“Does your father know?”
Helen shook her head, fresh tears falling. “Nay, and he cannot. He promised my mother as she died that he would make a good match for me. I do not know what he will do if I tell him the truth. Can you help me? My father is arriving today.”
And now Ashley was the one stuck. For she had been in a similar situation once before. Had been out with friends when she spotted the boyfriend of one of her friends. He was cheating on her friend, and when Ashley told her, she was the one who got blamed. To this day the girl hadn’t spoken to her again. She was afraid if she went to Christian and told him, he might react the same way. Because he was obviously extremely touchy about all the broken engagements, and she was afraid this one might put him over the edge.
Helen was still looking at her, hope shining in her eyes. Ashley had to say something.
“We’ll figure something out. Just give me a little bit of time.” She patted the girl’s hand
She didn’t have a clue what it would be.
Christian had been lookingfor his betrothed everywhere. She had not come down to supper, instead sending her chaperone to tell him she wasn’t feeling well. When he went to see how she was feeling, her chamber was empty. At the window, he saw a figure, the torches turning the pale hair to silver.
She was going to the chapel. Mayhap she wanted to see the place they would begin their life together. Once he was outside, he hesitated at the chapel doors. Who was his betrothed speaking to?
Christian slipped inside the door into the dimly lit building. He didn’t recognize the man as his betrothed embraced him. ’Twas clear she was in love.
He sneezed, and the two jumped apart, guilty looks on their faces.
“My lord, I must explain.” The boy bowed before him, holding out his hands.
Helen put herself between Christian and the lad as if he would cut the boy down where he stood. Had he been in love with her, he would have. She clasped her hands together in front of her.
“I was telling him goodbye. That I must obey my father and honor my mother’s wishes. Mistress Ashley says you are a good man and will not beat me.”
She was weeping. He patted her on the back helpfully.
“You love him?”
“More than anything.”
Christian looked to the boy. “And you?”
“Aye, my lord. She is my life.”
“My father knows I am in love with Caleb,” she said. “He wants to be a carpenter—he makes beautiful furniture. But my father would not hear it, as he promised my mother he would make a good match for me. I miss my mother every day, but she would have wished for me to be happy, as she and my father were.” Her shoulders slumped, and her pale face had red spots all over it. “But I will send him away and marry you if you wish it.”
Christian rolled his eyes, wishing Ashley were here. She would know what to say. Why had she told Helen to marry him? Did she not care for him? He had fallen in love with her. He knew it when she was sick on his boots.
Christian sighed and frowned at the boy. “What would you do to care for and protect Helen?”
“I was apprenticed to a carpenter, but his cousin came and he no longer had a place for me. I will labor the rest of my life to take care of Helen.”
“He makes such pretty chairs and tables.” Helen took Christian’s arm, smiling at the boy she loved. “Please do not make me wed you. I would not be happy.”
Christian had only spoken to her twice since she had arrived. He thought her meek and quiet, but this girl, she had a will of her own, and he admired her for it. She reminded him of a certain woman with golden hair that was doing her best to vex him. Christian would not let her. And now he could make her his.
He held out a hand to Caleb, who took it as if worried Christian would chop it off.
“You make beds, too?”
Caleb nodded. “Aye.”
“And you love her, will take care of her? Protect her with your body?”
Caleb nodded again, looking at Helen with love. “I will, my lord.”
Christian made a decision. “Then say the words and I shall stand as your witness.”
