Unfortunately, his first few days of recovery were comprised of intolerable pain. Though the surgeon appeared encouraged over Bramwell’s progress, Caroline worried over each moan. He drifted in and out of consciousness, but she had been assured it was due to the heavy doses of laudanum.
On the fourth day, Bramwell’s alertness improved. Caroline had not left his side for days, insisting on sleeping upon a small settee in his room. The only time she left him was to allow Pearson the opportunity to help his master relieve himself in private.
“You need not stay with me.” Bramwell’s raspy voice spoke as he turned his head and caught her attention.
“I will not leave you,” she insisted. “Nor do you have the power to send me away.”
For the first time in days, his eyes opened wide. “So you plan to nurse me back to health. Is that your reason for being here?” A frail smile parted his lips.
Caroline reached forward and pushed aside the unruly strands of hair from his forehead. “You need a haircut,” she said. “Shall I fetch the scissors?”
“From what I have been told by Pearson, you are quite good with scissors and a sponge.”
“I am,” she replied. She could not help but grin proudly. “And to my shame, I enjoyed every moment of gazing upon your body and washing it.”
The light in his eyes dimmed. “Pearson also told me how you took command over the household, Caroline, when unwanted guests arrived.”
She was surprised to hear that Pearson had told him of Rebecca and Reginald’s arrival. At first, she did not know how to respond. Eventually, the question she desperately wanted answered came from her lips.
“I don’t understand why you purported such a lie about her death. Nevertheless, they had no right to be here, so I instructed Pearson to throw them out of the manor. I thought them both to be rude and selfish human beings.”
Bramwell pulled his eyes away from Caroline and looked at the ceiling above. Painful memories appeared to return to his heart. “She is not worthy of you,” Caroline said. “No woman who would do such a thing is worth pining about.” Bramwell remained silent. “Nor losing your life over,” she sternly added.
He closed his eyes and brought his hand to his face, wiping his cheeks. After a few moments of silence, Bramwell slowly turned his head and reached out to take Caroline’s hand.
“When I laid in the darkness praying for rescue, the vision of your face gave me the strength to live. I could have easily given up and died from the past betrayals. But I realized for the first time since Rebecca abandoned me that I wanted to live for another.” His eyes that were once dark and angry turned a kind, soft brown.
“I begged you not to die when they brought you back unconscious. The thought of you perishing made me realize that I had fallen in love with you.” Caroline looked at him affectionately, hoping that he too would confess the same.
“My ears did not hear it, but my spirit did,” he said, squeezing her hand. “You are quite a woman, Caroline Woodard—outspoken, bullheaded, and very much like me.”
Caroline watched with thankfulness as his countenance changed from paleness to a warm hue. Life had returned, not only to his body but also to his heart.
“You are a challenge, but a challenge that I have grown to sincerely love.” He spoke with deep sentiment. Bramwell tightened his grip upon her hand and smiled impishly. “I am even willing to eat beef the rest of my life if you promise never to leave me.”
“Oh, Bramwell,” she cried. Caroline leaned forward and kissed him tenderly on his lips. He put his arm around her and drew her close, ardently kissing her in return.
As their lips parted, he lovingly stroked the side of her head. “So you told Rebecca that we were lovers, did you?”
“I did,” she admitted. “At that moment, I wanted to be.” Caroline bashfully lowered her gaze. “I hope it is not too late to accept your invitation to join your bed one day,” she replied.
“How romantic,” he snickered. “One broken left leg and one broken right leg. We would make quite a pair trying to make love under those conditions. What position should we attempt?”
Caroline blushed profusely over the mental image. “Recover quickly, my love,” she said. “And when you are able, I will come to you.”
His smile faded, which was swiftly replaced with a look of concern. “I cannot allow you to do that, Caroline Woodard.”
Caroline’s heart skipped a beat. “Why not?” she cried. “I thought that you wanted me?”
“I do, but we shall not bed until we marry,” he replied. Bramwell inhaled a breath and held it, as if he feared her answer.
“Marry?”
“Well, you don’t think I will release you now, do you? After all,” he smirked, “you are my prisoner at Thorncroft.”
“Yes, and I am in love with my jailer,” she replied. “And to my chagrin, I have grown to love the peacefulness of Cornwall.”
“Come closer,” he invited her, opening his arms. “I wish to propose and this is the best that I can do under the circumstances. If you want me to get down on one knee, it might prove to be difficult.”
Without hesitation, she leaned toward him and waited for the words she longed to hear. Her heart beat thunderously in her chest.
“Caroline Woodard, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Tears filled her eyes as she repeated the words again in her mind, burning a memory of the sound of his voice. His gaze expressed love and his gentle touch the longing to make her his wife. Caroline’s heart swelled with such joy that she could barely expel the answer from between her lips.
“I accept your offer of marriage, Mr. Croft.”
Bramwell’s eyes glistened, and he exhaled a sigh of contentment. At last, she had met her match in the most unlikely place in England and no longer feared dying a spinster.
Reunion
“We came as soon as we heard,” Darby said, bursting through the doorway. He sprinted toward Bramwell, who sat in his usual wingback chair in front of the fireplace. His foot rested upon a cushioned stool, and Merlin lay nearby. As soon as he saw Darby, the dog rose and wagged his tail over the return of an old friend.
Bramwell glimpsed at Georgina who cautiously entered the room behind her husband. Her usual look of dislike for his person appeared tempered with a hint of sympathy in her eyes. After he noticed Darby’s worried face, he tried to put him at ease.
“Now why in the world have you returned to damp and cold Cornwall just to gaze upon your convalescing friend?” He smiled warmly, making a quick glance toward the stairs.
“Pearson wrote of your tragic accident only last week,” Darby answered out of breath. “I could not believe he didn’t write sooner.” Darby placed his hand upon Bramwell’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Are you mending well, ‘ole chap?”
“Quite well,” Bramwell smirked, holding his tongue about other news. “You needn’t blame Pearson for any oversight on his part. He had done so at my orders. I wasn’t about to interfere with your extended honeymoon or new position in London.” Georgina stood stiff like a statue, gawking at his bandages. “Have a seat, both of you,” he insisted, nodding toward the divan.
Once they were comfortable, Bramwell turned toward Pearson. “Fetch our welcomed guests some tea and cakes,” he asked in a more docile tone than usual. “But before you do, please announce that we have company.” A slight smile curled the corner of his lips wondering how they would react to Caroline’s arrival. Darby and Georgina gave him an inquisitive look, which confirmed they apparently had not heard about Caroline’s accident or extended stay. He was determined to keep the conversation focused upon the two of them until his little surprise arrived downstairs.
“Why don’t you tell me how the two of you have been? How was the honeymoon, Darby? You look quite pleased with your pretty bride.”
“Well,” he said, reaching over and grabbing Georgina’s hand, “it was fine.” He paused, sucked in a breath and scowled. “Now see h
ere, Bramwell, you’re trying to change the subject. The fact that you were nearly crushed to death in the mine seems of no consequence to you! When I heard the news, I cursed that damnable hole in the bowels of the earth for attempting to take another Croft.”
“I assure you,” Bramwell said, lowering his eyes to his leg encased in a cast. “It has been of great consequence to me physically. In fact, the accident swiftly resurrected Rebecca from the dead, bringing with her my brother. The two couldn’t wait for me to die so that the estate would finally belong to them.”
“Rebecca?” Georgina screeched. “What do you mean she rose from the dead?” Her eyes widened in horror.
Bramwell could not help but chuckle over her reaction. Darby looked mortified. He shot a glare of censure in response. “It’s all right, Darby. You have my permission to tell her the whole story.”
“I don’t understand,” Georgina groaned, with a bewildered look upon her face. “I thought that she was dead.”
Darby patted her hand. “I promise to tell you the tale later,” he assured her contritely.
“Yes, it is quite a story,” Caroline interjected. She walked into the room, balancing her gait with a cane. Bramwell smiled at her and then tapped his cheek with his index finger. Caroline took no hesitation in bending down and kissing him gently. The look in Darby’s eyes, as well as Georgina’s, would remain in his memory as the most humorous moment in his lifetime. Caroline stood next to him, placed her hand upon his shoulder, and greeted their arrival.
“It is good to see you,” she said. With a smirk on her face, she glanced back and forth at Georgina and Darby. Her cousin jumped to her feet in protest and screeched.
“Why are you kissing him?” Georgina demanded, pointing her finger at Bramwell. “Don’t tell me you have fallen in love with Mr. Croft?”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Darby sputtered, shaking his head in disbelief. He looked at them with pleasure. “What brought about this turn of affairs?”
“I did,” Caroline admitted. “Bramwell was kind enough to show me his mine, and we had a bit of an argument. The man can be most disagreeable at times,” she chuckled. “I sped off on a horse to get away from him, fell off, and the horse stepped on my leg, breaking it.”
“Oh, dear goodness,” Georgina gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth.
“The surgeon who attended my injury insisted that I not be moved. Bramwell offered to take care of me until I recovered, and mother agreed. One thing led to another and here we are.” She looked at him affectionately as Bramwell gazed up at her, touching her hand resting upon his shoulder. “Even in spite of my sharp tongue, he fell in love with me."
“Yes, sharp indeed,” Bramwell agreed. “Darby, you should have seen the way she handled Rebecca and Reginald while I lay at death’s door.”
Pearson entered the room carrying a tray with cups and a tea pot. A selection of cakes sat on a plate. “Yes, she threw them out of Thorncroft with the same authority the master would have used. Miss Woodard took charge of everything. She remained here at Thorncroft to nurse Mr. Croft back to health.”
“Georgina, it’s all right,” Caroline cajoled. “He is a wonderful man once you get to know him. There is nothing to fear.”
“I told you so,” Darby said. He grabbed his wife’s hand and pulled her back down onto the divan.
“I have something to ask you,” Bramwell said, looking at Darby directly in the eyes. “I would be honored if you would be my best man at our wedding.”
“And Georgina,” Caroline added, “Would you be so kind as to stand with me as my maid of honor?”
“When?” Darby eagerly inquired, leaning forward.
“Not until I can walk again without this uncomfortable cast. I want to stand at the altar and gaze upon my beautiful bride coming down the aisle.”
Darby rose to his feet. “I shall indeed be your best man, ‘ole friend. How pleased I am that you have found love.”
“I dare say that it is a most unusual union,” Georgina said solemnly. She rose from the divan and came to Caroline’s side. “If you love him, dear cousin, then my blessings are with you. I am honored that you have asked me.”
Caroline and Georgina embraced while Darby shook Bramwell’s hand in hearty congratulations.
“Tea is served,” Pearson announced, placing the tray upon a side table.
He smiled at the scene and caught the eye of his master. Pearson nodded with pleasure, and Bramwell winked in return. Happiness had returned to Thorncroft.
###
About the Author
My writing career started in 2008. Although it was a little late in life, I discovered it is never too late to follow your dreams. Seven books later and about to embark on my eighth, I couldn't be happier.
My usual genre is historical fiction/family saga with romantic elements and historical romance set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. I am an award-winning and best-selling author under another pen name.
I live on the west coast of the United States. My mother's name was Nora (1912-2000), and it is to her memory that I dedicate Thorncroft Manor.
In the future novellas planned for the set, each heroine will bear the name of one of my English ancestors. I cannot think of a better way to honor my heritage and remember the women of the past.
Future Releases
Romance with a Kiss of Suspense Anthologies - Stately homes, mysterious characters, and suspenseful romance set in Victorian England.
Thorncroft Manor – Released Summer 2014
Others to follow:
Whitefield Hall
Blythe Court
Ravenswood Abbey
Blackshire Castle
Hardwick Tower
For information on future release dates by subscribing to my mailing list: SUBSCRIBE HERE
Websites
Official Website – NoraCovington.com
Facebook Page – Nora Covington Facebook
Twitter - @Nora_Covington
Thorncroft Manor (A Novella) Page 13
