Ford’s jaw ticked as he regarded Liam carefully for a long moment.
‘I didn’t... I know you, Ford,’ he continued, realising what he’d implied. ‘You’re a good man. An honest man. Not one who would forgo the truth to preserve reputations.’
Ford’s gaze softened.
‘I mention it only as I hope you can look into the matter. I will hire others, but here...you are trusted. People might talk to you when they might not to a stranger.’
‘Of course. I will speak to Mrs Hardwicke first, I think,’ Ford said after a moment. ‘And then see this refuse removed from your land.’
‘Thank you.’
Ford strode off towards Rebecca, Liam following slowly behind. As the magistrate took her aside, Liam wandered over to his staff—family—and made his apologies for his earlier behaviour. He’d barely finished before they forewent all propriety and passed him around for embraces, tears flowing generously.
The doctor saw to cleaning up his wounds, and soon he was just as bundled as them all, with tea in hand, and he told them of his talk with Ford, and their plans.
As they digested the news in silence, too amazed to formulate any questions, Liam watched Rebecca discussing matters with the magistrate, as composed as ever despite everything that had happened. She really was an extraordinary woman, his love.
Love.
Yes, that’s what it was. The revelation hit him with dizzying strength, and he smiled beatifically, like some witless dunce. How blind, how stubborn he’d been, indeed. Denying the simple, obvious truth; concealing it behind notions of comfort and passion. She had captured his soul the first night he’d found her in the library. Every time he’d been presented with the idea of losing her, he had found himself unable to face it. Why? Because she was his friend? Because he felt he owed her a debt? Because she had breathed life back into him and shared his bed?
What an utter imbecile I have been...
Unwillingly, unwittingly, Rebecca had become part of him. Her flesh, her being, her soul, woven into his. And he, at every turn, had refused to recognise that. Had refused to see the blatant truth, even as he knew her to be mistress of his heart. He loved her with everything he was. She had awoken him, given him hope of a future he’d thought long-lost.
Rebecca glanced over at him, and a frown appeared on her face before she turned back to Ford. Liam realised he still stood there, smiling like an idiot.
Drat.
What must she think now? He had behaved badly—that much was certain. Even as she’d risked her life to save him, even as they’d escaped with their lives, what had he done but stand there and ask her if she was hurt? No demonstrations of relief, not even any thanks. He had not taken her into his arms, shown her what he felt at that moment, expressed the love that he may not haveknownhe felt, but that he most certainlydidfeel. What had he done but recoil from her touch?
True, Mellors had been between them, but really, he should have tossed the sorry excuse of a man to the ground and shown her what was in his heart.
Damnation...
He may have inadvertently broken that which he held most precious.
Again.
There would be much begging in his future.
So long as she is, too.
If the day had taught him anything, it was that he’d already wasted far too much time. Missed far too many opportunities to seize the happiness life had seen fit to offer him.
Ford was extending his hand to Rebecca now. With a smile, she took it, and then the magistrate was coming back towards him.
Finally, Liam thought, feeling as though he couldn’t get back to her quickly enough.
‘Mrs Hardwicke and I have had a most promising conversation,’ Ford said. ‘I have reassured her, I think, that Mellors will never be a threat to her or to anyone else again.’
William Reid, you are an ass.
Thank God Ford, at least, had seen to reassuring her. In all the turmoil, Liam had never quite thought to tell her she would have her life back, if it was the last thing he did.
‘Thank you, Ford,’ Liam said, offering his hand.
‘You and your staff are welcome at Heathfield, for however long is needed. I will leave you now, but I will send word to my wife that we will be expecting guests...?’
