Page 51 of Beneath the Harvest Moon

He tapped her nose. “I said no more buts.”

She wriggled out of his arms and sat with her head in her hands.

He rose to whisper in her ear, “What do you want, Blythe?” He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “Ignore everything else and tell me what you want in this moment.”

She ran her palms down her face and turned her watery gaze upon him. “I want to be your wife. I want us to work together and help others, to care for the sick in Midthorpe.”

“Then we shall.”

She released a frustrated breath, and her chin dropped to her chest.

“What is done is done. Let us look to the future, our future, as we always planned.”

“You make it sound easy.”

“Why should it not be? We are both free to marry; I have a profession that will support us and your children. Not that you need it, because according to the gossips, you are a wealthy widow.” He offered her a small smile. “There is nothing to stop us being together if you will only forgive yourself. You were young, you were afraid, you listened to someone you trusted and took their advice.” As much as it pained him to say out loud that she had trusted her mother over him, he would be a hypocrite if he did not heed his own advice and let it go.

“Your mother will never train me once she learns the truth.”

“Do not be so certain. You forget, I am her only child, the apple of her eye. There is nothing she would not do for me.”

“But I hurt her son.” Finally, Blythe's lips spread into a small smile. “While I regret my decisions, I cannot regret my children. They have brought me a joy and solace I do not deserve. I would have difficulty forgiving a woman who mistreated Elijah.”

“Then let us pray he finds a good woman who does not break his heart, unlike his callous mother.” He winked.

Blythe frowned.

“Is it too soon to make light of our situation?”

“Perhaps.” Blythe ran a hand down her face. “Zachary knew.”

Resentment bubbled in his stomach. Part of him wished to remain ignorant regarding the details of her marriage. “You need not tell me.”

“I want you to know the truth.” She chewed on her lower lip. “I did not hoodwink him into marrying me. After a meeting with Papa, he came across me when I was upset. He offered his protection because he said he had always loved me, but knew my affections lay elsewhere.”

He ignored the rising bile in his stomach and said, “I suspected so, and you said I need not be concerned.”

“It seems I have a talent for attracting forgiving men who should know better.” She offered him a tight smile. “Still too soon?”

“Perhaps,” he grumbled.

“Zachary’s only condition was that I promised never to return to Midthorpe. He was a good husband, and I tried my best to be a dutiful wife, but…” she placed a palm against his cheek. “I have only loved you.”

Joy burst, burning away the guilt and past hurts. “Put your faith in us. Together we can accomplish our dreams.”

She nodded. “I promise I will never betray you again.”

Touching his forehead to hers, he asked, “So, Blythe Dixon Simmonds, will you do me the honour of consenting to be my wife?”

Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Yes.”

He rushed in to seal their agreement. Salty liquid coated her lips, so he wiped it away with his thumbs. She was his, now and forever. He pulled her to stand. “Let us announce our betrothal before the end of the harvest supper.” He moved towards the door, but she tugged at his arm.

“No, let us wait.”

His elation evaporated. “Why?”

“I have not changed my mind.”