Page 19 of The Spring Promise
Just as Will appeared in the window above her, and clasped her arm in a strong grip. Hunter let go, clutching his wrist and stumbling out of sight, but Will’s hold was sure.
His eyes were locked on hers, as if she was the most important thing in his world. As if at that moment, the height, the dizzying drop to the ground, none of it mattered to him. The only thing that mattered was not letting Molly go.
“Molly,” he said urgently. “Don’t move!”
“I’m hardly likely too,” she managed, but it was a poor effort at a retort. “I am going to fall. Will! I am going to fall!”
“No, you are not.” And it was true as, slowly, he managed to lift her to safety. She was trembling and trying to catch her breath. Once she was over the sill, Will released her and Celeste was there to hold her tight.
Just then, Sir Reginald arrived, wide eyed and asking if everyone was all right. Mark was leaning against the wall, cupping his hurt wrist with his other hand, but now he began apologising to Molly. Celeste bustled over to him, taking his wrist gently in her hands, and examined the wound.
“You were so brave to hang on for so long,” Celeste said softly.
“I was a damned fool for putting her out there without testing the boards first.”
“My dear Miss Lacey,” said Sir Reginald. “What a relief.”
“Are you hurt?” Will asked Molly. His gaze moved over her, searching for any damage.
“I don’t think so,” she managed to say. Her arms ached, and she had a cut on her leg from the fall, but she was alive. “Thank you, Will. You saved my life.”
Molly could see the turmoil in Will’s eyes. Before he could answer, Mrs Hunter arrived, terribly shocked by the incident, and hustled Molly and her grandson away, to tend to their injuries.
She did not see Will again that day. Mark took her home. After he had apologised again, and they had travelled a little way in silence, he began, “About my proposal.”
“Mr Hunter, I?—”
Mark shook his head. “When I was holding onto you, you did not cry out my name. I think we both know who your heart truly belongs to. I know my offer was a bit unconventional, but I would never expect you to marry me when you are in love with another man.”
“I am sorry.”
“Don’t be. Will is a lucky man. The only question is whether he realises it or not.”
That was the question, and Molly feared that she knew the answer. If she had to lose Will to Celeste, then she would bear it. At least he was still her friend, and she would be forever grateful to him for saving her. It seemed all the more remarkable when she knew how afraid he must have been.
And yet he had conquered that fear. Forher.
Molly knew she would love Will forever, and perhaps that would be enough.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Sir Stephen and Lady Meg Starling had come to visit Lacey Farm, expressing their gratitude that Molly was unharmed.
“Will was very brave,” she told them, because it was the truth. “Where is he? Will, I mean?” Molly asked, unable to help herself.
“He has been busy,” Lady Meg said. She patted Molly’s hand, an odd smile on her face. “You know Will. He likes to organise everything exhaustively before he acts.”
Molly wasn’t sure what that meant. “And Celeste Morton?” she said, forcing herself to sound pleasant. “Is she still with her uncle?”
“Oh, she left some days ago,” Sir Stephen Starling replied. “She came by to say goodbye.” He looked at his wife and laughed. “I don’t think she was overly impressed with Starling Hall.”
“Too many of us there for her taste, I expect,” Lady Meg said. “I think she’ll be happier in London.”
“And so, life in Barton Lacey is back to normal,” Sir Stephen said comfortably.
In a way, it was. Mark Hunter had left as well, and she had no expectation of seeing him again.
After the Starlings had returned home, Molly leaned upon the gate that led to the lane and wondered if, despite what they said, Will was nursing a broken heart. She would have thought he might need a friend at such a time, but he evidently didn’t need Molly.
