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Yes, the time for sentimentality was past. Just like their love affair.
Chapter 4
Joseph stood on the street, feeling as if a bolt of lightning had just struck him. He didn’t think he could move a muscle if he tried.
It is her. Marianne.
He could just see her back as she walked quickly down the street in the opposite direction. She was wearing a primrose gown with a matching bonnet. He could see her honey-gold curls escaping from her chignon down her neck. He would recognise her figure anywhere, for she had always carried herself so well. Tall, straight-backed, almost imperial. Like a queen.
Fredrick was standing in the street, gazing after her, as well. Had they just spoken? It seemed like it.
He repressed the urge to break out into a run and catch up with her. The desire to gaze upon her face again was almost overwhelming. He restrained himself with difficulty. What was the point? She would probably not even speak to him. He simply had no idea if she still held onto the anger from the past.
Fredrick turned, seeing him. Slowly, his friend walked towards him.
“Is that who I think it was?” asked Joseph, his voice thick with emotion.
Fredrick sighed. “I am afraid so, old chap. I suppose we were bound to run into her while we were here. Acton-on-Ryeisa small town, after all.”
Joseph’s face twisted. “I think we should return to the house. My business in town is done for the day.”
Fredrick nodded. They turned and started walking back to Bartok House, leaving the main street, heading towards the river and the mill again. But the pastoral scene, which had so charmed Joseph on the walk into town wasn’t appealing to him any longer. He barely saw it.
I should never have come back here, he thought fiercely. I should have disposed of the house by correspondence. There truly was no need to come in person. Mr Newcombe could have acted as my agent in all matters regarding a sale.
“How are you feeling, old chap?” asked Fredrick carefully. “Do you wish to speak to her?”
Joseph shook his head vigorously. “Not at all.”
Fredrick laughed, pulling a face. “I do not know if I quite believe you, Bedford.”
Joseph sighed. “Alright, I shall admit that Idowish to speak to her. Very much.” He hesitated, gazing towards the river. “But I shall not, even if I run into her somewhere. I shall respect that she probably does not wish to speak to me ever again after what I put her through.”
His heart twisted at the thought. But he had to accept the truth as much as it pained him. He had not treated Marianne well at the end, and he knew she probably never wanted to see him again as long as she lived. That was just the price he had to pay for being a coward.
Fredrick nodded. “Probably a good idea, Bedford. Let sleeping dogs lie, and all that.”
“What did she say to you?” asked Joseph quickly. “Did she tell you anything of her life now?”
Fredrick shook his head. “It was a very brief exchange. She was surprised to see me, asking why I was here. Then she claimed to have a headache and walked off.” He hesitated. “I think it was because I mentioned I was here with a friend. Undoubtedly, she thinks that friend is you.”
Joseph’s heart contorted. So, shedidstill despise him. The five years that had elapsed hadn’t softened her anger towards him. She was never going to be friendly towards him.
“How did you go with the solicitor?” asked Fredrick, clearly wanting to change the subject out of sympathy for him.
Joseph took a deep breath. “It went well. The deeds to the house are all in order, and it is ready to sell. All I need to do is find a buyer, and then we can be gone.”
Fredrick gazed at him curiously. “Why are you so eager to sell up? I thought you liked Bartok House and Somerset. Even if you only come here occasionally.”
Joseph’s heart contorted again. It had been his mother’s idea to sell Bartok House. She had never been overfond of it and had been baffled that her late husband had liked it so much. But the late earl’s interest in coming here had waned in the last few years, along with his health. He simply couldn’t handle the long carriage ride. Bartok House had stood empty for over four years now.
“It is a good financial decision to sell it,” he said quickly. “The family no longer uses it. It is growing neglected. Mother has no desire to come here again now that Father is passed, and neither do I.” He paused. “It is time to move on.”
Fredrick sighed heavily. “Yes, I suppose it is. I had forgotten how charming the area is, though. We had fun back in the old days here, did we not?”
Joseph smiled wryly. “Indeed, we did. Picnics on the riverbank. Long walks through the countryside. Riding through meadows.” His eyes suddenly filled with tears. “Somerset will always have a piece of my heart.”
There was an awkward silence. He knew that Fredrick didn’t know what to say. Because everything here led back to her. It was like she was a part of the landscape, just like the old mill.
