Her Lord and Master
Page 5
Molly spent a harrowing night tending to the master. However, it was well worth it: by the next morning he was seemingly out of danger and quite lucid. When the doctor arrived to examine him, Lord Ashford was able to relate the details of the accident more fully.
“I was riding my horse down by the stream. When Jupiter went to jump the berm, he landed awkwardly and fell, crushing my leg beneath him. I must have hit my head on a rock and passed out then, because I don’t remember anything else until Adams came to rescue me. I remember him hoisting me up, then blackness, until I woke up this morning.”
“It’s a good sign that you remember the accident,” the doctor said. “A clear memory is one indicator that there should be no lasting effect from your blow to the head. However, should you have any trouble with your memory or vision, or any dizzy spells, you must send for me immediately. As for your leg, you must let it heal for at least a month. I will come once a week to look in on you.”
After the doctor departed, Lord Ashford called for Adams. At his behest, Molly escorted Will into the master’s room, where Lord Ashford lay recuperating.
“Adams,” his lordship said. “It seems I owe you my life.”
“Nay,” said Will, “nothing so serious as that. Someone else would have found you, had I not.”
“Still, I am in your debt. How can I ever repay you?”
“Molly,” Will blurted out, surprising her and from the look on his face, the master as well. “I would have Molly to be my wife.”
The master looked over at her where she sat next to his bed, her head bowed, so as not to reveal her turmoil at this unexpected development.
“May I speak freely, my lord?” Will asked.
His lordship nodded.
Will continued, “I know that she is your paramour, and I do not care. The fact is, my lord, that even if you love her, you can never marry her. I do love her, and can marry her. I can give her a respectable home and children, and will do so gladly if you will give me your blessing.”
“You speak the truth,” said his lordship, quietly. “What say you, Molly?”
“You are my lord and master,” she replied, “and I shall defer to your wishes, but I must confess that I am not opposed to Mr. Adams suit.” Thankfully, the master did not appear to be too distressed by her confession, or too curious about the sudden romance between her and Will. Instead he looked thoughtful. Finally, he spoke. “I do give my consent, but on two conditions. First, you may not marry until I am able to attend the wedding, and second, you must swear to take good care of her.”
“I swear,” Will promised. “Thank you, my lord. You have made me the happiest of men. I shall go immediately to the vicar and ask him to post the banns.” Nodding to his lordship, Will strode from the room, leaving Molly alone with her master.
After a long silence, Lord Ashford spoke. “You care for him,” he said.
She nodded. “I have not known him long, but he is a good man.”
The master was silent a moment longer, then he said, quietly, “In all this time, I have never asked if you care for me.”
For the first time in her experience, the master sounded uncertain, and vulnerable.
“My lord…” she began.
“Anthony.”
“What?”
“My given name is Anthony. I have never heard it from your lips. I would do so, before I lose you forever.”
Molly’s heart thudded in her chest. If she had ever doubted that he cared for her, her doubts were now erased. Tears burned her eyes.
“Anthony,” she said softly, her voice thick with unshed tears. “I think that I have loved you from the moment I saw you.” Only now did Molly truly understand what Mrs. Hutchins had told her those many months ago. The love she felt for Will was not the love she felt for Lord Ashford, but both were real and true.
This seemed to satisfy the master, since he gave her a sad smile and nodded, before dismissing her. As she left the room, Molly looked back with love on the lips that had so often kissed hers, the arms that had held her, the body that she’d so often felt pressed against hers. She would never forget his lordship—or the passion he’d taught her. She would take that gift, along with her precious book, into her marriage.
Four weeks later, on the day of her wedding, his lordship gave her another gift, a purse containing five hundred pounds. Then he watched, along with all the servants and half of the village, as Molly stood before the vicar and pledged her vows to Will, promising to love, cherish and obey him for all time, as her husband, her lord and the master of her heart.
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ISBN: 978-1-4268-2713-6
Her Lord and Master
Copyright © 2009 by Jennifer Dale
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