Sweet Memories

by Marie Higgins

  Finally, he saw a woman’s bloody hair, and then her ripped gown. Relief poured through him. This was Adora.

  He struggled, lifting the wagon even further, but he couldn’t see anyone else underneath. However, he could tell Adora was dead.

  As he set the wagon back down, he scoped the area again. The dust settled a little more, helping him to see the ravine better. He couldn’t see any sign of Vicky. Hope bounced in his chest. He must believe she’s alive.

  As fast as he could with his limp, he scrambled up the ravine and toward the road. He took the reins of the horse still standing in the middle of the road, and led him to the side and tied him to a tree. Cole then hurried to his own horse and mounted. He kicked his heels into the animal’s belly, urging the steed to take off.

  He tried to search for Vicky, wondering if she had fallen off the wagon, but so far he couldn’t see anything resembling a person. He urged his horse faster, knowing he had to be close.

  Up ahead in the distance, he saw the figures of two people standing a few feet from each other. Immediately, he recognized Vicky. The other woman must be Rebecca’s daughter.

  His heartbeat sped faster. She’s alive!

  But in a split second, the other woman jumped toward Vicky and wrapped her fingers around Vicky’s throat. Panicked, he yelled and urged the horse faster.

  Vicky struggled with the other woman, trying to peel her fingers away from her neck. Both women fell to the ground, but with Mrs. Hampton on top, Cole feared Vicky wouldn’t have the strength to fight.

  Almost there...

  He rode up on the women. Vicky’s gaze turned toward him, but the other woman continued to choke her. Cole jumped off his horse and rushed to Rebecca’s daughter. She was a big woman—much larger than Vicky.

  He gripped Mrs. Hampton’s shoulders and roughly pulled her off Vicky, pushing her to the ground. Gasping, Vicky scrambled backwards on her hands, moving away from Rebecca’s daughter.

  The other woman swung around and locked gazes with Cole. Her light-brown hair had fallen from the coil on the back of her head, and wildly framed her round face.

  “You!” She climbed to her feet.

  He stood between her and Vicky, ready to do battle, if necessary.

  Mrs. Hampton swiped the hair out of her face, smudging dirt along her forehead. “You are the one I’m after. You stole my mother’s money.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t steal anything. I married your mother, which put me in charge of everything.”

  “You don’t deserve that money,” she screamed hysterically. “You weren’t a husband to her because you were in the military. That money should have gone to me!”

  Cole held up his hands, trying to calm her. It was remarkable how much she resembled Rebecca. He couldn’t believe he thought Vicky had looked like his wife. He definitely couldn’t see it now.

  “Mrs. Hampton, please let me help you. I understand your frustration—”

  “You understand nothing about me,” she snapped. She threw her hands up. “That’s what is wrong with men. They don’t understand women. They don’t know what we want...or how we feel. That is why it’s up to me to get rid of all of you, just as I did away with my own husband.”

  From behind Cole, Vicky gasped, matching his own surprised breath. She killed her husband, she wanted to kill him...she nearly killed Vicky. Indeed, this woman was insane.

  “I feel bad that you had such a terrible life,” he said, “but I will not allow you to lay another finger on Vicky. And I for certain, won’t let you end my life as you have planned.”

  Silence passed between them as Mrs. Hampton’s chest rose and fell with quick breaths. Her gaze shifted between him and Vicky as though she was calculating something wicked. He’d be alert, because he was a man of his word, and he wouldn’t let her get to Vicky.

  The hurried clip-clops of horse’s hooves pounded on the road. He took his attention off Mrs. Hampton briefly to see who it was. Two men on horseback rode their way. One of them he recognized as Constable Talbot. When the older gentleman rested his gaze on Rebecca’s daughter, he whipped out a pistol and pointed it her way.

  Tori’s eyes widened when she peered toward the men on horseback, and her face lost color. Without hesitation, she spun and started running toward the cluster of trees, but her feet tripped on a satchel lying on the side of the road. She fell beside it. Suddenly, her eyes widened and she opened the satchel, pushing her hand inside.

  That’s when Cole recognized the satchel. It was the satchel they were given by the man at the docks when they thought Vicky was...

  He sucked in his breath, knowing exactly what Mrs. Hampton was digging for. Turning, he searched for Vicky. She was exactly where he’d seen her last. He bent and took her in his arms, moving her away from Mrs. Hampton’s view.

  “Cole, what’s wrong?” Vicky asked with a shaky voice.

  “She found the pistol in her satchel.”

  FIFTEEN

  Vicky trembled against Cole, but no matter how tightly he held her in his strong arms, she feared Tori would do the very thing she came all this way to do. Kill Cole. Vicky couldn’t let that happen.

  She glanced over his shoulder at the two men barreling toward them. One of them had his own weapon aimed at Tori. Vicky switched her gaze back toward the other woman. She had pulled out her pistol and pointed it at Cole.

  Vicky’s heart dropped. The men wouldn’t be able to get there on time to stop Tori. Vicky must do something to make sure the man she loved was safe.

  Something deep inside of her shouted at her to drop, and pull Cole with her. Without a second thought, she did as instructed. As she slid from Cole’s embrace, he tried to keep hold of her, which made him bend and then fall to the ground.

  At that split second the pop of the pistol exploded. Smoke from the weapon hung thick in the air around Tori. Cole rolled onto his back as he jerked his head toward Tori. Pain splashed across his face. Vicky’s heart sank. She’d been too late!

  Seconds later, the man with his own weapon, jumped from his horse and landed on Tori. They both fell to the ground. The other woman screamed as he wrestled the pistol from her hand.

  Vicky moved her attention back to Cole. A little more color was in his face, but the tightness around his mouth and eyes let her know he was still in pain.

  “Cole, are you shot?” Vicky leaned over him as she moved her hands on his body to check for blood.

  “No,” he said in a tight voice. “But when I fell, I twisted my bad leg.”

  Sighing with relief, she clutched his hand and smiled. “I’m sorry for making you hurt your leg, but falling to the ground was the only way I could think to keep us from getting shot.”

  His face relaxed as he peered into her eyes. He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. “Thank you for saving my life.”

  She shrugged as tears collected in her eyes. “You saved my life, so just think of it as repaying you for your kindness.”

  He grimaced as he shifted, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her to rest on his chest. “I’m so glad I found you...unharmed. When Mr. Murphy told me what Tori had planned—” He cleared his throat as his eyes misted. “I worried I wouldn’t be able to tell you how much I loved you.”

  The words spun in her head, making her feel dizzy as her heart thumped wildly. “You do...even though you know about my past?”

  He nodded. “Of course. I fell in love with you before I knew who you were. Just because you’re not Rebecca’s daughter as we’d thought, doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”

  “Oh, Cole.” She rested her head on his chest as tears leaked from her eyes. “I thought for sure you hated me because of who my uncle was.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Never. I love you completely.”

  A shadow fell across her, and she lifted her head. An older man stood over them, his arms folded across his chest.

  “How are you two faring?”

  She smiled. “Thankfully, Tori’s shot misse
d us.”

  “Falling to the ground was a wise choice.”

  Cole struggled to sit upright, so Vicky moved off him. “Constable Talbot,” Cole said, “I’m grateful you showed up when you did.”

  Constable Talbot motioned his head toward the other man who was securing Tori’s arms behind her, locking her wrists together with steel chains. “When we heard she was in town, we wouldn’t rest until we found her. She’s responsible for killing her husband, and she’ll hang for her crimes.”

  “Constable?” Vicky got his attention. “There’s another person you might want to consider arresting. Barclay Murphy. He’s threatened to kidnap my sister and sell her as a slave. He’s also stolen money from several people with his race-horse business.”

  The constable nodded. “I’ve heard of him, and he is a very shady character.”

  “If it helps, I would like to press charges against him.” Cole glanced at Vicky and grinned. “I have him tied up at the manor. He tried to break my legs tonight, and thankfully, I stopped him.”

  “Then I’ll certainly swing by your estate and haul him off to Newgate.” The constable winked. “I’ll just need a written testament from both of you, if you don’t mind.”

  “It’s the least I can do,” Vicky answered.

  The man turned and walked to the other man who struggled to tie Tori’s chains to his saddle, but the stubborn woman kept giving him grief.

  “Constable?” Cole piped up. “If you’ll wait with Mrs. Hampton, I’ll hurry to my mother’s estate and fetch you a wagon to take Mrs. Hampton into town.”

  Talbot smiled widely. “Gladly.”

  Vicky stood and assisted Cole in rising to his feet. He took her in his arms and hugged her tightly before looking into her eyes.

  “Will you come with me?

  “Yes.” She smiled.

  He limped to his horse and then lifted her to the saddle before he awkwardly mounted behind her. As he guided his horse toward the direction of his mother’s estate, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

  “My love? Why did you leave the estate when I asked you to stay?”

  The conversation Vicky had with Adora returned to her mind, and she frowned. “Oh, Cole. I was so wrong to believe Adora. It wasn’t until Tori attacked us when I realized Adora just wanted you for herself. She purposely lied to me.” Vicky placed her hand on his arm. “And she lied to you.”

  Cole’s brow furrowed. “About what?”

  “In a moment of anger, Adora admitted to killing Rebecca and Toppy. That was her way of trying to make the estate ready for her to become Grand View’s next mistress.”

  Cole frowned and struggled with a shaky breath. “She...killed Rebecca?”

  “Yes.”

  “And all this time, she tried to tell me she was protecting me because I was the one who pushed her down the stairs and she didn’t want the constable to find out.” He shook his head. “I was so blind.”

  “We all were,” Vicky whispered as she leaned against him.

  “Well, then I won’t mourn for her now.”

  Vicky tilted her head back to look at him.

  “On the way to find you, I saw that she had driven the wagon into a ravine. The wagon rolled on top of her, killing her.”

  Vicky placed her hand on his chest and rubbed softly. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. She got what was coming to her.”

  “Yes, I know.” Vicky snuggled against him, enjoying the closeness. She could breathe easier now, and she prayed from this point forward, her life would return to normal.

  Whatever normal was.

  TWO MONTHS LATER

  A small crowd gathered for Vicky and Cole’s wedding—most of the servants, and some of Cole’s friends that she had only met that morning. But only two people mattered. Cole, of course, and her sister, Annette.

  Vicky smiled at her sister who sat by Cole’s mother inside the church. Annette’s bright smile and twinkling eyes reminded Vicky of their mother, back in the day when they were happy. Even Annette’s brown hair was the same shade as their mother’s.

  Although Annette would have worked as one of the maids, Cole assured Vicky that he didn’t want his sister-in-law working at all. He would pay to launch her into society.

  Vicky’s heart burst with more love for this generous man. Was it possible to love him even more?

  After Tori and Mr. Murphy had been arrested, Cole told Vicky that he was willing to give up the deed to his family’s estate because he wasn’t willing to follow through with Uncle Hollingsworth’s clause in the contract. However, Vicky had other plans. She gave up her right to the inheritance, which put the deed in Cole’s name.

  Cole stood by the minister, waiting to marry her. She walked up the aisle and stopped beside him. For their wedding, he wore her favorite color—gray trousers and matching waist-coat and suit jacket, along with his pristine white cravat. The lighter gray brought out his amazing gray eyes and dark brown hair. Now that she had her memory back, she knew that she had never seen anyone so attractive in her life.

  Cole had purchased a white gown for her to wear, lovelier than any of the gowns that had been in Rebecca’s closet. The silk felt so soft against her skin, and the slightly puffy sleeves and narrowed waist of the gown made her appear slim. Vicky enjoyed feeling so feminine.

  She slid her palm against Cole’s as they turned toward the minister, but she couldn’t stop staring at her soon-to-be husband. He, in turn, couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  The words spoken from the man of God went in one ear and out the other without staying in her head. Her heart fluttered with happiness, knowing she was indeed the luckiest woman who ever lived.

  When the part came to say I will, she repeated the words. She would certainly love, honor, and cherish her husband for as long as she lived. Cole repeated the same endearing words back to her.

  The minister pronounced them married, and Cole took her into his arms, lowered his head, and gave her a kiss. His lips moved softly against hers, and although she wanted more, in front of these people wasn’t the place to show the passion she had for this man.

  Once their kiss ended, their guests cheered. Vicky laughed and fell against Cole, gazing up into his mesmerizing eyes.

  “I love you,” she told him quietly.

  “And I will always love you.” He caressed her cheek with his tender fingers. “Thank you for showing me what true love was all about. I want nothing more than to see you every day, kiss your sweet lips, and have lots of babies.”

  She chuckled. “How many is lots?”

  He bent and swept his mouth across hers for a brief moment before pulling back. “We’ll have to take it day by day, moment by moment, won’t we?”

  Sighing, she smiled. “That sounds most enjoyable.”

  He winked. “You have no idea, my love, but tonight...you will know exactly what I mean.”

  THE END

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  **READERS**

  Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this book, please consider posting a review where you purchased the book. The fate of indie books depend entirely on the reviews it gets.

  Other Stories in the “Sons of Worthington” series:

  The Sweetest Kiss - https://www.amazon.com/Sweetest-Kiss-Scandalous-Brother-Worthington-ebook/dp/B0066HBZBE

  The Sweetest Touch - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007QH286Y

  The Sweetest Love - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DSADZEC

  The Sweetest Secret - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LBQIAQS

  Sweet Memories - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077FNKST1

  BUT WAIT! I’M NOT done writing about these adorable men. Here are other stories the Worthington brothers are in:

  Madison’s Gift – Regency Suspense Romance

  https://www.amazon.com/Madisons-Regency-Romance-Suspense-Gift
ed-ebook/dp/B076881DJK

  Loving a Scoundrel

  https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Scoundrel-Second-Chance-Love-ebook/dp/B07NCF4QS6

  STEALING THE DUCHESS

  https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Duchess-Sweet-Regency-Romance-ebook/dp/B017TWFFVU

  Find more stories by Marie Higgins

  https://authormariehiggins.wixsite.com/romance/books

  Author’s Bio

  Marie Higgins is an award-winning, best-selling author of clean romance novels that melt your heart and have you falling in love over and over again. Since 2010, she’s published over 50 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat romances. She’s broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her “Queen of Tease” because of all her twists and unexpected endings.

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