Regina Scott (22 page)

T
revor held Gwen close, gaze unable to move from the gems winking at him in the safe. If they were as valuable as he suspected, they’d bring him enough to set himself up in a prestigious London town house, purchase a traveling carriage, buy the finest clothes and live like an honorable gentleman. He could repair Blackcliff Mine, buy David Newton that organ, provide for the people of Blackcliff. The jewels could give him everything he’d ever wanted, once.

Now he wanted more.

He freed one arm from Gwen and swung shut the door.

“What are you doing?” she cried, disengaging from him.

He pulled the statue free. “There will be time enough later to sort them out. Right now, I have other things on my mind.”

Her face clouded. “Of course. You have plans to make.”

“We do indeed.” He bent and set the little shepherd statue carefully on the floor at his feet.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

You have given me the opportunity to fill every need, Lord.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

Blackcliff may not have many pastures, but it is a good place, Lord.

He restoreth my soul.

You brought me back to You, Lord. Thank You.

The prayer passed in an instant, yet he felt it lingering as he straightened.

Gwen was watching him. “I’ve dreaded this moment,” she murmured. “I can’t watch you ride off for London.” As if she feared she’d said too much, she stood taller, and her smile returned, teasing. “Dolly’s grown very fond of Icarus.”

Icarus! Who was still walking in front of the vicarage while Ruth Newton fended off all questions like a warrior queen. And then there was Gwen’s father, preparing to rush to Carlisle. Trevor would have to explain, but first he had to tell Gwen everything.

He took her hand and cradled it in his own. Such a strong hand, a purposeful hand, yet one touch set him to yearning for a different life.

“And dare I hope,” he murmured, “that you’ve become as fond of Icarus’s master?”

“You know I have,” she replied, but her smile was weak around the edges. “You will take a part of me with you when you leave.”

He held her hand against his chest, wishing she could know how much his heart beat for her. “Then perhaps I’d better not leave.”

She looked away. “But you must go. I understand that. You want to prove you can be the proper London gentleman. The opinions of Society are very important to you.”

“True.” But now God’s opinion, her opinion, meant far more.

Her lower lip trembled, and she raised her chin. “I promised I’d be brave. I told myself I’d only ask you to save Blackcliff. I told the Lord you needed to find your own path. But, oh, Trevor, I don’t want you to go.”

He could not help the hope that rose inside him. “And what if I asked you to come with me as my wife?”

She stilled, gaping at him. His energetic, confident, determined love was finally speechless.

Trevor chuckled. “You needn’t rush to answer. The next few minutes should suffice.”

“You think I would make you wait?” She pulled her hand free and threw her arms around his neck. “You shall have your answer now, sir. Yes! Yes, I will marry you!”

Trevor bent and brushed his lips against hers, savoring the sweetness that was Gwen alone. She
kissed him back, full of fire, full of joy. His life was about to change, for the better, for the best. He could hardly wait.

At length, he pulled back to gaze at her flushed face. “You’re sure? No second thoughts?”

“None!” She was so happy he could not doubt her. “If you want to live in London, that’s where we’ll live.” She glanced down at her cotton skirts. “Though, mind you, I’m not sure I’ll do you credit during the Season. I have come to the realization that I shall never be perfect.”

“Neither will I, but you do any man credit, in the Season or out, just as you are.” Trevor gathered her close once more and rested his head atop her silky curls. “I don’t plan to do more than visit London a few times a year in any event. Blackcliff will be our home.”

“Oh, Trevor!” He could feel her relax against him as if he’d lifted the last burden. “But now I must ask you the same question,” she murmured against his chest. “Are you sure?”

“Completely. What I want, I found here, with you. I promised God I’d go where He led, and Blackcliff is part of that plan. I’m sure of it.” He gazed down at her, smoothing a curl back from her dear face. “I love you, Gwen.”

Her look captured his heart. “And I love you. More than you can know.”

Trevor held her, but he knew she was wrong. No one could mistake Gwen’s love. It flowed from her
touch, blossomed from her smile. With Gwen beside him, Blackcliff was no longer a house.

It was their home.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for choosing
An Honorable Gentleman.
Sir Trevor piqued my interest when he rode Icarus onto the page as Chase Dearborn’s friend in
The Irresistible Earl.
I hope you enjoyed reading how he came to meet his match, and his Lord, among the natural wonders of Cumberland.

That area, the Lake District in England, is one of the country’s most beautiful, with towering peaks and long lakes. The poet Wordsworth made his home there for many years. His “Guide to the Lakes” in 1810 drew hundreds of tourists to the area, and they continue to come today.

I welcome visitors to my website, too. Please feel free to contact me via www.reginascott.com, where you can also read about my upcoming books.

Blessings!
Regina Scott

1. Sir Trevor Fitzwilliam is disappointed with his new estate when he first arrives. Have you ever been disappointed in a gift? How did you react to the giver?
   
2. Gwen Allbridge is afraid of taking her mother’s place in the village. Have you had to follow a parent or sibling you thought was more talented? How did you handle it?
   
3. Many of the villagers depend on the Blackcliff estate for their livelihood. What industries does your town depend on? How does your town react when one of its industries does poorly?
   
4. Gwen struggles with the idea of leaving Blackcliff. What kinds of things pull us away from our childhood homes? How can we go about making a new place home?
   
5. Sir Trevor is amazed by what he learns in the Bible. What story in the Bible is your favorite? Where did you first hear it? How did you react to it?
   
6. Gwen is devoted to her family, including her dog, Dolly. Do you or someone you know have a beloved pet? How is it part of the family?
   
7. John Cord feels that his previous employer owes him more than wages for his hard work and sacrifice. What do Christians owe those who serve today?
   
8. Horace Allbridge uses alcohol to dull the pain from his wife’s death. What other things do people use to avoid painful memories? How can we help those who mourn?
   
9. Gwen sees God’s provision in His wondrous works. Where do you most often see the Father’s hand?
   
10. Trevor blames God for his difficult upbringing. Why are some people raised in more difficult surroundings than others? How can such trials shape us?
    
11. Gwen tries to order her world through hard work. At what point should we turn to God and let Him take the burden?