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“I’m not sure where his lordship has gone, ma’am.”
“And neither am I.” Sarah answered. “My husband only said they would be stopping at several locations.”
“Tom might know.” Selena spoke up. “Owen mentioned Tom had written a list of places that he used to frequent.”
They summoned the valet. Yes, he confirmed. He had given Owen a list of clubs. Selena asked Tom to go to these places and ask for Owen to come home at once. The young man sprang into action.
While they waited, Sarah did her best to comfort her. She gave Selena a glass of brandy to calm her nerves and had a maid bring a warm compress for her head. Sarah told her to rest, but every time she closed her eyes, Selena saw that man with the horrid teeth.
It seemed an eternity before Owen and Bran came through the doorway. Owen gathered Selena in his arms.
“I came as fast as I could. Tom said it was urgent. What happened?”
“Two brutes accosted Selena – because of you.” Sarah pointed an accusatory finger at Owen.
“What is she talking about?” Owen turned to his wife.
Even though she did not want to recall the events again, Selena knew it would be best coming from her. “I went out this morning. On my way home, I passed the hospital and spoke with Dr. Lucas. He gave me a package that had been delivered to the hospital for you.”
“For me? What was it?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t open it. On my way back home, two men followed me. I tried to get away from them, but they caught me in an alley.”
Owen’s eyes widened. “Did they hurt you?”
“No. They just wanted the package, so I gave it to them. Before they left, they called you by your name and said you’d best be careful because you made someone very angry.”
She laid her head on Owen’s chest. He stroked a hand down her back. “I’m sorry. This is my fault. I should have guessed something from my past would come back to haunt us, especially now that we are in London.”
Selena sat up. The anguish was clear on Owen’s face. She put a hand on his cheek. “You could not have foreseen this happening.”
Owen turned his face to place a kiss on her palm. “No, but I could have guessed, given my tarnished reputation. I will make this right.”
“The question is who sent you the package and what was in it?” Bran spoke from his seat across from them.
Selena had forgotten the Hughes were still there.
“Exactly. Who knew I was at the hospital? It seems my list of places to visit is growing. I will make inquiries at the London Army headquarters, see if there is anyone I can speak with. Perhaps there are other soldiers from my unit who are still in London and can help. For now, I will stay with you for the rest of the day.” He looked at Selena. “You should rest.”
“I tried, but I can’t. You should go, there is nothing for you to do here.”
Owen tightened his hold. “I’m staying right here.”
Her stomach did a flip. He cared. “Thank you.”
The Hughes left them a short while later. Owen laid out on the couch lengthwise, with Selena cuddled between his legs. They spoke of mundane things. Selena was grateful for the distraction. She told him about the theater tickets she had bought for the following night and the story about leaving the poor clerk in the men’s shop.
“I shall have to go back and buy some things to make up for my behavior.”
Owen chuckled. “I will go with you, if you like. After all, the clothes are for me.”
The entire time, Owen gently caressed her arms. The motion was not intimate, but it sparked something inside Selena, a yearning to be closer to the man who continued to break down her defenses. She turned around in his arms, sitting on her knees. Her hands rested on his chest. Owen’s heart thundered under her hand. The way she was positioned, Selena felt the bulge of his erection against her leg.
Owen put one hand at the small of her back and the other cupped her neck, drawing her down to him. There was nothing that needed to be said. They knew what they wanted—each other. The moment their lips met, a palpable craving to be with Owen overtook her.
Their mouths fused, feasting in desperation and longing. Selena leaned into him, crushing her breasts to his chest. A groan of satisfaction vibrated in Owen’s throat. Selena had never initiated relations in the past, but she had never felt what she experienced now. Was it love?
She snaked a hand between their bodies until she came to his cock, straining against his trousers. Owen increased the pressure on her mouth, forcing her to open on a sigh. Suddenly, Owen’s tongue glided along her lips. It was new and exciting.
