“My concern is for you, Abigail. I have just left town and there are ruckuses going on in all parts of town about who will or should win your hand. The men are becoming restless and dangerous. I believe you need to either make your decision soon or leave town until you can come to a resolution as to whom you’ll choose.”
“I feared this may happen. You’re right, and I shall think on it tonight.”
“You’re welcome to accompany me back to Willowville,” he offered. “The main house is nearly as grand as your own and more than enough room for privacy and comfort.”
“Although I cannot leave tonight, I shall most definitely take your offer in consideration if the men begin to revolt,” she said. “Thank you for your concern, Phillip, it was very kind of you to come out this way to warn me,” Abigail added, and she caressed her hand across his cheek.
Phillip raised his hand and laid it atop of hers, and drew it to his lips. “You have my directions and you’re welcome anytime.” He kissed her forehand and his lips lingered on her skin. “Until next time,” he smiled, and he climbed down the terrace wall as quickly as he had come.
Abigail looked down and thoroughly examined her arms from fingertips to shoulders. Even with the combination of the chilly night air, there wasn’t a single gooseflesh spec to chase away.
Damn! Brice was right again.
CHAPTER TEN
Abigail patiently waited in the dining room for Thomas and Tess to arrive for their afternoon meal. The ornate plaster ceilings reflected the light that came from the six large bay windows that aligned the north wall. The massive window frames dominated the room as they were mounted from the black oak floor to the ceiling. They allotted an abundant amount of light that washed warmly over the room. She walked to the oak sideboard and reached for a piece of bread and began to nibble a piece here and there, but when Thomas and Tess finally made their way to the room, she sat her plate down and walked to the table.
“We have a serious issue we must discuss,” Abigail announced. She remained standing as they took their seats at the table. “It has been brought to my attention that the many of the men who have arrived in our town are becoming rambunctious in their anxiety for me to make a decision.” Abigail reached for a pile of missives that she had previously sat upon the table. “I received these this morning,” she said and handed the notes to Thomas. “Just last night, there were at least twenty fights, two shootouts, several shops burglarized, and numerous storefronts vandalized,” she said sadly. “The sheriff isn’t equipped to handle these numbers of offenses nor is he capable of protecting our citizens.”
Thomas perused the letters. “I’m sure the strong spirits at the barbeque didn’t aid in this matter,” he added remorsefully. “This ends now.”
“I most certainly agree,” Abigail confirmed. “Although I know I haven’t shown it, I do care about this town and the people in it. What’s happening to them due to our carelessness is not deserved.”
“My main purpose for this ruse was to give our town a lift in its economy and thrive as it had before the war. I didn’t intend for our people to face the same pain they endured after the war with related incidents like this.” He crumbled the papers within his hands and angrily threw them atop the table.
“I thought your purpose was to help me?” Abigail asked curiously. She’d never seen Thomas so angry and she leaned across the table and rested her hand comfortingly on his.
“It was, Abigail, but getting you and Brice together was not the inspiration behind this scheme. As you had stated, it’s always business with me, and you’re right. This was business, and I’m sorry if it came at your expense, but it has helped our town up until now.”
“I’m not angry, Thomas,” she said softly. “We’ll fix this,” she said consolingly. “I suggest we speak to Sherriff Alexander and tell him we’ll finance a large scale deputation to see that the people who arrived for my dowry leave as peaceful as they originally arrived.”
“That is a right good start in correcting this,” Thomas agreed. “But they’ll not willingly leave until you’re married and all hope of gaining your dowry is gone.”
“Then worry not, Thomas,” Abigail smiled. “That brings me to my announcement. I have decided to ask Brice Winslow to marry me.”
“You most certainly will not,” Thomas bristled. “If Brice wants you, he can do the asking.”
“And what if he doesn’t ask to have me?” Abigail asked worriedly.
“Then he’s not worth taking,” Thomas argued.
“Well, you thought he was worth the taking when you shot him.”
“I didn’t shoot him, Abigail,” Thomas argued. “I had him shot at, there’s a difference.”
“Whoa,” Brice loudly interjected from the doorway on the furthest side of the room. He was lazily leaning against the doorjamb but stood to his full height and crossed his arms. “You had me shot?”
Abigail looked down at Tess who was seated next to her. “How long has he been here?”
“Since we all sat down,” she grinned. “You invited him last evening at the barbeque. Have you forgotten?”
“Apparently I have.” She looked at Brice and smiled. “Good afternoon, Brice.”
“Good afternoon, Abigail,” he returned. “Now, can we get back to the part where you had me shot?” he asked, and he walked the vast space of room to reach the table.
“Thomas had you shot. I knew nothing about it until last night.”
“Again,” Thomas said with a heavy sigh. “I didn’t shoot him. I hired someone.”
“To shoot me?” Brice asked angrily.
“No, to shoot near you,” Thomas corrected. “Why are you folks so hard pressed to believe the worst?” Thomas raised his hands in the air. “Dash it!” he exclaimed. He walked to Brice and clutched him by the scruff of his collar. He forced him to Abigail’s side. “It’s now or never, Winslow. You will either ask for her hand now or walk away.”
“Thomas!” Abigail scolded.
“Thomas,” Tess said softly. She removed herself from her seat and walked to him. “This is a delicate matter that I think best served outside our prying eyes and ears. These two deserve some privacy.” She entwined her arm within his and led him toward the door. But not before Thomas turned around and scowled at Brice.
“Do not break her heart again, Mister Winslow. As you are now fully aware, I’ll not hesitate to have you shot.”
“Thomas!” Tess laughed and pulled him from the room.
Thomas closed the door behind them and Brice turned to Abigail. “It was my understanding that you wanted to court other men before you made your decision.”
“It was.”
“You stated your affections for me have passed.”
“I said perhaps they did, I didn’t say they had,” she defended.
“And now that you’re pressed for time, I’m the convenient choice?”
“I do declare, not at all!” she said defensively. She pursed her lips together and a broad smile heartened his lips. “I believe you are teasing me, Mister Brice Winslow.”
“Perhaps a little,” he admitted.
Brice reached for her hand and guided her to the adjoining sitting room. He led her to the medallion back settee inside and sat beside her. Abigail inwardly smiled at his choice of seating. The settee had been in their family for many of years and had been the very place where her parents had sat when her father asked her mother to marry him.
“You brought me in here to ask for my hand, haven’t you?”
Brice stared into her eyes. He didn’t speak and she wasn’t sure if he was even breathing until he replied with a slow nod.
“Before you do,” Abigail said. “Tell me true, Brice. Do you believe that you might one day find as much affection for me as I have for you?” He opened his mouth to speak and she brushed her finger across his lips to hush him. He clasped her hand into his and held it close to his chest. “No matter your answer, I don’t intend to change my mind. I belie
ve I have enough love for the both of us if need be.”
“I am rightly fond of you, Abigail. My affections for you have well exceeded what I thought I’d feel since we’ve been reacquainted.” He reached for her other hand and joined it with the one he already held. He softly squeezed and continued saying, “I wish I could offer more words of endearment, Abigail. I know you desire to hear them.”
“It’s more than I dared hope,” she whispered.
Brice cupped her face within his hands and Abigail believed he looked at her more lovingly than he allowed his words to reveal. His hands slid back from her face and his fingers entwined and toyed with the strands of her hair. He pulled her closer and brought her lips near to his own. He then vowed, “I promise you this, Abigail. I shall be faithful unto you, spending each day of my life trying to make you happy, and when the time is right, you will receive those words you deserve to hear.”
He captured her lips with his own and Abigail held tight against him. His lips softly caressed hers and made her weak from head to heel. When he pulled away, she looked into his twinkling green eyes and he smiled at her. She bashfully lowered her eyes, but quick as powder, she returned to look at him. “You will fall in love with me, Mister Brice Winslow, I’m rightly sure of it,” she said eagerly.
“And how are you so sure of that, Miss Abigail?” he asked teasingly, and playfully tasseled a lock of her hair.
Abigail beamed when she reached down and swept her hand across the gooseflesh that had risen upon the skin of his arm. ‘That,” she said with her eyes lowered to his arm, “Is how I know.”
Brice followed her stare and glanced down at his arm. He laughed as he captured her into his arms and raised her to her feet. He hugged her tight against his chest and Abigail felt the beats of his heart come hard and fast against her own. With her head cradled inside the crook of his neck, she smiled. She had no doubt that Brice would love her forever.
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