She Will Rejoice by Becky Riker Page B

change,” Naomi tried not to whine.
                  “Not everything,” Finn chuckled at her statement                                                                                                  Naomi kissed her husband’s cheek and threw back the covers, “I suppose we should make the most of today.”
                  He grabbed for her but missed.
                  Naomi laughed and pulled her dressing gown on “Get up, Finneas, and we’ll do something.”
                  He was out of bed so quickly, Naomi didn’t have time to react. Finn grabbed his wife by the middle and hauled her back to bed despite her laughing protests.
                  “I am of the opinion,” he held her fast, “we should not waste the day doing pointless things.”
                  She relaxed in his grip, “So your proposition is to stay in bed all day?”
                  He pretended to think about it for a moment.
    “Yes,” he finally responded to that. “I think so.”              
    She giggled, “But I still haven’t visited that draper’s shop that your sister wrote to recommend, and your uncle asked that you meet with the man regarding the new roof.”
    He moaned and dropped his face to the pillow.
    Naomi kissed his shoulder and got up again.             
    They were on the first ferry back to Portsmouth the next morning.
    “Would you like to stand on deck?” Finn had seen her situated below while he tended to the luggage, but he joined her as soon as the boat started moving.
    Naomi shook her head, “It is a little chilly for that, I think.”
    He seemed to be a little tense.
    “Feel free to go up yourself, if you need to walk a bit,” she squeezed his shoulder.
    He blinked and looked back at her, “Hmm?”
    She smiled, “I said I spent all my allowance yesterday at the draper’s.”
    He chuckled, “You did not.”
    “Oh, no?” she teased him. “Then what did I say?”
    He looked like he was wracking his brain, but he couldn’t quite come up with the answer.
    “Would you prefer to be on the deck, Mr. Haydn?”
    He shook his head, “No. I’d rather be here with you, Mrs. Haydn.”                                                                      “Is something troubling you?” she spoke softly because they were not alone.
    He shook his head.
    Naomi made a disapproving sound in the back of her throat, “Pretend I did not ask that last question.”
    He raised an eyebrow at her.
    “What is it that troubles you?”
    He smirked.
    “Shall I guess?” she teased.
    He shook his head, “I am just feeling sorry for myself.”
    She leaned away to get a better glimpse of her husband’s face, “Is your life so wretched that you should be pitying yourself?”
    Ignoring the other passengers, Finn put his arm around Naomi, “Not at all, but I fear I will be forced to share you from now on.”
    Naomi smiled and leaned her cheek against Finn’s arm. She was, also, nervous about what was to come. She had told herself to guard against this man beside her, but she had not done so. Now, Naomi was in love with her husband, and she wondered what would become of her should he prove the rogue that everyone said he was.

CHAPTER NINE                            
    Finn had been forced into marriage, but his bride had not been chosen for him. His mother had simply said his bride must be “acceptable for our family’s position.” For her concession on that point, Finn was grateful.
    He had taken some time to look for the right wife, and he was now satisfied he had found her. Finn had been convinced he could find common ground with Naomi. He had not expected to find her so charming, intelligent, or entertaining but was quite pleased with