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Chapter 23
The following morning, Patrick left Sarah’s room, but not before giving her a gentle kiss upon the forehead. She was still asleep, and he delighted in her beauty first thing in the morning, lying by his side. If they were fortunate enough, they’d be allowed to spend the rest of their days in that way.
Although there was much to attend to at the estate, and still various elements of confusion, Patrick thought it best to return to Anders’ farm and finally give him the money for the horse, as well as explain everything that had happened. Considering that it was the morning, there was no chance of discovering his friends at the Hound’s Bone, so he made his way directly to the farm on Lucky Stars.
Once arriving, Patrick was surprised not to find Anders seated on his porch. He got off the horse and tied him up, then proceeded to the back of the house where he saw Jimmy, Bo, and Ned packing their bags. As soon as the men saw Patrick, their faces lit up in delight.
“You don’t say!” Bo exclaimed.
Jimmy laughed. “I thought I’d never see your face again.”
Patrick strode towards them with a prideful strut. “Much has happened, and I know that you long to hear of it.”
“That we do,” Bo said.
Before Patrick dove into his story, the men showed him all the repairs they had made and boasted that the barn was complete, Anders had paid the rest of the sum, and they were free to move onto the next town.
“But we don’t wish to leave,” Ned said, looking at the other men. “We’ve fallen for Hamel.”
Bo was the next to speak. “You wouldn’t believe this, Patrick. But we wish to find a small home of our own and perhaps expand our handyman business.”
Patrick smiled and nodded his head. “I think that’s a fine idea.”
“Will you live with us?” Jimmy asked.
Before Patrick could answer, Anders came outside carrying a tray of breakfast. The old man also seemed surprised to see Patrick standing before him, still in the apparel of Reginald Simmons.
“You don’t say?” Anders said, setting down the breakfast tray.
“Old chap, I have funds for the purchase of Lucky Stars.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Anders replied. “These bones of mine are too old to get up on that horse anyhow. I’m sure the animal is happier in your company.”
“That’s remarkably generous,” Patrick said.
“For the fine work that you boys have done on the barn, it’s the least that I could do.”
They all sat down to breakfast, and Patrick was just beginning to feel like himself again, after pretending to be Lord Reginald Simmons for so long. In truth, it wasn’t that long at all, but he had melded into the character and lost sight of who he really was; a working-class man in love with an heiress.
“Tell us all about it, Patrick,” Ned said, taking a bite of sausage.
Although the old Patrick would have bragged to his friends over chips and ale, the new Patrick was in love and wished to maintain Sarah’s reputation and honour at all times. Only so much could be said.
“The lady that I spoke of … I asked for her hand in marriage.”
Shock was written on every one of their faces—even Anders.
Bo was the first to speak. “And what did she say?”
Patrick couldn’t help grinning from ear to ear. “She said yes.”
The men cheered and raised their cups of coffee in salute.
Patrick put up his hands to silence them. “Now, now, gentlemen. Many difficulties lay ahead. Sarah Crawford is a woman of breeding and is set to inherit a title. The situation is difficult and improbable, to say the least.”
“How will you support her?” Anders asked.
Patrick heaved a deep sigh, his tone turning grave. “A sound question, old fellow. I’m not entirely sure.”
