CHAPTER 27

Seated beside Quinn in the back of the taxi, Julia twisted the new band on her finger, unable to fully grasp the fact that she was now a married woman. A few simple words, a ring, and a signature, and her life had changed forever. For better or worse, she couldn’t know.

Now, the closer they got to Mrs. Middleton’s, the more nervous Julia became as her new reality set in. She’d never found the courage to broach the topic of the wedding night . . . and beyond . . . with Quinn, and she had no idea what he was thinking. How did he intend for them to act until he was ready to leave Toronto? For all intents and purposes, they should at least appear to live as a true married couple so there could be no question as to the validity of their union, should anyone have cause to question them.

When the taxi stopped in front of the house, Quinn pulled out money to pay the fare. Then he helped her out and walked her to the door.

Julia’s feet had swollen over the course of the day, and now her shoes pinched the sides of her feet. In addition, the dress that had fit fine earlier now cut off her circulation at her middle. She couldn’t wait to get upstairs and change.

“May I come inside for a minute?” Quinn asked as she opened the door. “I’d like to discuss something with you.” His expression seemed tense, a contrast to the ease of the rest of the evening.

Julia held back a sigh. The comfort of her nightclothes would have to wait. “Certainly. Why don’t we sit in the parlor? Mrs. Middleton is likely in bed by now.”

Julia removed her hat and gloves while Quinn set his hat on a hook by the door. Then, without a word, they entered the parlor, lit only by the remnants of a fire in the hearth. Julia snapped on one of the table lamps and sank onto the sofa.

Quinn hesitated for a moment, then came to sit beside her.

She turned to him. “What is it you wish to discuss?”

His gray eyes appeared almost the color of charcoal in the dim room. A slight furrow appeared between his brows. “I wondered if you’d given any thought to our living arrangements while I’m still in Toronto. More specifically, where you thought I should sleep tonight?”

Instant heat flooded her cheeks. “I assumed we’d go back to our respective rooms . . . but since it’s our wedding night, that wouldn’t seem right, would it?”

“Not really. People will expect us to live under the same roof.” Even in the shadows, his complexion grew ruddier.

“I see your point.” She bit her lip. “I did think of asking Mrs. Middleton if you could stay in one of the guest rooms, but I lost my nerve.” Seeing how adamant the woman was about no romance under her roof, she feared the question might put her off keeping Julia as an employee.

Quinn frowned. “I should have planned this more carefully and booked a room at an inn. I’m sorry I didn’t do a better job.”

She looked down at her hand and fingered the silver ring, then raised her eyes to his with a soft smile. “From where I stand, I think you did just fine.”

He took her hand, running his thumb over the metal band. “If I’d had the funds, I would have done a lot more.”

“I don’t need anything more, Quinn. This ring is beautiful. Thank you for thinking of it.”

“You’re welcome.” He raised her hand to his lips, then sighed. “That still doesn’t resolve the issue at hand though.”

Footsteps, punctuated by the loud tap of a cane, echoed in the hall.

Julia tugged her hand back and rose. “Mrs. Middleton? Can I get you something?”

Dressed in her bathrobe and a frilly white nightcap, the elderly woman came toward them. “Couldn’t sleep. Came down for some hot milk.” She pointed a bony finger at Quinn. “It occurred to me as I lay awake up there that you two might need somewhere to spend your wedding night.”

“We were just discussing that very topic.” Quinn moved forward and put his arm around Julia. “I confess I forgot to book a room for the evening.”

“No point in spending your money if you don’t have to. I have a perfectly good wing not being used at present. You’re more than welcome to stay here.”

Julia reached out to lay a hand on the woman’s arm. “Mrs. Middleton, will you be all right alone on your floor?”

“I’ll be fine.” She winked at Julia. “A bride must think of her husband at a time like this.”

Julia’s mouth fell open, her face heating. What was her employer thinking? She knew Julia’s situation and the reason for accepting Quinn’s marriage proposal. Why would she assume—?

“Thank you for your kind offer, ma’am,” Quinn said. “If Julia is in agreement, we will gladly accept.”

“Very well. It’s settled. I’ll have Allison make up one of the rooms.” Mrs. Middleton squinted at Quinn. “Are you still planning on traveling to England in the near future?”

Quinn hesitated only a moment. “I am. I’ll be leaving in a week’s time.”

“In that case, why don’t you stay here until then? Then you’ll at least have a few days together, and you can save money in the meantime.” She pointed her cane at him. “As long as you don’t mind your bride helping me during the day.”

Julia blinked, her mouth opening and closing. A whole week with Quinn? The idea both thrilled her and sent shivers of terror down her spine.

“That’s most generous of you, ma’am,” he said, his lips twitching. “I believe I shall enjoy my stay with you.”

Julia hung her wedding dress in the wardrobe of the room she and Quinn had chosen and closed the door. Quinn might be moving into the house, but she planned on returning to her regular room across from Mrs. Middleton tomorrow. One night sharing a room with Quinn would be unnerving enough. Besides, part of her job was to be close at hand, should Mrs. Middleton need her at any time, day or night. Staying on the opposite side of the house, in another wing entirely, was out of the question.

She took a seat on the tufted ottoman before the vanity table and picked up her brush. As she combed out her long hair, she gazed at herself in the mirror. This was not how she’d imagined looking on her wedding night. Brow furrowed. Eyes anxious. Pale. Pregnant.

She brushed her hair harder until all the tangles were out, then she purposely twisted it into a thick braid, as she did every night. No need to invite any thoughts of romance. Her simple cotton nightgown and plaid bath robe would also dissuade Quinn of any such notion. Not that he gave any indication of that.

She rose from the seat, pulling her lapels more tightly around her neck. Despite the fire in the hearth, a lingering chill made her shiver. This part of the house was shaded by large maple trees in the yard, and even in the warm weather, the air felt damp.

Julia eyed the large bed in the center of the room, and nerves jumped in her belly. Soon Quinn would return with his belongings, prepared to stay here for the duration. Even though they’d agreed to a marriage in name only, doubts swirled in Julia’s head. What would he expect to happen tonight?

She walked to a door on the far side of the room and tried the handle. It opened into a connecting room. Perhaps this had been the suite Mrs. Middleton had shared with her husband years ago when they were first married. She peeked in and looked around. The space looked entirely more feminine and had probably once belonged to her mistress. It was fairly common, especially back then, for each spouse to have their own quarters.

It was obvious, however, that although the main bedroom had been hastily cleaned, made up with fresh linens, and a fire set to burning in the hearth, the connecting room had not. Thick layers of dust coated the furniture, and there was no fire to warm the space.

Julia sighed and closed the door. Somehow she would have to share this room with her new husband. Maybe she could make him a pallet on the floor. The area rug looked thick enough to provide some comfort. All she needed were some extra blankets.

Heavy footsteps sounded in the hallway, and seconds later, a knock sounded on the door.

Julia whirled around. Her hand flew to her throat. “Come in,” she called.

The door creaked open, and Quinn stepped inside, carrying a brown carpetbag. “I see you’ve gotten comfortable.” He smiled as he set the bag on the floor. Then he took off his hat and laid it on the dresser. “This looks very cozy. Quite an improvement from my cot at the Y.”

Julia’s stomach dipped. The poor man. How could she ask him to sleep on the floor after all he was doing for her? She glanced at the small divan near the window. She could fit on it without too much trouble. For one night, it would have to do.

“Is anything wrong?” Quinn had come over to stand in front of her.

“No. Nothing.” She moved a step backward.

“Then why do you look like you want to jump out the window behind you?”

Julia’s gaze darted from his face to the bedpost, and she forced a laugh. “Don’t be daft. I’m a little . . . unsettled. That’s all.” She wrapped her arms in front of her. “Anyone would be in a similar situation.”

“Do you mean newlyweds on their wedding night?”

Heat flared in her cheeks. Was he making fun of her?

“I’m only teasing, Julia. A poor attempt to lighten the mood.” He reached for her hand. “It’s really not that bad, you know. We have a pleasant room with a lovely fire and a bed that looks very comfortable. I do believe I’ll have a good night’s sleep for the first time in ages.”

Nervous tingles shot up her spine. She tried to disengage her hand, but he squeezed tighter.

“Maybe we should clear the air,” he said, “and then you can relax.”

“What do you mean?”

He led her to the divan. “Have a seat.”

She perched on the edge of the green velvet settee. When he sat beside her, she folded her hands in her lap. It was silly to be nervous. Quinn was a reasonable man, kind and honorable. But she’d never had to spend the entire night with a man before.

“Julia, what can I do to make you feel more comfortable?” His gray eyes searched her face. “Shall I sleep on the floor?”

Guilt flashed through her. Had he read her mind? She met his gaze, noting for the first time the fatigue lining his features. After all he’d done for her, she couldn’t ask that of him. She took a breath for courage. “That’s not necessary.” She glanced at the bed. “I’m sure there’s plenty of room for both of us.”

The lines eased. “Thank you.”

He rose and walked to the wardrobe, where he removed his jacket. “Is there a lavatory nearby?”

“Yes. Down the hall on the right.”

He smiled. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Feel free to claim whatever side of the bed you’d prefer.”

By the time Quinn returned in his nightshirt, his clothes neatly folded over his arm, Julia was under the covers. The strain of the day had left her weary, and now with the warmth from the fire and the comfort of the soft mattress, Julia’s muscles finally began to relax.

Quinn laid his clothes over a chair, then proceeded to climb into the bed.

It was so large, Julia could have stretched her arm out over the mattress and still not have touched Quinn.

He smiled at her. “Good night, Julia. I hope you have pleasant dreams.”

“Good night, Quinn. And thank you. It was a lovely wedding.”

“Yes, it was.” He moved over to kiss her cheek. Then he turned onto his side, but peered back over one shoulder at her. “My brothers used to tell me I snore. If I do, you have my permission to hit me.”

Chuckling, Julia slid deeper under the covers. Surrounded by warmth and an unexpected sense of peace, she surrendered to sleep.