“It is not a bother, dear. I enjoy little outings.”
“Yes, but I was not supposed to leave.”
“In all situations some rules must be adjusted. If it takes a beach to help you decide, then an ocean shall be provided.”
Cait chuckled. Yesterday she had told Lady Priscilla that the shore was her peace and where she found clarity and wished one was near. What she hadn’t expected was for Lady Priscilla to order bags to be packed for a night away and the carriage brought around. After a quiet word with Lady Hartfell, they were off, arriving at their inn nearly three hours later.
“It is a good thing that you will be marrying Lord Shorewood.” Lady Priscilla smiled.
“I never claimed that I would be,” Caitlin reminded her.
Lady Priscilla reached over and patted her hand. “Of course you will dear.”
Cait wished she had the same certainty as her chaperone. “Why is it good,ifI were to marry Shorewood.”
“His home is Ashford Place,” Lady Priscilla answered as if that was all the clarity Cait needed.
“I do not understand.”
“Ashford Place is a lovely home that overlooks The Wash, a large cove fed by the North Sea. The beach is at the edge of the estate.”
Though it should not be a factor in her decision, somehow knowing that Julian lived near a beach was comforting.
After they finished breakfast, Lady Priscilla escorted her outside. “I will remain here, Cait. Go do your thinking.”
Cait smiled at Lady Priscilla who found a bench and settled upon it facing the bay and then made her way to the beach.
It was a beautiful morning and soon the sun was warming her. Cait removed the light cloak she had needed earlier then folded it over her arms and walked. When she came to boulders, she knew she’d found a thinking place.
With a sigh, she settled upon them and set her cloak aside. Almost instantly tears came to her eyes.
She recalled those first meetings with Julian that winter and how she had carried fondness for him in her heart though she had never expected to see him again.
It had been more than fondness. It had been an infatuation bordering on love even though she did not know him all that well. Something inside of her ached and wanted him and Cait had to wonder if two souls meant to be together were responsible for the unexplainable desire and attraction, even for a stranger.
When he returned, they’d shared wonderful days at Harrington Manor. Cait had fallen deeply in love and even though her heart had been shattered with his letter, she had understood. She was angry that he had not come to her about being poor but even at that time, she knew that ten thousand was not enough for a lifetime.
Now that she knew the true reason for the marriage, she could forgive him.
If only he would have told her then. So much heartache could have been saved.
Except, her heart would have still been broken because he would have still left her to marry a mad woman.
But she would have understood why.
Could she still believe in his love? Could she understand why he did not come to her after he was widowed?
Cait tried to put herself in his position. After breaking a promise and a heart, would she have been brave enough to go to him three and a half years later?
Had he only been using revenge as an excuse to mask the fear of rejection?
He had no excuse for the six months after his father died, except after five years, she likely would have been too afraid to face him as well.
Her stomach churned at the very idea.
Julian foundLady Priscilla sitting on a bench. She smiled at his approach.
“You were expecting me?” he asked.
