The Marriage Rescue by Joanna Johnson

Author:Joanna Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-02-05T16:03:37+00:00

Chapter Eight

Warwick was teeming with people, and Edward felt Selina’s anxiety as they continued their stroll along the busy street.

He took in the sight of his wife, more demure than he had ever seen her before in the respectable navy cloak and prim bonnet rescued from Maria’s expansive pile of cast-offs. Selina had raised an eyebrow when Dinah had helped her into them, but she had eventually accepted their necessity.

Gossiping servants were one thing, but Edward would not have Selina exposed to upper-class ridicule when a simple change of clothing could prevent it. Nobody glancing at her would guess she was anything other than a lady born and bred, and he felt a wry appreciation for the way the dark blue served to enhance the raven of her hair.

Of course you’d notice that. Why does that come as no surprise?

‘Would you take my arm? I can see you’re not enjoying this. We won’t stay much longer.’

Edward caught the flash of gratitude in the glance Selina threw him, accompanied by a quick nod. Her small fingers reached up and slotted into the crook of his arm, sending a thrill of that unnamed something skittering beneath his skin, and he took a moment to marvel at how far their relationship had come.

On the night the Roma camp had been attacked, she had only touched him under the greatest duress; now she barely hesitated before entrusting him to guide her along the busy street. He wasn’t sure whether to smile or frown that her trust in him had evidently increased so much, or that his chest swelled with something suspiciously close to pride at the thought. Ever since she had told him of her mother’s fate he had tried harder still to repress his growing regard for her, more certain than ever that any hint of it would be unwelcome.

Selina was all eyes as they made their leisurely progress past shops and houses. Everywhere she looked there were new things to be seen, and her curiosity made Edward feel as though he too was surveying the scene with fresh eyes. Selina’s head moved back and forth as she took in the carriages that trundled past, the enticing displays in shop windows, the costly fabrics of passing ladies’ clothes—all things Edward had taken for granted for twenty-four years and rarely given a second glance.

Perhaps, although her almost childlike interest was tempered by the wariness he could feel radiating from her, he might dare to wonder if she might not be finding their outing such an unbearable ordeal after all...

‘Good morning, Mr Fulbrooke!’

Edward felt Selina flinch as an older man and woman suddenly cut across them, the man’s voice ringing out above the rattle of a passing barouche. He brought his hand up to cover her fingers, pressing them closer to the material of his coat, and felt them grasp tightly.

‘Good morning, Mr Egerton... Mrs Egerton.’

Edward tipped his hat to the elderly couple, still feeling the vice-like grip of Selina’s fingers on his arm. He

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