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Feeling self-conscious, she looked down at her work roughened, tanned hands, not looking forward to being judged by strangers at all. “Won’t that be fun.”
Laughing, Mrs. Tibbs gave Rowan’s unbruised cheek a gentle pat. “Worry not, dear girl. Just keep in mind that no matter who those other women are, Garret and Edward could have had them, but they picked you. I know women can be catty, but just ignore them.”
Wanting to change the subject, she smoothed her hands down the dress and said, “Thank you so much for lending this to me.”
“Oh, that dress isn’t mine,” Mrs. Tibbs chuckled and patted her hips. “I have a bit more padding. Garret and Edward supplied it. I must say, the cut is very flattering on you. You’re so slight, it’s no wonder you were able to disguise yourself. I’m afraid there isn’t enough bandages in the world to flatten down my chest.”
Rowan frowned down at the lovely gown. “They bought this for me? When?”
“While you were in the city, I’d imagine. That has the look of a store-bought dress, not homemade.” Mrs. Tibbs said as she examined the high lace collar of the dress. “Yes, definitely not homemade.”
“But why would they buy me an expensive dress?”
Mrs. Tibbs rolled her eyes as she swept Rowan’s hair up into a stylish do and secured the wild curls with what seemed like a million pins. “Because they adore you.”
“They hardly know me,” she protested. “And they didn’t know me at all when we left the city.”
“They bought the dress because they are decent men and wanted to make sure you are properly clothed.” Mrs. Tibbs paused for a moment, the hair pin in her hand gleaming in the light from the overhead oil lanterns. “You haven’t known much kindness in your life, have you?”
Rowan shrugged and looked away. “When you’re poor, and everyone around you is poor, kindness is a luxury most people can’t afford. I find it hard to believe that they would spend so much money on me without wanting anything in return.”
“I understand, but they do want something in return.” Mrs. Tibbs laughed at Rowan’s knowing look. “Not that, or at least not only that. When a man loves a woman, he will do anything to make her happy, to see her smile. They didn’t buy you the dress so that you would feel you owe them in some way. They bought you the dress to make you happy. As far as them not knowing you, I knew my Harold for three days before we wed. He was about to go off to battle, and I couldn’t bear the thought of him going into danger without knowing I would be waiting at home for him.” Mrs. Tibbs sighed happily as she turned Rowan around. “Lovely.”
Touching her hair and brushing a stray blonde curl from her face, she gave Mrs. Tibbs an impulsive hug. “Thank you so much for talking with me.”
“It is my pleasure, dear. You’ve had a rough go of it, and my heart breaks for all that you’ve been through, but I am sure God brought you to us for a reason.” Mrs. Tibbs fanned her face, blinking rapidly. “Now, let’s go find your fiancés and see what the cook has made up for dinner. We don’t have many guests this time of year, so she’ll be eager to show off her skills and will make us something particularly delicious.”
Walking down the hall with Mrs. Tibbs, Rowan took in the opulence and said in a hesitant voice, “It is rather surprising to find such a refined Inn out in the middle of the frontier. I certainly didn’t expect indoor plumbing.”
“It cost a pretty penny, but my Harold, though he likes to deny it, comes from a rather wealthy aristocratic family and likes his luxuries. We used his inheritance to build our inn to his rather demanding specifications.”
“Is Dr. Tibbs royalty?” Rowan asked in a hushed voice.
“He is.”
“Good golly,” Rowan breathed out.
Mrs. Tibbs giggled and led her to yet another set of stairs. “Don’t get flustered, he is 86th in line for the crown. Minor nobility, but ones that invested well over the years. When he decided to follow his brothers in arms to the United States, they gave us a substantial gift to start a new life together. Well, substantial for us, a tiny fraction of their wealth to them. When we found these mineral springs, and the town already built around them, we knew Dove Springs was where we were meant to be.”
They stopped before a dark wood door with the brass number fourteen on it.
“Here we are,” Mrs. Tibbs said. “Now, before you go in, I know you’re engaged, but I wasn’t sure what sleeping arrangements you would prefer. This is your room, but there is a door that connects to your fiancé’s bedroom. It has a lock on your side, so if you wish for privacy tonight, you may have it. Take a moment to freshen up, then tell Garret and Edward dinner is ready whenever they are. They should be back from their soaks in the men’s bathing area by now, though they were with Harold, and Lord knows that man can talk.”
Rowan bit her cheek to keep from giggling, because Mrs. Tibbs hadn’t stopped talking since they’d met. “Thank you. I’ll let them know.”
5
EDWARD
* * *
Edward was just pulling up the straps of his suspenders when a knock came from the door to the room he shared with Garret. He would have preferred to be in Rowan’s room with her but thought that Dr. Tibbs was right—she could probably use a good night’s sleep and some privacy. They’d explained the situation to their old friend and mentor as they’d soaked in the tubs, and Garret had finally been able to have his pipe.
Now, feeling like a new man with the dirt of the road washed off him and a fresh shave, he crossed the smooth, dark wood floor of their room and opened the door, expecting it to be the maid.
But it wasn’t the maid standing in the hallway.
It was Cassandra Stein, a local widow and one of the women Edward and Garret would ‘visit’ with when they were in Dove Springs.
