“I thought I should go inside to speak to your father.”
She brushed her hand down his arm, so firm and muscled she’d found out. “Tomorrow, please. It will only make him wonder if we stroll in together, and me wearing such a silly smile.”
“He won’t wonder; he’ll know.”
“Hmmm. A man, I suppose, would. Mama won’t suspect, though.”
“I’m not asking your mother for your hand. Your father would turn an eye toward me and suspect I’d dishonored his daughter, especially if he happens to see hay stuck to my jacket.”
He snapped her scarf, hopefully ridding it of any stray grasses, and then threw it over her head, helping it to settle over her shoulders. He used the occasion, gripping the ends to pull her close.
“I don’t want to go another night without your kisses,” he said. “Special license or banns?”
“Banns, of course. The world must know.”
“You understand we won’t be able to do this again until we say our vows.”
The this was quite wonderful, but Char believed in social mores. And the Taylors needed no more scandals.
She threw her arms around his neck. “Are you trying to coerce me?”
“I coerced you in the hayloft. Let’s go. Before I decide to keep you here all night.”
She hooked her arm with his and they strolled from the barn and toward the lights of home.
“I want lots of children, Joshua.”
“I’ll do my best.”
She giggled. “I had no doubt.”
“Do you want a large house to hold fancy balls and large dinner parties?”
“Oh, what I want? There was always Mama and Papa’s wishes. And then Arthur. I wanted what he wanted. I thought it would make him happy. I thought I wanted to raise Arthur’s children.”
“Do you want to be with me?”
“Yes. That is one thing I do want. Without a doubt. And children. And lots of love. And, oh, it seems like a whole world awaits me.”
The Taylors’ barn was a black patch on the horizon, and when they reached the corner, Joshua stopped them, pulling her into his arms again.
“Dream about me tonight. And when you open your eyes, I will be there.”
Joshua pulled her into his embrace again, his hands cupping her bottom and lifting her into their kiss.
When she was once again steady on her feet, she asked, “And what about you, Joshua. What do you want?”
He glanced toward the Taylor house, a few candles lit in the windows.
“I want something between here and there,” he said, indicating the Taylor house and the mansion at Long Leaf. “I want a life filled with love and interesting conversation. I want nights of peace and good sleep and waking with your breast in my hand. I want to read to our children and introduce them to the world. I want to die in your arms.”
As he spoke, his arms held her protectively.
“I want so much I think a lifetime isn’t enough to accomplish it all,” he said.
“Oh, I need to catch up with you then.”
He cupped her face and she received one last kiss before they parted.
“Goodnight, Char.”
“Don’t be too early. Mama’s a stickler about visiting hours.”
*
“I’m home to stay,” Joshua said. He’d returned to the house, enjoying the solitude on his walk. Having Char’s kiss still linger upon his lips made the trip more enjoyable.
Adam had greeted him warmly, a slap on the back and then both hands at his shoulder. “Something’s changed.”
“No. Still me.” It was a small lie. Yet how did one explain such a phenomenon to another man? I love her. I love who I am when I’m with her. All very maudlin, maybe a little poetic. Certainly romantic.
Adam sat behind his father’s large oak desk, drink near at hand. He’d poured Joshua drink as well.
“You have shocked me. Had I not heard it from your own lips I would have called the man a liar. No. A damn liar.”
“I’ve asked Char Dunlevee to marry me. I will speak to Squire Taylor in the morning.”
When Joshua was younger, Adam had intimidated the “three little boys,” as Mother called them. Between family, he thought a title should not interfere and he refused to let it.
“Well, that explains much.”
“You know I’ve never cared about Sterling or the attendant wealth, but I have always envied you one thing.”
“Oh?”
“Nell.”
“I don’t want to hear it. I have Eloisa now.”
“No, hear me out. We always wanted to be like you. Our older brother, so confident and fierce. And then you had Nell. And everyone was envious of what you had with her. Everyone.”
“It was a ton marriage, like so many before it.”
“Did you love her?”
“I have made promises, Josh. And those promises involve Nell. If you want to talk about happiness in a marriage, talk to me about Eloisa. I have found the perfect wife and helpmate.”
“I think I have found that with Char.”
“Love? So few people actually know what that means. When will the wedding occur?”
“As soon as the banns are read. I do need a favor, Adam.”
“Sure.”