Page 36 of Pursued Beyond Treachery (Harrowed Hearts #2)

W hen Martha and Uncle Guthrie turned to leave the sitting room, Susannah caught sight of boot tips showing at the bottom of the doorway. They quickly pulled back at the sound of footsteps, but not soon enough.

“Good day Mr. Roberts, Sir Nathaniel, Mr. Kendall,” Uncle Guthrie said, not at all surprised at their presence in the hall.

Susannah waited for the men to enter after her uncle and cousin left, but instead Mr. Kendall reached in and pulled the door shut, a cheeky smile on his lips. She was alone with John. Her heart pounded, memories of last evening swirling in her mind and warming her cheeks.

Slowly she turned to him. He stared at the closed door, his face unreadable.

Fear crept in where excitement had been, stealing her thoughts away to a dark place.

She had been the one to instigate the kiss that caused the scandal.

The relief of her uncle declaring her father solvent had swept up her thoughts and carried them into a fairytale world where John would automatically forgive her and confess his love.

But this was real life.

She had forced his hand, and he might never forgive her for that.

John’s gaze slowly met hers and his hand came up to pull something from his pocket. A letter if she was not mistaken. He held the corners of the paper gingerly with his fingertips, spinning it in his hands.

“S-s-sus-s-sannah.” He swallowed. “I-I…” He shook his head, then meticulously opened the paper.

What was it? An explanation for why he could not rescue her, or a reason he would, but why he held her responsible? The distance he kept between them seemed to indicate his distress.

He cleared his throat as he pulled his reading spectacles from his pocket and settled them on his nose. His stance was all business.

Taking a deep breath, he said, “ M-m-most b-beloved Susannah.”

Her heart tripped in her chest. He still loved her? She did not need any more words to confirm it, but she listened all the same, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“F-from our childhoods y-y-you have been one of my d-dearest f-f-friends .” He took a deep breath .

“I reverence each experience of loss that we surmounted together and cherish each joy we shared . Never, in those early years, would I have imagined those experiences would lead me to an unutterable love and longing for you that has blossomed since my return from the continent.” With every word John’s gaze moved less and less to the paper he held.

“I cursed my mouth daily for the words it refused to say and the feelings it kept locked inside my lungs.” His deep blue eyes rose and locked on hers. “But it holds me captive no longer. I stand before you in agony, praying I am not too late.”

He stepped forward, pulling Susannah from her reverie. She mimicked his movement, bringing them closer.

Johnathan dropped the letter to the floor.

“I love you with all my body and soul. You fill my life with the words I struggle to grasp, with music to lighten my darkest days, and with a generosity of spirit that looks over my inadequacies.” He extended his hand and she took it.

“Can that generosity forgive me now as I beg for your hand in marriage? For it is my dearest desire to traverse each season of life with you, to love you, and build a family with you. To give myself to you body, mind, and soul.”

Susannah sniffled and he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. If only she could get ahold of her emotions. How the tables had turned. He was pouring out his heart and she was the one who could find no words. She dabbed at her face.

He lowered his head, spectacles now removed, to look into her eyes. “Please relieve my suffering and say you will be mine.”

Grinning, she threw her arms about John’s neck, knocking him off balance. He stumbled back a step but caught her about the waist. Laughter bubbled up from within her and spilled out.

“I-is that a yes?”

She placed a hand on each side of his face so she could look him in the eyes.

“Yes, without a single reservation in my heart. You have been my dream for as long as I can remember. It grew slowly, a girlish admiration, but these last two years it has blossomed into a womanly desire. You are the kindest, most honorable man I know and it would be my honor to become your wife.”

He pulled a hand away from where his arms had encircled her waist and gently caressed her cheek with his knuckles.

“I… love you… Susannah.”

“And I love you, John.”

He buried his hand into the golden curls at the back of her head and captured her lips with his own. The kiss was gentle at first, warm and sweet, but it was not enough. She leaned into him, her arms encircling his neck, her mouth hungrily meeting his kisses with fervor.

He pulled back and gasped for air, then leaned his head against hers. “W-what do you say to a common license?”

Susannah giggled. “A wise choice after the scandal we’ve created.”

“Not to mention the amount of kissing going on behind this door,” Mr. Kendall called.

Surprise sent Susannah skittering back before they both burst into laughter.

“I should have known they’d not leave even after the door was closed,” John whispered. “They are worse than Lady Plum and Mrs. Cline.”

“I heard that,” Mr. Roberts called. “I suppose I should be the one compared to Lady Plum since she is the finer dressed of the two.”

Another round of laughter ensued from both sides of the door.

Susannah stepped back into John’s embrace and said, “Might you all give us a moment? We are planning the rest of our lives in here.”

“I thought we were giving you a moment,” Sir Nathaniel said.

“What are you three doing?” Melior’s voice joined those in the hall.

“Eavesdropping,” Susannah called, then giggled. “Would you kindly remove them?”

Melior cracked the door open and a broad smile spread over her face, flashing her nearly perfect teeth. “Of course I will. Take your time.”

Then the door shut and a chorus of complaints faded as Melior no doubt ushered their audience back down the hall.

John cupped her face. “Run away with me.”

Her eyes widened. “Where to?”

“Anywhere but London. At least for a few weeks. My responsibilities will no doubt pull us back.”

“Maidstone?”

He gathered her hands and tipped his forehead to touch hers. “I like the way you think. Tomorrow?”

“Today.”

He pulled back. “Are you certain?”

“Absolutely. I want to be married with our family surrounding us.”

“Our family?”

“You have always been one of us, John, only now it will be legal.”

He smiled, a contented warm smile that reached all the way to his eyes. “Your wish is my command, my lady.”

“Your lady. I like the sound of that.”