June 1763: Part Five
258 Words
June 1763: Part Five
Will stared at the countess. “What?”
He saw muscles work in her throat as she swallowed. “I would like us to have union with one another.”
“Why?”
“Because I refuse to allow Henry to win.”
The words were like a slap across his face. He almost felt the sting on his skin.
Will turned away from her. “That’s no reason to do it.”
He heard footsteps behind him, felt her hand on his back, warm through the soaked fabric.
“In America, I want to live with you . . . as your wife.”
It took a moment to understand what he’d heard. She wants to be my wife?
“When we leave here, I want to leave everything about Henry behind. If I don’t learn not to be afraid, then part of him is going to come with us. I want to conquer this, Will. I want to conquer it now.”
Will stared at the streaming rain. Rose wants to marry me?
It was what he’d dreamed of. What he thought could never be. The difference between their births . . .
An honorable man would refuse. An honorable man would insist she marry within her class.
Will exhaled a ragged breath. “Rose . . .”
“Please, Will.”
He squeezed his eyes shut.
Henry Quayle was a nobleman, and he’d done terrible things to her. If I marry Rose I’ll show her what real love is. A man protected the woman he loved. He kept her safe.
Will opened his eyes. Rose’s hand was warm on his back.
He would never hurt her. Never. But by God I’ll hurt anyone who dares try to harm her.
“Will?” It was a whisper, shy, uncertain.
“All right,” he said. “We’ll do it.”
- Writer
