Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

It was astonishing how much one's condition could improve in the span of twenty four hours. How much of that was due to the natural process of healing and how much of it was due to the remedy that Belladonna had left for him to take was something he could not say. Whatever the foul smelling concoction contained, it had certainly eased the terrible pain in his head.

Now, in his landau, he traveled to Mrs. Frye's home to collect his bride to be. He was more eager than he cared to admit. Certainly he was more eager than Belladonna would welcome. He wasn't certain of the source of her reticence, but it was quite obvious to him that there was something holding her back. There was something that she feared. Until he figured out precisely what that was, then there would be no chance for them to take this strange arrangement and transform it into a real marriage—something that would be fulfilling and lasting.

The carriage slowed as it turned onto the narrow lane that led to Mrs. Frye's front door. When it finally halted, he climbed out, leaving the driver to wait with the vehicle while he collected Belladonna. But it wasn't Belladonna or even Millworthy, Mrs. Frye's trusty servant, who opened the door. It was Mrs. Frye herself.

"Mr. Crane, you are remarkably prompt. Belladonna is nearly ready. She should be down shortly. Won't you join me in the drawing room until then?"

"Certainly, Mrs. Frye. I'd be delighted for a bit of company while I wait." He wasn't actually. He was fairly certain that he was about to be interrogated.

"Would you care for some tea?" She asked, her tone perfectly cordial. It was the gleam in her eyes that told a very different tale.

"No. I think not. I rather imagine it would get in the way of answering all the questions I am certain you mean to ask," he replied.

Her lips curved in a bemused smile. "I do like you, Mr. Crane. Make no mistake about that. If I hadn't had a feeling about you from the start, I would never have arranged that little gathering here a few days ago. Mind you, I hadn't thought things would progress quite so quickly. I do have concerns. As anyone would. Belladonna is very dear to me."

"I can only imagine. She is quite dear to me already. While the events are unfolding at a rather brisk pace, have no doubt, Mrs. Frye, that the appropriate sentiments are behind them all. I am not only marrying Belladonna because of the compromising situation we found ourselves in. In truth, I had proposed to her before you and my sister had arrived. I've never known anyone like her. I am nearly forty years old and I have, in all those years, never encountered anyone even remotely as remarkable as she is."

Mrs. Frye's expression never wavered, but a certain hardness entered her eyes. "Because of her unique abilities?"

"No. Not in the least. Because her very presence soothes my soul. That is the only thing that matters."

Instantly, she seemed to relax. "That is precisely the sort of response I had hoped you would have. I realize that I was responsible for much of this. I introduced the two of you. I was the one who said that you would have to marry—and now I feel a bit concerned because, with the meddling I promised her that I would not do, I have put my friend in a situation with no other way out. I have experienced no small degree of misgivings after the fact."

He was fairly certain she wasn't the only one. It was very likely that he was the only one who was entirely sure of this course of action. He would take whatever steps were necessary to ensure that she would be his forever. That seemed vital to his very existence in a way that defied reason. Perhaps, he thought, it truly was some sort of spell or curse. But it was one that he welcomed. For years, he'd been wandering without a purpose. The last months, supporting his sister as she grieved, had shown him just how lost he'd been. It had all simply been by rote. Every day was the same. Correspondence, business matters, afternoons at his club and evenings at the theater or some party or other. But they had all blurred together into one thing—indistinct from one another. He'd been sleepwalking until he'd met her. Now he was wide awake, wide awake and ready for whatever life had to bring him. Carpe diem. He was seizing the day. And he was seizing a chance for something he hadn't even believed could exist.

Belladonna walked into the drawing room and found what appeared to be a somewhat tense situation. Cordial. But tense. "Have I interrupted something?"

"Only a discussion," Eugenie insisted. She reached for a heavy velvet cloak that was draped over the back of the settee. "Take this. Millworthy's rheumatism predicts we will have a storm later."

Bella didm't have to accept the cloak. Desmond did it for her, taking the garment from Genie and draping it about her shoulders."Thank you," she murmured.

"You are quite welcome. Let's be off," he urged.

Genie walked them to the door, embracing Bella quickly. "I have a very good feeling about this, Bella. You're not the only one with intuition."

Desmond was holding out his hand to help her into the carriage. Her fingers trembled slightly as she placed her hand in his and allowed him to aid her. When she was seated, he climbed in behind her and took the seat opposite.

He offered her a reassuring smile. "If there is to be a storm, we should make haste. Perhaps we will be lucky enough to get there and back before it arrives."

No Goodwynne has ever had luck of that nature.

"Then perhaps it is a good thing your name will be Crane by noon."

Bella looked up, stunned to realize she'd spoken her woeful thought aloud. "I should not have said that. It's hardly an auspicious way to start this particular day, is it?"

"You're entitled to a bit of nerves," he said. "It would be unnatural if you were not somewhat apprehensive."

Guard your heart. The only way to keep him safe is to guard your heart. Steeling herself, Belladonna simply nodded. "Naturally. Thank you for being so understanding." With that, she lapsed into silence, uncertain what to say to him and uncertain how she would maintain the distance that was so necessary for his safety and hers.