Page 57 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
“That I do know,” Caroline mumbled, feeling tears rise to her eyes as she thought about how terrified she had been. “Lord Canton had plans to take me to Scotland and force me to marry him. He said that I was either to obey him or that… or that…” Caroline couldn’t bear to say anymore as she raised her hand to her mouth.
“Shh, Caroline. You don’t need to say anything,” Gwendolen said as she took Caroline’s other hand and began to rub it with her fingers. It was very comforting to have her friend near, and to know that there were many people in the room that were supporting her.
“That’s not the worst of it,” Caroline managed to choke out as she tried very hard to maintain her composure. “Lord Canton told me about his true nature and the evil things he had done in way of killing men for personal gain. He even admitted to killing my parents.” Tears fell freely from Caroline’s eyes then as she heard the others gasp in surprise. She tried to wipe her eyes clear, but it took some time as she felt as though she was reliving the horrible experience once more.
“Perhaps you will take comfort in knowing that Lord Canton is no more,” Lord Murphy spoke up after a time.
“The man deserved worse than death,” Caroline heard William say. She looked towards him once her tears were gone, a hard expression on his face. Caroline remembered hearing the shot of a gun and wondered if it had been William who had slain Lord Canton in the end. She felt a weight of guilt settle on her shoulders then as she thought about what all she and William had been through because of Lord Canton. If only she had been able to get rid of him sooner, none of this would have happened.
“Miss Caroline, we can’t begin to understand how you must be feeling. But do know that we are here for you,” Lady Murphy spoke up. Caroline looked towards the older woman who smiled at her even though she had tears of her own in her eyes.
“Thank you, every last one of you,” Caroline said as she slowly looked into the eyes of each person in her room. “I know I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for your kindness and bravery.” Caroline focused on William once more, wanting to say so much more to him. But she figured the time would come to where she could speak with him privately. Now more than ever she wanted the opportunity to marry him, to never be apart from him again.
For the rest of the visit, they talked of ideal things from the weather to the latest news in the papers. They discussed whether or not to return to town, and they all decided it was best to reside in the coast for a time being while the news of what had happened ran its course through the Ton.
Lord Murphy explained how he’d written an official report for the Royal Magistrate and that the news would be published in the papers of Lord Canton’s ultimate demise, to include the evil deeds he’d done, as well. Caroline figured that it would be justice enough, that the name of Canton would forever be scorned if any of his family members were still alive.
When they had finished discussing several matters, Caroline decided that she would finally get some rest. She’d eaten plenty during the visit and had enjoyed several cups of lavender tea. Now, she felt as though she wouldn’t be able to hold open her eyes any longer.
“We’ll just be downstairs if you need anything,” Gwendolen said as she squeezed Caroline’s hand once more before standing from the chair. William came to her side then and leaned down towards her, placing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Caroline was surprised by the action since there were people in the room to witness the show of affection. Regardless, Caroline relished in the feeling, wishing they could stay together like that forever.
As her visitors departed, her lady’s maid helped remove the pillows from behind Caroline’s back so she could lay down and rest. After being reassured that the woman would remain with Caroline while she slept, Caroline was finally able to relax and close her eyes, not having to fear for her life anymore.
Chapter 29
“Lord Murphy, might I have a word with you?” William asked as they descended the stairs after bidding Caroline a good rest. He dearly wanted to remain with her, but he figured it wouldn’t be proper now that she was recovering from her fever.
“Certainly, Sir Roberts. Why don’t you join me in my study?” Lord Murphy said, a smirk on his lips as he gestured towards the small library. The others continued down to the dining room, where the afternoon meal would soon be served. William followed the Earl to his study, taking a seat in front of the mahogany desk when Lord Murphy gestured to do so.
William took a quick look around the room, the walls lined with oak bookshelves that contained several books, as well as the seashells that were displayed everywhere. William smiled, thinking that it was nice that the Earl was considerate enough to display the treasures of his other family members. He was starting to see that all though the Earl was a wealthy man, he didn’t seem to show it as much as Lord and Lady Goldman had once done.
“I have a pretty decent idea regarding the nature of this discussion,” Lord Murphy said as he settled down into his chair and leaned forward over his desk, resting his elbows upon it has his hands came together. The man peered down at William from his position, but his critical eyes did not bother William at the least. He understood this was the look of a father.
“It should be of no surprise that I have strong affections for Miss Caroline. I wanted to speak with you and gain your approval for marrying her,” William said in a straightforward way.
“I certainly approve of the match and would gladly send for the announcement to be posted towards the end of summer. I think it would be rather scandalous if the announcement was posted any sooner. After all, Miss Caroline’s name has already been drug through the mud quite enough recently.”
“Though I greatly agree with you, I believe we both feel strongly about the idea of marrying sooner rather than later,” William admitted. “We feel as though we’ve already lost so much time and would like to make things official as soon as possible.”
“You should know that Caroline did admit many things to me after the death of her parents,” Lord Murphy said as he leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. William lifted his chin, curious to know what Caroline might have said to the Earl.
“I had asked her if she’d known you for some time, based on her reaction to seeing you during the wake. She admitted that she had, that you used to be Lord Goldman’s footman in a past life.” William smirked as he nodded his head, feeling it wouldn’t hurt to confess to the truth.
“I have been in love with Caroline for a very long time. When her father found out about our affections for one another, he forbade me to see her ever again. I had even agreed with Caroline to travel to Scotland to be married. However, Lord Canton had assumed our course of action and stopped us.
“He paid me a handsome fortune to leave the countryside. I took my father and our dear housekeeper to town, where he was finally able to receive the medical attention he needed. With Lord Canton’s money, I supported risky business ventures and surprisingly got very lucky.”
“And then you joined the Navy?” Lord Murphy asked.
“Indeed, I did,” William confirmed with a nod. “I had plenty of fortune, but still needed a good reputation. I sought to find it through the Navy. However, I met a Daniel Roberts instead and was shocked by how similar we did look. We made a deal that I would sail underneath his name so that he could stay in town and be with his dying father. I agreed and in turn made the Roberts name very famous.”
“And is the real Daniel Roberts still alive?”
“Yes, he is. However, now he sails underneath my birth name of William Ryan. He only wishes to sail the rest of his days and has no need of fame and fortune.”
“Let’s hope not,” Lord Murphy said with a deep sigh. “For if the Ton discovered your real nature, they would tear your reputation to pieces.”
“I would not risk so much if I was not certain of my future, Lord Murphy,” William said with every conviction of his soul. “I plan to marry Miss Caroline and offer her everything I couldn’t as a footman. She deserves to be loved and cherished the rest of her days and for as long as I shall live. I never want to see her cry again in sorrow.”
