Page 55 of The Gentlewoman Companion (The Gentlewoman #4)

She snatched the letters from him and wasted no time in reading them.

“Listen to this.” She read, “Dear Louisa, Your behavior to me was reprehensible. Thank you. Love, Charles.” She pressed the page to her chest. “It was very kind of you to deliver these. My father will be so pleased to hear from the captain. I scarcely believe the person he describes is my brother.”

“Impressing him was a stroke of genius.”

“My father agrees with you. He’s concerned for Charles’s safety, of course, but wrote to say he should have thought of it himself. I daresay he’s half convinced he did think of it.”

Before James and she had parted, she’d told him she wanted to learn to manage on her own. It seemed she’d accomplished that, but where did that leave him? Not that he expected her to fall at his feet, but he wasn’t certain how to approach this version of Louisa, who did not seem to need anyone.

“What brings you to Wadebridge?” she asked.

How could he answer this question? I came because I love you. Because I want to marry you. Because everything is better when you are with me.

“I wanted to see how you fare.”

She spread her arms. “I have accomplished what I set out to do. It has been difficult but quite satisfying. How is Lady Halverton?”

“She misses you.”

“And I her. She wrote that you’ve established your siblings and Tom and Susan.”

Jenny and John left the room under the burden of many baskets. Left alone, James and Louisa fell into silence. How could he direct the conversation to them?

“Is Parliament still in session?” she asked.

“Yes. The act regarding the Foundling Hospital has not yet been called, and I intend to step in for that one. My views on the subject have matured.”

“Really! Your mother will be pleased.”

“She is. How is Nimbus?”

“Oh, he’s been harnessed to the plow. A real work animal.” She patted her knee, and the white cat jumped into her lap. “I lend him out for a fee now and then. Would you like to see him?”

He followed her out the door and behind the house to a small stable. “Nimbus,” she called before they arrived, and the animal began braying. She looked over her shoulder, smiling, and he almost squinted at her brilliance.

She let the donkey out of his stall. There was never a better cared-for donkey than Nimbus, who wore braids in his mane and stood content between them while Louisa brushed him.

“Tell me about how you persuaded all the tradespeople to invest in town improvements,” he said, patting Nimbus.

“Well, when I arrived, I introduced myself as one who’d survived an attempted elopement, so it took some time.”

He wasn’t sure if that was brave or foolish on her part. Definitely unnecessary. “Not so long. It’s been only four months.”

She brushed down Nimbus’s leg. “It felt longer.”

“I am surprised you were so open with strangers.”

“I hardly had a choice; Lady Molesworth fairly demanded to know everything about me and my sudden arrival. And besides, I couldn’t endure the possibility of establishing myself only to have rumors find me and ruin my progress.

At first, I did not believe anyone would accept me, but when I hired Jenny, her family befriended me.

” She was brushing the donkey’s tail. “I became acquainted with some tradespeople, and we spoke about the state of the roads. I decided to begin a subscription. Once progress began, those used to making decisions took notice. Now we’ve captured Lady Molesworth, we’ll make real progress.

She’s helping me establish a circulating library, and soon we’ll tackle the bridge repairs. ”

Captivated by her expressive mouth, he could barely focus on what she was saying. Charming curls framed the high color of her cheeks. She grew silent and tilted her head.

“Stop looking at me like that.” With the back of her hand, she brushed a curl that had fallen over her cheek and released a deep sigh.

“Why have you come?” She concentrated on re-braiding one of the donkey’s many plaits.

“I was almost at peace, reconciled to being without you, when what? I find you prowling in my garden!”

She shook her head and stopped brushing Nimbus. James followed behind as she returned the donkey to his stall.

“Reconciled to being without me?” That sounded hopeful.

“Of course. I miss your mother and you every day.”

She spoke of him as a friend. So she didn’t long for him as he did her.

She’d called their kiss “a mistake,” said it had “meant nothing,” that they “would never suit.” But he had to say what he’d lacked the courage to tell her months ago.

There remained the chance she might allow him to court her. He had to try.

“I have something else for you,” he said.

“Really, James—my lord—I don’t need anything. I have a place here, and while the residents are not so refined as those in London, I think I like them better. I belong among them.”

He pulled a box from his pocket and presented it to her.

She gasped. “I wondered how you knew I’d sold it.”

“My mother sent me on a coincidental errand.”

“Thank you.” She leaned toward him, and he opened his arms, anticipating the sweetness of her body next to his, but she patted his shoulder. “This means a great deal, but I cannot pay you for it.” She fingered the diamond, then returned it to its box.

“I don’t want payment, Louisa.”

“I won’t be indebted.”

“I am trying to…I regret not trying to persuade you to stay.” He laughed mirthlessly.

“Though I see it was good for you. You have this new life, but I feel your absence. When I ride, I want you beside me. When Samuel says something humorous, I almost hear your laughter blend with mine.” More quietly, he said, “I love you, and I have since the moment I watched you jump Daisy.”

She stepped back and began twisting her sleeve.

“I’ve thought about all these men who asked something of you.

Your father, your brother, the man who took you from Bath.

They each wanted to take something from you.

What they didn’t realize is that you are the treasure.

If you will forgive my impertinence, I am asking for more than anyone else ever has, because I want that prize, the treasure that is you. ”

His heart thudded as he waited for a response, but she was looking away, her profile barely visible. As gently as he could, he reached out and turned her face toward him. Tears dripped down her cheeks. He smoothed them away, tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and cradled her jaw.

“We are a pair,” he said. “Do you feel it as I do? I’m asking your permission to court you, to marry you.

I cannot speak for you, nor do I wish for your acceptance for any other reason than that you want to share a life with me.

If you do not want that, I will walk away and leave you to the wondrous life you have created for yourself. ”