Emotions ragedthrough her so turbulently she feared he would see them in her face. But he moved away, heedless of her distress, and began collecting the documents which he had sealed and stamped and were now dry. He folded them in a neat packet, tied it with a ribbon of scarlet, and handed it to Ruark.
âBefore you go, my dears,â Mrs. Jacobs beamed. She held out a tray bearing dainty stemmed glasses filled with an amber liquid. âA bit of sherry to warm your way.â
Numbly Shanna accepted the womanâs offering and raised the glass unsteadily to her lips. She paused as Ruark faced her, lifting his own glass in salute.
âTo our marriage, my love. May it be long and fruitful.â
Shanna stared at him dispassionately over the rim of her glass. Her longing to sneer was almost overwhelming. It was his smug, conceited, self-satisfied expression she hated most, she thought venomously. How she yearned to set him in his place!
Nearby Mrs. Jacobs talked happily to Pitney, chattering about the ceremony as if her husband had performed none finer, while Pitney stood mute, glancing over the small womanâs head at the young couple. The set of his mistressâs jaw was a good indication of her agitation, and he could only wonder at what next would follow.
Ruark stretched forth a finger and gently urged the glass to his wifeâs lips as his gaze warmly probed hers. âDrink, my love. We should be going.â
After they had drunk the cordial and put aside the glasses, Mrs. Jacobs hastened away to get their cloaks. Ruark took the fur-lined garment and wrapped it about Shanna, flinging his own carelessly about his wide shoulders. He led her to the door as Pitney preceded them. Final farewells were said and the best wishes of the minister spoken. Mighty gusts of wind struck them, billowing their cloaks as the ponderous portal was swung open. Fat droplets of water rushed in to pelt them. Pitney ran ahead to open the carriage door and lower the folding step while Ruark waited with Shanna in the shelter of the portal. The two guards were already perched atop in the driverâs seat, hunched in the folds of their cloaks against the pounding rain. Pitney motioned for the newlyweds to come, but as they stepped into the open, a blast of wind,heavy with cold rain, struck them in the face. Shanna gasped breathlessly and whirled away, finding herself fighting for breath against Ruarkâs chest. He caught her to him, half covering her with his cloak. Then reaching down, he swept her up into strong arms and dashed headlong to the Briska. Handing her into the snug interior, he immediately followed, taking a place beside her. Quickly Pitney folded the step and swung inside, throwing himself into the seat across from them.
âThereâs an inn down the road a piece in the village,â he rasped, âwhere we can take our sup.â
Ruarkâs attention to the man perked. âOur sup?â
âAye,â Pitney nodded, and in the meager light of dark twilight his gray eyes met Ruarkâs. âUnless âtis yer thought to return to the gaol without a full meal to tide ye âtil the morrow.â
Ruarkâs regard moved to Shanna who seemed very small and quiet in her corner.
The carriage swung down the gully-washed road. Lightning flashed, and the thunder echoed across the hills. In the voluminous folds of her cloak Shanna flinched with each shattering explosion of sound. The jagged light streaked across the darkened sky, and only Pitney was aware of her distress.
Ruark broached a question to Pitney. âWill you be journeying back to London tonight?â
A grunt answered him. âAye.â
Ruark thought for a moment about the manâs short reply before asking, âWhy do you not stay at the inn? Twill be a good three hours before you reach London.â
âA long enough ride on a night such as this,â Shanna flung at him sharply.
Her husband raised a sardonic