by Martha Keyes
“Off with you two, then!” Burke said, stepping away from the carriage.
Samuel tossed the reins, and the carriage rumbled forward. Georgiana linked her arm through his, turning to wave at her family and the village as they took the road north out of Rushbury.
Georgiana glanced back at the village as the road climbed a hill, putting a hand to her bonnet to keep it in place. “The village is growing, Sam.”
He sent a quick glance behind them, noting the two village homes being built at the end of the row to make room for more mill workers. Sir Clyde and Reed seemed to be working well together, and as the mill showed its potential in Reed’s capable hands, Lady Gilmour was slowly warming to him—a vast improvement over her horror at the first news of his employment.
“Do you dislike it terribly?” A small frown wrinkled Georgiana’s brow.
He let out a long breath, then looked down at her with a wry smile. “Change has never been easy for me.”
“This I know.” She smiled and reached up to kiss his cheek.
“But,” he said, “the villagers are happy, and the roads are better than they’ve been in years.” He winked at her. He transferred the reins to one hand, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. “What matters to me is you, my love. If you are happy, I am happy.”
Georgiana rested her head on Samuel’s shoulder, and he sighed contentedly, planting a quick kiss upon her bonnet.
They spent a few minutes in silence, both content to admire the passing countryside. Samuel had never realized what joy there could be in mutual silence.
Georgiana’s head came up as they took the right fork at a crossroads. “This is not the way to the inn, Sam.”
He smiled. Georgiana took her duties as surveyor very seriously. At this point, she knew the parish roads as well as Samuel did.
“I hope you won’t mind if we take a detour on our way,” he said.
She turned her head to look at him, an intrigued glint in her eyes. “A detour?”
He nodded, smiling down at her. His wife. He had come so close to losing her, and somehow that made his joy all the more potent.
The carriage slowed as the horses struggled to make their way up the steep hill, taking them out of the parish boundaries. This was new territory for Georgiana, and he felt a thrill at the prospect of showing her something he knew she would marvel at.
“Do you remember when we went to the meadow the first time?” he asked.
“I shall never forget.” She squeezed his arm and looked up at him.
Nor would he. He had fallen in love with her that day. “I promised you that you would love Rushbury even more in the summertime.”
“And so I have. But I seem to remember you promising me fields of heather as far as the eye could see.”
The carriage crested the hill, and he pulled the reins, the horses slowing to a stop.
“And when have I ever lied to you?” He inclined his head, inviting her to look at the view in front of them.
Her hand came up to her mouth slowly, her head moving to take in the scene: a flat expanse of purple heather, covering every inch of the earth before them as far as the eye could see, until the ground dropped off into the next valley.
“What do you think?” he asked.
She turned toward him, eyes still wide. “What do I think?” She shifted back toward the fields. “I think that I have spent far too many summers in Brighton and far too few here. I am seriously considering taking up residence in this field.”
He pulled her even closer, so that she fit snugly under his arm, then pushed her bonnet back and rested his mouth against her head, smiling into her hair. “I think you might regret that decision when the snow comes, my love.”
“Hmm. Perhaps so.” She sighed. “I suppose I shall have to content myself with living at the parsonage. With you.”
He made a clucking sound with his mouth. “A very dismal prospect indeed.”
She turned toward him, reaching her hands to his coat lapels and pulling him down toward her. “It will be unbearable,” she said, unable to hide her smile.
Another tug, and their lips touched, lightly at first, then, as she pulled him closer, the kiss became more insistent.
There was a new sense of thrill in the knowledge that he had a lifetime to enjoy the woman in his arms—to memorize every inch of her face and ensure that the wrinkles that would form there would tell the tale of their joy together. No matter what adversity life brought in the years to come, no matter what changes came to the village, they would face them together, finding happiness in moments like this—moments that nothing and no one could take from them.
The End
Author’s Note
While women in the Regency era were severely limited in the ways they could participate in the civil process, they had much more ability to do so at the level of local governance. There are cases of unmarried women taking on some of the duties at this level. The position of Surveyor of the Highways was one that was, at times, taken up by a woman. If one declined to take the position, one was liable to be fined, as the position was obligatory—and unpaid the majority of the time.
Seasons of Change Series
Book 1: The Road through Rushbury, by Martha Keyes
Book 2: The Last Eligible Bachelor, by Ashtyn Newbold
Book 3: A Forgiving Heart, by Kasey Stockton
Book 4: A Well-Trained Lady, by Jess Heileman
Book 5: by Deborah Hathaway
Book 6: A Haunting at Havenwood, by Sally Britton
Book 7: His Disincline Bride, by Jennie Goutet
Other Titles by Martha Keyes
Families of Dorset Series
Wyndcross: A Regency Romance (Book One)
Isabel: A Regency Romance (Book Two)
Cecilia: A Regency Romance (Book Three)
Hazelhurst: A Regency Romance (Book Four)
Phoebe: A Regency Romance (Series Novelette)
Regency Shakespeare Series
A Foolish Heart (Book One)
Other Titles
Goodwill for the Gentleman (Belles of Christmas Book Two)
Eleanor: A Regency Romance
The Road through Rushbury (Seasons of Change Book One)
Join my Newsletter to keep in touch and learn more about the Regency era! I try to keep it fun and interesting.
OR follow me on BookBub to see my recommendations and get alerts about my new releases.
Acknowledgments
There are always a few key people who are instrumental to the creation of a novel.
I couldn’t do any of this without my husband. He ensures I have time to write, edit, research, and all the other tasks involved in the running of an author business. He listens to unsolicited facts as I research and has become a very helpful troubleshooter as I run into barriers during the plotting and drafting process.
My mom is always the first to read my early drafts and offer feedback and encouragement.
Thank you to my little boys, who are graciously still napping, and who put up with my distraction every day.
Thank you to my editor, Jenny Proctor, for her wonderful feedback—I’m so glad I have you!
Special thanks to Kasey, Jess, Emily, and Evelyn. You are the best critique partners a girl could ask for! Much love to my fellow Sweet Regency Romance Fans author team. I love rubbing shoulders with all of you as authors and friends.
Thank you to my Review Team and my beta readers for your help and support in an often nervewracking business.
About the Author
Martha Keyes was born, raised, and educated in Utah—a home she loves dearly but also dearly loves to escape whenever she can travel the world. She received a BA in French Studies and a Master of Public Health, both from Brigham Young University.
Word crafting has always fascinated and motivated her, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that she considered writing her own stories. When she isn’t writing, she is honing her photography skills, lookin
g for travel deals, and spending time with her husband and children. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Vineyard, Utah.
