Page 92 of A Provincial Peer

He blinked, and then he reached up to touch her face. “Soon,” he promised in a low voice. “I shall see you again very soon. And then it will be my turn to kiss you.”

The scrape of a chair leg against the floor was a poignant reminder that they were not alone. Reluctantly, Caroline stepped away from the bed.

Lady Farwell emerged from the shadows. “Sleep now, Benedict,” she said. “Mrs. Abbot or I will check on you in a little while.”

Caroline crossed to the writing table and reclaimed her belongings. Donning her gloves, she set her shawl upon her shoulders and her bonnet upon her head, and then she followed Lady Farwell to the door. When she reached it, she turned to look back at the bed. Benedict’s dark head was visible against the white pillows, his breathing heavy and even. I love you, Benedict, her heart whispered. Please keep fighting.

Lady Farwell remained silent until they reached the bottom of the stairs. Stokes stood ready at the front door, but as they drew nearer, Lady Farwell’s feet slowed to a stop. “Forgive me if I am out of line, my dear, but I feel that I would be remiss if I did not speak with you before you leave.”

Caroline’s heart began to pound. Had her ladyship witnessed the brief kiss she’d given Benedict? It had been so natural, Caroline had given no thought to its impropriety. She swallowed. “Of course, my lady.”

Lady Farwell hesitated, as though measuring her words. “I began to suspect that Benedict may have developed feelings for you when he defended you so soundly in front of Mrs. Flockton and her daughters.” She shook her head slightly. “Over the years, I have introduced my son to countless eligible young ladies only to have him show no interest in furthering an acquaintance with them. Now I realize how needless it was to worry over him. He was simply biding his time to make his own choice, to find a young lady who appreciates his passion for the farm and cares as deeply about the local people as he has always done.” The smile she offered Caroline was filled with fondness. “Your arrival here this morning has offered me hope that Benedict’s feelings for you are reciprocated. I did not hear every exchange you and Benedict shared just now; the words were not intended for my ears. But one would have to be blind not to recognize the affection you have for one another.

“I know that I should learn from the past and cease my interfering, but you are good for him, Caroline. And I believe he may be good for you too.”

If Caroline’s heart did not calm itself soon, Benedict would not be the only one forced to take to a bed. “I appreciate your kindness more than I can say, my lady, but you realize that unlike the other young ladies you referred to, I have no title or fortune. Instead, I have a young daughter.”

“Of course. But Benedict has no need to marry into a title or money. He is already in possession of both. And as far as Meg is concerned, I believe Benedict was completely smitten with her before he even realized his feelings for you.”

A vision of Benedict cradling Meg in his arms after their adventure at the river filled Caroline’s mind, and she knew that there was truth to Lady Farwell’s words. “He has been unfailingly good to Meg.”

“I am glad, though not overly surprised.” She set her hand on Caroline’s arm. “Allow him to be good to you, too, my dear. And know that Lord Farwell and I will welcome you here with open arms, whether you come as a much-loved neighbor or as something more.”

Tears were threatening. “Thank you, my lady.”

With an understanding smile, Lady Farwell released her arm. “I daresay I have far exceeded my meddling allotment for the week, so I’d best let you go. I am grateful to you for coming when you did.”

Not daring to trust her voice, Caroline bobbed a brief curtsy and hurried to the door. Stokes saw her coming and opened it as she approached.

“Good day, Mrs. Granger,” he said with a bow.

Caroline offered him a grateful look and made her escape. Perhaps by the time she walked back to the vicarage, her tears of relief and happiness would be spent, and her heart would no longer feel as though it were bursting. Then again, if this was simply a manifestation of pure joy, there was a distinct possibility that she would experience it again the next time she saw Benedict.

Chapter 30

Benedict tied Saxon to the gate post outside the vicarage. It had been two days since Caroline had visited him in his bedchamber. Later that same day, his fever had finally broken, and ever since then, he’d been impatiently waiting for the last of his blisters to scab over so he might leave the house and see her again.

With long strides, he started down the garden path toward the front door. He’d almost reached it when he heard a peal of childish laughter. He stopped. The laughter came again, and this time, he identified the direction from which it was coming. Ignoring the door before him, he followed the path around the house.

The large oak tree that marked the entrance to the back garden appeared much as it had the last time he’d stood in this spot. Deep-green leaves hung from the expansive limbs, shading a portion of the lawn beyond. Once again, Caroline and Meg occupied the garden. Today, however, they were not engaged in making daisy crowns. Instead, Meg was chasing after Caroline in what appeared to be a very energetic game of tick.

Caroline darted left. Meg squealed with delight, hurtling after her as fast as her short legs could go. A smile bloomed on Benedict’s face. What a difference a couple of months had made. When she’d first arrived in Leyfield, Caroline could no more have raced around the garden than he could have anticipated falling so fully in love with her.

Gratitude for both those miraculous changes—along with his own return to good health—washed over him. It would likely be a few weeks before the scars on his hands faded, but when compared to what he had gained, a few pockmarks were of little consequence.

Caroline rounded the apple tree, but Meg anticipated her move and ran the opposite direction. Moments later, she barreled into Caroline and was temporarily lost from view within the folds of her mother’s wide skirts. Laughing, Caroline stumbled back two paces, attempting to untangle her small assailant.

“Tick!” Meg cried, breaking free. “You’re it, Mama! You’re it!” She pivoted and started running toward the oak tree. And that was when she saw Benedict. Instantly, her face lit up. “Lord Benting!”

Benedict needed no encouragement. He dropped into a crouch and opened his arms. Meg ran directly into them. He lifted her off the ground and spun her in a circle. “Oh, Meggie, how I’ve missed you!”

“I missed you even more.” Meg wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tight. “Because I love you so much.”

Her innocent blue eyes met his, and his heart seemed to melt.

“And I love you, Margaret Jane Granger.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “I’m not being naughty.”