Chapter Twenty-Three

 

Annabel sipped her tea as Edward added another log to the fire. Once that horrid man Cecil had left, Edward had returned to his woodcutting as Annabel changed into a clean and dry dress. She had thrown the ripped one into the fire, hoping never to see it again.

She was proud of how she had defended herself but all the happier that Edward had arrived just in the nick of time. He had saved her as readily as the heroes in any of Hannah’s stories—and in Annabel’s dreams. The idea was so romantic, Annabel was barely able to contain herself when Edward returned with his arms filled with freshly chopped wood, water dripping from his hair as he placed it beside the hearth to dry.

Handing him a steaming cup of tea, she smiled at him and then winced. Her cheek hurt terribly from the blow she had received from Cecil, but she refused to complain. She had proven herself today and would not nullify her bravery by acting like a child.

Yet, it did pain her.

Edward set his teacup on the table and walked into the kitchen, returning with a damp rag. “I do not see any swelling,” he said as he placed the cloth to her cheek.

Annabel pulled back from the heat.

“I am sorry,” he said. “I did not realize it was so warm. However, it will help with the pain.”

She nodded, taking the rag and holding it to her face. “You were hit with a fist,” she said, noting the discoloration around his eye. “Surely you will need this more than I.” She offered him the cloth, but he reached up and gently returned it to her cheek.

“I will be all right,” he said. “It is you who needs to be cared for.”

She studied him. Were his actions—and her heart’s response for that matter—due to a deeper emotion? Was this love or simple admiration? Or were her feelings brought on by a misguided affection because he had saved her from being carried away by that buffoon, Cecil?

Edward had yet to open the letter, which Annabel thought odd. However, the fact that they had wood for the fire to keep them warn with the growing storm, she was glad he waited. Now, he studied the letter, frowning. Was it good news? Yet, in these circumstances, what would be considered good news?

“I assume the letter speaks of me? Is all well?”

He sighed. “Your aunt has been seen organizing the funds for your return, apparently, and the payment is expected to arrive at the end of next week.”

“I see.” Annabel turned toward the window, uncertain how this news made her feel. She should be elated somehow, yet melancholy trickled inside her. “Well then. I will be returning to Scarlett Hall soon, it seems.” Edward merely nodded. Annabel had so many questions she wished to ask the man. Most concerned her heart, but others concerned him. “What will you do once this has all come to an end?”

“I had wondered that very thing just today,” he replied as he drummed his fingers on the table. “With the money I receive, I shall begin investing in hopes to one day return to the man I once was.”

“Then you will stop your criminal ways?” she asked, keeping her excitement for this bit of information hidden. “You will put that life behind you?”

He nodded. “I will. I may be a failure, but I have come to understand that this life I have led is not one I want any longer.”

“Then I am happy for you,” she said in a quiet tone. “I knew you to be a better man than what you believed.”

He snorted. “I am still the man who took you away. That does not make me a good person, but it does show your naivety in believing I am.”

“No!” Annabel said, so harshly that Edward leaned back in his chair. “I am not naive!” She was weary of everyone believing she was ignorant, for that was what naive meant, at least in her eyes. “Since the moment I first saw you, I knew the man you truly are. You are a man who can make me happy!” She had risen from her chair without realizing and with a sigh, returned to her seat. “Do you not see? You have done just that.”

He gave her a doubtful stare. “Done what?”

“Made me happy.”

“I cannot see how.”

She shifted in her seat and leaned forward. “You not only showed me that I have many faults which hinder me in life, you spoke of a strength within me. It was that strength that I used today to fight that ruffian. The strength to not simply be swept away like a twig on a current with whatever happens around me. It is the power one must possess to find their future and not wait for it to come to them. I would never have realized all that if you had not taken me, and for that I am thankful.”

Edward stared at the table between them for a moment, and then said in a low voice, “Your words are kind and mean much to me.”

Annabel reached over and placed a hand atop his. “I have not asked anything of you since we arrived here, but I will now. And you must swear that you will do what I request.”

“What do you wish?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Swear!”

“Very well,” he replied with a sigh. “I swear.”

With a firm nod, she said, “When I am returned to Scarlett Hall and you begin your new life, I want you to return first to your village.”

“My village?” he asked with a shake to his head. “The people there will laugh at me, mock me. I am not sure I could handle their looks of disgust.”

“What you say may be true, but that village is where you decided to take the wrong path. By returning there, you may be able to choose another path, one that is more fitting a man of your stature and importance.”

For a few moments, Annabel worried he would reject her suggestion, for she saw great conflict in his eyes. However, a small smile formed on his lips, warming her soul.

“You are correct,” he said. “You are not naive. I have come to realize that your kindness is as great as your wisdom. I will do as you request.” He stood and walked around the table. “Thank you,” he said before leaning over to kiss her cheek.

As he returned to the kitchen, she touched the place where his lips at touched her, and she whispered, “And thank you.”

***

That night after a hearty stew Edward had prepared for them, and with Annabel now in bed, Edward lay on the sofa thinking on the days ahead. In his hands he clutched the letter that had arrived with the foul man who had attempted to take Annabel, and although Edward had told Annabel the truth about the contents, he had held back a portion of it back.

How did one tell a woman for whom he had garnered a great affection that he had been reminded that he was to end her life? Although the idea had been unsettling when Adam had instructed him to do just that in the beginning, now he found he could not—no, would not—kill Annabel.

He groaned. How could he have allowed himself to create a bond with the woman he had kidnapped? The idea was ludicrous! Yet, despite the fact he was a criminal, he had never considered hurting a woman. Could he have not simply let her go when he had realized he could not kill her? If he had done so, he would not be in the muddle he was in now.

Sighing, he folded the paper and stood, stopping to emit a sneeze so loud he wondered if the books on the shelf would fall. With a grimace, he wiped his nose on a handkerchief and walked to where his coat was thrown over a chair. He could not have her see the letter! He placed it in the inside pocket of his coat where it would be safe.

As he lay on the sofa once more, he drew the blanket over him and laughed as he recalled Annabel’s description of her encounter with the ruffian. Her ideas of defense would never qualify as serviceable for the Royal Army, but she had not cowered as she might once have. That was why he was proud of her, for one day, that strength would serve her well.

However, as he thought on her return to her former life, he could not help but consider her words about him returning to his live as Viscount Wolcott. Closing his eyes, he imagined what it would be like to return and begin fresh. He had dismissed the notion as folly, but now he realized that she was indeed right.

Of course, others like Lord Grandly would mock him. The reminder of his foolishness would most certainly sting. However, if he was able to face his past, his future would be all the brighter. That had been one of the many gifts Annabel had given him during their stay together, and he would always be grateful to her for it.

Yet, as he drifted off to sleep, he began to ponder. Of all she had given him, which gift was the greatest?