Page 17 of A Wild English Rose
Her brow furrowed. Was she supposed to be waiting here for him, or had she said she would walk back to the house? If she did not leave now, she would not make it to Peterborough until well after dark.
“And where are you planning to go? Oh yes, that’s right, you have absolutely no idea. Well done, Cecily. Out of the frying pan and into an unknown future.”
The house was not a difficult walk from the temple. She just had to tuck the last of her self-respect into her pocket and take the first step.
She turned and went back into the temple. She would put the glasses and bottle of wine away in the kitchen before she left. The sofa was to be straightened, and its cushions fluffed. All evidencethat she had ever set foot in this place would be gone. It would be as if she had never been here.
Only Thomas and she would ever know the truth.
After closing the door of the kitchen, she headed back up the steps of the temple, intending to collect the picnic basket. As she stepped back into the room, she saw Thomas.
“I was beginning to wonder if you had decided to walk to Thorney. I checked the lane, but you were not there,” he said.
“No. I was just putting the glasses and wine bottle in the kitchen. Do you have the carriage ready for me?” she said.
He shook his head. “I don’t want you to leave. Especially not with matters as they currently stand between us. Cecily, I am beyond sorry for what I did to you earlier. My behavior was inexcusable. Please let me make it up to you.”
“It’s alright, Thomas. I forgive you. Now let us go back to the house and I can pack my things,” she replied.
He pointed to the sofa. “Could we sit for a moment? I want to talk to you about your future.”
His fingers slowly curled into fists, then straightened, before curling once more. He was nervous, but why? Her future was not his concern.
“Please,” he said.
The note of pleading in his voice weakened her resolve. She consoled herself that at worst, she would spend one more night at Rosemount Abbey before leaving for Peterborough in the morning. “Alright.”
He waited until she had taken a seat on the sofa before sitting down at the other end. If they stretched out their arms, they would barely be able to touch fingertips.
“Well, what is it that you wish to say?” she said.
Thomas cleared his throat. “I didn’t kiss you this afternoon because I thought you a loose woman. I would never think thatof you. I kissed you because I want you to stay. And when I say stay, I mean forever.”
His sincerity was heartbreaking. Thomas knew as well as she did, that she had nowhere else to go. Her options were limited, and desperation may yet see her return to London and marry Lord Horsham.
She wiped away sudden tears. It was lovely that he thought to try and save her, but he could not. If she stayed at the abbey, eventually her father would find her.
“Thank you; your offer is very kind. But we both know this cannot be a place of sanctuary for me. Your parents and my father would never allow it,” she replied.
He moved closer on the sofa and held out his hand. “I am not offering you sanctuary. I am offering you a home. A future by my side, if you want it.”
She looked down at his hand and with a shuddering breath, she placed her hand in his. Thomas was offering her more than anyone had ever done before. “But why?” she whispered.
The hint of a shy smile appeared on his face. “Because from the first night, when I fell over you in the garden and I took you home, I knew you were the one. If I can give you a life of companionship, children, and warm summer nights here at the temple, would it be enough?”
Her heart sank just a little. It was a generous offer. She would be an utter fool not to take it. But it was what he had left unsaid that brought fresh tears to her eyes. She would have to sacrifice her heart in order to secure her future.
His face registered her uncertainty, but to his credit, he moved closer and placed his other hand over hers. “I will do all I can to make you happy. I just cannot give you a life lived among theton.My heart lies here in the countryside. My soul is as one with the early morning sun as it rises over the stables each day. Ifmy love for you is not enough, then I beg you, put me out of my misery. Break my heart and be done with it,” he said.
“You love me? But we have only known each other a few days,” she said.
“Time means nothing to the heart. You have held my love since that morning in Hyde Park. And when you suddenly appeared from beneath the bench in the travel coach, it was like all my prayers had been answered,” he replied.
From his jacket pocket he took out a small box. “My mother gave this to me earlier this year in the hope that I would find someone who would wear it. I wish that someone to be you, Cecily. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She took the box with shaking hands and opened it. Inside was a perfectly cut diamond, simple and elegantly set. She slipped the ring on her finger. Warm, strong hands cupped her face as his lips met hers. She yielded to his gentle kiss.
When they eventually broke the kiss, she met his gaze. Bright, honest hope shone back at her.
