TAMING THE BRIDE

Chapter 7

Noah gathered what was left of his strength and lifted her into his arms. The rain was getting harder by the minute, and Gwendolyn fainted from fear. He didn't know she was afraid of drowning, and it was a vulnerability he would take seriously now. He wouldn't do it again, ever.

The walk back to the picnic area was difficult, and many of the carriages had already left. The only ones that remained were his and the Boccoros. Kendra seemed more than displeased to see her granddaughter in such a predicament, but she didn't blame him. Ethan was silent but irritable as he watched his soaked sister.

Noah said he had an estate a few minutes away. He took Gwendolyn in his carriage, and they drove on to make sure she would be okay after all. He didn't give them a chance to talk about indecency or impropriety. He had her on his lap, one arm around her head while the other rested near her leg, supporting her weight, so she wouldn't roll off his hands. He could feel her breathing a little weak, but stable. In her sleepy state, Gwendolyn looked like a princess from a fairy tale. The arch of her lips parted perfectly, and her long closed eyelashes made her look heavenly. Noah was terribly desperate. And his desperation was only growing, because, in addition to worrying about his beloved's health, he still had to resist the urge to kiss her to wake her up: a kiss from his true love.

Gwendolyn awoke to the sound of rain hitting the windows. Her eyes fluttered open as she looked around. She was in a bed that wasn't hers, in a room she did not recognize. She was no longer wearing the same clothes as before, fear running through her mind before her thoughts were interrupted.

“You finally woke up!” Kendra murmured as she closed the curtains.

“Where am I, Grandma?”

“In the Salustti's private residence. Well, one of their many… estates.”

“Why in the Salustti residence?”

“Because you two idiots managed to wander somewhere away from the picnic area and got wet!” Ethan barked.

“I don't… Argh!” She felt a twinge in his head.

“Do you know how worried I was?”

Gwendolyn bit her lip and remained silent as she watched her brother pacing back and forth.

“I'm sorry.”

“Knowing you, you probably tried to get lost on purpose. Besides, you were alone with him, which makes me assume you two are involved in something. The others probably noticed. Even though I gave you the choice, Gwen, you don't have one anymore. You must marry Noah!” Ethan's fury exploded like a gust of wind.

“It wasn't my fault! Marie left us alone!” She said weakly. She knew she could have escaped when Marie abandoned her, but she didn't.

“At least Hornald seems to have given up on you.” Ethan sighed. “I don't know about Goustav. Well, he doesn't seem that interested in girls….”

“It's all his fault!” Gwendolyn snorted as she narrowed her eyes, thinking about the devil that caused the mess.

“Child, don't be so rude. You would probably be gone much longer if it weren't for Lord Salustti. He not only carried you back to the carriage but made sure to call the doctor as soon as possible. He himself fainted after we arrived. It seems that the man became ill because of you.” Kendra said with her nose turned up.

And then guilt hit her again. If Gwendolyn hadn't been so stubborn against what he had asked, they would have gotten out of the eye of the storm. But she fought him every step of the way.

“How could a man that size be so weak?”

“You better apologize!” Kendra hissed.

Noah had fallen asleep and succumbed to his infirmities as soon as he left Gwendolyn in one of the guest rooms. With the little strength he had, he had showered and dressed while the doctor looked at him and scolded him to take better care of his own body. Noah didn't care what consequences he paid for the rain. It was worth it!

Gwendolyn asked to visit Noah's rooms, hoping to apologize quickly and leave just as quickly once the mission was accomplished. Carefully, she opened the bedroom door, the wooden doors creaking louder than she expected. She was afraid he would wake up, but Noah just turned to one side. That's when she noticed an old man standing next to him, shaking his head.

“Ah, you must be Miss Gwendolyn Belle.” The man deduced.

“Yes,” she said a little shyly.

“I am Jio Henn Salustti.” He said warmly.

Gwendolyn choked quickly and did her best to bow, but the old man held up his hand as if rejecting the tradition.

“My grandson here is a fool, but a good-hearted fool. He is also my only grandson.”

“How is he?” Gwendolyn asked, afraid to approach the bed in case of disturbance.

“Fever, that's all. He should be fine. But I heard about your chivalry today. He saved you from the rain, didn't he? The boy is an i***t, overstepping his bounds.” Jio said with a sigh, pulling the sheets to his grandson, who only stirred momentarily before going back to sleep. “He had anemia as a child, and it always hindered his activities.”

Gwendolyn felt immensely guilty.

“It's not your fault, Gwendolyn. I believe he is very interested in you because of your abrasive foolishness. I will not blame you for his actions. Though I ask that you be gentle with him, patient even. He needs that.” Jio stopped. Looking at his watch, “If you'll excuse me, I have an appointment now.” And the old man left dragging his feet, quickly closing the door behind him.

Gwendolyn remained quiet as she watched Noah's sleeping form rest. The locks of his hair were a mess, sweat dripping off him as he turned from side to side looking for a comfortable position. At that moment, out of guilt, Gwendolyn decided to take pity on him and stay by his side. She hovered over him as she wiped his sweat with a cloth in a basin, hoping to cool him down. Her eyes followed to his mouth, delightfully welcoming him at that instant. He blushed at the shameful thought. Never in her life thought she would have such an idea.

She stared at him curiously, biting her now-burning lips. She felt even more uncomfortable and a little irritated by her indecorous and perverted thoughts, especially since the person in question was defenseless and sick. Noah eventually awoke from his unconsciousness. And when he opened his eyes, he was surprised to find her there. And so cheerful, despite being sick. His smile simply stunned her even more.

“Miss Roz taking care of me as a future wife should look after her husband.”

“Shut up!” She blushed, turning to leave.

However, Noah wasn't going to let her get away so easily. His hand grabbed hers, their fingers intertwining. Her palm was so small compared to his, the slender ridges of her fingers and the pale pink of her nails only emphasized her femininity more.

“Don't go!” He begged in a hoarse voice.

On another occasion, Gwendolyn would have demanded immediate release and left in a rage. But she was guilty of his condition. She wanted somehow to be as gentle as possible with him.

“All right,” she obeyed, sitting down beside him.

“Why are you so upset?” Noah questioned as he did his best to sit up, coughing away but still managing to control himself.

Gwendolyn avoided his probing gaze. At first, she said nothing.

“Do you want to leave? You can go if you want.” Noah said dejectedly as he loosened the grip on her fingers, allowing her to remove them, so she could escape out the door if she wished. She shook her head, her tresses shaking like waves.

“Then why don't you look in my direction?”

Her index finger and thumb rested on his chin as she gently tilted her head to face him. Gwendolyn's eyes were glassy and full of tears, and Noah felt terrible. He hadn't expected to see her cry.

“What…” he started in confusion.

But before he could finish his sentence, Gwendolyn began to sniffle and tears fell from her face. Even when she was crying, she looked beautiful.

“I'm sorry, I didn't know you had anemia… I… acted like a brat. I really… didn't mean to be so impudent,” she said between sobs.

Noah's heart softened at her confession and without another thought, he pulled her into his embrace. She shivered all over and resisted the urge to break free. She trembled in his arms as he stroked her hair, comforting her to the best of his ability. Seeing her cry hurt him too.

There was something so warm in his chest that Gwendolyn couldn't stop shivering. He made her feel weak. Not in a way that she felt helpless, but in a way that she felt genuine compassion. The way his hand brushed her hair softened her trembling, and she began to breathe normally again. He broke away, smiling meekly at the mess of water stains she had made on his shirt, before wiping her face again.

“I should go now before my grandmother and brother find out I'm missing,” she said softly.

Noah didn't want to let her go. He pulled her in again and hugged her even tighter as if this was the last time they would see each other. The grip was so tight that she had to groan for him to loosen his hold. He then looked deeply at her, kissed her there and she, surrendered, waited for those lips. But before they even touched hers, someone knocked on the door. Frustrated, Noah bit his lips and Gwendolyn stood up quickly, embarrassed. Then he watched her leave, being slightly bowed to by one of his servants who was waiting to enter the room.