“A little step towards the light.”
“There’s something else I must tell you.” His serious tone caused her to sit upright.
“Yes?”
He took her hand, a light tremor going through him. “I asked David permission to court you.”
A quiver went down her back. “Really?”
“He asked me if I wanted to marry you and build a family with you and him, and I replied in earnest. When you get an annulment, I want to marry you and live with you and David by my side.”
A dream. A riot of emotions roared within her. The more she wanted that future, the more frightened of losing it she was. “I want that too.”
He caressed her cheek. “I know what you’re thinking. Mrs. Marshall could refuse to testify, and even if she does, Roxbury could fight the annulment, or insist on taking David.”
She chuckled bitterly. “You know me too well. Is David happy about the possibility of you marrying me?”
“Very much although he’s aware of the difficulties. He understands.”
Her voice shook with emotion. “If I don’t get the annulment, he’ll be devastated.”
“We’ll all be devastated, and both David and I love you very much. And I do want to marry you.” His deep, calm voice worked wonders on her inner turmoil. Being hopeful and optimistic required more effort than worry. He cupped her face. “More than anything. I want to be your husband and take care of you. I want to give you all the love you were denied. Having dreams isn’t wrong. You can’t be miserable, waiting for a grim future that might never be.”
“You’re right.” She leant against his touch. His words of hope relieved and frightened her in equal measure. “I have more to lose now than before.”
He kissed her. “You don’t have to do everything alone. We’re together. David included.”
“What about your soldiers? Are you ready to sacrifice the Royal Veterans’ Society for me? Is it even right to do so?”
A muscle in his jaw bunched. “I’ll find a solution for my men. Now that Lady Kingsley is on my side, I’m more hopeful. You…” He kissed her hand. “You’re irreplaceable.”
She hadn’t expected that. “Ethan.”
“Roxbury made you believe nothing good could possibly happen to your life. But it’s a lie. I know from experience that despairing doesn’t make you stronger. It makes you miserable.”
She hugged him, feeding on his strength and hope. “You’re like a warm fireplace after a long, cold walk in the dark.”
“That’s how love should feel.”
Mrs. Marshall hadn’t changed muchsince the last time Cora had seen her, except for one important detail. The air of constant sadness, caused by her frequent arguments with Jacob, was gone from her face, replaced by a serene smile and a bright gaze. The sunlight going through the leafy trees in Ethan’s garden exalted her complexion. She’d looked older when at Jacob’s employment.
Her motherly hug brought happy tears to Cora’s eyes. “My lady. What a pleasure seeing you again.”
Cora returned the hug, her heartbeat stuttering with nostalgia. “Mrs. Marshall. I’ve missed you.”
Ethan loomed behind them, silent and protective like a gargoyle, as Cora and Mrs. Marshall exchanged greetings and memories.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Mrs. Marshall sat on a bench under a weeping willow tree. So fitting.
“I need your help in regard to a very delicate matter.” Cora told again the whole story about Jacob trying to kill David and ending up shooting at her.
The shock of that night never failed to cause her to hitch a breath or to feel the sting of the bullet in her chest. Mrs. Marshall’s expression tightened in a familiar manner as Cora told her that the shot would have killed David.
When she finished explaining about the annulment, she closed her hand around Mrs. Marshall’s. “I need your testimony to prove that Jacob behaved cruelly to David and me. Your testimony will be crucial to granting David and me our freedom. Please.”
Mrs. Marshall exhaled. Sadness darkened her expression. “See, Lord Roxbury met with Mrs. Sterling the other week.”
“What?” Cora and Ethan said together.
