Page 49 of Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
His heart stopped, and he abruptly changed his mind—he wanted to grab this time, cherish it like a man condemned to die come morning. He could not possibly deny himself a few stolen hours of joy before returning to the black misery he had been experiencing without Caroline to light the shadows.
His dreams were vastly improved, but his waking hours had become pure hell. Knowing she was just down the street. Fighting the urge to run to her and sweep her into his arms, ignoring any protestations about the terrible mistakes of her past.
“But once the banns are read, I think we can make this a permanent arrangement.”
He gasped out loud as his hopes came thrumming back to life.
“You … are accepting my proposal?”
“Make space, blacksmith. I wish to lie in your arms.”
Oh hell, his eyes were moist. He whipped the counterpane to the side and then reached out to grab and pull, causing Caroline to fall over him with a giggle. She felt soft. And cold. That ridiculous cloak needed to be replaced.
“You are exquisite and wonderful and exasperating … and come tomorrow, I will visit you so you can explain what happened, but now …”
“Now?”
“Now you will pay.” With that, he gave a playful nip to her chilled shoulder, causing her to yelp and squirm against him, her mound grinding against his groin in the most appealing manner. Their mouths fused together in hungry abandon as desire mounted. Their hands feverishly exploring to divest nightclothes until passion overcame them and found its way to its inevitable conclusion. Finally, they lay panting on their backs in the spent aftermath of their lusty entanglement.
William grabbed hold of his discarded nightshirt to clean her and then himself, before tossing it in a ball on the floor. Then he drew her into his arms, tucking her close and leaning forward to kiss the crown of her head. “I shall have the vicar read the banns on Sunday.”
She huffed and wiggled her naked buttocks more firmly into his lap, re-igniting the fire in his loins. “Can you not afford a Common License so we do not have to wait three Sundays, merchant blacksmith?”
Warm pleasure sang through his veins at the question, veritable sunshine stealing through an overcast sky to light his soul from within. She was in a hurry to wed him!
“Termagant!” She giggled, wiggling closer. “I suppose that can be arranged, but I shall have to make a display of courting you come morning if we are to wed that soon.”
“Tomorrow, or rather later today, I shall close my shop early for Old Year’s Day if you wish to spend some time with me in the afternoon.”
“Aye, we will make a show of it for our neighbors.”
“And you can accompany me to church services on New Year’s Day.”
“Aye, I shall arrange with the curate to share a pew with you at services.”
“It is settled then, blacksmith.”
“Aye, modiste.”
“William … I did not tell you how I raised the loan for my shop.”
He heard the hesitation in her voice, and realized she must have a little more to confess. But tonight was for savoring their new future together, and the details of how she had arrived in his life did not signify. That was the past and this was their present.
“It will not alter my feelings. Let us enjoy the holidays, and we can settle all our matters once the banns are read.”
She was quiet for several moments, presumably thinking on what he had said. Finally, she responded, “You are a good man, William.”
Caroline went quiet after that. Hugging her close, William listened to her breathing as she slowly fell asleep in his arms, his broad grin of sheer happiness fixed in place. He could scarcely comprehend how much his life had changed in a matter of days. Solitude and darkness were in the past. Sunshine would light his way as he walked into his future.
Every day, from this day on, would be Christmas with Caroline at his side.
EPILOGUE: THE NEWS
JULY 1821
My dearest Mrs. Jackson,
Mr. Thompson and I are returning to Chatternwell to meet with the earl’s Master Builder and highly anticipate meeting your esteemed husband. Would you consider joining us for dinner after Sunday service on 22 July? If you are agreeable, we could send our carriage to collect you and Mr. Jackson to bring you to Chatternwell House. I do hope you can join us!
