Ruined - Annabelle Anders Page 0,3

of in his absence.

Whereas his duty was to protect and defend the British Empire, hers was to protect the life growing inside of her.

Another hearty gust of wind stirred the leaves on the trees and, despite the warmth of the afternoon sun, a shiver had her hugging her arms in front of her. The little radish growing inside of her kicked, almost as though he had felt it too.

Silly. Carrying this babe had caused her to become overly emotional.

Hooves sounding along the road broke into her thoughts and did nothing to erase the unease she’d experienced only seconds before.

Her first thought was that it was Arthur returning earlier than he’d said. She pushed herself up from the ground and then rose onto her toes as though this would help her to see the rider sooner. The man wore a uniform… He was whole and hearty and racing to be at her side. Her heart leapt. She’d be back in his arms in seconds rather than months.

But as the horse approached, her heart dropped.

The rider sat slightly taller and his shoulders were broader than Arthur’s. Whereas Arthur’s hair was an almond brown, this man’s was darker, more of a chestnut color.

Why was a soldier who was not her husband riding toward her? Fear trickled down her spine.

Was it possible he was lost? But he seemed quite certain of his destination. And as he neared, she recognized the piercing blue gaze locked on her.

Lord Major Lucas Cockfield, the officer just above Arthur. She remembered being in awe of him when they’d first met. As the Duke of Blackheart’s younger brother, as well as a major at such a young age, he had been quite impressive.

She’d danced with him on a few occasions. He’d taken her rowing at a garden party.

Most importantly, he was Arthur’s friend.

Arthur had boasted that he’d saved the major’s life more than once and the other man boasted the same. Comrades in arms. They spoke a language all their own. Arthur had referred to it as a brotherhood. Honor bound them to care for one another… and in some instances, to watch out for one another’s loved ones.

He must be bringing her a message. Was Arthur hurt? Had he been injured? She convinced herself Arthur must be asking for her from a hospital bed with perhaps nothing more serious than a broken arm or surface wound.

Less than twenty feet distant now, she could see by the set of his mouth that that was not the case.

By the time the major covered half the distance and pulled up on the reins, Naomi’s blood had run cold. Perhaps if she didn’t move, time would stand still. She would not breathe or allow her heart to beat again until she knew Arthur was safe.

The major’s throat pulsed as he swallowed hard, as though to delay the words he must speak.

“No.” The strangled word escaped past suddenly dry lips.

He shook his head and frowned.

She dropped to her knees, mindless of the dirt and gravel cutting into her skin. “No.” The word came out like a cry from a wounded animal.

This unwanted visitor dismounted slowly, cautiously. His chiseled image swam as tears filled her eyes.

“Mrs. Gilcrest.” He assaulted her with the pity that laced his voice. “Naomi.”

“Don’t say it.” Naomi recovered just enough to cover her mouth with one hand. If she did this, she could stop herself from crying out. If she didn’t cry, then that would mean he was safe.

She closed her eyes and pictured Arthur’s face—the evening he’d reassured her everything would work out fine after she told him of her condition, the morning he’d repeated wedding vows to her as they stood at that ridiculous anvil, the day he’d proudly brought her to this house.

She imagined his voice breathing her name when he made love to her.

“I’m so sorry.” The major’s words struck her as surely as any bullet would have.

She slumped farther to the ground, crouching into herself. She hardly registered that the major was on his haunches beside her.

“He promised,” she gasped. “He’s coming home to me.”

“I’m so sorry.” The warm weight of his hand dropped onto her shoulder.

“You’re wrong,” she gasped as each breath seemed to bring more pain.

“We were ambushed just outside of Freetown. A handful were taken prisoner and then executed. We never even made it to the coast.”

“You’re lying. Why would you do this to me? He promised!” This person before her was no friend of Arthur’s. He was being deceitful. It was a