31. Chapter 31 #3
“Blake bundled me on board the boat carrying the Frenchman to freedom and then left me here on Hugh’s orders, presumably to frighten me into submission.”
“I don’t suppose he reckoned on having me in the equation. But the woman I love was in danger. I couldn’t stay away.”
“Do you think we’re going to drown?” She had spoken of having a gun pointed at her without a tremor, but now her voice wobbled with fear.
“Only God knows if this day will be our last. I’m afraid I’ve done a poor job of rescuing you. Anthony rode to Portland with me and will go for help when I don’t return, but he won’t know we’ve been marooned in Cave Hole.”
“Is that where we are?”
He nodded. “There are some higher rocks around the edges of the cavern that we could clamber up, but you saw how the water spurts out of the hole in the ground above us. This chamber must flood for the sea to whoosh through these caves and create that spectacle. If the tide is as high as that, then yes, it is likely we’ll drown unless someone comes to our rescue. We could try to swim for it—”
“Maybe you could, but I’m afraid I can’t swim.”
“Then we’ll stay here. Together. I’m not leaving without you.”
She grasped his hand. “Talk to me. Take my mind off the waves coming in.”
“You still haven’t given me your answer. Will you marry me, Kitty Lacey or Bruce, or whatever name you fancy? Personally, I’d like it to be Merry because you were my wife.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Not this again. Yes, I’m sure.”
“Even though I’m not of your world?”
“Nonsense! You are a gentleman’s daughter.”
“An illegitimate gentleman.”
“We don’t know that. You may yet prove to be the legitimate granddaughter of the Duke’s brother. A perfectly eligible bride for a lowly viscount. Either way, I adore you, Kitty. Please put me out of my misery and say you’ll marry me.”
“Why?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Why do you adore me? You are witty and talented, and charming, and so very good looking. Once I stopped disliking you for pursuing my friend against her wishes, I discovered you to be the kind, caring man I know you are—a man I didn’t expect to find underneath the cavalier attitude you had toward me when we first met. ”
William groaned. “It would be better if you forgot how badly I behaved.”
“It wasn’t the real you.”
“No. I think I’d forgotten who he was—until you reminded me. I love you, Kitty.” William kissed her again. If only their world was not about to be drowned with the tide. “I love you because you didn’t keep hating me—”
“I never hated you.”
“Disliked me then. I love you for the way your spirit did not break, although life had handed you so many blows. I love you for caring for Miss Barrington, even when she lied to you. I love it when you turn your fiercest look on me, and then it transforms into your gentlest expression when you accept my apologies.”
He stroked the back of his fingers down her cheek.
“I love your ready laughter, and the manner in which your brow clears in an instant when you smile, and your eyes crinkle at the edges. I love how your eyes are sometimes blue, sometimes greyer, reflecting your mood. I love the way you believe in me. For making me a better man—”
“Enough,” said Kitty, laughing. “I can’t understand why I’ve not had to fend off a multitude of suitors. I did not know I had so many good qualities.”
“Hurry and accept my hand before I lose you forever.”
“Maybe Mr Warren will miraculously come to Cave Hole at just the right time to save us. Then you’d be stuck with me. Are you sure you’re not asking through”—she swept her arm around the empty cavern—“lack of options.”
“If I had the choice of every woman on this planet, I would choose you. And if I am going to die today, there is no one I would rather spend my last hours with. Would you pick me if you could have any man you wanted?”
She pulled him close and kissed him full on the mouth. He did not let her pull away for some time.
“Oh!” Kitty looked down at her feet. The water level was rising. “Yes, I’ll marry you, William Merry—if we get out of here alive.”
“Even if we have to wait until I come of age?”
“I would willingly wait six months to have a lifetime with you, Lord Droxford.”
“That is the first time I haven’t cringed at the sound of my name.”
“I pray you will have the opportunity to grow used to it.”
He jumped up and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the rocks at the side of the cave, which would provide them with a higher place to sit. “Come on. To have the best chance of living happily ever after, we need to climb up as far as we can.”
They found a large rock, which allowed them to perch with their feet dangling well above the water level.
William cradled her head next to his chest. “We should pray.”
“Yes, we should.”
Heads close together, he prayed. “Lord, if you’ve still got plans for us on this earth, we ask that you’ll rescue us from this watery grave. Amen.”
Although he was cold and wet, Kitty let out a contented sigh as she snuggled into his arms. The tide was coming in, and they were probably going to die, but William was at peace with God.
And he was with the woman he loved more than life itself.