Page 50 of Earl of Excess
Matthew stood and held out a hand to help Bethany up.
She grabbed his proffered hand and felt a fluttering in her belly that differed completely from her hunger. It felt like more than an attraction to Matthew. Bethany wanted to pull him closer and ask him to never leave. Instead, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Bethany took one last look across the water and would have sworn she saw someone lay on the ground.
“What is it?” Matthew asked, looking concerned.
Flummoxed, she shook her head and pointed across the water. “I keep thinking I see something over there. I’ve watched all afternoon and something, or someone, keeps moving. It may be the sun playing tricks on me.”
He peered across. “I see nothing, but you know my vision.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I have an idea. I noticed a brass spyglass on a shelf in the parlor. It might have been your grandfather’s. Let us ask Grandmère if we can borrow it.”
Her face crinkled in confusion. “I cannot think who would have owned it. I have visited here for years and I have never noticed it.”
He gazed down into her eyes. “I cannot help it. I seem to notice everything I can, coming this close to being blind. I do not see as well as I used to; however, my vision is continually improving of late.”
Johnny walked to his right with the bucket between them. Matthew picked up her right hand and gently squeezed it as they walked Johnny back toward his house. Her skin quivered from his touch and she thought of words she wanted to say... but didn’t.
They opened the back gate leading into the plantation’s sprawling land and walked several minutes in silence, crossing a small footbridge over a rambling creek. “Ma is hangin out the wash,” Johnny said, pointing toward his family’s cabin. “If’n you get me as far as the gate, she’ll hep me the rest of the way. My ma’ll be happy with this catch, she will.” He looked down at Dandie. “I’ll bring my ball tomorrow.”
Smiling, Johnny waved until he got his mother’s attention. She finished hanging the sheet and came to help. “That’s a mighty fine dinner, Son,” she exclaimed, and gave him a kiss on the forehead, causing him to redden.
“Aww Ma. I got an image to keep up.”
Undeterred, she mussed his hair. “Johnny, you will never be too big for me to kiss.”
Bethany stood with Matthew as they watched the boy and his mother haul the big bucket home. They could hear him talking about catching the fish and laughed.
“He grows on you quickly,” Matthew observed on their way back to her aunt’s.
“He does,” she agreed.
After they crossed the footbridge and were out of sight of Johnny’s house, Matthew pulled her close. “I have been wanting to do this since I woke this morning. It gets harder and harder to keep my distance.” He tilted her head up and gazed into her eyes as she loosely wrapped her arms about his neck.
“Bethany, you are so beautiful. I knew your inner beauty first and only imagined the outer beauty—which has quite overwhelmed me.” Closing his eyes, he brushed his lips against hers before dropping his lips to her neck and then to her décolleté. He kissed along the edge as one hand gently dipped beneath the fabric and touched her breast, and his fingers began to gently circle the tip. The stomach flutter she had felt earlier dove to her nether region, and she clung to him as her breathing sped up.
“Even in my darkest hours, I felt comforted by your presence, like nothing I have ever known. I have had a hard time staying away from you,” he said in between kisses.
“Matthew, I never thought to miss anything like I miss your kisses,” she breathed in between pants. “I don’t know what I will do when you leave...” Her worst fear had slipped out.
“What do you mean, when I leave?” He lifted his head until his gaze locked with her own. “Are you not coming with me?” he asked.
Bethany searched his eyes. “I cannot simply tag along to England. What would I do when I arrived? My family is here.”
“No, Bethany. You misunderstand.Iwant to be your family. I knew it before I could see you. I have done a terrible job of telling you.” He dropped to one knee where they stood. “Bethany Phillips, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
“You are asking me... you want me?”
He smiled and gave a slow, seductive nod. “I want you, Bethany. What do you say?”
Dandie sat back on her haunches and watched the two of them, silent.
Could it be possible? She would live in a strange land among people she did not know. Her Grandmère and Aunt Theo would be here. They had always encouraged her to marry for love. He had not mentionedlove.He had, however, told her he had feelings for her. Could that be enough?She loved him.Would it be enough for her to love him?
He was waiting for her answer.
If she saidno, he would leave her behind. She would never see him again. If she said “yes,” she would be part of his life forever. Thoughts raced through her mind. Taking his face in her hands, she looked into his eyes. “Yes, Matthew. I will be your wife,” she said.
Matthew stood up and swept Bethany into his arms, spinning her around. “You have made me the happiest of men.” Setting her down, he leaned in and kissed her. She felt giddy with anticipation. This man was like no one she had ever known. He was gentle, witty, warm, and cared about her.And he would be hers.
“You mentioned your grandmother planned to check the crab cages. Do you feel up to checking them for her? I do not feel like being indoors, suddenly. I want to be out here, with you, feeling the sunshine on my face, gazing into your beautiful green eyes,” Matthew enthused.
