Page 32 of Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
William’s spiritslifted when he heard the back door swing open, and he struggled into a seated position. Caroline soon appeared, flushed with delightful color and her eyes blazing with excitement.
“I have returned!”
“I have waited with bated breath for your return.”
She beamed at him, and William inhaled with exhilaration. It would seem he might succeed in his quest before she left at the end of the evening. Today he was going to court the magnificent modiste who had stolen his heart.
“I find it ridiculous that the man who repairs locks for a living has one that clearly needs replacement.”
William laughed. “Alas, I have no time to repair my home. I am always occupied with work. However, a modiste should know how to fashion cloaks that would not lead to freezing in cold weather.” He gestured at the cloak she still wore.
Caroline laughed in return. “I shall prepare our meal. How is your ankle?”
“The swelling is down considerably, and it does not hurt unless I move it too quickly. I think it might not be as badly sprained as it first appeared when the doctor was here. Or your poultices were especially effective.”
She smiled again. “I am so glad. You will be able to return to work with little delay. It must bore you to lie about.”
William beckoned her closer, taking up her delicate hand in his. Staring up into her eyes, he confessed in a husky voice, “Not when you are here.”
She bit her lip before smiling. Caroline appeared pleased with the compliment. “I should make our meal.”
He reluctantly released her hand, wishing he could follow her into the other room, but that would be against the doctor’s orders. “Be quick,” he implored.
She gave a nod before retreating to the back.
William lay down, whistling the tune of the carol that Caroline had sung in his dreams while he listened to her move about in the next room. Once they were married, she would always be within reach. They could share their evenings in front of the fire. Perhaps impart business advice about their respective merchant ventures. One day they would have children to share their evenings and holidays with, including adorable little girls with flaxen hair and enchanting hazel eyes.
Breathing deeply in contentment, he continued to whistle as he contemplated how much Caroline had changed his life in the space of an evening. It must be the magic of the season. Or the magic of her.
When she entered the room with a tray laden with food, he swung his legs down to the floor. “I feel ashamed to watch you toil while I lie about like a lazy oaf,” he confessed.
She giggled as she set the tray down. “Word about town is that you should take more time to lie about. I hear you work far too many hours.”
“I was filling my time. Too many thoughts I wished to avoid.”
Caroline froze at this. “You work to avoid your thoughts?” she finally asked in a hoarse voice.
“I did. But now I plan to turn over a new leaf.”
“Why?”
“Why do I plan to make changes?”
She shook her head, a couple of strands of silky hair coming loose from her nape. “No. What thoughts did you wish to avoid?”
William soughed, lifting a hand to rub over his beard. How did he explain his past?
“I had a younger cousin. My uncle, the blacksmith before me, was his father.”
“Had?”
William nodded. “Charles and I went to fight Napoleon together.” It was strange to explain this to her, after the dream where she had interrupted him at Waterloo.
“He died?”
“He did. His parents were devastated.”
“What about you? How did you feel?”
