Page 35 of Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
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Do not encourage his attentions!
He deserved much better than herself, but Caroline could not help grasping onto the possibility that come next year, she would come to visit him.
If William were still single then, as she certainly would be, it would be heavenly to rejoin him in this festive fantasy. When she left this evening, she could hold on to the promise of their reunion. When she awoke alone in her bed, and the old memories threatened to eat her alive, she could turn her thoughts to this promise of a future respite.
When they finished eating, she offered him a second helping, which he accepted. Taking their plates to the back, she fondly replenished his plate. A large man like him evidently needed much more food than she. Chuckling, she carefully laid out some choice pieces of chicken and placed mince pie next to them. She hummed while pouring more tea, then returned to the sitting room with a full tray, which she set down.
Moving about the room, she straightened up pillows and stoked the fire in the hearth. Caroline had grown accustomed to his home, and it was depressing to think she would leave soon to return to her silent rooms.
“Do you have someone to take care of you in the morning?”
William stretched his neck, rubbing his shoulder before responding, “One of my apprentices should come to find me. I am hoping Dr. Hadley will give me permission to walk when he comes to visit in the morning. The swelling has reduced a fair amount, so I hope that a second examination from him will reveal that the sprain was not as terrible as we first thought.”
Caroline wandered over, bending to peer at his ankle before feeling about gently with her fingers. “It certainly is better than when I first arrived.”
He nodded, then said, hesitantly, “If you sit with me, I can read to you.”
She took her seat next to him, and he reached for the book he had laid on the table. “What will you read me?”
“It is Christmas, so I thought I would read you verses from popular wassails.”
Throwing out an arm, he pulled her close into the crook of it to lean his head on hers. Reaching around her, he held the little book open and recited the blessing out loud, sending shivers of warm delight through her body.
Huzza, Huzza, in our good town
The bread shall be white, and the liquor be brown
So here my old fellow I drink to thee
And the very health of each other tree.
Well may ye blow, well may ye bear
Blossom and fruit both apple and pear.
So that every bough and every twig
May bend with a burden both fair and big
May ye bear us and yield us fruit such a stors
That the bags and chambers and house run o’er.
As he finished and turned the page to find another, Caroline’s eyes drifted shut so she might listen to the crackle of the fire, the beating in his chest, and the timbre of his deep voice.
This is what true happiness must feel like.
Soon it would end, but she had the promise of returning to celebrate again with him next year. Christmas could not come too soon once she left him behind to return to work.
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After reading for some time,William finished and reluctantly shut the book.
Caroline slowly opened her eyes and sat up, forcing him to relinquish his embrace. “I suppose I must replace your poultice, provide you some supplies, and then head home.” Her usually cheerful voice had a sad intonation as she rubbed her eyes.
William licked his lips, wishing he could prolong their time together. “Do you have to leave so soon?”
