She had started to relent in her stiff manner toward him, and he was able to tease a laugh out of her on more than one occasion. It was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard, and he couldn’t wait until the time came when he could hear it every single day of his life.
They mostly talked about their childhood and neutral topics that had nothing to do with the future, and that suited him fine. He enjoyed picturing the shy girl that had blossomed into the lovely woman before him. He discovered that Dove was talented in several pursuits, including painting and music, and he intended to ensure that she had everything she wanted at her fingertips. He planned to spoil her as long as she could stand his generosity.
Cain truly felt as though he’d been redeemed, because his step was lighter and he seemed to be wearing a permanent grin. He was happier now than he ever had been frequenting the gaming hells and brothels of his youth. But he supposed those wilder days made him appreciate these serene moments with Dove.
He did feel bad that he didn’t have his grandmother’s ring to offer her on their wedding day, but he intended to rectify that oversight the moment they arrived in London. While they hadn’t yet discussed leaving Meriden yet, surely she would know that was what would need to happen. But he didn’t want to push her too far just yet. They had time to discuss things after the ceremony had taken place.
Two days before Christmas Eve, Cain returned to the inn to settle in for the night and dream of Dove. She would be the best Christmas gift he had ever received, and he couldn’t wait to unwrap all her wonderful delights.
However, Mable stopped him before he could retire. “This message just arrived for you, my lord.”
“Thank you,” he murmured and took the stairs to his room. He sat down in a chair near the fireplace and tore open the wax that bore his family’s seal. The letter was in his mother’s handwriting.
I have no idea where this letter may find you, but I pray it doesn’t take long. I fear your brother, Paul, is treading a dangerous path of late. There are even rumors that he has joined an underground gang in London. Can you imagine the scandal that will cause the family? While the Wyndham name has suffered its fair share with your attempts to drag it through the mire, this may be the final straw that bars our family from polite society for the rest of days.
If you have ever had a care for your sister and I, please come home and talk some sense into him. I am ready to wash my hands of him, but Paul has always listened to you. I have never asked much of you, as you well know, but I do entreat you to heed this matter.
* * *
Your loving mother
Cain crushed the letter in his fist and leaned back in his chair. Of course, this was not welcome news, but he wasn’t surprised. Paul was three years younger than Cain and had made it a goal to follow in his elder brother’s footsteps.
While he didn’t want to leave, he realized that he had to act quickly, or all might be lost. He just hoped that Dove would understand the urgency and forgive him if he wasn’t back to fulfil his promise to her.
To both of them.
Dove paced backstage the night of the play. Cain had yet to return from London from his family emergency, and she was starting to wonder if he actually would.
She shook her head, for the doubts that had plagued her ever since he had left refused to abate. She kept telling herself that he would not abandon her when he had gone so far as to offer marriage.
And yet…
If he lied, the only person who would suffer would be her, in terms of her reputation. Her entire life in Meriden would be in shambles, and she couldn’t blame anyone but herself. It was her rash decision that had landed her in this situation and if it came to pass where she was shunned for the rest of her days, she would hold her head high and let everyone know she wasn’t ashamed. Truly, Cain wasn’t the only one who had changed irrevocably. He had offered her the experience of a lifetime, passion that she had only dreamed of.
“It’s time.” She turned to see her father standing behind her, a particular grim expression on his face. “We have held the play long enough, but we can no longer expect the congregation to continue waiting in this manner. Mr. Carruthers is prepared to return to the role of Joseph in the viscount’s absence.”
Holding her head high, Dove nodded and stepped onto the stage to begin her performance.
Everything started out smoothly, more than it ever had. No one forgot their lines and their costumes were easily managed. Dove was able to maintain her persona as Mary, although inside her heart was aching with longing for Cain. She had prayed that he could make it back in time for the play, considering he had practiced so hard and many of the villagers were looking forward to him engaging the part of Joseph. While Mr. Carruthers was a faithful man for the part, he lacked some of the conviction that Cain had shown.
As Mary and Joseph were on their way to Nazareth, the doors to the assemblage burst open. Everything came to a halt as all eyes turned to the entrance. Dove held her breath as Lord Markel strode purposefully down the aisle. His greatcoat was splattered with snow and his hair was quite disheveled. His clothes were rumpled and his expression was harried, but Dove thought he was the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on.
As the crowd began to whisper, he ignored them all, his focus wholly on the stage—more specifically, on Dove. He locked eyes with her and quoted the next line in the scene.
Dove’s gaze shifted momentarily to Mr. Carruthers, who smiled and quietly exited the stage as the viscount climbed to the platform to take his place.
Dove’s eyes filled with tears as she continued her part, as if there hadn’t been any disruption. Cain continued to speak in a dramatic baritone, but there was something… different about him. His expression was like nothing she’d ever beheld.
It was as if he was truly a man reborn.
He grasped her hands and together they concluded the play, finishing as they welcomed the Messiah into the world, the true gift from God.
When the last line was spoken and they bowed to acknowledge the crowd with the rest of the actors, everyone in the sanctuary began to applaud enthusiastically. They didn’t seem to care that Joseph wasn’t properly dressed, or that there had been a swap in the middle of the play.
It was Lord Markel himself who held up his hands in a plea for silence. When the merriment died down, he grasped Dove’s hand and addressed her father’s flock. “I’d like to thank you all for attending this evening and for allowing me the chance to partake in a part I’d long practiced, and which has become very close to my heart.” He paused and turned to Dove. She held her breath when he continued, “I have not always been a good man, someone that my family could be proud of, but after the recent death of a fellow peer, I decided it was time to make some changes in my life. I came to Meriden purely by chance. Or so I believed at the time. Until I met a woman who would go further to pull me out of the mire that I had been trudging through for so long.”
Keeping hold of her hand, he got down on one knee and looked up at her with stars in his eyes. He also withdrew something from his waistcoat pocket. Holding it up to her, she saw the brilliant light reflecting from the emerald ring. Tears fell unchecked down her face. “My darling, Dove. Tomorrow is the day we are to be united as man and wife. I’m sure you were starting to wonder if that would come to pass with my recent absence, but going to London for that short time allowed me to retrieve my grandmother’s ring so that I might present it to you now. Expressing myself so boldly, in front of all of your friends and neighbors, and your father, I humbly ask once more to please be my wife. I love you and can’t imagine a single day passing when I don’t see your lovely face by my side.”
