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“Anything,” Garret replied as they both turned to look at the closed door separating their room from Rowan’s. “I’ll go into hell, both guns blazing, if it means keeping our bride safe.”
6
ROWAN
* * *
Slowly running her finger over the long, gilded handle of the fork, Rowan wondered if Mrs. Tibbs would be put out if Rowan stabbed the woman sitting across the room from her for openly flirting with Garret. The woman was French Canadian named Fleur, traveling with her uncle and cousin from Quebec to trade furs. She had gorgeous, thick brown hair that framed a very pretty oval face. And she had long, dark lashes that she used to maximum effect as she attempted to charm Garret.
The French Canadians had joined the Tibbs, minus Nancy, and Rowan and her men for some social time after dinner.
Edward, it had been decided by the men, would be Rowan’s public fiancé while Garret would pose as her cousin. They both had blonde hair and blue eyes and, even though his nose was narrow and aristocratic while hers was wide, they could pass as cousins. Very distant cousins, but close enough that people wouldn’t question their relationship.
But, as they sat there, having what should be a pleasant time talking with a charming Dr. and Mrs. Tibbs, Rowan couldn’t help but feel guilty as she watched Garret play a game of cards with Fleur and her family. To her surprise, Garret spoke fluent French, and it irritated her further that she didn’t know what they were saying. She could only read Fleur’s body language. Rowan grit her teeth as Fleur looked at Garret from beneath her lashes, blushing prettily as they all laughed at something Fleur’s uncle had said.
“And that’s when I became a monkey and decided to move to Russia,” Mrs. Tibbs said.
Startled, Rowan tore her jealous gaze from the card table and focused on Mrs. Tibbs again.
She found the older woman giving her a knowing look. “Green with jealousy is not a good color on you. Now put that fork down before we have to remove it from that poor simpleton’s eye. She is very pretty, but she is about as smart as my goat, Douglas—and he tries to eat dung.”
Edward coughed from the chair nearby where he was sitting with Dr. Tibbs as they both smoked their pipes near the fire.
Ignoring him, Rowan leaned forward as she set her dessert fork down next to the barely eaten, but delicious, chocolate cake. “I’m sorry. I know…” She tried to put her complicated feelings into words but was at a loss. “I’m not used to this.”
Mrs. Tibbs leaned closer so they were whispering together, their conversation low enough that it was almost inaudible over the sounds coming from the card game. “Forgive me if I am prying, but I would give you the same advice I gave my daughters when they were considering becoming Bridgewater Brides.”
Eager for some kind of guidance and feeling comforted by the older woman’s presence, Rowan nodded.
“This,” her gaze darted over to the card table, her mouth going tight, “is part of the price you pay for marrying a man from Bridgewater. The world is not a kind place, and there are thos
e who would try to prosecute you for indecency and other foolish crimes. You have to ask yourself, can you really do this? Can you really spend a lifetime where you will never be able to publicly acknowledge your husbands without fear of ridicule and possible jail?”
Rowan stared at her, taking in the seriousness of Mrs. Tibbs expression. Oh, how she wanted to confess that the ring on her finger was just a prop, but in truth it meant so much more. She was falling in love with Garret and Edward, and it scared her to death. Loving someone made you vulnerable, and she hated the bitter sting of jealousy that was still riding her emotions.
“I don’t know,” she said whispered.
“Then this is something you need to consider.” Mrs. Tibbs patted her hand, “Is what they’re offering you worth the price?”
Sitting slowly back in her chair, Rowan looked over at Edward as he leaned forward on his elbows, deep in conversation with Dr. Tibbs. The lamplight cast deep shadows on his face, lending him an almost sinister look that she knew was a lie. Beneath that brash exterior beat a heart as strong and gentle as any man she’d ever met. Her father had been the same way. A big Viking of a man, who wouldn’t hurt a fly, but would beat the tar out of anyone that threatened his family.
Her heart lifted a little as he caught her looking at him and gave her his slow, unbearably sexy smile. Lifting his hand to his mouth, he blew her a kiss that she swore landed on her heart with a thump. When she smiled back at him, he winked, then turned to face Dr. Tibbs when the older man said something that made Edward laugh.
Looking the other way to the card table by the fire, she caught Garret already watching her. He was facing away from the other players, which was a good thing because the desire in his gaze was unmistakable. Heat stirred between her legs as she basked in his attention. His gaze felt like a caress, and her heart began to beat faster just from his look. The chemistry between them was potent, and she hoped no one noticed the sudden flush to her cheeks.
Garret gave her a wink, then turned back to the card game as one of the men said his name, then something in French. As she watched, she once again noted that he was polite to Fleur, but at the same time distant and did nothing to encourage her interest. Trust was something that didn’t come easy, but she forced herself to stop watching over Garret like a jealous fishwife and return her attention to a carefully watching Mrs. Tibbs.
Tilting her head to the side, she considered something then asked, “Do you daughters think the price of their family is worth the cost?”
Mrs. Tibbs gave her a bright smile, “A million times over.”
Rowan smiled back, then yawned. “Goodness, it is barely seven o’clock and it feels like midnight.”
Making a tsking sound, Mrs. Tibbs stood and turned to Edward and Dr. Tibbs, “Edward, I believe our beautiful Rowan is in need of a good night’s rest. Would you be a dear and escort her to her room?”
Garret stood from the card table, concern wreathing his handsome face. “I’ll help you. She is looking a little pale.”
Fleur said something, but Garret shook his head and his reply made her pout, but he obviously didn’t care.
