Love Inspired Historical November 2017 Box Set

by Karen Kirst

  Lavinia fisted her hands. “Don’t talk about Henry that way! He’s the finest man I’ve ever known, and he’s wonderful with the children. He’s their legal guardian, so you couldn’t get them anyway.”

  “A technicality easily overcome by a good lawyer.”

  “You’re wrong. I hired a good lawyer, and he says no jury would find fault with Henry. I agree. The children belong with him, and that’s where they’re staying. If you attempt to challenge him, I’ll go before the judge and tell him what kind of father you’ve been. I doubt he’d look on you favorably.”

  “Why, you little—” Crowne dropped the hand he’d raised to his side, as though he’d just realized he had an audience.

  Worthington crossed the room and addressed Crowne in an authoritative voice. “I think you’d be wise to leave now, sir.”

  “I believe you’re right. I have some pressing business to attend to anyhow.” He turned to Lavinia. “I’ve chosen my heir—” he inclined his head toward Worthington “—so there’s no reason for you to come back.”

  To Henry’s surprise, Worthington addressed Crowne in a firm but decisive tone. “I won’t be accepting that position, sir. I refuse to work for a man who treats his own daughter this way.”

  “Stuart! No! This is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. I won’t let you give it up on my account.” Lavinia attempted to step between the two men, but Worthington motioned for her to stay back.

  “It’s fine, Lavinia. I have other offers pending. I’ll take one of them.” He spun to face Crowne. “You’ll have my letter of resignation in your hands as soon as I can locate pen and paper.”

  Crowne’s face reddened, and he jabbed a finger at Worthington. “I don’t need a letter. You’re fired.”

  The younger man shook his head. “I feel sorry for you, sir. You’re too busy building your empire to see what’s right before your eyes. You have a remarkable daughter and delightful grandchildren. It’s not too late to—”

  “Don’t you lecture me, young man! I’ll conduct my affairs the way I see fit.” He whirled around to face Lavinia. “As for you, young lady, I’ll see that you have enough to get settled someplace, but that will be the extent of my benevolence.”

  “I understand. Goodbye, Father.” She rose on her toes, kissed his cheek and turned away.

  Crowne stormed out of the room. Worthington and Lavinia carried on a whispered conversation. She nodded and reached out a hand, and he shook it. The formality of the exchange gave Henry hope.

  Henry couldn’t believe what he’d just witnessed. Not only had Lavinia defended him, but she’d given up her fight and bested her father, sacrificing everything for the sake of the children in the process.

  Emery leaned close. “Looks like your sweetheart loves you, too, son. I’d say it’s time to stake your claim, before it’s too late.”

  “Yes, sir. I intend to.” He glanced at the children, and a plan began to take shape. It might fail miserably, but he had to try.

  Would it be enough?

  * * *

  “Come, children,” Lavinia said. “It’s time to go.”

  They darted out the door ahead of her, clutching their new toys and whispering among themselves, no doubt trying to make sense of what had happened. She followed, each step an effort.

  Despite her weariness, she felt a sense of peace at odds with her situation that could only have come from the Lord. He’d upheld her through the ordeal with her father. Surely, He had a plan for her future. She’d just have to wait for Him to reveal it.

  Hopefully, things would work out for Stuart, too. If the investors at his preferred firm in San Francisco would be willing to grant him a year to find a wife, he was prepared to accept their offer. He deserved to be happy, even if things hadn’t worked out for her. At least she was finally free of her father and his unceasing demands.

  Gladys’s help putting the schoolroom to rights after the last guests headed home couldn’t have been more welcome. At long last, Lavinia could leave.

  She needed to get the children to bed as soon as possible. Only then could she bury her face in her pillow and give way to the tears that had been threatening ever since she’d seen Henry bolt out of the building an hour ago. He’d witnessed the ugly scene with her father, and yet he left without so much as a word. She’d thought he would be happy. After all, she’d made it clear she wasn’t fighting him for guardianship anymore.

  They reached Church Street, and Lavinia trudged up the hill. Marcie fell in step beside her. “Your father isn’t a nice man, is he?”

  “No. He’s not.”

  Alex joined them. “He wanted to take us away. Did you know that?”

  “I did. That’s why I came here. He’d asked me to take you back to Philadelphia, but I realized that wasn’t right. Sutter Creek is your home.”

  “What will you do now?” Marcie asked.

  Lavinia drew in a deep breath of the cool night air and slowly released it. “I don’t know.”

  “You won’t leave us, will you, Aunt Livy?” Dot asked, her voice wavering.

  “Not right away.” She summoned the cheeriest tone she could muster. “We have a Christmas to celebrate first, and it will be special.”

  “Yes, it will, because you’ll be here with us.” Alex took hold of her hand. He didn’t welcome displays of affection, and he rarely initiated them. Lavinia relished the unexpected gift.

  The children had claimed her heart. She dreaded leaving and watching them grow smaller as the stagecoach pulled away, but she couldn’t stay here forever. Henry would be eager to move out of the boardinghouse and reduce his expenses.

  She blinked back tears. Somehow she reached the house without shedding any. Alex flung open the gate, and he and his sisters headed up the path to the front porch. Lavinia closed the gate behind them, the wrought iron cold to the touch.

  “Lavinia!” Henry called. “I’m out back. Could you come here, please?”

  The urgency in his voice sent a jolt of energy through her. He’d mentioned earlier that evening that he’d planned to carry in some firewood after the party. Had something happened to him? She broke into a run. The children’s hurried footfalls echoed hers.

  She flew down the side of the house, rounded the corner, paused and scanned the area. Henry stood under the large oak tree where he’d rescued her from the downed branch the night he’d arrived back in Sutter Creek. A lantern sat at his feet, casting a warm glow. He motioned her forward.

  She approached, scanning him from head to foot. “You’re all right. I was afraid you’d been hurt.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “What is it then?”

  “Look up, Aunt Livy.”

  She did as Alex requested, and her mouth gaped. Someone had tied lots of red ribbons on the large clump of mistletoe overhead.

  “Please tell me you didn’t climb all the way up there in the dark, Alex.”

  “He didn’t,” Marcie stated gleefully. “It was Uncle Henry.”

  Lavinia slowly lowered her head, a sense of excitement taking hold of her. “You did this? Why?”

  Henry’s mouth lifted in a lopsided smile she found irresistible. “Because I enjoyed that kiss you gave me and would like another.”

  The girls giggled.

  “Henry, please,” she whispered. “The children.”

  “They know all about it, but they promised to keep my secret.”

  She glanced at them. They were grinning. She faced Henry again. The lamplight illuminated his fine features. The attraction she’d seen before was back in full force. Could it be he did care about her after all?

  He gazed into her eyes. “You’re a remarkable woman, Lavinia, and have a heart of gold. You saw to it that every child at the party tonight received a gift. I think it’s only fair that you get
one, too.” He reached behind his back. “It’s nothing fancy. I made it myself.”

  Her breath hitched. Henry had made something just for her.

  “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”

  She obliged. He placed a long slender object in them. It was cool to the touch, like the gate she’d just closed, and heavier than she’d expected.

  “You can open your eyes now.”

  “Oh, Henry, it’s beautiful.” She studied the wrought iron shoehorn. His fine workmanship was evident. “I love the decorative twists in the handle and the little leaf here at the top.”

  He raised the lantern. “Look at it closely.”

  “There’s an L and an H, for Lavinia Hélène.” She looked more closely. “There’s no C, though, or did I miss it?”

  “There’s no C. And the H isn’t for Hélène. I didn’t know that was your middle name, although it’s beautiful, just like you are.”

  The girls heaved noisy sighs. Lavinia had been so engrossed in his amazing gift that she’d forgotten the children were there.

  “If it’s not for Hélène, then…” She inhaled sharply. “Is it…?”

  “Yes. The H is for Hawthorn. You’re part of this family, Lavinia. It wouldn’t be complete without you. I know I’m not the kind of man you had in mind. I’m not cultured or wealthy, and I’m not well-versed in all the rules of etiquette.”

  “That doesn’t matter. You’re good and kind and wonderful just the way you are.”

  “I can’t give you all the things you’re used to. Could you be happy without dresses from French designers and dinners at fancy restaurants?”

  She nodded. “Those things are nice, but they’re nothing compared to love and family. I’d like very much to be part of this one.”

  “I’d hoped you might feel that way. In that case…” Henry hung the lantern on a branch and dropped to one knee.

  A tingling sensation swept over her.

  He took the shoehorn from her and set it down. “I love you, Lavinia.”

  “You do? But you never said anything.”

  “I was a fool. I’d convinced myself I wasn’t good enough for you. I’m not, but you seem willing to overlook that.”

  “Don’t you dare discount yourself, Henry Hawthorn. You’re the finest man I’ve ever known.”

  Marcie laughed. “You said the same thing about him to your father.”

  “I did because it’s true.”

  Dot chimed in. “Uncle Henry is wonderful.”

  He cleared his throat and chided the girls playfully. “If you young ladies could keep from interrupting me, I could propose to your aunt.”

  “Go ahead, Uncle Henry,” Alex said.

  “Very well.” He lifted his face to Lavinia, his eyes filled with love and admiration. “My dearest Lavinia, I’d be honored if you’d marry me and take my name. You already have my heart.”

  “I love you, too, so very much.”

  “Then you’ll accept my offer?” His voice contained a blend of hesitancy and hope.

  “Yes, Henry! Yes!”

  He stood, pulled her into a hug and held her tightly. She slipped her arms around him and rested her head against his broad chest. This was where she belonged.

  The children’s whooping and hollering roused her.

  Henry loosened his hold and drew back but didn’t let her go. “Sounds like we have their approval.”

  She smiled. “That it does.”

  “You’re under mistletoe, Uncle Henry,” Alex pointed out. “You have to kiss her.”

  “Gladly.” He leaned toward her and pressed a kiss to her lips, pulling away far too soon for her liking.

  The gate clanged shut.

  “Goody! Grandma and Grandpa S. are here.” Dot raced off to meet them with Marcie right behind her.

  Alex sauntered over to Henry and Lavinia. “There’s a whole lot of mistletoe up there. You need to give Aunt Livy a better kiss than that, Uncle Henry.”

  “Don’t worry. I will, once you and your sisters are inside.”

  Alex nodded his approval and dashed off to join his sisters.

  A shiver of anticipation shimmied up Lavinia’s spine. She’d never been so eager for the children to head to bed.

  Concern furrowed Henry’s forehead. “You’re not cold, are you?”

  “No. It’s not that.” She focused on his lips.

  “How interesting.” His voice took on a deep, intimate tone with his rolled R’s more pronounced than ever. “You like my kisses, do you? I’m glad, because there are many more to come.”

  “Well, if that isn’t a beautiful sight.” Gladys had rounded the corner of the house with Emery on one side of her, the children on the other. “Your aunt and uncle have gotten together at last. So, when’s the wedding?”

  “Tomorrow, if my bride-to-be is agreeable.”

  She shook her head to clear it. “Tomorrow? Really? But it’s Christmas.”

  “That it is. One of the most special days of the year. Marrying you would make it even more so.”

  “It would, but there’s no time to plan anything.”

  Henry shrugged. “What’s there to plan? The house has been decorated, we have a tasty feast planned and the guests have already been invited.”

  “So are you getting married on Christmas or not?” Marcie asked.

  The prospect of becoming Henry’s wife in a few short hours sent a shiver of anticipation skittering up Lavinia’s spine. She slipped her arms free, took Henry’s hand and turned to their eager audience. “Yes. We are.”

  The children rushed over, enfolding her and Henry in a family hug.

  Alex was the first to break away. He grinned. “Frankie was right about the mistletoe. It really works.”

  “That it does,” Henry said, his eyes twinkling in the lantern light.

  Gladys approached and beckoned to the children. “Come now. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow, so your grandpa and I will get you tucked in and give your aunt and uncle some privacy.”

  The children chorused their good-nights, tromped up the back steps and went inside, followed by Gladys and Emery.

  Lavinia picked up the shoehorn. “This is what you made the day you worked in the smithy with Mr. Dealy, isn’t it?”

  He nodded.

  “But you didn’t plan to propose back then, did you? And yet you used an H. Why?”

  “You were on my mind, and I added the letter without thinking. I’d meant to replace the leaf, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.” He took the shoehorn from her and set it down. “A part of me secretly hoped you’d become my wife one day, even though my sensible side knew I’d never be the kind of man worthy of you.”

  “I’m the one who isn’t worthy of you. You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of—and more.”

  Henry held her hands and pressed his lips to the back of them. “You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that. I was afraid you wouldn’t be willing to give up the life you had. I can meet your needs, but you’ll have to learn to live with less.”

  “That’s fine. This last month has shown me that I don’t need as much as I thought I did. I might buy some fabric with the money I have left, though, and ask Gladys to help me make a few simple dresses. I like the ones I brought, but red and green were Pauline’s favorite colors. I prefer blue and purple.”

  “Make yourself as many as you need, at my expense. I can give you dresses, but—” he smiled apologetically “—I’m afraid our budget won’t cover matching footwear. Can you survive?”

  “I do like my boots, but I don’t need to have a pair for every outfit.”

  He slipped his arms around her waist and gazed at her with unbridled love. “If I could provide them, I would.”

  “I appr
eciate that, but we have so much already—three wonderful children, a fine house for them to live in and a town filled with some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”

  “About the house—I spoke with Mr. Nichols at the party tonight and told him I’ll be in on Monday to pay off the mortgage.”

  “We could use the money my father’s giving me instead and save yours for—”

  He put a finger to her lips. “I’m not surprised that you want to help, but the adjustments you’ll be making could be difficult at times. I’d like you to keep your money and use it to get the things you might want.”

  All she wanted at that moment was the kiss he’d promised her. She lifted her chin and stepped closer, but Henry kept on talking.

  “I spoke with Mr. Price after the party and asked him what Mr. Benedict might be willing to take for his building. As I expected, he wants more than the place is worth. Mr. Price thinks he might be able to convince Benedict to take less, though, since the place has been vacant for so long and I could offer a portion of the price up front.”

  Henry had accomplished a great deal in an hour, but he was a man of action. “Are you planning to open another hotel?”

  “It would make sense. I have experience, and you have a great deal of knowledge in that area, too, but I won’t proceed unless you agree.”

  She wasn’t used to a man asking her opinion, but Henry wasn’t like other men. “I do agree, but only if the hotel includes a restaurant. You’re an excellent chef, and I feel certain you’d earn a stellar reputation in no time. We could call the hotel Hawthorn House, and the restaurant could be Henry’s Place.”

  He chuckled. “You’re full of plans, aren’t you, and keeping my hobby a secret doesn’t seem to be one of them.”

  “It would be a shame to keep your talents all to ourselves. The Lord expects us to share them. Which reminds me… I’d also like to offer the meeting room to the congregation for our services until we can afford to have a church built. What do you think?”