Poppy had expected panic to set in after going against everything she’d thought she wanted, but agreeing to marry Rhys came with a calm sense of right.
Swinging her feet over the side of the bed sent the room spinning. Poppy decided it best to take Rhys’s advice in this case. She tucked herself back under the covers and dozed in and out of sleep.
A soft knock brought her fully awake.
Faith’s smiling face poked inside. “Am I bothering you?”
“Of course not. Come in and keep me company. I’m hoping some food is coming up soon.” Poppy’s stomach rumbled in its agreement of the fine idea.
With a running start Faith threw herself atop the bed and sat facing Poppy. “It’s a frenzy of activity below to gather food and heat water. I think the tub should be arriving any moment.”
“That’s good. I feel positively caked with filth.”
Nodding, Faith frowned. “You were a mess when Rhys found you. He was frantic; we all were.”
“I’m sorry to have caused so much trouble, Faith. I thought to come back, but then fell and became lost. I never meant to worry anyone.” Poppy reached out her hand, and Faith gave it a squeeze.
“I know. Just the same, that quick temper of yours nearly cost your life this time, and Rhys his sanity.”
The door opened without a knock, and Mercy’s gleaming head poked through. She took one look at the bed and pranced over to join in. “I’m glad you are awake. The men are carrying the tub up now. The water will come after you’ve eaten.”
Once Mercy was settled on the mattress, Poppy sighed. “You should know, I’ve agreed to marry Rhys.”
“Have you?” Mercy’s green eyes were wide.
Faith squealed. “Wonderful news. It’s no wonder he looked so pleased when he ordered your meal.”
Bliss formed a rolling ball deep in Poppy’s center. As she thought of Rhys being happy, the ball grew, spinning its elation throughout her body. She stilled her thoughts. “I’ve been a bit of a ninny about the entire thing.”
“No.” Faith’s voice was sober. “You had your beliefs, as we all do. It takes time to form new ones even when faced with evidence to the contrary. Only running to the woods was a very bad idea.”
Mercy nodded. “Will you see Aurora and tell her this?”
“Not yet.” Poppy’s answer came too fast. She might have come to her senses where Rhys was concerned, but she was still not over Aurora’s underhanded actions.
Sighing, Faith said, “At least you didn’t say never.”
“When I was lost and wet in the woods, I imagined never seeing any of you three again and the notion was terrible. I am angry with Aurora and disappointed she would write that letter. However, she, like the two of you, are part of my heart. To cut one of you out would be to chop off a bit of that organ. I couldn’t survive.” Emotions clogged Poppy’s throat.
“You sorted through a lot of things in those hours alone.” Mercy plucked at the tawny coverlet. “How will you deal with your parents when we return to town?”
Here was something she hadn’t calculated. “I don’t know. Their actions were far worse and not done with any thoughts to my best interest. I will need to stew on it a bit longer.”
The tub arrived, and two footmen placed it in the center of the room.
Gillian brought a tray of food. Her fair skin seemed lighter, making her freckles stand out more keenly. Dark rings marred the undersides of her eyes, and her hair was tumbling from its cap. “Some nice soup, bread, and cheese if you can manage it, my lady.”
Jane brought towels and soap, which she placed on the chair near the tub. “I’ll come back after you’ve eaten to help you bathe, my lady.”
“Thank you both. I’m sorry to have worried you.” It was obvious her illness had kept the two lady’s maids up at all hours. They both dragged their feet, ready to drop. Guilt ratcheted around Poppy’s heart.
“We are happy you are safe and well, Lady Poppy.” Gillian curtsied. “I’ll come back for the tray. Do you need help to the table or shall I bring the tray to your bed?”
“I’d rather eat at the table.”
Mercy stood. “We will help her, Gillian. You should rest for a while.”
When the maids were gone, Mercy helped Poppy out of bed and to the table. Her knee ached but wasn’t as bad as the waves of dizziness from lack of food and the aftermath of a fever.
She started with the broth, which was light but flavored with chicken. She dunked a bit of bread in and nibbled that as well. When the bowl was empty, she gave a bit of cheese a try but decided it was too heavy for a first meal. Leaning back in the chair, she breathed out a long, exhausted sigh. “Who knew eating could take so much out of a person.”
Faith got up. “I’ll run and tell them to put a hold on your bath. You need to nap for a while. Then you can bathe.”
Though she wanted to argue about needing the bath more than sleep, Poppy couldn’t summon the energy. Mercy helped her back into bed, tucked her in, and promised to return.
Poppy woke to the late afternoon sun and the scent of more soup. Rhys sat next to the bed, looking rested and pleased with himself as he watched her. “Hades’s breath, is it time to eat again?”
He gave her a nod. “You’ve been sleeping almost four hours.”
“It felt but a moment,” she mused. “Will you help me to the table?”
Stronger though still wobbly, she was happy for the help. Falling down again was not something she needed at that moment.
The soup was a bit heartier than the last, with bits of meat and vegetables in it. Poppy lapped it all up without a care that Rhys watched her every spoonful. She was too hungry for those silly ideas about ladies not having large appetites. She ate the cheese this time too and the bread. “I feel better.”
He stacked the dishes on the tray and put it on the dresser before returning to sit with her at the round table. “I can see you do. Shall I call for your bath?”
“Sit a moment first.” Poppy had dreamed of so many things that now rummaged around in her mind. “I would like to talk to you about my parents and what they want.”
“What you want would be more interesting to me.” His frown deepened, forming a crease between his beautiful eyes.
Loving his words made the rest of what she wanted to say easier. “I’m glad to hear it. My parents want a big public wedding at St. Paul’s so they can show all their friends what a fine job they’ve done and they are well rid of me. Of course, we’ve already ruined it, as tomorrow would have been our London wedding date. However, when we return, it is exactly what they will demand.”
He cocked his head to one side. “I suppose that’s true, though put a bit more harshly than I would have ventured.”
An old anger bubbled inside Poppy. “I’m finished being polite where my parents are concerned. At least in the company of my closest friends I would like to be honest.”
No sign of his frown as his face lit in a bright grin. “I’m happy to be counted among those friends.”
Her bliss started spinning inside her again. “I want a small wedding with no fussing and fuming. I want to remember the day we promised ourselves to each other as joyful and happy. If we return to London, I shall be forced to stay away from you with only chaperoned visits for weeks until more terrible arrangements are made. I want our life together to begin now and not with all the rules society would apply to us.”
Wide eyed, he gaped at her. “You want to elope?”
“If that’s what you would call getting married here in Scotland with our friends present and no wild preparations, then yes. I want to elope.”
Shocked certainly, Rhys also couldn’t wipe the smile from his lips. “When were you thinking?”
“As soon as I’m well enough to walk down the aisle unhindered.” Her heart pounded with excitement and a touch of fear. Not that she feared marriage to Rhys anymore, but she worried about the repercussions when they returned to London.
“It’s not a death sentence, Poppy.” He laughed. “Your parents will be angry but they will recover. Besides, you’ll be a countess and there is little they can say in the negative about it.”
The bubble spun faster and grew bigger. Poppy didn’t think she’d ever been so happy. “Then you don’t mind marrying without proper banns and no fanfare?”
In a flash, he was on his knees before her. His cupped her cheek. “As long as it is you I’m waiting for at the front of the church, I would marry anywhere, Penelope. You are the only part of the wedding customs I’m interested in.”
“There will be a lot of trouble to face.” She combed her fingers through his wild golden hair and reveled in its softness.
“Then we shall face it together, my love. You should be happy on your wedding day, not miserable because of things other people want.” He leaned into the touch of her hand.
“What about your mother? Won’t she be unhappy?” One of her dreams depicted a raging Dowager Countess of Marsden chasing after her.
He kissed her palm and took a long breath. There was a flash of regret in his eyes, but it was replaced by his previous excitement. “Mother will understand. I’m sure she would prefer the typical wedding as well, but her happiness at my being wed and the prospect of grandchildren will outweigh anything else.”
Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his. “It’s settled, then?”
Rhys wrapped his hand around her neck and extended the kiss until they were both breathless. “It’s settled.”
He was still on his knees when Gillian came in to take the tray. She blushed deeply. “I’ll tell them you are ready for your bath, my lady.”
Giggling, Poppy covered her face. “We must be all the talk in the manor. You should go. Jane will come to help me in a few minutes.”
Rhys stood. “I will see you later. I imagine you’ll need to rest after a meal and a bath, but I’ll check in on you.”
As he left, Jane excused herself and entered.
There was comfort in knowing he would always come back. As impossible as it was to believe, she had found someone who would never leave her or stray from his vows. Heart full, she needed to take care of one more thing. “Jane, do you know where Lady Radcliff is?”
“In her rooms, miss.” Jane’s mousy brown hair was just visible under her cap, and her tan skin showed she’d been out in the good weather, which had arrived that day. “Can you help me down the hall while they fill the bath, Jane?”
Stuffing Poppy into a robe and slippers, Jane kept an arm around her should she stumble on the stone hallway. Remarkably without incident they arrived at Aurora’s chamber door.
Poppy knocked.
“Yes?” Aurora’s voice called from within.
Jane opened the door.
As soon as Aurora saw Poppy, she jumped up from the French-style lady’s desk where she’d been writing in a small book. Aurora always kept an account of her days. “I will help her, Jane. You may go.”
Aurora rushed over, but Poppy felt stable enough to cross to the table and sit. The room was similar to Poppy’s down the hall. This one was in delicate blues and yellows, with a charming damask on the walls and a rich blue rug. A small round table and two chairs stood near the window, and curtains in the same colors donned the bed and window.
Jane didn’t move to leave until Poppy was safely seated.
“Jane, come back when the bath is ready, please.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Now that she had come, Poppy wasn’t sure how to begin. This was her oldest and closest friend. They had met even before Mercy and Faith had joined their foursome. “I hope you’re not writing anything too horrid about me in your book.”
Aurora forced a smile. “You know it’s just the nonsense of my days. Nothing of import.”
“I thought it best if we spoke alone.”
Aurora’s hair hung loose, and her eyes were ringed red. Her usually pink cheeks were ashen. “I’m very glad you came. You understand I would have come to you, but was unsure if you wished to see me.”
“I should not have run away,” Poppy admitted. “It is a bad habit and I’m done with it.”
A tentative smile lit Aurora’s eyes. “I’m just happy Rhys found you and you are well. How is your knee?”
“Only twisted. It already feels better. A bit stiff from so much time in bed these last days.”
“You gave us all quite a fright.” Aurora spoke like they were mere acquaintances.
Poppy couldn’t stand it. Frustration boiled to the surface. “I am still vexed with you. You had no right to interfere.”
“I know. I should have trusted you would sort it out. I’m sorry, Poppy. I would never want to do anything to hurt our friendship.” A tear slid down Aurora’s cheek.
Forcing herself not to be swayed, Poppy pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “You must never do anything like this again. I trust in the future, when you have something to say, you will say it and not go behind doors and act the spy.”
“I promise. I have more than learned my lesson.” She wiped her face with the back of her hand.
Emotion started to well up inside Poppy. “Good. Then that’s settled.” Poppy used the table to push herself to standing. “Now, I don’t know if Faith told you, but I’ve agreed to marry your brother.”
With a high-pitched screech, Aurora flung herself into Poppy’s arms, rocking them both. She righted them before they landed in a heap on the floor. “I’m sorry. I’m just so happy.”
It was so good to be hugged by her friend, she didn’t even care they almost hit the hard floor. “I’m happy too. You will truly be my sister in just a few days.”
Aurora stepped back. “A few days?”
Blood rushed to Poppy’s cheeks. “We are going to marry here in Scotland as soon as I’m strong enough. I don’t want my mother and father to ruin one moment of my wedding.”
Wide eyes and foolish smile, Aurora looked quite mad. “I think that’s the best news I’ve heard…well, ever.” She grabbed her in another hug.
They sat and talked as if the last few days had never happened. Jane came and collected Poppy at the same time Gillian appeared to help Aurora dress for dinner.
Aurora kissed her cheek. “I will come and sit with you when your dinner is brought up later. Enjoy your bath.”
Once Jane helped Poppy into the deep tub and washed her hair, Poppy asked her to let her soak alone for a while.
Each ache and pain from her run, fall, and illness eased in the warm water, and the steam cleared her head of unwanted worry. Thoughts of Rhys and how kind he had been flitted through her mind. For the first time in her life, Poppy knew everything was going to be all right.
* * * *
Rhys had been right about how tired she would be after the bath. Poppy had climbed into bed and slept despite the tray, which turned cold on the table.
When she awoke, she took a bite of the bread, but the rest she left.
Without bothering to take her robe, Poppy slid into her slippers and out of her room. The house was still, making her think it must be quite late. As if in answer, the clock in the foyer struck one.
She shuffled along the stones and past the grand stairs. It wasn’t ladylike, but Poppy again knew which door belonged to Rhys’s room. At the time, she told herself, it was good to know where everyone slept, but now she could admit the real reason. She loved him and had to know where to find him when she needed him.
The door was like every other in the hall, but it was not the same. Poppy’s hand shook as she pushed the latch. Thankful it wasn’t locked, she stepped inside and slowly pulled the bolt.
Dwindling coals gave the only light, but it was enough to see a large draped bed on one side of the room. She stumbled on the edge of a rug, but by some strange magic she didn’t fall.
Still shaking, she decided it was excitement rather than fear and slipped through the curtains.
As soon as she put a knee on the mattress, Rhys sat up in the darkness. There was a frozen moment. “Penelope?”
“Yes, it’s me.” She climbed fully onto the bed and toward his voice.
He must have been able to see better in the dark than she could. He scooped her into his arms and snuggled them to the mattress. “You shouldn’t be out of bed.”
She giggled. “I’m not out of bed.”
He breathed deeply against the spot where her neck and shoulder met. A hum of pleasure rumbled along her skin. “You smell like a garden in spring.”
“I’ve had a bath.” It came out prouder than was necessary, but she loved the feel of his flesh against hers and the way he reveled in touching and smelling her.
“That does not explain what you are doing in my bedchamber at this hour.” The words were scolding, but his tone rumbled with love and passion.
Poppy kissed his forehead. “I knew you would not come to me.”
He touched her cheek with the back of his hand. “You haven’t become feverish again?”
Turning her head, she kissed his fingers, sucking the smallest into her mouth and humming as it slid out. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and his were wide. “I am perfectly well, Rhys. However, if you are not interested in lovemaking, I shall return to my own room and leave you to your sleep.”
He stopped her exit as soon as she opened the bed curtains. Pulling her back to his front, he whispered against her ear, “Don’t be so hasty, my love. I’m not turning you away, for that I shall never do. My only concern is because you have recently been very ill and this visit might be too much for you.”
“I have been asleep for days and even today, I dozed most of the day between meals and chats.”
Rhys got out of bed.
Poppy’s heart sank, though his nudity was enough distraction to keep her from complaining about his absence. His broad back bulged with muscles that corded down either side of his spine and led to the most perfect bottom. She couldn’t turn away, making her way down long, muscular legs then making her way back up.
The spark of the fire broke the spell he had her under. In all his naked glory, he added two logs to the fire and stirred it back to life. In the firelight’s full blaze, he was even more magnificent. Like one of the gods in Greek mythology she’d read about so often in her youth.
“You’re beautiful.” The words slipped out unbidden.
He turned, surprised but unashamed of his nudity. “You are the one who is beautiful, Penelope. Come and sit by the fire.”
It was one thing to sneak down the hall and into Rhys’s bed in the darkness and quite another to stride across the room toward a naked man.
The notion of running was fleeting. She didn’t do that anymore. Her path was clear. On sturdy legs she rose, and halfway across the room she stopped. Her gaze never left his as she reached up with her left hand and pulled the bow at her right shoulder.
Eagerness shone in his eyes.
Buoyed by his attention, she lifted her right hand and tugged the other tie. With the barest movement the nightgown pooled at her feet.
Rhys’s breath caught. “You are the most stunning creature.”
Careful not to trip over her own garment, Poppy stepped out of the center and continued until she stood before Rhys. “I’m glad you didn’t send me away.”
“I never would.” It seemed his voice had grown rough and strained. He ran his hands from her shoulders down her arms and took her hands in his. He threaded their fingers together and stepped until their bodies grazed each other.
Poppy shivered. It was like being kissed everywhere all at once. Her skin pricked with awareness and need.
His lips found hers in the gentlest of kisses. First he loved the bottom lip and then the top.
Not wanting to miss one sensation, Poppy remained still until his mouth opened on hers. She could no longer keep her passion at bay. Fingers still entwined, she leaned forward, tightening their bodies. His shaft pressed hard at her abdomen and forced a satisfied moan from Rhys.
The kiss was part battle, part rapture as tongues, teeth, and lips warred, made peace, and warred again. Gasps and groans issued from her own mouth as the inability to use her hands became unbearable.
She struggled to free her fingers, but Rhys held fast.
Breaking the kiss, he planted a string of kisses down her chin to her neck.
Waves of desire flooded, her sending pleasure to her center as his tongue traced her pulse. Lower still, he kissed her shoulder and chest, stopping at her nipple to suckle until her knees gave way. Freeing her hands, he wrapped his own around her to keep her from collapsing.
Poppy hugged him tight, digging her fingers into his strong, smooth back, effectively pressing his head tighter to her breast. He nipped the sensitive bud.
Another wave of want shot between her legs.
Taking a black fur from the chair but not letting her go, he spread it on the rug between the two carved wood chairs flanking the hearth.
Rhys gave the other breast the same attention; only this time when Poppy’s knees weakened, he eased her onto her back.
The soft fur enveloped her, and each tiny hair touching her skin heightened her pleasure. Rhys’s journey down her body continued as he kissed each rib then dipped his tongue in her navel. This was yet another new sensation, and Poppy yelped with delight and then giggled.
He smiled up at her but didn’t waver from his intent. He licked the crease where her thigh met her pelvis before gentling her knee to bent. When she was open to him, he slid his tongue between her folds.
Mind empty of everything but pleasure, Poppy’s hips rolled of their own accord. Gripping his soft hair in her fists, she wasn’t certain if she wanted to pull him tighter or push him away. Her pleasure surged in ebbs and flows like the ocean until the waves cascaded over her.
Rhys’s mouth silenced the cry. He held her until the last shudder no longer racked her and her muscles relaxed against his chest.
“You are magnificent.” He kissed her again on the lips, then the cheek, and then each eyelid.
Too spent to open her eyes, she smiled.
* * * *
When she woke, she was in her own bed and the first signs of morning made the sky gray. Frightened it had all been a dream, she sat up in a panic.
“Hush, love. Everything is all right.” Rhys pulled her back to him, but there was no touch of flesh on flesh. He’d managed to put her nightgown back on her, and he was dressed in blouse and breeches.
Poppy let out a long sigh. “I meant to give you pleasure, not to fall asleep.”
With a deep rumbling laugh, he kissed the top of her head. “You do give me pleasure and we have a lifetime to make love. You are still not fully recovered from your fever.”
She snuggled in deeper, unable to keep the joy from showing. “Still, you foiled my plan.”
“Your plan was flawed so I came up with a better one. In the future you can show me your plan and I shall be delighted to oblige.” He kissed her again and extracted himself from her arms.
She groaned a loud complaint.
“The house will wake soon. I can’t be in your bed any more than you should be in mine.”
Sitting up, she retied the bows at her shoulders, which he’d made a mess of. “I suppose you’re right and your plan was very good.” A warm blush flooded her cheeks.
After stealing one more kiss, Rhys stepped to the door. “Since you seem able to walk, you should come down for breakfast today. Be sure to have Jane help you on the stairs, though. Don’t do anything heroic. I want your head squarely on your shoulders when I make you my wife.”
It was too delicious a portrait to argue with. “I shall be very careful.”