A Deep Loss, but a New Beginning
Ruth took Amy’s hand. It had been two months since the fire. And now they stood in the churchyard, within sight of the grave that held those who had caused it all, but Ruth felt no pity for them.
A tear plopped onto Amy’s cheek. Larry stepped forward and took her into his arms.
‘Ashes to ashes . . .’
Is that what our Lettie is? Ashes and dust? Naw, she’d never be that. A sound filled Ruth’s head: Lettie’s beautiful voice singing ‘Amazing Grace’. She smiled. That’s what Lettie had shown – a beautiful grace that carried her through the last weeks of her life; and she felt proud that she and Amy had been able to help her.
Amy stepped forward and threw a handful of earth. The sound reverberated through Ruth. An arm came round her, and she looked up into Frederick’s beautiful face. She’d forgiven him for trying to manage her life for her; and for his misguided protection of her, in not telling her the truth about the boys.
Her attention came back to the proceedings, as her turn came to help Lettie on her way, by throwing earth onto her coffin. She left Frederick’s side and walked with as much dignity as she could to the end of the grave, ignoring the pain the movement cost her and leaning heavily on her crutch. Frederick didn’t try to help her, for he knew this was something she wanted to do on her own for Lettie.
With the thud of the dirt hitting the coffin, she imagined Lettie smiling – happy that both she and Amy were settled now.
Looking up, Ruth saw that Mr Arkwright was standing next to Frederick. She hadn’t noticed him at the service. A young girl pulled her hand from his and moved closer to Frederick, who lifted her up into his arms. His face lit up with happiness.
There had been some forgiveness. It seemed that Lady Marcia had visited her father on the day she’d died, the day of the fire. She’d told him that all would soon be resolved. That she was leaving Lord Bellinger and was going to stay with Frederick. That she and Frederick were in love, and always had been. She’d told him it had been Bellinger’s scheming – and the hold he had on her – that had caused her to tell lies about Frederick and Katrina. She told him that she feared what Bellinger was planning. That their factories were failing fast, and that Bellinger sought to gain all he could by discrediting Frederick.
Mr Arkwright now knew the truth, but the knowing had taken its toll, as had losing all of his family. Frederick had tried to step in and help him, but the most help had come from Lady Eleonore, whom Ruth now saw step forward and take Mr Arkwright’s hand. He smiled down at her. They had long been friends, through Eleonore’s connection to Arkwright’s wife, and Ruth hoped that their friendship would deepen now and they might become more than a prop for each other.
It hurt Ruth to think that Lady Marcia must have plotted for her to be attacked, and even killed, if what Frederick surmised was correct. However, taking care of Lettie had overridden that, and Frederick’s love had helped her through it all.
As they left Lettie behind in the churchyard, Ruth’s heart was heavy. The sound of Amy’s sobs made her sorrow seem hard to bear. But then, when she looked back at her sister and saw her in Larry’s arms, and remembered his devotion to Amy and how they planned to marry, some of Ruth’s pain lifted.
Later that evening the fire cracked and spitted, its glow giving out a comforting warmth. They were alone: Ruth and her earl. Amy planned on spending the night at her Larry’s house. ‘His mam’s away, so we’ll have the place to ourselves. And I reckon as that’s what you need an’ all, our Ruth – a bit of time alone with Frederick. I’ve told Martha to go to bed and leave you to yourselves.’ The little twinkle in her eye as she’d said this had amused Ruth.
Frederick sat next to her on the sofa, his arm pulling her towards him. She went willingly into the comfort he offered and raised her head to him. Their kiss held all the promise of their tomorrows. A quiet wedding was planned in a month’s time, and then they were going to sail to Australia to see Seth and his family and set him up in a new life. Frederick had seen to it that money was sent to him, and they had heard he had plans to buy a farm.
The insurance payout on the factory had been settled, and the building of a new one on the ruins of the old one was in progress. The ownership had passed to Amy and Larry.
All of these thoughts floated from Ruth, as she lost herself in the deepening kiss that lit her body with a passion she knew she’d only ever touched on in the past.
As they came out of the kiss, Frederick stood. She watched as he removed his shirt. His nod told her to undress, too. As she did so, his eyes never left her. They burned desire into her, which took away her shyness. To her, Frederick was magnificent. His beautiful body glowed, and his desire for her was there for her to see. Her love for him filled every part of her.
Once all her clothes had been removed, Frederick lifted her off the sofa and laid her down on the soft rug in front of the hearth. His hands stroked and kissed every part of her, lingering to caress her club foot as if it were a thing of grace and beauty, while his soft voice spoke of his love for her, and how lovely her body was.
Inside, she burned with her need of him. When at last he entered her, Ruth’s world came together. All pain was forgotten. She had known love of all kinds – her ma’s, her da’s and that of her siblings. Dear Lettie’s and Martha’s love. The love of her beautiful Josh and his ma; and yes, Haydon’s and Lilly’s love. But nothing compared to this. Her body responded with all that she was.
She heard her own voice hollering the coming-together of her body and soul, as wave after wave of sensations overcame her, splitting her into a thousand fragments, then putting her together again, making her a complete and whole being. Now she was no longer ‘the cripple’ or ‘the witch’ – she was Ruth, the woman of love.
That’s what her earl was giving her.
She took all he gave, as she cried out, ‘My Earl. My love, my life . . .’