He’d made her no promises.
She poured her cup of tea and sat by the fire, struggling to hold the fear at bay. But the seeds had already been planted. And with each minute that passed, those seeds began to grow.
She suddenly put aside her tea and set herself the task of cleaning up the debris left from the fire. There was work to be done. As she began hauling out the charred remains of her meager belongings, and sweeping out her cottage, she hoped the hard, physical activity would keep her mind too occupied to allow the fear to fester.
Molly knelt in the garden, picking vegetables for her dinner. All day she’d pushed herself to the limit, refusing to stop. For whenever she allowed herself even a moment, the fear was there, snapping at her heels like a mad dog, its vicious little teeth ripping into her heart, ravaging it.
She paused and looked up. What was that sound? She wiped a hand over her forehead, leaving a dirty smudge. There it was again. A rapping sound. A knock. Someone was at her cottage, knocking on her door.
William. He’d come to her.
She snatched up her basket and started along the garden path.
When she stepped around to the front stoop, she saw a man peering in her window.
At her footsteps he turned. “Mistress Warner?”
Her heart stopped when she recognized him. “Constable Eton.”
He glanced at her, then away, as though avoiding her eyes. “I’ve come to tell you that the debt on your property has been settled.”
“Settled? But I didn’t...I haven’t yet...” She paused when she saw him shaking his head.
“The debt was paid to Lord Bowers, who sent me to notify you of that fact. And to give you this.” He stepped closer and handed her a legal-looking document, bearing the seal of the landowner.
She could feel her legs trembling, could feel the weakness spreading through her, and she tightened her grasp on the basket in her arms, as though needing to cling to something. Anything. “Are you... telling me I must leave my home?”
She could read the pity in his eyes, which only made it worse.
The constable cleared his throat. “I know not, Mistress Warner. That will be between you and the gentleman who bought your land.”
“And who would that be?”
He motioned with his head. “Your neighbor, Mr. William Colton.”
She swallowed. “I see.” She took a step closer, then paused to put a hand to the wall to steady herself. “Thank you, Constable Eton.”
He left her leaning weakly against the side of her cottage, her face devoid of all color, her eyes staring blindly.
When he was gone, she stumbled toward the front stoop and slumped down, too weak to take another step. At first she couldn’t seem to focus. Her mind refused to work. But gradually, as she studied the document deeding the land, her father’s land, her land, to William Colton, all the fears that had been swirling in her mind suddenly began to take shape and focus.
Hadn’t William made it plain, right from the beginning, that he wanted her land? How many rumors had she ignored? Rumors about Lord Kent’s hardhearted overseer, who did whatever necessary to double his employer’s wealth? William Colton was known as a shrewd, ruthless man. When she refused to sell, he’d found a way around her. And she’d been the one to show him how.
Fool, she berated herself. How could she have been such a fool? Hadn’t she vowed after Jared to never again allow herself to trust a man? Especially one who was good-looking. And yet, after scant meetings with the handsome, charming William Colton, she’d tumbled into his arms and had actually invited him into her bed. Only to have him mistreat her, just as Jared had.
Silly, romantic, love-starved fool.
Shame mingled with fury as scalding tears streamed from her eyes. She buried her face in her hands and wept until there were no tears left.
Then, as the tears dried, pity was replaced by a newer, stronger emotion. White-hot fury. Getting to her feet, she took an unsteady step, and then another. William Colton wouldn’t get away with this. At least not without a fight.
She lifted her skirts and started across the field just as dusk was beginning to settle over the land. When she reached his door, she rapped a fist against it. From inside she could hear the sound of Wolf’s high-barked welcome, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
“Ah, Molly.” Duncan held the door wide and gave her a bright smile. “Come in, lass.”
She paused on the threshold. “I’ve come to speak with William.”
“He isn’t home from town yet, but I’m sure he’ll be eager to see you.” He studied her tight, pinched features. His smile faded. “What is it, lass? Has something happened?”
“Aye.” She glanced at Tyler, standing beside his grandfather. Her fight wasn’t with these two. “Something...dreadful has happened, Duncan.”
He caught her hand and led her inside toward the fire. “I’ll fix you some tea, lass, and you’ll tell me.”
She shook her head. “I can’t tell you. It’s between Mr. Colton and me.” Seeing him pouring water into a cup, she held up a hand. “I can’t accept that, Duncan.” She would steel herself to take nothing from this place. No act of kindness.
She turned away and began to pace while the old man and the boy merely watched in puzzled silence. The dog lay by the fire, his head turning from side to side, watching as she paced.
“I trusted him.” She was talking more to herself than to them. With the deed still crushed firmly in her hand, she crossed her arms over her chest. Her chin jutted defiantly. With every step, every word, her temper grew. “My first impression of him was a drunken lout. Had I not let myself believe the word of others, I might never have changed that opinion. Might never have come to this. After all, he was so arrogant, so sure of himself, he actually sent you to measure my land without even a by-your-leave.”
The old man glanced toward the door, then suddenly took a seat by the table and stretched out his legs, enjoying this remarkable display of fireworks. The lad followed suit. They sat in silence, watching and listening.
Molly stopped, stared down at the dog, her hands at her hips. “All those unexpected kindnesses. The gold to cover the cost of your...romp with my yarn. And then that skein of yarn, the exact shade I needed, all the way from London. And all calculated to earn my trust. Oh...” She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the ceiling, hissing out a breath of anger. “How could I have been so blind?”
She glowered at the man and boy. “I listened to all your fine tales of William Cotton’s kindnesses. And gradually I began to believe.” She turned away to pace again. “I forgot all the promises I’d made to myself after Jared. I let that horrible, mean, miserable excuse of a man buy me a meal at an inn.” Her voice trembled, as she remembered. “I let him fill my arms with wildflowers and my mind with ideas of living again. Loving again. I foolishly believed that he found me pretty. That he...loved me.’’ Her voice trailed off for a moment, and she stared into the flames. Then she looked up, her voice low with passion. “And he made a mockery of that love.”
“I am guilty of many things, but not of that.” A familiar deep voice said very slowly, “I would never betray you, Molly.”
She whirled to find William standing in the doorway. How long had he been there? How much had he heard? From the look on his face, everything. That was fine with her. She wouldn’t have to repeat herself. Not that she could. She was beyond anger now. Beyond fury. Almost beyond words.
“Then how do you explain this?” She held up the crumpled document in her fist, shaking it in the air.
“Forgive me, Molly. I had hoped to get home sooner and be the one to tell you. But I was detained.”
“You needn’t worry yourself.” Her tone was filled with self-loathing. “The constable was most kind. He merely informed me that I no longer own my father’s land.” Her voice rose to near hysteria.
‘‘My land is no longer mine, he said. And if I want to continue to live there, I will have to make arra
ngements with the new owner, William Colton.”
At that Duncan sprang to his feet and lifted a fist, as if to do battle on her behalf.
Before he could speak William held up a hand, cautioning him to remain silent. “It’s true that I paid off your debt, Molly. But not for the reason you think.”
“Are you telling me you no longer desire my land?”
He shook his head and reached into his pocket. “Here is a copy of the deed, signed by Lord Bowers himself. It’s yours, Molly, to do with as you please.”
“You—” she stared at the scrolled paper, and then up at his face “—you paid my debt? And yet you do not intend to take my land?”
“Nay. It’s as you say. The land is yours, free of debt.”
“But why?”
“I realized something when I awoke this morning. Something I’ve been avoiding until now, because—’’ he cleared his throat ‘‘—because I wasn’t ready to accept it. But now I must. It isn’t your land I want, Molly. It’s you. I want you in my Life. Now. Forever.”
She couldn’t seem to wrap her mind around what he was saying. Even though her anger had evaporated as suddenly as a mist in morning sunlight, her mind refused to work. “You want me?”
“As my wife, if you’ll have me.”
“Oh, William.” She felt a sudden lightness around her heart. A sudden dizziness that had her holding her hands to her head. “This is all happening too quickly. I came here to hate you.”
“I don’t blame you for hating me, Molly. I’ve spent years hating myself. But now I feel such love in my heart.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. Say you’ll be my wife, Molly.”
She swallowed the lump that was threatening to choke her, then nodded, afraid to trust her voice.
“Oh, praise heaven. I was so afraid...” He gathered her into his arms and pressed his lips to her temple. Against her skin he murmured, “I don’t deserve you, Molly. I have been scorned and shunned and disowned by my own family. And that will, in turn, bring shame upon you as my wife. But if you’ll but love me, I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”
“You already have, William.”
Across the room, the old man and the boy were wearing matching looks of amazed delight.
Tyler’s eyes were dancing with excitement as he called to William and Molly, ‘‘Will you two be getting wed soon?”
William looked down at the woman in his arms, whose eyes were bright and shining with excitement. “Aye, lad. As soon as we can arrange it.” He lifted Molly into his arms and started toward the door. “In fact, we’ll go to her cottage right now and make our plans.”
Tyler started after them. “May Wolf and I come along and help you with the plans?”
William paused in the doorway and winked. “Nay, lad. You have to stay here. I suspect we might need the entire night to...talk through all our plans.”
“But I—”
“Not now, lad.” With a grin his grandfather put a hand on his arm to stop him. The old man paused in the doorway, his arm around his grandson’s shoulders, watching as William started across the field, carrying Molly in his arms.
Halfway there William paused to press a kiss to Molly’s sweet lips. He absorbed the familiar jolt to his system and prayed he’d have the strength to make it to her door before kissing her again.
“I love you, Molly Warner.”
“And I love you, William Colton. Though I must confess, I’d pretty much convinced myself that I’d lost my heart to a rogue and a scoundrel.”
“I’m aware of that.” He chuckled against her mouth, sending heat spiraling through her veins. “Even if I hadn’t already discovered how much I loved you, I’m quite certain I’d have lost my heart just watching that lovely display of fireworks back there. You were simply amazing.” He kissed her again, long and slow and deep, and felt the need rise until it staggered him. “Remind me to always stay on your good side, Molly Warner. For I’d hate to have to face that temper of yours.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kisses with a fire that nearly brought him to his knees.
Those last few steps to her cottage were the longest of his life. His only comfort was the knowledge that he’d have the rest of his life to kiss her. To love her. To dream with her. For only in Molly Warner’s arms could he make all his dreams come true.
Epilogue
You’d best hurry.” Duncan stood in the knave of the church, admiring the way his young friend looked in the fine new shirt and waistcoat Molly had made him. “The church bells have begun to toll. It’s time, William.”
“The vicar will wait a few minutes longer.” William picked up the bouquet of wildflowers he’d gathered early that morning and breathed them in. Then he made his way to a small room where Molly stood waiting.
Once there, Duncan and Tyler remained a few steps back, while William knocked. When she opened the door, all three caught their breath at the sight of her.
Molly felt the color rise to her cheeks at the look in William’s eyes. “I wanted to surprise you.” She twirled, causing the hem of the gossamer gown to float around her ankles.
She had outdone herself. The sheer white fabric might have been spun by angels. It had a softly rounded neckline and long tapered sleeves with tiny points of lace that fluttered at her wrists. The full skirt was gathered here and there with tiny bows, revealing a lace underskirt. She’d left her hair long and loose the way William loved it. In her hair she’d fastened sprigs of wildfiowers. They were her only adornment.
William caught her hands in his. “You look so beautiful, you take my breath away.”
“I’m glad.” The smile she gave him rivaled the brilliant sunlight that played over her face. “I wanted to look beautiful for you.” She gave him a long appraising look. “And I must say, you look dashing in your new coat and shirt.”
“Thanks to my talented bride, I shall always look the height of fashion.”
Molly dimpled. “Being driven to the church in Lord Kent’s fine carriage was a delightful surprise.”
William reached a hand into his breast pocket. “Then I hope you won’t mind one more surprise.”
He retrieved a strip of velvet cloth from his pocket and unrolled it to reveal a sparkling necklace of sapphires and diamonds set in rich gold. Without a word he fastened it around Molly’s throat. At once the jewels began to pulse and gleam as though they were alive with fire. As they warmed to her skin they became so dazzling, they shot prisms of color against the walls of the chapel.
Molly touched a hand to the necklace and felt its heat. “I don’t understand. How could you possibly come by something so fine, William?”
“Aye, my friend.” Duncan looked equally puzzled. “Such a thing must be worth a king’s ransom.”
William held up a hand, silencing their questions. “These are all that are left to me of my heritage. This necklace of diamonds and sapphires has been in the Colton family since it was given to the first earl of Redbridge by Queen Elizabeth herself. Since then it has been given to every Colton bride. Our family believes these jewels to be enchanted. You see how they gleam and glow when they touch Molly’s skin?”
The others nodded.
“Five years ago I was betrothed to a young woman, Katherine Mansfield, whose family would have added great wealth and prestige to that of my family. I thought I could go through with the marriage. But on the eve of our wedding, when I presented her with this necklace, the clasp refused to close, and the stones turned dim and murky against her skin. I knew it was a sign that we were about to make a terrible mistake, and so I called off our wedding. Because of that, my father disowned me, and told me I would be forever dead to him.”
“Oh, my poor William.”
He saw the look on Molly’s face and touched a fingertip to her lips. “Don’t grieve for me, Molly. Even though this is all I have left of that former life, I know, by the way the stones hav
e come alive against your throat, that I was right to wait for you.”
“Oh, my darling.” She touched a hand to his cheek, finally understanding the pain she had so often seen in his eyes. “My father once told me, after I returned alone and penniless to care for him, that each step in our lives brings us closer to whatever reward awaits us. Think of this. If you hadn’t been forced to endure that humiliation, we could have never had this chance to wed. For the son of an earl would surely have never been permitted to love someone born of such humble parentage as mine.”
They looked up as the vicar ascended the altar and stood waiting.
“Are you ready to begin your new life, my darling?”
Molly smiled as she placed her hand on William’s arm. Together they approached the altar, with only old Duncan and Tyler to witness the exchange of vows.
As they spoke the final words that would make them one, they heard a commotion in the rear of the chapel. They turned to see a handsome, white-haired man and an elegantly attired woman starting toward them.
“Father? Mother? I don’t understand.” William blinked, unable to believe his eyes. “Why are you here?”
“It’s true, then.” The old man helped his wife along the aisle, keeping his hungry gaze fastened on the handsome man his son had become. “Your mother and I heard the rumors that you were to be wed.”
As they paused, mere inches apart, William draped an arm around Molly’s shoulders, holding her close. “We’re already wed. This is my bride, Molly.”
The old man reached out to take her hands in his. “You are, at long last, a bride worthy of the Colton name.”
He lifted his gaze to the necklace at her throat, the stones glinting with fire. “The Colton necklace suits you, my dear. And from the way it gleams, I know my son has made the right choice.”
He turned to his son. “I had no right to try to choose a bride for you. I know now that what you did all those years ago was not only right, but noble. For you were determined to uphold the Colton tradition, even though it meant facing public humiliation. I regret that I’ve wasted so many years. But I hope you will forgive a foolish old man and accept my apology, William. You were right and I was wrong to cut you out of my life. Your mother and I haven’t known a single moment of happiness or peace since that terrible night when last I spoke to you in such a hateful manner and cast you out into the darkness. What’s more, while I have watched from afar while you painstakingly cared for Lord Kent’s estates, my own have been dwindling without your skill in overseeing them.”
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