Alice took out her unhappiness on the bread dough each day, but it still seemed that there was more inside her. She hadn’t seen Daniel since that terrible day at the Falls. Thankfully the sharp-eyed Myra had seen her pale face and unhappy eyes, and had suggested they head home rather than continue their day out. She couldn’t have found the strength to pretend to be happy, as if nothing had happened. She had been so sure that Daniel cared for her as much as she had learned to love him. Now, she wished she had never laid eyes upon him.
The little bell above the door in the store rang, telling her there was a customer. Reluctantly she wiped her hands and made her way behind the counter. An elegantly dressed young woman stood gazing around her, a young boy at her side. He couldn’t have been more than four. He had the curliest soft black hair, and bright hazel eyes. It was a startling combination. He reminded her of someone, but she couldn’t place it for the moment, though such an unusual countenance should have been obvious. “I am looking for Daniel Havering,” the woman said briskly. She wasn’t rude, not exactly, but Alice was sure that she was used to getting her own way. But, the mention of Daniel’s name set her on edge. Whatever could this woman want with him?
“He owns the farm just south of the town. Just keep heading along the Main Street and then turn left at the crossroads.” The woman swept out, her little boy though stayed, his nose pressed up against the glass. His gaze was fixed on the funny little gingerbread men that she had made for the local children. “Would you like one?” she asked him. He nodded, his beautiful eyes clearly overwhelmed by her kindness. It made her wonder if he had ever seen much gentleness in his young life. He may be well dressed, but he was clearly far from happy. She handed him the gingerbread. His mother returned, her face tense with anger, but her voice was cool.
“Put that down. How could you be so naughty?” she scolded him. The little boys face fell and his entire posture slumped as he accepted the inevitable.
“I offered him the gingerbread. He is welcome to it,” Alice said firmly.
“I shall thank you to stay out of our business,” the woman retorted. “Come Louis, we have much to do.”
“Take the gingerbread,” Alice said pressing it back into the boy’s hands. “I have just remembered I have to deliver some bread to Mr Havering’s farm. I can offer you a lift in my gig if you would like?” She wasn’t sure what this woman wanted, but she was sure it couldn’t be good news for Daniel. He may not wish to see her, may not wish her to be a part of his life any longer, but that would not stop her from caring about his weal. She grabbed loaves from the shelves and one of Ellen’s pies and piled them into a basket. “Shall we?”
“That would be most kind,” the woman said through gritted teeth. “But I cannot trouble you.”
“Ellen, I just have to pop out,” Alice called out to the kitchens. “It is no trouble. I am glad to help. We can’t have you wandering around out there with no clue as to where you are going – and it is a long walk for such little legs,” she added smiling at Louis. Ellen appeared with flour all over her cheeks. Ellen looked their visitor up and down, Alice could see that she was sizing her up and that the fashionable clothing hadn’t hidden a thing from her wise eyes. “I shan’t be long.”
“Take all the time you want. I have everything under control here.”
Alice directed the pair to the little gig outside the bakery. “My name is Alice,” she said.
“Amelia Sedgely, Louis,” the woman replied curtly. Alice almost sniggered. It was clear that this woman believed a mere shop girl to be below her. She drove the gig skillfully out towards Daniel’s farm. It was one of the skills she had once possessed, back on her family’s farm that had thankfully come back to her quickly upon becoming reacquainted. She enjoyed driving along the roads and trackways, she found that the majestic scenery did much to help her heal her hurt.
But, she felt her heart skip a beat as they approached Daniel’s farm. She had avoided it, had not wanted to face the pain of seeing him and not being able to hold him, or be with him. But, she had the oddest feeling that his reason for pushing her from his life was sat beside her now. She had worked out as they drove who it was Louis reminded her of, and it was his eyes. His eyes were Daniel’s eyes. But how had someone so gentle and kind, so humble ever been involved with a woman such as this? Amelia Sedgely was ice cold, there was no give in her. She did not seem to be the kind of woman that Daniel would have ever sought out.
Daniel was chopping logs in the yard. Alice almost sighed as she saw his muscles bunch and ripple with each swing. He truly was beautiful, and she wished that things had been different between them. He turned as he heard the approach of the gig. His face lit up, and then fell just as quickly. “Alice?” he asked as she drew up beside him.
“This young woman came into the bakery asking where to find you. I offered to drive her and her son out here, as I had to deliver these,” she handed him the basket. “But, I should get back and help Ellen.” Amelia was sat primly, clearly waiting for Daniel to help her down. Louis was bouncing up and down.
“Mama, may I go and see the horses in the field,” he asked excitedly.
“Louis, do be quiet,” Amelia said firmly.
“Why don’t I take Louis to meet the horses,” Alice offered. “Then the pair of you can talk in private.” Daniel nodded, though he looked reluctant to be left with the striking beauty.
Alice lifted Louis from the gig, and set him down. She took his hand and led him towards the field where Daniel kept his horses. She didn’t want to intrude, expected Daniel to take Amelia inside to discuss their business, but when she turned the two were still exactly where they had left them. Finally Daniel spoke, and his voice was loud. It was almost as if he wanted her to hear every word.
“Why have you come here Amelia? You made it perfectly clear that the life of a farmer’s wife was beneath you when I last saw you.”
“Can a woman not have changed?” Amelia simpered. Alice snorted. She prayed Daniel was not such a fool as to fall for such a blatant act. Louis tugged on her hand.
“What is his name?” he asked her of the bay mare who was nuzzling at his pockets hoping for a treat.
“Her name is Blaze, because of the white stripe down her lovely nose.”
“She is very pretty. Might I ride her?”
“Why not?” Alice was sure that Amelia would disapprove, but right now she was feeling reckless. She lifted the lad up onto the cart horses broad back. His legs barely stretched down her sides, but he looked so happy. Again, she found herself wondering how much happiness or love the boy had seen.
“But the child isn’t mine,” Daniel exploded behind them. “Why should I be the one to take care of my brother’s mistakes? Or yours.” So that explained why Louis had Daniel’s eyes. Relief flooded through her, the man she loved hadn’t been so foolish as to father a child out of wedlock with this minx.
“I have the chance to marry. He does not know about Louis, and nor do I want him to. I cannot care for him. You wanted him before, why not now?”
“Because he is not mine. I wanted him when you had me so ensnared as to believe he was mine. When I thought I loved you so much that I wished you to be my wife.” Alice gasped. So he had been involved with her, had even asked her to marry him. But she had duped him. No wonder he was so loathe to give away his heart again. Her heart went out to him. She wished she could think of a way to make this better, to let him see that she didn’t think he had been a fool, that she loved him no matter what. But then, she had an idea.
She lifted Louis down from Blaze’s back, and took his hand. She made her way across the yard, and put her free arm around Daniel’s back. She gazed up at him lovingly. “I am sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear the more explosive parts of your conversation. I understand that you wish to leave your son here, with his Uncle?” Amelia nodded, a look of incredulity over her patrician features.
“Indeed.”
“You wish to leave your son, flesh of your flesh, so you can marry a man who would think less of you if he knew you had a child?”
“Yes.” Amelia’s voice was curt. “Are you going to let this chit speak to me in such a way?” she asked Daniel.
“You know what, I think I am,” he said smiling down at Alice. He kissed the top of her head, and she felt her knees almost give way. But she had to stay strong for him, for Louis.
“Louis is welcome here if he would wish to stay with us,” Alice said smiling down at the boy. He grinned at her.
“Can I ride every day?”
“Yes you can.”
“Do you have his things?” Daniel asked Amelia. She nodded and indicated a small case beside her in the gig. “If I take him, you never come here again. I never hear from you in any way – and neither does he. If you are so heartless as to give him up for your own pleasure, then he deserves to have a family that will truly love him. You will never be able to provide him with that, as you have only ever loved yourself.” Alice was so proud of Daniel. He looked so determined, and his words echoed the way she felt inside.
Amelia nodded. In fact she looked relieved. She did not even say goodbye to her son when Daniel drove her back to town where he left her to find her way back to Great Falls. He rushed back to where Alice and his nephew were settled in by the fire playing a game of cup and ball. Louis was quite adept, but often missed the catch to make him feel even better at the game. “She is gone,” he said softly. Alice stood and moved to his side.
“Why did you not tell me?”
“I wanted to, but did not know how to. I believed myself to be in love with her for such a long time. She said she loved me, wished to be with me. When I look back now I should have known. She almost insisted upon our being together, even before I had put a ring upon her finger. My brother was married, but it didn’t stop him from taking whatever he wanted. I could have maybe felt sorry for her if she had been anyone else. But, you saw her. She is selfish and self-centered. She intended to keep the wool over my eyes and continue her affair with my brother.”
Alice reached up and kissed him tenderly. “So, young Louis is going to need a Mama. Now, I have no other ulterior motive but to love you and him for the rest of your lives. Will you marry me Daniel?” He looked down into her hopeful face, and her heart sang. She knew the answer even before he spoke.
“You are too good for me, but I love you desperately. If you can forgive me my foolishness, I will love you until the end of time.” He kissed her deeply.
“But is that a yes?” Louis piped up from the fireplace. Alice and Daniel broke apart, and the little family laughed together.
“Yes, that is most definitely a yes,” Daniel said emphatically as he moved to the boy’s side, and swept him up into his strong arms. “Would you be happy being our son?” Louis nodded and flung his arms around Daniel’s neck.
“Then everyone is happy, and all is well.” Alice ruffled Louis’s soft curls and ducked her head into Daniel’s chest. Somehow everything felt perfect, and she knew that they would be happy together and would make a good life for their little family together.
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The End
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