Page 15 of Entwined By Error (Madcaps of Mayfair #1)

The Only Blacksmith in Town

Daniel placed his hand on the anvil, his focus upon the sheering knife in the blacksmith’s hand. “Are you certain this is safe?”

Mr. Gladstone shook his head, his Scottish brogue a bit more playful and slurred than Daniel could appreciate in that moment. “Not at all, sir. But it is your only hope of freedom this night. Elsewise, ye will have to head for the border and find another anvil.”

Daniel pulled his hand back, taking Miss Astley’s with him as Mr. Gladstone stumbled backward. “This seems a poor choice. He will likely sever one of our hands in the attempt.”

Southwood stepped forward, pulling on the chain. “I do not care about Daniel’s hand. Mr. Gladstone, chop here at the wrist.”

Miss Astley gasped, recoiling away from him. “You would not dare do such a monstrous thing to any man, let alone your brother.”

Southwood cupped her chin, his expression pulling at his features as though he thought it made him appear lovesick. “I care only for your reputation, Miss Astley.”

The earl stepped forward, pushing the blacksmith away. “No one’s hands will be severed this evening. I shall see to the matter.”

“Do your best, I beg of you.” Daniel hadn’t meant for the last part of his statement to sound so desperate, but he was in a bit of trouble. Not only did the reference to an anvil priest set his heart galloping, but he was also near to bursting if he had to wait much longer to use the necessary.

Miss Astley gingerly placed her hand upon the anvil as well, her expression determined as she met his eyes.

He could see the blacksmith’s statement about a marriage anvil had disturbed her as deeply as it had him, but were the feelings the same?

For his part, he would gladly take her to Scotland that very moment.

But he feared she would never forgive him if he suggested it.

They stood awkwardly, bending forward as the earl employed the handsaw, moving it back and forth, scraping across the metal shackles, and creating a sound that sent their spectators running from the vicinity.

The excuses were unnecessary. If he hadn’t been stuck in the predicament, he certainly wouldn’t stand nearby as the saw grated upon the metal like the scream of a violin.

Miss Asltey pressed one hand against her ear and she attempted to muffle the other with the lift of her shoulder, but it didn’t work. Daniel placed his free hand against the one covering her ear, pulling her tightly into his shoulder, hoping it would help.

Heat instantly burst into his fingers, shooting through his arm like cannon fire at dawn.

He stood unmoving, half-man, half-sensible ruin.

Miss Astley fit perfectly against him, her head lying as softly against him as though she belonged to him.

Thinking back to her comments about finding him a match, Daniel knew there would never be a woman so perfect for him as she was, yet her heart didn’t belong to him.

His arm burned from her touch; his chest ached to pull her more carefully into his embrace; and in that moment, he knew that once the shackles were gone, he had to pack his bags and leave Northcott Castle.

He couldn’t watch as his brother married Miss Astley.

He refused to be there to hold her when she realized she’d been swindled into a loveless marriage for her dowry.

Southwood was determined to marry the girl, she wouldn’t listen to his warning, and therefore, Daniel would take his leave.

Clenching his jaw, Daniel kept hold of her, shielding her hearing from the awful noise.

When he was certain he could handle the sound no longer, the sawing stopped.

Without looking down, Daniel lifted his hand, dread filling every part of his soul, as he was certain the saw would work.

Yet, he felt the familiar pull of Miss Astley’s hand—the tether was unaltered.

Of course, there were deep grooves where the saw had scraped against the metal, little shards poking up, but it was clear to him they would not be freed in this manner.

“Is there no other option?” Miss Astley asked as she lifted her head from his shoulder. The heat of moments before was replaced with a chill, spreading through his arm. Unfortunately, the pressure in his chest remained, the ache reaching out, begging to hold her once more.

Mr. Gladstone, who had not stumbled away, frowned as he held out a torch. “I could heat the metal. Melt it down.”

Hastings grabbed hold of Gladstone’s wrist. “You will do nothing of the sort. I will not have either of them injured in this attempt.”

Miss Astley suddenly screamed, pulling her hand away from Daniel as though the quick movement could break the metal. The only result of her little tantrum was to cause him further discomfort. Of course, he couldn’t fault her for the outburst.

“Thank you for your efforts, Father.” Daniel pointed toward the door, holding back the sigh attempting to burst from his overburdened chest. The situation was dire.

Not only due to his discomfort, but if they were not separated, there would be no question as to what would happen next.

They may not have to head north, but an ordinary license would certainly have to be procured that evening.

He would not argue against it, but he also didn’t think it wise to marry a woman whose heart was set upon another.

As they entered the house once more, Daniel exchanged a glance with his father. Instead of speaking to him, the earl looked to his countess. “Cancel the supper party. Send our regrets to each of the guests.”

Daniel leaned against the wall as Miss Astley sank into a nearby chair. “Surely there are options we have not considered…”

Even as he said the words, he knew there were no other options. Moreover, he was near to bursting thanks to the drink his father had forced upon him.

“I shall see to matters with the vicar,” Hastings said, then he placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “I trust you can wait to take care of personal matters?”

Daniel groaned as he glared at his father. “We shall go with you. It will hurry things along.”