the matter?” Owen cupped her cheek. “You look upset.”
“It’s nothing.”
“I looked for you earlier, but Katie said you had gone for a walk. Did something happen?”
She put a hand on his arm. “Don’t distress yourself. I’m fine.”
He took her in his arms. This is what had been missing with David, the fluttering of her pulse and the heat that rushed over her body. It only occurred with Owen.
“If something is bothering you, I want to know.” He brushed his nose against hers.
The intimate yet endearing gesture made her heart skip a beat. Selena could not help herself. She leaned in, and Owen was right there to take her lips. He was all man. He tasted like sin, and his scent was a mixture of horse and sweat. The reassuring weight of his arms holding her made Selena’s skin tingle from head to toe. Their lips nipped and teased until she broke away. This was madness. It was most unbecoming to display such affection in the middle of the drive where anyone could see them.
