Page 78 of Enticing the Devil

Chapter Twenty-seven

After Eirwyn left the room—tugging a reluctant Carys with her—and closed the door, Anne sat heavily on the large bed and released a deep sigh.

She was here.

At her new home.

With her new family.

A rush of inexplicable emotion closed her throat and curved her spine as she lifted both hands to cover her face. Pressing firmly to her eyes to staunch the threat of tears, she took deep, even breaths.

She could do this. She was resilient. If nothing else, the last five days in a carriage with her new husband had proven that.

Husband.

Could she even call him that?

The union hadn’t been consummated. They’d never shared a room or a bed. They’d barely shared a full conversation since their wedding.

Before she could even begin to contemplate what she should do next, a sharp knock sounded on the door. Welcoming the distraction, Anne rose swiftly to her feet and crossed the room.

It was Beynon.

Just as always, the sight of him caused an immediate reaction through her body. A tingle and a spark. A tightening. A warming. Then she noticed the deep scowl on his face and the obvious tension present in his large form. Something had upset him.

An unsteady fear gripped her. “What is it?” she asked, stepping through the door into the hallway. “Is your mother all right?”

His expression remained fierce and forbidding as he looked down at her.

For a second, she had an impossible urge to comfort him—to step forward and wrap her arms around him. But she had no doubt such an act would immediately be rebuffed.

“Mam’s recovering,” he replied gruffly. “I suspect she’ll be well enough very soon.”

“That’s good news,” Anne replied tentatively.

Then he took a breath and his gaze slid momentarily to the side. “She wants to meet you.”

“Now?” Anne took a step back. Of course his mother would want to meet her. She wasn’t at all sure why the thought suddenly made her feel so uncertain and nervous.

“This way,” he replied as he turned to lead her down the narrow hallway to a door at the far end.

Anne followed dutifully behind, her steps even behind his heavier footfalls on the polished wood floor. His knock on the closed door was immediately answered by a woman’s call to enter. He opened the door then stepped to the side, gesturing for Anne to pass him into the room.