Page 26 of Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
Uncle Albert indicated the table with a wave of his hand.
William was speechless, only able to nod mutely as he took in his uncle’s cheerful demeanor. He had not seen Uncle Albert this happy in years.
Caroline dropped to her haunches in front of the boy. “Are you ready for dinner, Charles? Or do you need to wash your hands?”
The boy, no more than seven years of age, grinned with an impish twinkle in his intense blue eyes. “I must wash up,” he confessed, then ran through the door to the kitchen.
Caroline pulled William by the hand and followed the boy. Entering the back room, William found Aunt Gertrude holding a small girl on her hip, tendrils of graying hair having escaped the neat little bun at her nape. It amazed him to see his aunt with a huge smile as she used a cloth to wipe the child’s fingers, which were red with the juice of cranberries. “Now, Margaret, look what a mess you have made!”
“Aunt Gertrude?”
His aunt turned to smile broadly in greeting. “William, you are home! Dinner is almost ready, lad.”
William had not seen his aunt in such fine spirits for years, not since he had broken the bad news about her son. Yet, here she stood with color in her cheeks and her eyes glistening with joy. His chest expanded with elation at seeing her in such good spirits.
The little girl in his aunt’s arms looked about with wide, inquisitive eyes. Noticing William, her cherubic face lit up. “Pup-pa!” she squealed, wiggling with excitement to ignite a yearning.
He swallowed hard, looking carefully at the two children. Noting the boy bore a resemblance to himself, while the tiny girl wrapped in Aunt Gertrude’s arm had blonde hair and lively hazel eyes. This was Caroline’s daughter. His daughter?
On the table was the evidence of a dinner in its finishing stages, and the smell of roasted meat caused a rumble in his belly. The entire room was filled with domestic bliss and festive spirits, sprigs of holly adorning the windows, and William felt true happiness standing in his kitchen surrounded by the ones he loved.
Turning to Caroline, pulling on her hand to get her attention, he questioned her earnestly. “What is this?”
She gazed at him with hazel eyes before responding, “This is the future, William. If you allow it.”
William was overcome, his throat growing thick with the sheer emotion enveloping him as he took in the sight of his uncle and aunt restored to good spirits. New life that had been brought into the world and set things right, with two healthy children to build the future.
Turning, he pulled Caroline into an embrace. He wanted this! All of this. He wanted children, and hope. He wanted reconciliation and good cheer. He wanted her!
As he engulfed her with his arms, feeling her slight body against his own, she giggled. “Careful, William. Do not squish our babe.” Which was when he felt the roundness of her belly pressed against him. Caroline was increasing, and with this news he nearly wept his joy into her vanilla-scented hair.
“Merry Christmas, sunshine,” he whispered into her hair, feeling her lips curve into a smile against his neck.
“Merry Christmas, blacksmith.”
* * *
She was half asleep,dozing on the shorter settee and wishing she could stretch out properly on a bed, when Caroline heard the blacksmith mumbling in his sleep.
She could not make out the rest of the words, but she could pick out one.
“… sunshine …”
What on earth could the blacksmith be dreaming about?
She dug an elbow into the settee cushion and raised her head to peer across to where he lay.
“… Christmas …”
Caroline tried to see his expression in the darkened room. Was he in distress? Should she waken him once more?
“… Caroline …”
She bit her lip. He was dreaming of her!
One of Chatternwell’s most eligible men was currently prone across the room and dreaming of silly little Caroline of Somerset. An orphan and unchaste woman of few redeeming traits!
What a bizarre situation this was proving to be. There was nothing to compare this night to, no similar experience to call on. She did not know what to make of the strange events that had unfolded these past hours.
