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This realization was unexpectedly desolate. She liked the blacksmith, especially since he had relaxed his grim mood and revealed some of his struggles.

Many women in this town coveted William for his handsome form and successful livelihood. Yet Caroline knew something else about him. She was the only woman in Chatternwell aware he had injured himself while secretly helping the old widow next door by repairing her roof on Christmas Eve.

He was an honorable man, and she had to admit their earlier conversation was thrilling, when he had confessed that she had influenced his thoughts and lightened some undisclosed burden he had been carrying. The shift in his mood was palpable, and she was apparently the cause of it.

The thought of gathering her things to walk out the door was rather disheartening.

Work!

Caroline drew a deep breath, slightly mollified at the reminder of what would take the place of this increasingly intimate connection she was forming with William.

Work will keep your mind from wandering about!

She nodded to herself. Close relationships were not permitted. This was an aberration, a freak occurrence. Once this holiday was over, so too would be this strange bond they had formed over the course of the night. Work would distract her from any yearnings that might disturb her thoughts.

As she reached this conclusion, feeling better for having a plan to get past these unprecedented events, Caroline realized that William’s eyes were open. He was staring at her with the oddest expression. Was it … admiration?

Caroline sat up. “Do you need anything, William?”

He licked his lips to moisten them, then spoke in a low voice. “Would you check my ankle?”

“Of course.” She swung her feet to the floor and bounced up, quickly navigating the room to light a candle before sitting on the low table. She pulled his blanket up to reveal his ankle in the low light, then gently felt around.

“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?

He drew a breath and took a chance, raising his hand to reach for her tentatively.

Triumph swelled his chest when Caroline came willingly into his arms. Her hazel eyes were luminous in the dim firelight, and when her lips parted with a soft sigh, it was the only invitation he needed.

William wrapped an arm around her slight waist, drawing her close before cupping her face in his hands. He tilted her head back, brushing his mouth over hers with aching reverence, then deepened the kiss with fervent longing.

Caroline clutched the fabric of his shirt, her fingers curling there as she pressed close, returning his kiss with quiet intensity.

Her lips were soft, and the moment lingered, tender and full of feeling.

What passed between them was not mere attraction—it was connection.

It was hope. It felt like the first spark of something lasting and true. But did she feel it too?