“I did notinvite her, Dianna, I swear it,” he said with worry.
“I know,” Itold him and turned my gaze toward Roselyn Wallace and recallingthe letter I’d entrusted with Cillian earlier. “I did.”
“What?”Henry’s face became awash with disbelief and anger. “Why?”
“I secondthat,” Lottie chimed in and gave me a disapproving look.
I shrugged.“She cares for you, Henry. As I’m sure you do for her, ordid once upon a time. You play a very big role in the lifeshe’s lived, and I think she deserves to say congratulations, toshare your special day, don’t you?”
Henry’s facejumped back and forth between me and the woman from his past whowaited in the entryway, unsure whether or not to come in. I smiledand waved her over.
“Are yousure?” he leaned down and whispered to me.
“Yes,” Ireplied. “Now, greet your friend.”
Roselynnstopped a couple of feet away and I almost regretted my decision atthe sight of her stunning beauty. Damn, the woman had no parallel.No one I could compare her to in my mind that would even come closeto sharing the natural beauty she held. But I bit back my jealousyand stood to meet her.
“Dianna,” shesaid. “Thank you for inviting me. I believe congratulations are inorder. I trust your day was something magical, yes?”
“It was,indeed,” Henry replied for me and stepped closer to my side. “Asimple ceremony aboard our ship. Dianna was absolutely radiant.” Hebeamed down at me.
“Still is,”she replied and looked me up and down with those chocolatey eyesand cat-like gaze. “That dress is stunning.”
“Thank you. Itwas made by Madam Guthrie.” Suddenly, after feeling like a goddessall day, I felt self-conscious inmy gorgeous gown. Like all of my flaws were showing. But I brushedit away.
Wallace letout a quick laugh, a single huff, almost in disbelief. “Thewitch?”
“I knew it!”Lottie called from my side.
I shushed mydrunken friend. “You’re not serious?” I turned my attention back toWallace.
She shrugged.“Well, there are rumors–”
“Wallacccce!” Finn bellowed and yanked her by thearm, twirling the startled woman around and then dipping her. “Nowhere’s a woman who knows how t’throw a party. What are ye doin’ here, ye wench?”
Stillsuspended in Finn’s arms, I expected Wallace to reply with angerbut was surprised when she erupted into a fit of laughter and swatat Finn’s arm to let her go. “You foolish man, on the drink again,are you?”
He threw hismug into the air and called out, “Aye, ‘tis a celebration! Drinksare in order! Come, dance!”
“In a moment,alright?” she promised Finn as he did a clumsy jig back to thecrowd. She turned back to us, laughing, but her expression morphedto something serious.
“I wasn’tgoing to come,” she began. “I didn’t think it appropriate after theway things ended between us.” She spoke the words to Henry but heldmy gaze as she did. The apology was for both of us. “I admit,seeing Henry after all these years… I had little control over myactions. But that’s no excuse. You didn’t deserve that, Dianna. Ishould not have laid hands on your husband. And, for that, I’m verysorry. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Her words weresincere, but something in her face, something that flitted acrossher expression didn’t sit well with me. Almost like a warning. Butfor what? To watch out? That she’ll swoop in and steal Henry outfrom under my nose if the thought pleases her? I couldn’t put myfinger on it, but something deep in my gut told me to watch myback.
I kept up thecharade of niceties. “It’s alright, Wallace. A simplemisunderstanding. I think it’s me who owes you an apology.”
She twistedher brow in confusion. “Whatever for?”
I masked asneer with a fluffy smile before Henry could see. “For vomiting inyour vase. I hope it wasn’t too much of a mess to clean up.”
Her eyeslightly twitched but Finn came running up from behind and grabbedthe woman before she could respond. Soon, Wallace was taken by thecrowd, passed a mug of ale, and Lottie ran to join in the fun. Iwas tired and fit for bed after the long day I’d had. But watchingmy friends, in that very moment, brought me more joy thananything.
To see themhaving fun, free of worry over our mission. If even for a night. Itsuddenly made me realize that they’d be okay without me. Withoutus. If Henry and I survived this mess and truly fled to some quietpiece of land where we could be happy and raise our kids.
Henry sidledup next to me, his long arm draping over my shoulders as I restedmy head against him. Happy. Content. We needed no exchange of wordsand I happily listened to the beat of his heart against my ear.
“Are you readyfor bed?” he asked.
“No, we canstay if you want,” I replied through a yawn. “Wallace just gothere.”
“I still don’tunderstand why.”
Another slightyawn. “I’ll explain later, when my eyelids can stay open on theirown.”
I felt hisbody jiggle with a slight chuckle, one that formed deep in hischest. “Come,” he said and moved to stand. “Let’s go to bed.”
I took hishand and that’s the last I remember. At least, until I touched myhand to the linens of our bed. No walking, no stairs. I was beyondtired. My pregnant shape hunched over as I sat on the edge of themattress. Henry’s hands worked over my body to remove the thickclothing. My ankles, by no attempt of my own, flung up onto the bedand were tucked under the blankets.
Henry kissedmy forehead. “Sleep.”
One last shotof energy swam through my veins and my arms reached out for him, myfingers hooking the collar of his shirt. I pulled his lips to mineand clumsily kissed them.
“No, no sleep.What do you mean? We have to consummate our marriage.” I grinnedsleepily up at his face as he hovered above.
Henry’s bodylowered down next to me and took me in his arms as my mouthsearched for his. I moaned against him. But he didn’t advance, onlyheld me gingerly and covered me with his warmth.
“Hush, sleep.There’ll be time for that tomorrow.”
I melted intohis embrace, basking in it as my mind eased into an unforgiving slumber. My body, pregnant andexhausted, had reached its limit of shopping trips and weird witchyold ladies. Of jealous ex-girlfriends
