Page 30 of Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
“Please?”
Tears sprung into her eyes. This was unprecedented. Did the blacksmith want to … cuddle? With her? She glanced over to him. His blue eyes were intense, even in the low light of the dim room, and as before she saw admiration, perhaps even affection, in his gaze.
Without quite making the decision, she moved closer. William shifted over to create some space, holding up an arm in invitation. Caroline did not know what to make of it, but the urge to settle next to him could not be denied. She lay down beside him, wrapping a slender arm around his large body.
The blacksmith tucked her head under his chin, his muscled arm holding her close in an embrace. After a few minutes, it became clear he had fallen asleep, his breathing even. Caroline listened to his heart thudding in his chest, the heat of his body seeping into hers. She could not deny her amazement. William seemed to hold her in genuine regard. Shame slowly dissipated.
She had briefly broken her vow not to grow close to anyone. Caroline knew from past mistakes that she could not be trusted to uphold her loyalty to her friends, but just for tonight, she would enjoy the brief respite from her exile from good company. Beyond comprehension, the blacksmith seemed to like her, and she was going to grab hold of this moment and clutch it as long as she could before she had to walk away tomorrow and return to her solitude.
Once more, she had proven that she was weak, but just for the one holiday, she wanted to forget her failings and accept William’s attentions until reality inevitably imposed itself. The feel of his heartbeat against her cheek was soothing, and soon she drifted off.
When she awakened, the room was lit with the gloom of a winter morning. The neglected candle had burned out, and the fire was low. She lifted her head from the blacksmith, making to rise, but he growled in his sleep and pulled her close, causing Caroline to blink rapidly in confusion. Was this what it was like to be married to a kind man who loved his wife?
Work, Caroline! Do not get any ideas about love and companionship!
She lay there, scarcely breathing. The notion was so tempting. The reminder of work, which usually worked so well to settle her mind, did not currently hold any appeal. She wanted to stay in his warm embrace and listen to him breathing.
William smelled of leather, and fire, and soap, and vaguely metallic. She snuggled closer and fell asleep, feeling safe in the cradle of his arm.
When she awoke once more, she found William was kissing the crown of her head. She looked up into his eyes, fascinated by the blue depths. He smiled, creasing the corners of his eyes before gently kissing her forehead.
“I am afraid I need privacy,” he whispered.
Caroline immediately lifted her head. He slowly relinquished his hold, and she rose to her feet. “Do you need any help?”
“A fresh poultice and water to clean up would be appreciated.”
She nodded, clearing the table of its remnants and heading out the door, which she closed behind her so he might use the chamber pot in peace. Looking about the kitchen, she put water on to boil. Soon she had washed the cloths from the night before and prepared tea and sandwiches, along with a fresh poultice.
Calling out to confirm William was ready for her entrance, she opened the door and brought in a tray to place it down on the table.
William smiled at her, thanking her for the supplies. He straightened up, shifting into a seated position. He wore only the long nightshirt, his buckskins neatly folded on the table, and he had fresh stubble showing higher on his cheeks where he shaved the shape of his beard. Caroline thought he looked wonderful, and she could not help imagining that they were married as they shared the domestic bliss of breaking their fast to sip on their tea.
Once she had finished her sandwich, she settled back. “I shall clean up and then I must attend Christmas service. My absence would raise questions.”
“As will mine,” he replied gruffly.
“Yes, but eventually the town will know you were injured. My absence will not have a convincing explanation.”
William tilted his disheveled head in assent. “You should go.”
“I do not know how long it will last, but after I shall pick up my order from Mr. Andrews and then return to feed you.”
“Thank you. For everything you have done.”
Caroline smiled, blushing a little with pleased unease. “I am reluctant to leave. It is as if I have been dreaming, and now I must wake to find that the world is the same as it was yesterday.”
William regarded her before finally responding in a husky tone, “It was no dream. Everything has changed.”
Her brow creased slightly at this statement. The blacksmith must realize that this interlude must end. As much as she wanted to prolong their strange kinship, eventually life would intrude. She had nothing to offer a man like him. Despite his acceptance of the inadequacies she had voiced the night before, William did not know how deep her perfidy ran. She could never reveal the depth of her betrayal to Miss Annabel. Even as understanding as he had been, there would be no possibility of retaining his affection if he learned what she had done to her closest friend.
Uncomfortably, she cleared her throat and stood. “I shall clean up before I leave for service.”
* * *
William lay back,a book on his breastbone, but his gaze fixed on the beams of his ceiling. Once Caroline had left via the back door, an eerie silence had fallen over his cottage. He felt he was in one of last night’s dreams once more, the crackling of the fire the only evidence he was, indeed, awake.
He regretted the sequence of events. Caroline was to be his wife, but his desire for her had overtaken him in the early hours and it was unclear where they stood.
