Chapter 13 #2
He would make it so if it was the last thing he did.
He did not care what the villagers made of their reunion.
His parents were a different matter. Did he relish the prospect of disappointing them?
Certainly not, but once they realised Blythe was the only woman he had loved, the only woman he could love, surely, they would support his decision, even if they did not approve.
After passing the glowing windows of The Golden Fleece tavern and the loud hubbub within, he rapped on the kitchen door of his parent’s home and entered. “Good evening.”
Mother darned stockings in the rocking chair before the fire. In the wing-backed chair opposite, Father hid behind his newspaper.
They knew. Of course they knew. Nothing was a secret in Midthorpe. He closed the door behind him. “May I speak with you both on a delicate matter?”
“By all means.” Mother nodded to the third chair against the wall.
He pulled it up to the fire and sat between them. After a rapid inhalation, he said, “You know what I wish to discuss.”
Mother jabbed her needle into the darning mushroom. “Your father told me you sneaked away on the journey home, just like you used to do.”
Father dropped the corner of his newspaper, then flipped it back and cleared his throat.
“I knew this would happen as soon as she rolled through the village in her fine carriage.” Mother’s brisk stitching continued. “Not long before she arrived, you said you did not require a wife and children to be happy.”
“Mother, I—”
“You never stopped loving her, did you?” Mother paused.
He ran a hand over his stubbled chin. “No.”
“She’ll break your heart again, my boy. She’ll get bored with life here and leave. I can’t bear to see you in the same state as she left you before.” Mother resumed her darning.
None of the nameless women or innumerable tankards of alcohol had eased the pain of Blythe’s rejection.
Unabated, his behaviour might have jeopardised his place at university, but he had vowed she would not stop him becoming a physician.
If anything, her rejection had spurred him on to become the best physician—to excel in his studies, to prove that she had made a mistake by choosing someone else.
Her whispers while she had lain on the small cot in the Farrer’s outbuilding came back to him. She had not enjoyed life as a socialite. Why had she chosen that over their plans for a life of purpose?
He rested his elbows on his knees. “What if I told you she wishes to remain in Midthorpe?”
Mother scoffed. “Her word means nothing. She broke promises before, and she’ll break them again—she and her haughty mother. I wouldn’t be surprised if she still allows Mrs Dixon too much say in her life. The girl has proved inconstant. Why would you wish to place your trust in her again?”
“Because I love her.”
Mother closed her eyes.
The words may hurt his mother, but they were the truth. “I suspect she regrets her decision to leave and would like to start anew… and begin her training once again.”
Mother dropped her darning into her lap with a huff. “If you think I’ll train someone who may shoot off again despite all the time I invested in them, think again. Besides, I have a new apprentice.”
“You are not training Mrs Stone to be a midwife and healer, only to make recipes and run the shop.”
Father sniffed behind his newspaper.
Mother leaned forward. “Gabriel, I worry for you. You'd always wanted a family. You’d make a wonderful father, yet you’ve remained alone because of that woman.” Mother gathered up her darning. “She only had two children by her husband, and I doubt she’ll bear more. I do not wish that for you, son.”
“I do not care. I want her. I will raise her children as my own if she allows me. She wants to establish a purposeful life. She did an excellent job of nursing the boy. Did you not send her the marmalade?”
“That was before I knew she had you on the hook again.”
In truth, she had never released him, but that fact would not win over his mother. “Blythe knows you will be reluctant to train her.”
Mother’s jaw dropped. “Have you discussed this with her? Do you have an understanding?”
“No, I would not do so without warning you first. Which is why I am here. I want Blythe to be happy. I want her to find her purpose in life. And you can help her. I will not forsake this chance of fulfilling our childhood dreams. You and father cannot serve this village forever. You once believed Blythe would make an excellent midwife and healer, and, I must say, I am an excellent physician.”
“Indeed.” Father said from behind his paper.
“We will do as we have always planned. We will take over from you and provide medical care for the village and beyond.”
“Fine plans, boy, but you forget one thing. She has not agreed to any of this.”
“I will ask her once I have established that you will continue her training. Will you do it? If not for Blythe, then for me.”
Mother sighed. “You are asking me to forgive the girl who broke my son’s heart, the girl I looked upon as a daughter. Her rejection of my teaching hurt, but her rejection of you hurt more.”
“It would make me happy beyond measure if you would do this for us.”
Mother’s lips pursed as she stared into the waning fire. “I shall think on it. But please promise me you will be on your guard, my boy. She broke our trust, and it will be difficult for her to earn mine back.”
“What say you, Father?”
Father dropped his newspaper. “You’re a learned man, and no parent could be prouder than I. If this is what you wish, then I stand by your judgement. I always had a soft spot for Blythe. I think it’s that little smile and twinkle in her eye.” Father winked.
Mother tutted.
He blew out a long breath. Mother would come around. God willing, she would, because now that the prospect of marrying Blythe had been said out loud, he could not silence his desire. Nothing would stop him from making her his.