Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) (4 page)

While she continued to doze, Marius turned
on the road toward the Sandlin estate. He would have to stop for
the night, something he didn’t relish given Sabrina was with him
but, it could not be helped. They should be able to arrive at
Sandlin’s by mid-day tomorrow.

*

Sabrina woke a short time later. “I am
sorry. That was rather rude of me.” She sat up and tried to smooth
her hair.

“I am sure you were exhausted.” He smiled
down at her.

Mr. Parker turned north when they passed the
junction. She straightened and looked around. The sign they just
past clearly indicated London was in the opposite direction.

“I am not taking you to London,
Sabrina.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. Had she
misjudged him? “Where are you taking me?”

“To a friend’s home.”

“Why? Are they in need of a servant?” She
certainly hoped that was the case.

“No,” he chuckled. “Not that I am aware of
anyway. I would like you to stay with them while I travel on to
London on your behalf.”

“Mr. Parker, I need to find work. You must
take me to London.” Didn’t he understand the seriousness of her
predicament? She had been quite clear as to her circumstances.

“I understand your concern. Still, you have
to admit you will have difficulty finding a reputable position
without a reference.”

Sabrina didn’t need to be reminded of the
obstacle and made a face.

Mr. Parker simply laughed. “Stay with my
friends. I am sure Phoebe would love your company. I’ll travel to
London and see what can be arranged.”

“That is very kind of you, but it is also an
imposition. I can’t allow you to do this.”

He shook his head. “You are not allowing me
to do anything. I insist.”

Sabrina knew of no further argument she
could offer and decided to accept her sudden holiday. Besides,
perhaps there were some chores she could help with in his friend’s
household to repay them for their hospitality.

*

Darkness had fallen when they came to the
next small town. Unfortunately, there were few places to stay and
only one room available. Marius wanted to punch the innkeeper for
the knowing, suggestive look when he saw Sabrina and led them up to
their room. Nobody in their right mind would ever believe he
planned on sharing a room with this beautiful woman with only the
purest intentions.

After ordering a meal sent to their room,
Marius dismissed the innkeeper with a scowl. “Don’t let it bother
you, Mr. Parker,” she said, as she sank into a chair.

He turned toward her outraged. “Do you have
any idea what that man assumed?”

“I can probably guess. It doesn’t matter. We
will never be here again, or at least I won’t and he doesn’t know
my name.”

“That is beside the point,” Marius began to
argue.

Sabrina held up her had to stop him. “Let it
go. It doesn’t matter. We know the truth.”

Sighing, Marius shrugged. She was correct.
People would always think and assume what they wanted and usually
the worst. He was particularly surprised that she wasn’t concerned
in the least.

*

While Mr. Parker built up the fire, Sabrina
relaxed further into her chair. She could barely bring herself to
move when their meal arrived. Marius pulled the table to the hearth
before she could rise. He placed his chair on the opposite side and
they dined while sharing stories of their childhood. Mr. Parker
also shared recent stories of Ramsey which she found delightful. It
pleased her greatly that Ramsey was happy, doing well and married a
nice young woman.

After clearing the remains of the meal way,
Mr. Parker set them outside the door before locking it for the
night. He filled both their glasses with the remains of the wine
and they sat in companionable silence.

Sabrina hadn’t had much experience with
gentlemen. In fact, she had none. Still, she knew Mr. Parker was
different, if not better than any other gentlemen she would ever
encounter. Though it was only a feeling, she held onto it,
comfortable being with him and, away from the endless chores that
had plagued her these last years. She couldn’t help but wonder if
things had been different, would she have met him in society? Would
she have found him as attractive as she did now? Would he have even
noticed her in the crowd of beauties?

She shook her head and rose from the chair.
All the ifs in the world would not change her situation. He simply
was a kind gentleman helping to make her way easier. Nothing more
and it would do no good to wish or ponder the impossible. He
certainly thought nothing more of her than perhaps an obligation
because he felt responsible for her predicament.

She winced from the pain of the blisters on
her feet and suddenly sat back down. “What is wrong?” Mr. Parker
asked.

“My feet are simply sore from all the
walking.” She bent down and began to unfasten her boots, thinking
she would be more comfortable with them gone from her feet.
Sighing, she set the boots aside and stretched her stocking feet
before the fire, forgetting proprieties and earlier deportment
lessons.

As the wine and fire began to warm her
further, Sabrina became uncomfortable before she remembered that
she wore three dresses. Standing once again, she began to unbutton
the first. Mr. Parker noted her movement and stood. “If you would
like to make yourself ready to retire, I’ll step into the
hall.”

Confused, she looked up at him before
laughing when she realized what he must be thinking. “I’m sorry.”
She lifted the first dress up. “I am wearing three dresses because
of the cold last night. It is becoming quite warm in here and I
thought to lose a few layers.” She explained as she began folding
the first dress. “I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

He visibly relaxed though the color had not
left his cheeks.

She removed the second dress.” I promise to
leave the last one on.” She chuckled.

“This is a strange situation and we haven’t
figured out sleeping arrangements yet.” He laughed with her.

She took her seat once again. “There is
nothing to arrange. I’ll be perfectly content in this chair by the
fire.”

Mr. Parker gave her an odd look. “That
wasn’t exactly what I meant.” He turned back to the fire. “I was
thinking more along the lines of how many blankets were on the bed
and the type of privacy you would need.” He turned back to her.
“And, it is I who will sleep in the chair and you will be in the
bed.”

Sabrina stared at him in disbelief. “It is
kind of you, but I will be more comfortable here. You take the
bed.”

“A gentleman does not take the bed and leave
a lady to sleep in a chair.” He sat forward, looking into her eyes
as if to make her understand.

Sabrina simply laughed back at him. Someone
being concerned with her comfort was a novelty. “Ah, but Mr.
Parker, I am no longer a lady, but a servant. Therein lies the
difference.”

He stood rigid and frowned down at her. “I
don’t care what they thought you were at the academy. You are the
cousin of a friend of mine and, your lineage alone makes you a
lady. I will not allow you to sleep in a chair.”

Sabrina was taken aback by his code of honor
and didn’t dare laugh again. He considered her a lady regardless of
her circumstances. It made her feel a bit like Cinderella must have
felt when she first entered the ball. “Very well. We will both
sleep in the bed.” That would certainly solve the argument.

“What?” He yelled.

She shook her head and tried not to laugh
again. “The innkeeper already thinks we are sharing the bed so both
of us might as well be comfortable.” She nodded to the item being
discussed. “It is certainly large enough and we should not disturb
each other.”

Mr. Parker looked at the bed. She could tell
he weighed his decision. She followed his line of vision. It was a
larger bed, much larger than she had ever slept in. Why, two people
could easily slumber and never know the other person was there.

He sighed and turned back to her, his face
rigid. “Very well.”

Marius noted her glass was empty while his
was not. He also wanted to buy some time before he retired. “Why
don’t you go to bed? I am sure you are exhausted.” He had no
intention of actually crawling into bed with her. He may have a
high moral code, but he was no saint either and it was best to
leave temptation as far away as possible.

Sabrina looked around the room, coloring
visibly.

Marius was astounded. He thought she was
beyond embarrassment.

“May I have a few moments of privacy?”

He realized her need, which wasn’t much
different from his own and stood quickly. “Of course. I’ll return
shortly. Lock the door behind me,” he muttered, somewhat
embarrassed himself.

Marius quickly saw to his own comfort behind
the inn then requested another bottle of wine before returning
upstairs. Sabrina answered the door upon the sound of his voice. As
he entered, she walked back towards the bed. “Is there a side you
prefer?”

Marius bit back a groan. The more he thought
about it, the more he realized that sharing a bed with her was a
very bad idea. It was one of the reasons he had obtained another
bottle of wine. It didn’t help that he noticed the stocking folded
neatly on top of her dresses either. “It doesn’t matter. Tuck
yourself into bed. I am not tired enough to sleep yet.”

Sabrina got into the bed and he turned his
back and set about removing his boots. After settling in the chair,
he poured wine into his glass.

“You purchased more wine?”

Marius turned, startled at her voice. He had
hoped she would be under the covers trying to sleep. Instead, she
sat there watching him. “Yes.”

“May I have another glass?” She asked
hesitantly.

“Of course.” He was surprised at her tone.
Filling her glass part way, he handed it back. Sabrina sipped
slowly, enjoying the taste. A look of joy was in her eyes.

“I didn’t realize you liked wine so much.”
He was intrigued by her response as he hadn’t paid close attention
when they had dined.

“I do. I’ve never had it before. I almost
feel pampered.”

Marius almost choked on his own drink. They
were in a modest inn, ate a bland dinner and she was drinking a
cheap wine, yet she almost felt pampered. She had to be one of the
easiest women in the world to please. With half a smile, he
responded. “I am glad you enjoy it.”

Soon they lapsed into silence and Marius
took his seat once again, concentrating on the fire and trying to
ignore the attractive woman in the bed behind him.

Marius relaxed when her even breathing from
deep sleep could be heard. He had felt her watching him, wondering
what she was thinking. When she sighed, he had almost asked. Yet,
he couldn’t look in the direction of the bed to see her sitting
there sipping wine. The first vision had formed more visions in his
mind. Very improper visions where she was concerned. Only when she
had been sleeping over an hour and he had finished over half the
bottle of wine did Marius feel it was safe enough to crawl into
bed. Sabrina had been right. Anyone who knew they were here,
already suspected the worst so, why shouldn’t they both be
comfortable?

*

Sabrina awoke to the darkness of the night
and sensed a strange presence. It took only a few moments to
remember where she was and with whom. It took a few more moments to
realize why she had awakened. Mr. Parker’s body was curved behind
hers. She could feel his deep, steady breathing on the back of her
neck as well as his thighs behind her legs. Most alarming was that
his hand cupped her breast. The combination caused strange feelings
to form in the pit of her belly. By rights she should be offended
that he was taking such liberties, but Sabrina couldn’t summon
outrage. The man was sound asleep and had no idea that he was
touching her person in such a familiar manner. Besides, there was
comfort in his arms, lying next to him. Heaven knew when or if she
would know this type of comfort again. It also felt right, as if he
belonged there. Those were her last thoughts as she drifted back to
sleep with a faint smile on her lips.

*

Marius drifted into consciousness with his
body already humming with desire. For a moment, the fog of his mind
tried to comprehend the woman in his arms. Alarms sounded when he
realized it was Sabrina and he was caressing her breast while
another part of his anatomy responded to her soft backside cuddled
up against him. Thank God they had remained fully clothed. And,
thank God she was still asleep. He could just imagine her reaction
if she were to awaken and find him this way. Slowly and carefully
Marius pulled himself away from her, hoping he didn’t disturb her
sleep, and settled himself on his side of the bed. It took sometime
before he was finally able to drift off.

He couldn’t have slept long when he woke
again. He came awake much quicker this time. At least he wasn’t
curled around her. Instead, Sabrina was sound asleep with her head
on his shoulder, one hand on his chest and a leg draped over his
thighs. As before, his body had already noted the nearness while he
had slept. Not sure what to do, Marius lay there, contemplating the
situation. If he woke her, she would be mortified to find herself
this way. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her any
discomfort. Besides, what harm could there be? She appeared very
comfortable, sleeping soundly, and it didn’t seem right not disturb
her. Besides, there was a comfort in her sleeping this way.

*

As was her habit, Sabrina woke with the
rising sun, quickly coming awake and horrified at herself. When had
she moved to his side of the bed? She was draped all over the man.
Tilting her head slightly, she was relieved he slept and his
breathing was even and deep. Thank goodness. He would surely think
her wanton if he woke and found her this way. Slowly, Sabrina
disengaged herself and got out of bed. Pain shot through her feet
the moment she stood. Limping to the chair, she sat to examine her
feet. Blisters ran along the bottoms of both feet and ankles where
the boots had rubbed. It was nothing too horrendous and they would
heal in time. She just had to be careful while walking and not put
on her boots until the last moment.