Difficult to Escape a Doting Wife
Chapter 59
Elowen Howard shrugged off the day with a tired smile. “I think I’ll head home too. I’m feeling pretty worn out.”
Just before she climbed into the carriage, her brother Rowena Howard grabbed her arm, leaning in as if sharing a secret. “Did you ever use the medicine I gave you?”
Elowen winced at the memory–every moment a reminder of pain and blood. “Used it,” she muttered, her tone clipped.
Rowena leaned closer, his eyes narrowing with anticipation. “Well? Did it work?”
But his question was more about how their relationship had fared after using the medicine than its actual effectiveness. Elowen, however, seemed to miss the hidden meaning behind his inquiry. She clenched her jaw, deliberating long enough to finally spit out, “He’s… aggressive.”
Rowena’s face flushed a deep crimson, and he looked as though he might melt into the shadows. “It’s just… why would you say that out loud?” His voice came out in a stutter, tripping over his own embarrassment. “You should really choose your words more carefully, dear sister.”
Elowen blinked at him, confused by the sudden tension. “You asked.”
“Your medicine is just… intense,” Rowena muttered, clearly uncomfortable. ** Remembering that night with Alistair Edwards flashed through his mind–a different kind of intensity that made Rowena want to disappear altogether.
“Alright, let’s drop that subject,” he said, waving his hands as if to banish the conversa
“Just take care of things, will you? Whenever you can, bring Cedric over.
I haven’t seen my little nephew in ages!”
Rowena, his face still flushed, was full of brotherly worry. “And for heaven’s sake, don’t go causing trouble. You’re not a kid anymore–act your age.”
“I know, I know,” Elowen replied, rolling her eyes.
Rowena reached into his pocket and handed her some coins–just another typical
Difficult to Escape a Doting Wife
Howard gesture. He always worried she wouldn’t have enough, yet he also seemed to enable her troublesome escapades.
After their conversation, Rowena finally climbed into his carriage, bumping happily away toward Fairfax Manor.
Alistair Edwards had waited patiently, an unusual trait for him, and when Elowen stepped into the carriage, she realized they weren’t headed home at all.
“Where are we going?” she asked, puzzled.
“To Wellington Manor,” he replied casually.
Her brother’s mentor was hard to track down, and since Alistair couldn’t afford to wait, he’d decided it was best to take her to the estate for some business.
“Is your injury really that bad?” she wondered aloud, not even realizing how it could possibly relate to her.
Alistair didn’t answer immediately, and she interpreted his silence as an affirmation.
As the carriage bumped along, jolting her awake from near–slumber, Alistair suddenly asked, “So, what was your plan for today?”
Running around town to meet up with some guy? Or just escaping for a drink?
“I didn’t have anything specific in mind.”
He took her chin gently, his thumb grazing her soft lips, carefully wiping off the remnants of her lipstick as if it were a sin to show the world her beauty. From his sleeve, he produced a handkerchief to meticulously clean away every trace of makeup.
“You looked so lovely today; I couldn’t let anyone else see you like this,” he said, his voice low and intense. “What if someone stole you away?”
Elowen stared at him, perplexed. His actions were confusing; hadn’t they agreed not to let emotions get in the way? He was removing her makeup like it was the mask hiding her from the world.
Difficult to Escape a Doting Wife
