Healing the Captain's Heart: A Clean Regency Romance (Resolved In Love Book 2)

by Penny Fairbanks

  Lady Neil was right. Owen had been right. It could rest on no one’s shoulders but her own to create a better future for herself. No matter how scared she might be of rejection and abandonment and heartache. She would never know how bright and loving and safe the future could be if she did not give it a chance. And the first step toward taking that chance was getting to Owen.

  But just as this newfound resolve lifted Violet’s spirits, they were tempered once more by doubt. It was one thing to find Owen and another to convince him that she needed him in her life despite all the time she’d spent holding him at arm’s length and eventually allowing him to walk away—that she was willing to spend her life with him come hell or high water and anything in between.

  “My lady, I fear I have been such an irreversible fool. I pushed him away when he only wanted to help. I was afraid of losing my security when all this time I have never felt safer than when I was with Owen.”

  Lady Neil surprised Violet with a laugh. “I am not the one who needs to be told this. But I think you know what you must do. Now go find this Owen fellow you speak of and do it.”

  Violet blushed when she realized she had used Owen’s Christian name so casually in front of someone else. But she had little time to wallow in her embarrassment.

  She must act fast if she had any hope of catching up.

  A few cold snowflakes landed on Violet’s face as her curricle rumbled along the road. She muttered a prayer under her breath that the weather would hold out until she could overtake her brother and Owen. Hopefully one woman on a curricle would be faster than two men in a carriage laden with suitcases.

  Violet had no idea how long she’d been driving, pushing the horses as hard as she dared. The creatures surged forward, pulling against their harnesses in perfect time with each other as Violet tapped them with the reins. Their hooves clattered against the gravel and her heart thumped in time with the motion.

  Just as the snow began to fall in earnest, Violet finally spotted their carriage. She urged the horses into one final sprint, shouting promises that they would be rewarded handsomely with warm rub downs and several sugar cubes each.

  The horses jerked forward so hard that Violet nearly toppled over the side but they flew faster than ever toward Violet’s goal.

  She finally drew parallel to the carriage and shouted for them to stop. Owen and Frank both whipped their heads around to stare at her in amazement. Owen yanked on their horses' reins and brought them to a stop.

  Violet climbed down from her curricle as Owen and Frank both did the same. Owen simply stood and gazed at Violet in shock for a moment while Frank came around from the other side of the carriage, slow and careful on his crutch.

  Violet took a moment to catch her breath while both men watched her in silent confusion.

  “I am so, so sorry I did not say goodbye earlier,” she gasped out, thoroughly winded from the adrenaline of her high-speed chase.

  Her eyes glanced back and forth between the captain and the lieutenant as she meant the apology for both of them, but she could not help her eyes lingering on Owen.

  Frank stepped forward and grasped Violet’s hand. “I am glad you have come now. There is no need to apologize. I think all will be right from here on out.” He smiled warmly and then coughed. “Oh my, there’s a…quite a wind coming up. My old leg, you know…can’t tolerate a chill for very long. If you don’t mind I think I shall return to the carriage and my pile of blankets.”

  He gave her a knowing smile before he walked back around the carriage to resume his seat.

  Now only Owen stood before Violet. Snow gathered on his shoulders and the brim of his hat and his lips and eyelashes just as Violet had seen before—it had been one of the first moments she’d allowed herself to feel her affection for the captain.

  “Violet, what on earth are you doing out here?” he asked quietly, curiosity and a hint of pain in his voice. Violet knew that he did not like to see her out in the cold especially now that it had started to snow, racing over the road to catch him.

  But if Owen had taught her anything, it was that sometimes a little risk was necessary, especially when the reward was a lifetime of love and happiness.

  Violet’s mind had been so occupied with her eagerness to catch up that she had not given any thought as to what she would say if she did achieve this opportunity.

  Her heart hammered against her ribs as she felt Owen’s eyes watching her, waiting for her answer.

  She reached below her coat into the apron she still wore and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. Thank God she’d had the foresight to bring it along just in case her words failed her as they currently did. With trembling fingers, she held it out to Owen.

  “I think this should explain everything.” Violet swallowed the lump in her throat as he carefully took the page, his heavy gloves brushing against hers.

  She watched him closely as his eyes drifted slowly over the page. He read intently, mindful to absorb every word and phrase of the poem she’d written a week ago, inspired by her feelings for Owen.

  He softened as he reached the end, his eyes glowing with what Violet hoped was happiness.

  “Violet, I cannot tell you how much this means to me,” he whispered, taking a step closer. “But you know I fear what may happen to you or myself if—”

  “Please, Owen, accept my words as they are written there and as I say them now.” She quickly interjected, taking another step forward, finally closing the distance between them.

  “You are worth any risk. I tried to hide from it for so long, but I am ready now to live the life I never thought possible because you make it possible. I know I am safe with you. I trust you with my heart, my life, my future.”

  Owen stared at her for a long silent moment. There was that look in his eyes again. Longing. But this time it was not just longing. It was longing that had finally been satisfied.

  His lips did not respond with any words but rather with something far better—the next kiss, the kiss that Violet had dreamed of since their first in the drawing room. The kiss that would be the start of all others.

  The snow continued to fall around them as Owen’s lips pressed against hers with such a tender desire she had not known was possible. And she returned it with all the love and admiration her heart contained.

  They could stand under snow, rain, wind, sunshine, and anything else life may throw at them. Violet knew without a doubt in her soul that as long as they stood together, hand in hand and heart to heart, they could overcome anything.

  Chapter 18

  Owen climbed into the curricle after helping Violet into the seat next to him. The snow still fell around them but he didn’t feel the cold at all. With Violet pressed up next to him for warmth, Owen found he didn’t mind winter very much at all. In fact, it seemed to have some distinct benefits. He smiled down at her bundled up form, her head huddled down on his shoulder.

  The curricle lurched forward, following behind the carriage he had just been in, the carriage that had been taking him away from Gatherford Park and Violet. Frank now drove it back toward the Neils’s estate.

  Just a few months ago Owen would have complained of the cold and snow and begged to go back inside as quickly as possible or cursed spring for being so far away.

  But now Owen felt that there could be no moment more perfect than this. His mind replayed his shock at seeing Violet all the way out here so suddenly and his even greater shock at the poem she’d given him which told the tale of a sad, troubled young woman who loved a brave, kind soldier.

  He’d given up hope that he would ever read or hear such words from Violet, or that he deserved to read or hear them, no matter how desperately he’d wanted to. But he knew now that she accepted him and all his risks. Right now there was nothing more important than having Violet by his side and making her happy every day for the rest of his life.

  Owen and Violet rode in happy silence for a few moments, allowing themselves and each other to soak in the events of th
e last few minutes and revel in the feeling of their hearts finally coming together. Owen breathed in deeply, his lungs soaking up the sharp winter air, tempered by the warmth swirling through his chest.

  But there was one thing that made Owen curious. He finally ventured to break the silence.

  “I must confess I did not know you knew how to drive a carriage.”

  Violet looked up at Owen and smiled shyly. “I’ve only had the opportunity a few times and I prayed during the entire race that I wouldn’t get overturned and end up like poor Frank. That wouldn’t be a very romantic ending.”

  Owen laughed, the sound echoing over the barren landscape. “You are a woman of many talents, my dear.”

  A lovely rosy red bloomed over Violet’s cheeks at the pet name and her eyes went wide in surprise.

  “I hope my best talent will be making you happy,” she whispered breathlessly.

  Owen smiled, his eyes softening with love as he looked down at his sweetheart. “I don’t think you think you will have any issues there. In fact, you are already off to a great start.”

  Violet returned his smile, her gaze speaking louder than any words ever could. Owen’s heart continued to swell to unimaginable sizes. He had not thought his heart capable of containing such immense happiness and love.

  Warmth radiated through his body, starting from his chest and travelling to every last inch—but most of all where Violet’s body pressed against his. He wished to hold her forever, to draw from her warmth and share his with her. He wished to share everything with her.

  As they lapsed into another comfortable silence, Owen knew that whatever life they chose from here on out would be the exact life he wanted.

  Any life with Violet in it was the life he wanted. The life he needed.

  The sun had just slipped below the horizon when Owen, Violet, and Frank returned to the Neil estate. The poor butler Mr. Taylor received quite a shock when he found the group in the foyer, dusting off their coats and hats and bonnets. Owen thought he must be sick of them saying they would leave only to show up again a few hours later. But Owen hoped this would be the last time for a long while.

  Violet asked Mr. Taylor to allow the three of them to warm up in the servants’ hall which the old man agreed to though Owen could see he felt odd bringing guests downstairs instead of upstairs. But Owen would follow Violet wherever she walked, whether it be to the servants’ hall or the drawing room or around the grounds or the other side of the world. The possibilities felt endless to Owen but best of all each one felt just as wonderful as the last.

  As the butler left them to their own devices in the main servants’ area, Owen held himself back when he saw the way Davies observed his sister with anticipation. Surely he must have many things he wished to say to Violet as well. He hovered nearby but just far away enough that he could not make out the quiet murmurings of their private conversation.

  Owen smiled when he saw the Davies siblings wrap their arms around each other from the corner of his eye. Violet burrowed her face in her brother’s shoulder, her eyes closed and a small smile on her face. Owen had never seen them share such a loving moment and happiness surged through him for both of his dearest friends—perhaps even his soon-to-be family, he realized with a jolt.

  Davies rested his chin atop his sister’s head and his eyes searched the room until they met Owen’s. Owen smiled to the lieutenant and he returned the smile, a tear of happiness twinkling in the corner of his eye.

  This had been a long, often difficult journey for all of them and Owen was beyond thrilled that his friend finally had the ending he’d wished for from the start. And of course he was thrilled that Violet had the resolution she had sought for years though she’d never allowed herself to admit it.

  He considered himself very lucky indeed that Davies had begged him to join this mission and that he’d agreed despite his reluctance. Though he’d began this voyage with no stake in it, Owen couldn’t help feeling that he’d somehow gotten the ending he hadn’t realized he’d been wishing for all along.

  Violet and Davies separated from each other but Owen could see the love connecting them now. They both looked at peace. The lieutenant beckoned Owen over and as he approached, Violet announced that she would get a pot of tea ready for them, excusing herself from the two men.

  Owen felt suddenly nervous, his limbs buzzing with uncertainty. Davies had long known that his best friend had an attachment to his sister. But Owen couldn’t help worrying that now that both his and Violet’s feelings had been made known, the lieutenant would rescind his positive feelings about their relationship. He stood next to Davies and awaited his sentence, or at the very least a lecture.

  But the lieutenant simply put a hand on Owen’s shoulder and smiled.

  “Thank you, my friend,” he said quietly but earnestly.

  Owen furrowed his brows. “What do you have to thank me for, Davies?”

  “For making my sister so very happy. For joining me here when you did not need to. For being the most excellent friend a man could hope for. And I think you should get used to calling me Frank now.”

  Heat prickled under Owen’s skin at the compliments. Though he normally would have brushed them away with a joke or some insistence that it was simply the right thing to do, Owen allowed himself to feel the pleasant sensations course through his chest at receiving such kind words from his best friend.

  “I’m happy I could help, Frank. And rest assured that I plan on doing my very best to continue making Violet happy. That is, if you’ll give me permission...” Owen’s eyebrows lifted in anticipation of his own unfinished question.

  Frank chuckled and gave Owen a gentle slap on the arm. “Of course you have my permission. Though knowing Violet as I do now, I doubt she would have listened to me if I’d said otherwise. She can be terribly stubborn when she wants to, that girl.”

  “I wonder where she gets that from,” Owen scoffed. But a bolt of happiness shot down his spine at Frank’s approval of his intentions. All he need do now was secure Violet’s approval, though he imagined he would receive no opposition there.

  “I told her that I would still see Charlie, but only to determine for myself if he has improved his character at all. If he hasn’t I will cut ties with him right away, once and for all.”

  “Good, I’m glad to hear it. That will be a large weight off of Violet’s shoulders. I know she hasn’t been easy for you to get close to, Frank, but she does care about you immensely. That is why she was so upset when you agreed to meet with him. She was afraid she would lose you again.”

  Both men glanced to the fireplace where Violet removed the teapot and brought it to rest on a nearby end table with a hot pad. She worked with a smile on her face and seemed completely unbothered by anything in the world. Mrs. Baird had joined her, busily setting out a tray of biscuits and cookies.

  “I was a fool for that, I know that now. I cannot tell you how glad I am that we can move forward now and be a family again. Even if it’s just the two of us. And you I imagine soon enough, Owen. She called me brother, you know.” Frank smiled proudly at Owen, his hazel eyes shimmering in the firelight. “But I think I shall go upstairs and change out of these cold clothes. I will return shortly.”

  Frank left Owen behind in the servants’ hall and when he turned back to Violet, he now saw that she sat in a chair next to the fireplace. Mrs. Baird wrapped a blanket around her shoulders as Violet’s hands clutched a warm cup of tea.

  Owen approached, bringing another chair closer. Mrs. Baird gave him a warm smile that lit up her entire face with happiness as she settled a blanket around him and pressed a cup of tea into his hands. It warmed Owen to see how beloved Violet was in this household and that everyone seemed just as accepting of him.

  And it warmed Owen even more to see Violet smile with such contentment when he sat across from her. He vowed to put that look on her face every single day no matter what it took.

  Mrs. Baird hurried off, mumbling something about fetchi
ng another blanket for the lieutenant when he returned. Owen selfishly hoped that none of them would return for a while though he guessed that was their design.

  Once the housekeeper’s footsteps receded to the linen closet, Owen put his cup of tea on the end table and Violet did the same. She reached her hands out to him just as he reached forward to take them.

  “What did Frank talk to you about?” she asked, tilting her head curiously.

  “Just that he was glad I make you happy and how he plans to sort things out with your brother. Possibly something about you being stubborn.”

  Violet chuckled and shook her head. “Brothers. What can be done about them? But I must confess that I am so very glad to have both you and Frank back in my life. Having a family is so much more important than I realized. I had trained myself for over a decade to give up any hopes of having a happy, loving family. Yet my family, old and new, turned up right on my doorstep when I least expected it.”

  Her green eyes stared softly into Owen’s as she spoke. The way the firelight made the green dance stole Owen’s breath away. It took him a moment to recover from their sublime beauty before he could respond.

  “I wholeheartedly agree. Given my career, I never expected that I would have a family of my own or that I would even want to. But you showed me that having someone to fight for, someone to love is a worthwhile cause. Indeed it is the most important cause. And I am so grateful to you for showing me that.”

  He lifted her hands to his face and kissed her knuckles, relishing in the feeling of her warmth against his lips.

  When Owen sat up again, Violet removed one of her hands from his grip and placed it gently on his cheek.

  “I also want to thank you for encouraging me to take a risk every now and again. I’ve decided that I will talk to His Lordship about publishing some of my works. I don’t know that I will ever join the ranks of our great poets, but I think it could be nice to share my thoughts with others even if they are few.”