Page 27

“It seems considerably less swollen. Shall I replace the poultice?”

William shook his head, reaching out a hand to take hold of the edge of her wrap. Caroline’s mouth went dry as her gaze dropped to his powerful, bronzed hand. She noticed with fascination the dusting of black hair.

“You are a most extraordinary young woman, Miss Brown.”

His voice was husky, his gaze steady—so unwavering it stirred a flutter deep within her chest.

“I … am?” she croaked out, before swallowing hard, tension thrumming between them, their gazes locked.

“And very beautiful. The most beautiful woman I have ever beheld.”

Caroline swallowed hard again. “That is not possible. What of Miss Jolie, the daughter of Sir Walter?”

His lips quirked in amusement. “I am not well acquainted with Miss Jolie, but she has never turned my head. You, on the other hand, have refused to leave my thoughts since we met.”

At this revelation, Caroline blinked. “You have been thinking … about me?”

“Aye,” was his only response as he continued to finger the wrap between his thumb and forefinger. Caroline was tempted to fall forward, only holding herself back by sheer force of will as she focused on his lips and relived their kiss from earlier that night. Her skin still tingled from the scrape of his beard.

William drew a deep breath, and then reluctantly released the fabric to drop his hand to the settee.

“You shall have to walk away now, sunshine.”

Crushing disappointment overcame her. Her lips formed words without thought. “I am … not … an honorable woman.”

Her shameful whisper was as loud as a shout, with no nocturnal sounds other than the crackling fire to disguise her words. Caroline clapped a hand over her mouth in dismay.

Why would you tell him that?

Clapping a hand over her mouth once more, distressed that she had done it. Destroyed their burgeoning affection. She had wanted to prolong their shared intimacy, but her impulsive words had driven a permanent wedge between them. There had been a wish to share herself, but now her thoughtless declaration would cause him to lose his regard and she would return to her isolation. If she was fortunate, he would keep her secret.

Caroline squeezed her eyes shut in regret. It had been so long since she had let her walls down to share a genuine experience with another person. There were so many excuses she could state for having done so now. It was the holidays. She was lonely. William was the first man to gaze at her with such blazing admiration.

None of it signified, because she had revealed her darkest secret to a veritable stranger and now he would display his disdain, and she would be alone once more. Her throat tightened, and threatening tears burned.

Eventually, she realized she could no longer avoid his reaction and her eyes flickered open. The blacksmith was watching her, contemplating her declaration. Caroline wished she could sink into the table and disappear until, what seemed an eternity later, he finally responded,

“Whatever regrets you harbor, I have done too much wrong in my life to judge you.”

His reply loosened the bands of despair wrapped around her chest as she finally sucked air into her burning lungs.

William had every intention of wooing the fascinating woman who sat by his side. After the potential future his dream had revealed, her fate was sealed. He was going to marry Caroline Brown and live in sunshine for the rest of his days.

However, he realized, she had not shared the experiences of his dream, so his decision would seem abrupt. He had yet to convince her they were fated to be together.

Sensing there was more to her declaration regarding her shame, William concluded he did not care what dark past she might be hiding. Whatever had prompted her to move to Chatternwell was irrelevant to his determination to entwine his future with hers.

William had seen into her heart, and the beauty of her spirit utterly beguiled him. She had brought him back from the dead with her talk of blessings, and the value of friends and family, and finally with her views on the future.

There was no possibility, now that the light had cast away the shadows of his past, that he would relinquish her. All that remained was to lead her to a similar conclusion. That life would be meaningless without him at her side.

Then the vicar would read their vows, and Caroline would come to live in his home. She would change his life as she saw fit, and he would worship her from this day forward while they shared the joy of creating their own family together.

Somehow, he had to bring her to this decision with determined subtlety.

Since he had opened his eyes, he had been aware of her. Enthralled by her presence, he was compelled to draw her closer within his reach.

William noted that Caroline’s gaze was fastened to his. A touch of color warmed her cheeks, and her breath caught softly. Perhaps she was as captivated as he?