Through the Mist: Restoration
Page 30
“I know,” he said, resignation creeping into his voice. “I told him those things because I wanted more time with you. I did not want our relationship to begin in a rush.”
Her romance with Alex was a whirlwind. She could appreciate Benjamin’s desire, but it did not change the simple fact. “I am not a suitable prospect,” she said.
“To hell with ‘suitable prospects,’ Tilly! I want a woman by my side who I love and respect. And, I think you want the same of your husband.” Benjamin strode in front of her, blocking the view of the cottage. “I do not pretend to know the intimacies of the relationship you had with Alex. Based upon what you have told me, I cannot believe it was as it is with you and me. I have never felt such a kinship with another person, save my friendship with Iain. Did you feel this with him?”
“No,” she said softly. She could not look him in the eyes. “It is so easy with you.”
He gently caressed her cheek and lifted her face so that she had to meet his gaze. “You are the strongest person I have ever met,” he said. “If you are standing by my side, I can overcome any obstacle.”
“Even your father?”
“Yes, even Malcolm Campbell,” he replied. “As I rode to this valley, I feared that you would be gone. The prospect frightened me more than I can ever express. I would rather face his disapproval than live a life without you.”
He dropped to his knees at her feet. His face was raw with emotion. Bowing his head, he said huskily, “You have a choice now, Tilly. You may return to your own time. All you have to do is cross this pasture.”
“You could come with me,” she said hopefully. “We could go back to the castle and get the children. We could all go to the future. We could have a nice life there. I could show you wonderful places and things. You could leave behind all this struggle and worry.”
He shook his head. “You can never escape struggle and worry in any time,” he said ruefully. “I cannot leave the estate to the whim of my father. I have a responsibility to take care of these people. My home is here.”
“My heart tears in two at the idea of you leaving,” he whispered. “I do not know how I shall endure another heartbreak. I will survive, though, if I know that you want to go home and that you will be happier there. You can return to your own time. I know it has been your wish these many months.” He swallowed hard as his eyes filled with tears. “Or, you can stay here. I love you, Tilly Munro.”
“You do?” she asked in disbelief.
“Yes, with my whole heart,” He clutched her hands. “Stay with me as my wife. Be the mother to my children – our children. Please choose the life we can give you in this time. I vow to you that I will make it worth the sacrifice. Please choose us. Please choose me.”
Tilly felt hot tears tumble down her cheeks. She had a difficult choice. Until a few moments ago, she felt it was one she would never have to make. “Do you know what you ask?” she said, between sobs. “I would have to ride a stinky horse if I stayed here!”
He laughed, glad for a moment’s levity. “If it would please milady, I would carry you everywhere you wanted to go,” he promised. “Your feet would never touch the ground, and your bottom would never sit on a horse.”
“In your time, I am regarded as a second-class citizen,” she said soberly. “How can I accept that teaching, raising children, and managing Castle Fion are my only career options?”
Benjamin furrowed his brow as he considered her remark. “I cannot change the ways of my world,” he said. “I can only vow that, in all matters of our family, you will be my equal partner.”
Tilly sniffed loudly and glanced at the cottage. “Could I live without Beth?” she asked aloud. As she remembered her best friend, a jolt of pain shot through her heart. Beth was like a sister to her. If she stayed, she would lose the last person she considered to be a part of her old family. This time, though, it would happen because Tilly chose it. Beth would not be ripped away by a freak accident.
He squeezed her hands, bringing her attention to him. “I know that she meant a great deal to you,” he said tenderly. “If you stay here, I will be your friend. You can trust in me as you did her.”
Tilly could not find the right words to say. She cast another look at the cottage.
“You have no reason to stay here,” Benjamin said miserably, releasing her hands. “I should let you go.”
“I am not looking for a substitute family for the one I lost,” she whispered as she touched his cheek. “No one will ever replace John and Anna. Spending time with your family gave me hope for the future, though.” She smiled faintly. “I know you did not believe me until this moment. Even so, you opened your home to me and took care of me when I needed you most. Thank you.”
A single tear trickled down Benjamin’s cheek. “I will always treasure the time that I had with you, Tilly Munro,” He rose to his feet and stepped aside, dropping his head in defeat.
She managed a weak smile. She took a step forward and then stopped. She turned to face him. Benjamin may be the physical embodiment of the great Scottish laird from all those silly romance novels. In the months she had known him, she discovered that he was so much more than that. Simply put, she could not envision a world in which she could not talk with him or hold his hand. If she returned to her time, she would lose Benjamin forever. He would become nothing more than a side note in the Campbell family history.
Please forgive me, Beth, she silently said to herself, hoping her friend could somehow hear her wish. Stealing one last look at the cottage, Tilly walked back to him. She took his face into her hands and brushed away the tears on his cheeks. “I love you too, Benjamin Campbell,” she said. “I choose you – now and forever.”
As they kissed, the cottage faded into the mist. And, the symbols vanished from the shield.
Epilogue
Deoch, Scotland
Mrs. Douglas’ cottage
Present day
Beth stood at the doors leading into the garden. It was almost dark. She sipped a glass of Mrs. Douglas’ fine whisky while she watched a cold, freezing rain pelt the windows.
She could not believe that she was back in Scotland, this time without Tilly. She longed for her beloved friend to walk back into her life. She spent the last several months waiting. She just knew she would get a phone call, informing her that Tilly had been found, alive and well. All would be explained and forgiven.
The call never came. The police, helpful locals, the Douglas’ - everyone searched for weeks and did not find a single trace. Beth stayed as long as she could, but she eventually accepted reality. She returned home with a broken heart.
Her life swiftly changed after she fell into her husband’s arms at the airport. She could hardly believe anything that had happened since her return from Scotland. How did things go so badly, so quickly?
She refilled her glass. With bitterness, she found herself in a similar predicament as Tilly. What do you do when the life you planned is over? She decided to return to the scene of the crime, so to speak. The Douglas’ were adamant that she return to Scotland. They had shown some of her work to the Duchess, who was interested in hiring her for some marketing assistance. With no other options at home, she figured, why not? It would have been a bad idea, except Beth desperately wanted to be close to Tilly in whatever twisted way she could.
She looked out over the pasture, wishing her friend was there. Tilly would know what she should do. She closed her eyes and let the tears trickle down her face.
Behind her, the infinity symbol flashed upon the shield that hung above the fireplace. Beth did not see it.
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