Page 56 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
Ethan was unsure what his brother meant by that statement, and he hesitated for a moment before asking, “What can you mean by that?”
Once again, Cedric returned his gaze to the scene through the window. He motioned to the outdoors with the palm of his hand held up, “You should go and tell her how you truly feel.”
Ethan moved over to his brother’s side to see what Cedric had been staring at throughout their conversation. Out on the lush green grass, surrounded by the many colours of blooming rose trees, sat Josephine.
Ethan turned his head to look at Cedric, who smiled back at him, “Go, Ethan, and follow your heart’s desire. I am sure the entire family will accept your decision, given time.”
Ethan felt as if Cedric was giving his approval. If he could accept it, then he was certain the rest of his family would too.
“Do you think it could work?” he asked Cedric, feeling nervous at stomping into her life and demanding such changes. “I mean, she looks so happy down there.”
“Our sister informs me that she is planning to leave Sarandale Manor,” Cedric conveyed. “She is heartbroken at the thought of you marrying someone else. She only laughs because the maid with her is her friend.”
“Then I must go to her. I cannot allow that to happen,” Ethan said with urgency, his spirits soaring for the first time in a long time.
Cedric grinned back at him, flicking his hand to encourage Ethan to go.
“I will explain to father, it is the least I can do,” Cedric added as Ethan turned to leave the room.
“Thank you, brother. But know this, I will never stop loving you,” Ethan said, knowing that the statement was important for Cedric to hear.
With that, Ethan disappeared through the door and Cedric went to return to the marquess. At last, his father was calming down. It was time to get rid of Lord Thomas and ready this family for a real celebration.
Chapter 44
The feeling of the warm sunlight felt most relaxing for Josephine, but it only gave temporary relief from her troubles. She listened to the chirping of the birds as they vied for partners, a high-pitched whistling calls answered with a similar tempo.
Was it a breeding pair, feeding their fledglings? Spring was far behind them now, so it was more likely a warning over territory. Not far off her own situation, except she had not lost land, but love. Pushing the sad thought aside, she kept her eyes closed and whistled a soft tune to compete with the birdsong.
“How do you do that?” Lettie asked, laughing as she sat up to lean on her elbows and watch Josephine forming whistling sounds with her lips.
“It is all in the lips and the tongue,” Josephine explained between the whistling chorus that she created.
“I am glad that you remembered how I taught you,” a deep voice said, forcing Josephine to open her eyes.
She could see nothing because of the bright rays of the sun. Sitting up, all she could see was Lettie beside her. But her friend was focused on someone or something that was behind her. Turning to follow Lettie’s gaze, she could make out a silhouette standing over them, but her sight was blinded by the dazzling sun rays.
“My lord?” she heard Lettie call out. It surprised her as her friend jumped to her feet, but she was still a little dizzy from sitting up so fast, blood rushing to her head.
Josephine found that she could not stand up yet, so she put her hand over her eyes to shade her vision from the sun. The first thing that she noticed was a familiar pair of soft chestnut eyes staring back at her. Then she noticed who it was as a crooked smile greeted her. It was the dimples on one side of his face that gave him away.
Josephine could hear ringing noises in her ears, and her throat tightened as she wavered to stand and face him. Why was he here? Had he come to gloat?
“No, I… I am sorry, I cannot be happy for you—” she stammered, unable to finish her explanation as she turned to get away from him.How can he expect me to congratulate him? If anything, I never want to set eyes upon him ever again.
“No, Josephine, please—” she heard his voice plead behind her. She could not stay as tears were formed in the corners of her eyes. There was no way that she would give him the satisfaction of seeing her so upset.No doubt he expects me to be happy for him, well …for all I care he can go… Aargh! What can he want from me—
She picked up her pace as she sensed that he followed her, but his strides were longer, and he soon caught her up. Josephine felt him grab her arm to stop her, and she swung around to snap at him.
“What do you want from me?” she asked, grimacing at his actions.
“I want you to stop running from me," he replied, and she could see the sombre look across his handsome features. "And then, I want you to listen to what I have to tell you.”
Josephine froze in her tracks, her limbs unable to move no matter how hard her brain told them to do so. Did he not realise how much she loved him? His other hand took hold of her free arm, and she found herself locked in a position whereby she had no choice but to listen.
“Take a slow, deep breath and calm yourself,” he advised, staring into her eyes.
For some reason, she complied and found that at least it helped her dizziness to fade.
