She Will Rejoice (4 page)

             
He soon heard the sound of the whistle and the typical noise of the dock. Naomi, though, did not stir. He spoke her name aloud in an attempt to rouse her gently, but she slept on.

             
“Naomi,” he adjusted his feet under him, knowing the movement of his legs would waken her.

             
He was wrong.

             
Finn figured he could carry her up on deck in his arms, but she would not enjoy the experience.

             
“Naomi,” he breathed softly onto her face. “You need to wake up.”

             
Her eyelids fluttered.

             
Finn glanced around him to see if anyone was passing by the cabin. Assured that nobody was nearby, he leaned down and kissed his wife.

             
She responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him closer.

             
He hated to put an end to the moment, but he was sure they would not be alone long, and he had already taken enough advantage of the situation. He sat her up.

             
She sighed and dropped her head to his chest, “I think I could love you, Finneas Haydn.”

             
Finn jumped in surprise. Admittedly, he had been hurt to find she was forced into their marriage, but he had not expected any deep devotion from her either. He had hoped only for some affection and friendliness.

             
“Naomi,” his heart was beating so hard, it was sure to wake her if nothing else would.

             
She sat up fully and blinked at him.

             
He couldn’t stop the smile, “You are a very heavy sleeper, my dear.”

             
She nodded and began to move away from him.

             
He stood and helped her to her feet, “Are you able to walk now, or need we wait?”

             
“I am,” she cleared her throat, “I am fine. Thank you.”

             
He was not sure he could believe her, but he didn’t argue.

             
“What did I say to you?”

             
He led her up the stairs and across the deck, “That you were fine.”

             
“No,” she pulled him to a stop. “When we were down below – before I woke up.”

             
Finn wanted to tell her what she said just to see if she would deny it or affirm it, but he feared her response.

             
“You said nothing,” he lied. “A little mumbling, perhaps.”

             
She smiled tightly and allowed him to lead her to the waiting carriage.

             
The ride to his uncle’s house was very short. In fact, he occasionally walked there, but he was not sure Naomi was up to the challenge this morning.

             
They stopped in front of the stone house with a green roof and evergreen bushes out front.

             
“This is lovely,” her voice was soft as she took in every detail.

             
Finn led her up to the front door which was opened as they approached.

             
“Mrs. Baker,” he greeted the portly woman. “This is my wife.”

             
The woman beamed and took Naomi’s hands, “What a delight to meet you, madam. We’ve been hoping the young man would find himself a bride one day soon. And such a lovely one you are too.”

             
Naomi blushed at the woman’s words.

             
“Why don’t you take her upstairs to your room to get freshened up, Mr. Haydn,” she bustled them in out of the cold, “and I’ll put on a nice pot of tea.”

             
Finn took his wife’s hand and led her up the stairs. He felt an uncharacteristic nervousness as he opened the door to the room they would be sharing.

             
“There are but three bed chambers in this house,” he hurried to explain, “one is, of course, in use by Mr. and Mrs. Baker, and the other is not adequate.”

             
Naomi nodded and gripped her reticule.

             
“Are you. . ?” he didn’t know how to ask the question.

             
She swallowed hard and looked up at him, “I appreciate your generosity in providing for me a room of my own at the inn.”

             
He was desperately hoping she was not suggesting he take a room at the island’s inn.

             
“I do not expect it to continue, however.”

             
She may not be expecting it, but was she hoping for it?

             
“You are my husband, Finn, and I understand what my responsibilities are.”

             
“Your responsibilities,” he couldn’t stop the harsh tone.

             
She nodded and crossed the room to a small dressing table in the corner, “Yes, my responsibilities.”

             
He paced the room twice before coming to rest on the bed.

             
Naomi turned and looked at him in confusion.

             
He was confident that explaining in minute detail exactly what he hoped for was not the way to make it happen. He struggled to find the right words.

             
“I do not understand, Finn. You seem disappointed that I want to do what is right.”

             
He huffed out a deep sigh, “I no more wish to be a responsibility for you, than you care to be a prize I have won.”

H
e stood and hurried from the room before he could say or do more than he would regret.

CHAPTER SIX

Naomi was no little bit confused. Her husband was agitated; that could not be denied. If his pacing and little speech were no indication, storming from the room would have told her of it. She could not understand why, however. She cleaned her face and refastened her hair before exiting her room.

             
“You’ll find the master in the sitting room,” an elderly gentleman greeted her as she descended the stairs. He nodded his head in the direction of an open door.

             
“Naomi,” Finn rose as she entered.

             
She took the seat closest him, “You are distressed.”

             
“Distressed, “he laughed, but it was a harsh sound, “There is nothing wrong with me that time will not cure.”

             
Naomi didn’t care for his attempt at dismissal. She spoke more plainly, “You are angry, sir, and I would know why.”

             
“You are very forthright, Mrs. Haydn.”

             
“You have already remarked on this particularly quality, Mr. Haydn,” she forced herself not to look away. “Is there a reason you remind me of it now?”

             
He opened his mouth but then looked to the door and clamped his mouth shut.

             
Naomi was no more comfortable than he with the staff hearing what Finn had to say. She stood and closed the portal.

             
Finn laughed softly, in spite of himself, “You will press, won’t you?”

             
She sat next to him and waited for his explanation.

             
“Very well,” he nodded. “I will return your bluntness with some of my own.”

             
She was not sure whether to be frightened or relieved.

             
“I would like it if you wanted to be with me, Naomi.”

             
She was not sure what he was saying.

             
“I understand you were forced into this marriage, but I hope we can learn to enjoy each other nonetheless.”

             
Naomi suddenly realized how some of her words must have sounded to him.

             
“I do not dislike you, Finn,” she began.

             
He interrupted her, “You just didn’t want to be married without a choice.”

             
She nodded, “This is true. I would be troubled by any marriage where I did not know the man I was tying myself to.”

             
Finn was not appeased, but Naomi was unsure as to how far she should push his patience.

             
A knock sounded on the door.

             
Finn’s eyes didn’t leave Naomi’s face, “Enter.”

             
Mrs. Baker came in pushing a tray, “I brought some sandwiches as well since you probably ate little afore you came,” the lady bustled about, setting up the service. “And then you’ll need to keep your strength up for what Mr. Haydn has planned.”

             
Naomi’s cheeks flamed.

             
“I’m sure he plans to show you all his childhood haunts,” Mrs. Baker seemed oblivious to the young lady’s reaction. “He spent many a summer here when he was a lad.”

             
“Indeed,” Finn was barely controlling his laughter. “I plan to take her to the grove of trees where Rowan and I used to build our fort every spring.”

             
Mrs. Baker finished serving the tea, “That would be a fine idea, sir,” she looked at Naomi, “Anything else?”

             
Naomi shook her head, “Thank you, no.”

             
Mrs. Baker closed the door on her way out.

             
Naomi covered her warmed cheeks with her hands, “Mercy, that was a shock to the system.”

             
Finn lifted his teacup to his lips to cover his grin.

             
“I nearly reprimanded her for her impertinence.”

             
Finn’s burst of amusement caused him to spit his tea all over the tea cart and was followed by a coughing fit.

             
Naomi calmly picked up her own teacup and took a sip, leaving her husband to regain control of himself and clean up his own person.

             
“I do believe you have a somewhat vindictive sense of humor,” he tucked his handkerchief back into his pocket.

             
She licked a drop of tea from the edge of her top lip and reached for a sandwich, “Do I need different clothing for our walk?”

             
He let his eyes rove over her attire for such a long time, she was certain he was not judging their adequacy for their foray into the island’s secrets.

             
“You may wish to wear more sturdy shoes,” he chose his own sandwich, “but you needn’t change anything else.”

             
Naomi found her bite hard to swallow.

             
Finn finished eating, a happy smile on his face. Naomi knew he wouldn’t be so happy is he knew what she was thinking, but she decided to keep that information to herself.

             
“Shall I fetch your bonnet for you?” he asked as they were finishing their meal.

             
She was surprised by the gesture, “Please. I left it on the dressing table.”

             
He was down in just a few moments, making her think he had run. He had also brought from her trunk, a pair of shoes.

             
“These may be more comfortable for walking.”

             
She wondered why it seemed so intimate for him to choose her footwear.

             
He knelt before her and pulled the slipper from her foot, “Do you feel like Cinderella?”

             
Naomi told herself there was nothing whatsoever inappropriate about her husband replacing her shoe, but the pink creeping up her neck and across her cheeks said different.

             
He slid one shoe on and laced it up. She was glad it was not one of her more elaborate shoes because she could not have maintained her composure through that.

             
“Other foot,” he remained in a crouched position and held out a hand.

             
That was when she realized she was sitting on her other foot. As gracefully as possible in the situation, she dropped her foot to the floor.

             
“Really, Finn,” she whispered, “I am capable of dressing myself.”

             
He held her stocking-clad foot a bit longer than necessary before sliding the new shoe on. Then he rose and offered her an arm.

             
“Shall we be off?”

             
She quickly tied on her bonnet and then took his arm.

             
Naomi was grateful for the sturdier shoes. He had her walking a couple miles, sometimes on uneven ground and through damp spots. She didn’t mind the distance or the terrain as it gave them opportunity to speak.

             
Their conversation varied from childhood escapades to his house in London. She questioned him about his estate as well, but his answers were short, and she soon gave up on getting any information on that.

             
“Do you still enjoy fishing, love?”

             
His term of endearment startled her so that she did not answer immediately.

             
“Perhaps you have not had the opportunity of late?”

             
“Um,” she tried to form a coherent sentence. “No. I have not. I have not been allowed for a few years.”

             
“We must take some steps to rectify that,” he helped her over a fallen log. “Because your new husband dearly loves to fish, and he would like your company.”

             
“Really?” Naomi had never dreamed she would be allowed – nay, encouraged –to fish again.

             
“If you do not care to handle the fish, I would be content to simply have you with me in the boat or on the bank.”

             
“Oh.”

She should have known it was too much to ask.

Finn laughed, “I was not implying I would deny you the privilege if you still wish to fish.”

She pulled her lowed lip between her teeth to suppress a smile.

“Now, the fishing around here is not excellent, particularly in November, but we may give it a try anyway.”

“I don’t mind waiting,” she assured him as her hand slipped from his elbow to grip his fingers instead. “The anticipation of being allowed to fish again is enough for now.”

Finn pulled her to a stop, glanced around the wooded area, and leaned down to kiss her. Naomi was initially surprised, but, when he did not immediately release her, she gave in to the feeling of his hands on her face and his lips on hers.

He finally pulled away, “You are a fascinating woman,
Naomi Haydn.”

She could only manage a wide-eyed nod before he took up her hand and led her back to the cottage.

Finn hardly let her leave his sight the rest of the day. Following a rather late tea, he led her into the sitting room.

“Tell me, Naomi, what else would you do?”

“Do?”

“If you were not afraid of society’s censure – of your father’s displeasure?”

She could not tell if he was serious or in jest.

“You have admitted to fishing and climbing trees. Do you have other skills of which I should be aware?”

She shook her head, “I would hardly call those skills. They are play activities.”

“
And do you perform them well?”

Naomi laughed at that, “I honestly have not attempted to climb a tree since I was twelve. I found, even then, that my skirts were becoming too voluminous to do justice to the activity.”

“Did you fall?”

“Ye
s,” she answered, a bit chagrined at having to admit it. “Right into a bush below.”

“Did you break anything?” he looke
d her up and down as thought checking for any residual damage.

“Just some of the flowers off the azalea below.”

“I suppose it softened your landing.”

“Perhaps, but it was also told tales of what I had been doing. My mother was displeased.”

He grinned, “You had been told not to climb trees.”

She snorted, “I had been told not to climb that tree. My brother had fallen into the azalea just the week before.”

His grin turned to a chuckle, “I am so glad I married you, Mrs. Haydn.”

Naomi flushed with pleasure.

He brought her fingers to his lips, “Shall we retire?”

She was filled with equal parts of anticipation and terror.

They arrived at their chamber, and he pulled her to a stop as she was stepping into the room.

“If you do not wish this,” he looked her in the eye, “I can find a bed elsewhere.”

She thought about it for a moment, then slowly shook her head.

He took a deep breath and followed her in, closing the door behind himself.