Page 11 of The Spring Promise
That was the thing about Will, he was practical, but also kind hearted. He could have had someone else to do the feeding for him, but he considered it his job.
Molly sat down on a hay bale beside him, watching as the lamb suckled. Will would make a good father someday. He would be stern when necessary, but also understanding. His siblings all loved him, though they teased him incessantly, and he took it in good part. She could imagine him surrounded by children, gazing up at him adoringly.
Molly felt her heart fill with sadness. Whatever Will did, she would not be a part of it.
“Has Hunter been to see you?”
She looked up, surprised. “Hunter? No, why?”
Will’s frown brought his auburn brows down over his blue eyes. “I was sure he would. He seemed very taken with you the other day.”
“Did he?” She smiled at the thought that a handsome London gentleman might find her interesting enough to call.
Will replaced some of the tools that had been left about. “You must have noticed.”
Molly’s smile was replaced by a glare. “I didn’t, and he hasn’t. Have you been to call on the Mortons?”
He picked some straw from his sleeve. “I thought if I stayed away, Celeste might miss me. Come looking for me. So far it hasn’t worked.”
“So you asked her?” she said abruptly. “To marry you?”
“I did, yes.”
“So if you’re hoping she would come looking for you… oh my. Did she refuse you?”
Will’s mouth closed hard and he gave a single nod. He muttered something that sounded like, “Not that it’s any of your business.”
“I am your friend, so itismy business,” Molly snapped.
There was silence for a while. The lamb had finished feeding and was asleep with its new mother. Molly was beginning to wish she had not come when Will sighed. His shoulders slumped as he said, “Sorry, Molly. I am out of sorts. This business with Celeste… It has shaken me. I was always so sure I knew my place in the world, that I had a great deal to offer any woman, but she has me thinking it is not enough. ThatIam not enough.”
“Oh Will.” Molly took his hands in hers. His palms were calloused and a tad grimy from work, but Molly didn’t care. “Youareenough for any woman. Just because she does not see you as her perfect fit does not mean anything.”
He shook his head and looked down at their clasped hands. “You’re right, I know. But it still hurts that I offered myself to her only to be refused.”
Molly wished she could shake Celeste until her teeth rattled for causing Will, the most confident man she knew, to doubt himself. “Of course it hurts. Love is like that. One moment you’re up in the clouds and the next you’re crashing to earth.”
Will gave her a curious look. “You sound as if you know all about it. Who did you love, Molly?”
Molly gaped at him, her usually quick wits deserting her.
“Whodoyou love?” His expression darkened and his voice had risen. “It’s Hunter, isn’t it?”
“Will, please, that isn’t…”
Will stood up. “He would only make you miserable,” he said gruffly. “You are dazzled by his handsome face and clever manners, but the truth is the man is a cad. Why else is he rusticating here in the country?”
Molly felt a spark of anger. “I don’t think it is your place to offer me advice.”
Will wasn’t listening to her. “I know that I asked you to divert Hunter’s attention from Celeste, but I didn’t mean for you to fall inlovewith the man! I thought you had more sense than that.”
Molly stood up to face him. “You selfish, arrogant beast! Youbeggedme to help you. You promised if I did, you would give me whatever I wanted! And I kept my end of the bargain.”
“Oh, is that all?” he said, his voice rising. “All that was simply to earn my favour? What do you want then? Tell me so I can pay my debt. I’d hate for you to think I had reneged.”
“I’ll tell you what I want!” Molly burst out, only to realise she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to retain her self-respect. Then she remembered what Will had asked of her, and without thinking she blurted out, “I want you to make Mark Hunter jealous.”
“You wantwhat?” Will shook himself. “Why would I want to do that?”
