Page 54 of Beneath the Harvest Moon

“But I⁠—”

“I am aware of your plans, but I do not intend to have you control me or my children and our shares in the family business through marriage. You will deal with us as you do the other shareholders.”

“Mrs Simmonds, you cannot⁠—”

“I can and I will. Now, I would hate to keep you from your business in York, and I have work of my own.” She gestured to his equipage. “I apologise for not providing my answer sooner. Perhaps you should have written ahead, and I would have saved you the trouble of this pointless journey.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched.

“Goodbye, Mr Drake.” She lifted her chin. He must understand that she would not be swayed. She had all she wanted here, and the knowledge bolstered her confidence.

“Mrs Simmonds will not stand for this.”

“Mrs Simmonds knows where to find me if she wishes to raise the subject directly.”

Mr Drake harrumphed, then clambered back into the carriage.

Blythe remained before the front door of her family home with her hands clasped behind her back and her head held high.

The carriage rumbled through the gateposts and headed back to Midthorpe.

Through the dusty trail, Mama jogged into the yard with bright red cheeks and huffing breaths. Her head darted between the gateway and Blythe.

“I… have just… the carriage…” Mama held out her arm towards the now invisible vehicle.

“You appear flustered. Perhaps you should take some refreshment.”

After several deep breaths, Mama asked, “Was it your betrothed?” Mama fanned her face with her shawl. “When the carriage passed through the village… I told the others he must be coming to collect you.”

Blythe blinked. “You did not!”

“Why else would he come? Have you given him your answer?”

“Mama!” Blythe ran a hand down her face. It appeared she could not wait. “I am not marrying Mr Drake; I am marrying Gabriel.”

“What?” Mama’s cry echoed across the yard.

“I repeat, I am marrying Gabriel.”

“You cannot marry the doctor after all that has happened between you!”

“I can and I will.”

“But what of your life in York? You cannot possibly want to remain here as a physician’s wife.”

“It is all I have ever wanted, and I would thank you to remember that. How dare you tell your friends that I accepted Mr Drake! The news will be all over the village in—” Her stomach clenched. Gabriel would hear and—she ran towards the gates.

“Where are you going?” Mama called after her.

Blythe stopped between the gateposts and shouted, “To stop your assumption from hurting the man I love.”

Mr Smith moaned when Gabriel pulled the rotten tooth from his jaw.

He packed the seeping wound with linen to staunch the blood. “Rinse your mouth with a salt solution twice a day for the next two days.”

The man nodded, holding the cloth in his mouth.

“I suggest you purchase a toothbrush and tooth powder on your way out. We have a fine selection at reasonable prices.”