Return Of The Runaway. Sarah Mallory

thought you had gone,’ she confessed.

      ‘And break our bargain? I am not such a rogue.’ He handed her the parcels. ‘I had a little money left from yesterday, plus the reimbursement from the landlord, and I decided to see if I could find something suitable to augment your wardrobe. There is also a trunk following; to travel without baggage is to invite curiosity, is it not?’

      She barely acknowledged his last words, for she was busy opening the first of the packages. It contained a selection of items for Cassie’s comfort including a brush and comb and a new chemise. The second was a round gown of yellow muslin with a matching shawl.

      ‘Oh,’ she said, holding up the gown. ‘Th-thank you.’

      ‘I had to guess your size, but it is fastened by tapes and should fit you. And there is this.’ He put the bandbox on the table and lifted out a straw bonnet. ‘The fine weather looks set to continue and I thought this might be suitable.’

      ‘Oh,’ she said again. ‘I—thank you. I am very grateful.’

      ‘I cannot have my wife dressed in rags. My wife in name only,’ he added quickly. ‘Although after last night we must make sure we demand a truckle bed for the maid.’

      ‘But we do not have a maid.’

      ‘We shall say she is following on and then complain that she has not turned up. At least then I shall have a cot to sleep in.’

      ‘You seem to have thought of everything, monsieur.’

      ‘I spent a damned uncomfortable night considering the matter,’ he retorted. ‘Now, madame, shall we go downstairs and break our fast?’