Page 22 of Irish Thoroughbred (Irish Hearts #1)

“I don’t know where Hannah put your night clothes.” Pulling open the double doors, he exposed the meager contents. “Good heavens, is this all you have?”

She tried to snap at him, but found gathering the strength too great an effort. Moving over to a mirrored triple dresser, he began opening drawers, muttering and swearing, and she lay back and watched him, too weary to be embarrassed that he should handle her clothes with such familiarity.

He pulled out a plain, high-necked cotton gown and, after a brief disparaging scrutiny, brought it to her. “Tomorrow, for heaven’s sake, go shopping and buy some clothes.”

“Don’t you order me about, Travis Grant.” She sat up, unable to keep quiet any longer, and snapped at him with a ghost of her usual spirit.

He stared down at her without expression. “While we’re married, Adelia, we’ll be expected to socialize, and you’ll have to dress properly. We’ll see to it tomorrow. Now, can you manage to change by yourself, or do you need some help?”

Snatching the gown from his hands, she spoke stiffly. “I can manage very well.”

“Good. Change and get some rest. You won’t do Paddy any good if you make yourself ill.” Without waiting for her reply, he turned and strode from the room, shutting the door behind him.

Too tired to appreciate the beauty of the light, airy room, she slipped off the skirt and blouse which had served as her wedding dress and pulled the cotton nightgown over her head.

Folding down the mint-green spread, she crawled between the smooth sheets and fell instantly into the deep, dreamless sleep of exhaustion.

The birds woke her, as was their habit, chattering and chirping outside the window.

Opening her eyes, she focused on the unfamiliar surroundings and remembered.

She relaxed the fist that had remained tight over her wedding ring throughout the night, while her eyes made a slow survey of the room.

She had thought her bedroom in the garage house large, but she estimated this would hold two rooms that size.

The walls were muted green and white striped paper, trimmed with dark woodwork.

The furniture was cherry, both the large wardrobe and dresser in which Travis had rummaged the evening before, and a small writing desk, two night tables, and a small pie-crust table which served a tufted-back chair.

On the small table was a vase bursting with fresh flowers.

Their scent drifted to her as she sat up in bed, hugging her knees close.

She sighed as she gazed at the tall French windows which led to the balcony, thinking she had never seen such a lovely room.

How happy I could be here if only Uncle Paddy was well, and Travis…

She tried to clear her mind of such negative thoughts.

Thrusting back the covers, she jumped out of bed.

After showering and dressing in her only remaining skirt, she ventured downstairs, hoping she could locate the kitchen in the strange house which was now her home.

“Good morning, Dee.” Travis appeared from a room off the downstairs hall, which she later learned was his office. “Feeling better?”

“Aye,” she answered, suddenly shy and uncertain in front of the man who was her husband. “I don’t know when I’ve slept so long.”

“You were exhausted.” She kept herself still as he lifted her chin and examined her face like a parent seeking to find signs of ill health in a child. “Your color’s back,” he said at length and smiled.

“I’m fine.” She managed to remain passive as his hand continued to hold her chin. “I was wondering if I could call the hospital… and see if Uncle Paddy—” Her hands fluttered, then clung together in front of her.

“I’ve already called; his condition has stabilized.” His hands moved to rest on her shoulders. “He spent a peaceful night.”

A tremor passed through her. She shut her eyes and buried her face against Travis’s chest. After a moment, she felt his arms encircle her lightly. “Oh, Travis, I thought he was going to die. I was afraid we would lose him.”

He held her away until she tilted her head to look up at him. “He’s going to be all right, with a little time and care, and no worries.” His features relaxed. “Of course, when he gets home, he’ll have to slow down. We’ll have to bully him into it.”

“Aye.” Her smile was like the stars through the clouds. “But there’s two of us.”

“So there are,” he murmured, then tousled her hair. “I imagine you’re starving. I couldn’t wake you for dinner last night.”

“I feel like I haven’t eaten in a week.” With a sigh, she pushed at the hair he had just ruffled. “If you’ll show me the kitchen, I’ll start breakfast.”

“Hannah’s seeing to it,” he informed her, taking her arm and leading her into a large dining room. Noticing the expression on her face, he whispered confidentially in her ear as he pulled out a chair, “Don’t worry, I’ve been eating her cooking all my life.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean—I meant no disrespect. It’s only that I’m not used to having someone fix my meals.” Her expression bordered on horror, and he leaned back in his chair and laughed.

“Don’t look so stricken, Dee. Hannah will think I’m beating you already.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want you to think that I meant…” She fumbled for something to say which would release her from her awkwardness. “The room you gave me is lovely. I want to thank you.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

At his careless response, she was grateful for Hannah’s entrance with a steaming breakfast platter.

“Good morning, Mrs. Grant. I hope you’re feeling better after a good night’s rest.” She set the platter on the table and Adelia smiled up at her.

“Thank you, I feel fine.” She was careful not to start at her new title.

“Hungry though, I’ll be bound.” Nodding, she studied the pixielike face. “Travis told me you ate next to nothing yesterday, so I’ll expect you to do full justice to your breakfast.”

“You should be warned, Dee, not to trifle with Hannah,” Travis put in from across the table. “She can be ferocious. Personally, she terrifies me.”

“Don’t you listen to his nonsense, Mrs. Grant.

” She sent Travis a scowl before giving her attention back to Adelia.

“You’ll be busy for a while with Paddy in the hospital, but once you’re settled, you let me know how you want things done.

For now, if it’s agreeable, I’ll just plan your meals around your visits to the hospital. ”

“I—whatever you think best.”

“We’ll have plenty of time to talk about it,” the housekeeper concluded. “Now, you get to your breakfast while it’s hot.” With this she bustled from the room.

Adelia listened to Travis’s breakfast conversation, answering only when it was required, while she slowly took in her surroundings.

The dining room was large with dark wainscoting and elegantly patterned wallpaper.

The furniture was heavy, gleaming oak. Everywhere was the glow of silver and glimmer of crystal.

“Travis,” she said suddenly, and his brows rose in acknowledgment as he sipped his coffee. “I don’t fit into all this. I haven’t the way or the experience to know what’s expected of me. I don’t want to be an embarrassment to you, and I’m mortally afraid I’ll do or say something horrible, and—”

“Adelia.” The one word stopped her rambling.

She saw from his expression that she had already made a mistake.

From the way his face was set, she waited for him to rant at her, but when he spoke, his voice was calm and precise.

“You will not embarrass me, you could not embarrass me. Relax and be what you are, that’s what’s expected of you. ”

They lapsed into silence. Adelia toyed with the remainder of her eggs. “By the way,” Travis began, and she raised her eyes and saw he was smiling, “you’ve had your picture in the paper.”

“My picture?”

“Yes.” His smile widened at her frowning expression. “Two pictures, as a matter of fact. There’s one of you and Steve with the two of you sitting on the paddock fence, and there’s one of you and me taken after the Belmont Stakes.”

Color flooded her cheeks as she realized the contents of the second picture. “I don’t know why they kept following me around with their cameras and their pencils.”

“I can’t imagine,” Travis returned, his lips curving again. “It appears that the press has had a splendid time speculating about the romances of my attractive groom.…”

Her eyes widened, and the color ebbed and flowed again. “Are you meaning… Oh, what a passel of nonsense! Steve and I are friends, and you and I…” She faltered, sputtered, and fell into excruciating silence.

“Married, Adelia, is what we are, friends or not.” With what she thought was a very odd smile, he drained his coffee and rose.

“I don’t suppose it will sound like such a passel of nonsense to the press when our current relationship is leaked to them.

I can keep it out of the papers for a while, but we’ll have to deal with it sooner or later.

… I take it you’re done since you’ve been playing with your fork for the last ten minutes.

” Securing her arm, he brought her to her feet.

“Now, if you’ll take that frown off your face, I’ll drive you to the hospital. ”

Any anxiety Adelia still harbored was dispelled by the appearance of her uncle.

The color on his cheeks, which had appeared a ghastly gray the day before, was now closer to his normal, ruddy hue.

His eyes twinkled as Travis brought her into the room.

His voice was weak rather than booming, but steady and unforced.

When he complained about being hooked up to blasted, noisy machines, her concern melted into laughter, and, kissing the hand she held in hers, she felt the last vestige of tension dissolve.

After a short visit, Travis drew her into the hall. “You won’t be able to stay too long this time. The doctor says he tires easily and needs his rest. That, and seeing you, is the best medicine he can get.”

“I won’t tire him, Travis,” she promised. “He’s looking so much better, I can hardly believe my eyes. I’ll only stay a little while more. As soon as I see he’s tiring, I’ll go.”

He looked down at her smiling face, his fingers tangling absently with the ends of her hair.

“I have to get back now, but Trish will be along soon to take you shopping.” His hand dropped, and he stared past her as if suddenly preoccupied.

“She’ll know just what you need, and if you like, she can bring you back here for a while longer this afternoon. ”

“It’s kind of you to be doing all this, Travis.” She touched his arm to bring his attention back to her. “I don’t know how to repay you for all that you’ve done already.”

“It’s nothing.” He shrugged off her thanks and, drawing out his wallet, handed her some bills. “I’ve made arrangements for you to charge whatever you need. Trish will be there to see to the details, but you’ll need some cash as well.”

“But, Travis, it’s so much, I can’t…”

“Don’t argue, just take it.” He closed her hands over the bills in a final, impatient gesture. “Give it to Trish to hold for you, and for heaven’s sake, Dee,” he added with exasperation, “buy yourself a purse. I’ll see you this evening.”

He strode down the long corridor, leaving Adelia staring after him.