“I hate you for lying to me.”
He grunted and lifted her up on the horse. “You’re bleeding.”
“When I fell, I must have cut myself.”
He urged the horse to a gallop. It wasn’t until they crossed the bridge into the courtyard that she spoke again. “I want to go home.”
There was a horrible sound, and lightning hit something outside the walls. From the smell, it must have been a tree. The smell of ozone was heavy in the air, the wind pulling at her. A terrible sound filled the air. This was it: she was going home.
But when Ashley opened her eyes, she was still here. The storm had blown through, a soft rain falling in its place.
It hadn’t worked. She was bleeding and there was a storm. That was what Melinda had told her was required.
“It didn’t work.”
“I am sorry you could not return home. Say you will forgive me. I am a dolt.” Christian reached in the pouch at his waist.
“What’s that?” She squinted, holding the ring up to the torchlight. Ashley gasped. “I don’t understand. Where did you find it?”
“I know ’tis all you have left of your dam. I have had men out searching since we were set upon by thieves.”
She wiped her eyes. “Thank you.”
He dropped to his knees in the mud. “I love you, Ashley. Say you will marry me.”
Her stomach dropped. Talk about a hypocrite. She shook her head and pulled him to his feet. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
CHAPTER 24
The proposal changed everything.Now she was the one with the unforgivable secret. Over the next few days they avoided each other. Christian spent time with his brothers, while Ashley spent the days with Melinda and the rest of the women. She knew she had to tell him, especially after their blow-up. He deserved to know why she could not marry him.
They had taken over the ladies’solar thanks to Ashley. Charlotte was so happy they were all together, and would be for Christmas, hopefully with a new sister-in-law. Ashley was chewing on something. It had to be big. As much as Charlotte wanted to pry, she was trying to wait, see if Ashley and Christian would make up. But if they didn’t soon, well, they’d all get involved. Shotgun wedding, anyone?
“You know, I don’t know what made me think of it, but do you remember that terrible row between Aunt Mildred and Aunt Pittypat?”
Lucy looked up from her crochet, her silver hair pulled into a bun. Looked like she was making Ashley a scarf.
“I remember. We’d been there, what, about a month or so? You were hiding up in the tree, listening to them argue on the porch. I could see you from my bedroom window.”
Charlotte knew Lucy would remember.
“She said something about a mystery man who washed up on the beach…but do you remember what else she said?” After pausing for dramatic effect and making sure her sisters were itching for her to tell, Charlotte dropped the tidbit in their laps.
“Aunt Mildred said the man was dressed strangely.”
Melinda hopped up. “No way. Do you think it’s possible?”
“Wait, what are you talking about?” Anna, tired from dealing with her son, who wouldn’t sleep through the night, tucked her brown hair behind her ear and sat down next to Lucy.
“Tell us the story.”
“Yes, do.” Elizabeth and Jennifer shut the door behind them and proceeded to set up their easels.
Charlotte looked to her sisters. Lucy nodded.
“Our parents died in a sailing accident when we were little. I was eight at the time. Aunt Pittypat was kind of a hippie, and she took us in. Her sister, our Aunt Mildred, was always cranky and going on about how tired she was.”
“Aunt Pittypat died of a heart attack the same day Lucy went missing,” Melinda said.
