“With all my heart.” Standish finished off his drink and rose. “And on that note, I will excuse myself so that I might join her. She said she needed to speak with me about something, and I’ve already left her waiting longer than I ought to have.”
“Right.” Jasper grimaced. Doubtful much talking was going to take place that night between the two newlyweds.
He shifted on the bench where he sat. If his and Nia’s ceremony had not been interrupted, he’d be upstairs already as well.
Instead, he was left sitting alone, in a country inn in the middle of nowhere with the woman he desired just a few steps away.
Although she might just as well be in another country.
Nia hadn’t wanted to marry. She was free.
He poured himself another drink and swallowed it in one gulp. He’d decided to give her time, and so he would wait. It didn’t matter that Nia was the most intriguing woman he’d ever known, or that she fit his arms perfectly.
Or that they’d shared the most sexually satisfying night of his life.
Neither of them had set out wanting to marry, and they’d both gotten exactly what they wanted. He poured another drink and slammed it back as well.
Left to finish the bottle himself, Jasper remained in the taproom until the early morning hours. A single bachelor. Alone.
Just the way he’d always wanted it.
Turn it back around
“Was Standish annoyed when you asked him if we could go back?” Nia asked.
The sun was just now rising as the two sisters sat together in the rocking carriage. They were heading north this time, however, returning to Gretna Green.
“Not at all,” Goldie reassured her. “And the innkeeper promised him that he’d deliver your note to Westcott before he departs.”
Nia hugged her arms in front of her to try settling the nerves that had encroached ever since Goldie suggested her plan.
The note she had written played itself out in her mind over and over again.
* * *
Dearest Jasper,
You are free. Of course, you are free. The last thing in the world I ever wanted was to trap you into marrying me. Because I love you.
And I do not want to be your wife because you feel honor bound to marry me. Instead, I ask that you honor me with your honesty.
If you don’t feel the same, I beg you to continue on to London alone.
But if you do love me, I will be waiting for you at the blacksmith’s in Gretna Green at precisely four in the afternoon today, prepared to become your wife. If you don’t come, I will accept that as your decision.
Only come if you love me.
Yours,
Gardenia Hathaway
P.S.
I apologize for not speaking to you in person, but I wanted you to please make this decision without feeling pressured by the prospect of my tears. And please, please, do not come if love doesn’t compel you.
* * *
“He isn’t going to come,” Nia said.
