Abandoned & Protected--The Marquis' Tenacious Wife (#4 Love's Second Chance Series) by Bree Wolf

Author:Bree Wolf
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, regency romance, second chances, scottish romance, regency era, strong female protagonist, scottish hero
Publisher: Bree Wolf

Chapter Twenty − Meant to Be

When the sun finally began its ascent, Henrietta still sat in bed, staring at the wall, her gaze unseeing to what was around her. Her sobs had quietened long ago; her throat, however, was raw. Swollen and red-rimmed, her eyes felt as though they were on fire, and every muscle in her body ached.

Her heart, though, was what pained her most. One moment, it would almost double-over in agony as though a searing-hot dagger had been plunged into it. A moment later, all emotions would vanish into thin air, leaving behind an emptiness that almost made her wish for the pain to return.

Her husband’s face occasionally floated before her mind’s eye, adding guilt to the pool of emotions that assaulted her. Her thoughts, however, remained unfocused, and she could not have voiced a single one had someone been there to hear it.

As the sun climbed higher, Henrietta closed her eyes, its brilliant sting a physical pain she had not expected. Lying back down, she curled up into a ball; her heart beat a faint echo of the night before.

Soft footsteps echoed to her ears then, and before her soul could even cry out in pain, the door opened, and her mother-in-law walked in.

Relieved, Henrietta sighed, knowing that Rhona would not ask for answers. Rhona simply knew.

Approaching the bed, the older woman placed a wooden tray on the mattress, and the scent of warm bread and tea drifted over. In answer, Henrietta’s stomach growled in protest at having been so considerably neglected.

“Sit up, Child,” Rhona said in her gentle voice as she stepped forward and fluffed up the pillow, helping Henrietta to settle back against the headboard. Then she placed the tray on her lap, pulled up a chair and sat down.

Slowly, Henrietta sipped her tea, her stomach welcoming the nourishment like never before. Although she did not taste the bread, its warmth felt wonderful, and the pain in her stomach subsided. All the while, her mother-in-law waited quietly.

Relieved not to be pounded with questions, Henrietta relaxed, and the ache in her sore muscles calmed. When she had finished eating, she lay back, her eyes suddenly heavy with fatigue.

“Sleep, Child,” Rhona whispered. As though it had been a command, Henrietta’s eyes closed, and she was soon lost to the world.

How long she slept, Henrietta did not know. However, when her eyes opened once more, she found Rhona still sitting by her side, a soft smile on her kind face.

“It was a deep sleep,” the older woman observed as she leaned forward and took Henrietta’s hand. “I trust ye feel better rested now.”

Swallowing, Henrietta nodded as images of the previous night found their way back into her conscious mind.

“He feels helpless.”

Henrietta peered at the older woman from under her eyelashes. “Who?”

An indulgent smile came to Rhona’s lips. “He has never known a problem he couldna solve, and it frightens him.”

Averting her eyes, Henrietta swallowed. “I did not mean to cause a problem.”

Rhona chuckled. “It will do the boy good to test his limits.

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