Constant Hearts, Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion

by Hatch, Donna

Reed roused himself. “I’ll escort you back.”

  They rode in silence, Amelia looking straight ahead as if unaware of his presence.

  They left their horses in the care of a pair of stable lads, one who mounted Amelia’s and rode it back to the mews, the other held the reins of Reed’s horse. Reed walked her up the stairs to the front door. Inside the foyer, they stood awkwardly, Reed searching for a safe topic, wishing for what might have been, or what could be…

  Amy offered her hand. “Thank you for the ride. It was lovely to see you again. Good luck in the country. I, too, am returning home on Friday.”

  The wind left his lungs. “Friday?” he wheezed.

  “My work here is complete. It’s time. Good bye, Reed.” She turned and disappeared into a nearby room, softly closing the door behind her.

  Stunned, Reed stood with his hat in his hands. Friday. He’d never see her again.

  A wide, gaping hole tore open inside him.

  A voice broke through his thoughts. “If you still care for her, you’d best make yourself known. She’s returning to the country Friday.” Amy’s Aunt Millie stood watching him.

  Reed stammered, “She and I …we…I’m not sure we suit.”

  She smiled wisely. “Is that your whole heart speaking, or just the wounded part?”

  He opened his mouth but could make no reply.

  “She rejected you to please her uncle. Not because she didn’t love you. She loves you still.”

  Reed took a breath. Then another.

  She nodded as a triumphant gleam entered her eye. “Good day, Dr. St. Ives.”

  He rasped out, “Good day, madam.”

  He left, more uncertain of his course than ever. He’d hoped by spending time with Amelia, he could prove to himself that she no longer meant anything to him.

  But after only a few short hours, he suspected if he let Amelia walk out of his life again, he’d never survive the loss.

  Chapter 9

  Amelia’s normal excitement before a trip remained notably absent. Instead of the usual anticipation, only a dull sorrow remained her companion as she stood in the foyer of Aunt Millie’s London house and surveyed the servants carrying out her trunks. In the midst of it, a visitor arrived.

  “Reed St. Ives to see you, madam.”

  Amelia closed her eyes, wishing she could close her heart.

  “Amy.” Reed came to her, his dear face as welcome as a rain shower in a drought.

  She shielded herself against his allure. Against her own heart. “I’m afraid this isn’t a good time. I’m about to return home.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m here. Please walk with me.”

  She hesitated, torn between her heart and her head. “I’m due to leave within the hour.”

  He grinned a bit lopsidedly and gestured toward the private coach waiting in the street in front of the door. “I really don’t think they’ll leave without you.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. “No, I suppose not.” She donned her pelisse and took his offered arm.

  “Shall we go to the walking park?”

  “If you wish.”

  The walking park. How many times had they walked there together before? She hadn’t been in years; it held too many memories of Reed.

  He guided them down the path between houses to the park behind. The noises of the city faded away in that quiet harbor of green. Automatically, they headed to the duck pond. Two white swans glided by in graceful splendor on the glass-like surface.

  Amelia tried to read his expression, but he’d gotten much better at disguising his thoughts. “I hope I didn’t shock you the other day when I poured out all the ugly details of my marriage. You probably felt somewhat vindicated learning how unsuitable I really am with such an unsavory past.”

  He stopped walking and turned to her, his jaw clenched. “Give me a little, credit, Amy. Do you really think me so petty?”

  She dropped her head. “I never thought you petty.”

  “Then you can’t think I’d judge you based on the way a cad treated you.”

  “Others do.”

  “And I’m like them?”

  She looked up at him but couldn’t meet his accusing eyes. “You’re nothing like them. But so many people have turned out to be different than they seemed that I hardly know whom to trust.”

  His voice quieted. “That’s understandable considering what you’ve endured.”

  Clearing her throat, she looked away. The tree where he’d carved a heart met her eyes. She moved her gaze to the stone bench but could only see the place where he’d first kissed her.

  Suddenly claustrophobic with memories and the crushing fear about to overwhelm her, she burst out, “Reed, I must apologize. I spoke out of turn. I can see now that you and I are not meant for one another and I was wrong to speak of emotions of which I know nothing, and of which you clearly do not return.”

  His gaze hardened. “Then you truly feel nothing for me.”

  “Yes. No! I do love you but I…” She let out a low moan, turned and began walking away.

  “Amy.”

  She quickened her pace and called over her shoulder, “Please don’t.” She all but ran away from him.

  “Amy, wait!” Heavy footsteps pounded after her.

  He gripped her elbow and tugged until she turned to face him. Excitement mingled with uncertainty in his eyes. His hand slid down her arm to her hand. “No matter how hard I tried, my feelings for you have not changed.”

  She eyed him, searching for signs of mockery but only found intensity. Then he smiled, that same slow, tender smile he used to give her that always made her pulse leap. It had the same effect now. Hope glimmered in her heart.

  He continued, “But everything about me that your uncle found unsuitable remains the same. My grandfather is the owner of a mill.”

  “I know.”

  “And my parents are social climbers.”

  “Apparently so.”

  “And I’m a doctor. Not just a physician—a surgeon. My hands are tainted by trade.”

  “I don’t care about any of that now any more than I did six years ago. I only refused you because my uncle didn’t approve, and I just couldn’t…I was afraid...”

  “I know.” He smiled with such tenderness that a lump formed in her throat. “Last week when I went to your house, it was with the intent to court you long enough to prove that we don’t suit, social reasons aside.”

  “I see.” She looked down and took a step away.

  He tightened his grip on her hand, halting her footsteps. “That was a foolish intent.”

  She again searched his face for signs of deceit, warning her heart not to hope. “How foolish?”

  “I love you, Amy. I never stopped loving you. I love you more now because I know how empty I am without you.”

  She swallowed hard, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. “You do?”

  He placed a gentle hand on her cheek. “I promise you, if you’ll have me, I will spend my every breath making you happy.”

  She went still.

  “Come with me to the country, and be a country doctor’s wife. Marry me.”

  She let out a little sob and tightened her grip on his hand. Now that the moment was here, she was suddenly afraid. “I’m divorced—a woman of scandal.”

  “I’m a doctor—unfit for the daughter of a lord.”

  “In my four years of marriage, I failed to conceive.”

  “You’re not a broodmare, Amy. I’ll love you whether or not we have babies.”

  She stared. “But you love children.”

  “As do you. We may yet have them. Sometimes it’s the man, not the woman, who can’t procreate.” He enfolded her hands inside his.

  She nodded doubtfully, still fearing this was somehow a dream.

  “If not,” he added, “we can always take in some poor waif who needs a family.”

  She let out a half sob, half laugh. “I’m certain there’s no shortage of those. I happen to know
of a whole orphanage full of children who need to be loved.” She searched his eyes. “What about the orphanage? I can’t abandon it now.”

  “Of course you won’t. We’ll travel there together as often as you think we ought. You mentioned it had a new director?”

  “Yes, a couple.”

  “Are they competent?”

  “Oh, yes, and very dedicated.”

  “Will they treat the children well?”

  “Yes, they both have demonstrated kindness and compassion, and the children already seem quite devoted to them.”

  “Then let them do their work, and we’ll visit as often as you see the need.”

  She nodded. “It would only be a day’s journey from your cottage.”

  “Our cottage, if you’ll have it. And me.” Reed softly caressed her cheek. “Do you still love me, Amy?”

  She let out her breath. “You know I do.”

  “I need to hear it again.” He gave her that familiar playful grin that never failed to melt her heart.

  She drew a shaking breath. Reed was not a rake. Violence and infidelity were not in his nature. He was a man of honor who listened to his conscience and possessed a strong sense of honor. And he was uncommonly gentle. Amelia had never seen him angry except when her former husband had bullied her in the park.

  “I love you, Reed St. Ives.”

  Joy leaped into his eyes. “I love you, too…er, what was your name, again?”

  She laughed and swatted his arm. Chuckling, he pulled her into an embrace. She nestled into the protective shelter of his arms and laid her cheek against his chest.

  Reed rested his chin on the top of her head. “Marry me, Amy.”

  She nodded, never more sure of anything in her life. He was a good man who would love and cherish her. Her heart had not chosen unwisely. “Of course I will.”

  He dipped his head down for a kiss. If she thought the last time they kissed had shaken her, this one threatened to knock her off her feet. The sound and light of the world around them faded away and there was only Reed, his warm mouth, his clean, earthy scent, his strong, hard body. Along with racing desire, peace and contentment filled her.

  Amelia was home.

  When at last they parted lips, he brushed her hair back from her face. She’d feared such a moment would leave her terrified. Instead, his love healed her.

  They stood smiling at each other, first with hesitation, then with growing warmth, and the armor around her heart fell away.

  He placed a hand on her cheek, caressing with his thumb. “What will your aunt think?”

  She smiled. “She told me the same thing last night that she told me years ago; she advised me to run off to Gretna Green with you.”

  He blinked, then a slow grin overcame his face. “What a sensible woman. I always liked her. Besides, she thinks my sleeping herbs are genius.”

  “I’m already packed, you know. Shall we take the coach to Gretna Green instead?”

  A dark brow lifted. “An excellent idea. I’ll be packed and ready to go in ten minutes.”

  She laughed. “No need to hurry. There won’t be any disgruntled family members chasing us to stop the marriage.”

  “No, but I have another reason to be in a hurry to marry you; I fear I cannot wait much longer.” With a wolfish grin, he hauled her into his arms and proceeded to show her just how badly he wanted to rush the wedding.

  When their lips parted, he took her hand and strode so swiftly back toward Aunt Millie’s house that she had to trot to keep up.

  Hot and flushed from his kiss, she laughed and fanned herself with a hand. Amelia blushed as she realized they’d kissed in public. But she honestly couldn’t find it in her to care. “I think I need that ice from Gunther’s you promised me.”

  “Anything for you, beloved. You can eat it in the carriage on the way to Scotland. I might need to pour several over my head.” His eyes glittered as he draped an arm around her shoulders and escorted her into their new life together.

  About the author:

  Donna Hatch's passion for writing began at age 8 she wrote her first short story. During her sophomore year in high school, she wrote her first full-length novel. Her writing has won or been nominated as a finalist in many writing awards including the SARA Merrit and the prestigious Golden Quill. In between caring for six children, (7 counting her husband), her day job, and her many volunteer positions, she manages to carve out time to indulge in her writing obsession. A native of Arizona, she writes Regency Romance and Fantasy. And yes, all of her heroes are patterned after her husband of over 21 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.

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