circumstances, the inspector thinks the sentence won’t be too harsh.”
“That was real generous of you, considering she planned on murdering you.”
“She was protecting her child,” Elizabeth said. “I can understand how she must have felt. Anyway, let’s not talk about all this now. It’s over, and I’m safe and well. Now we have to concentrate on getting you well.”
“I’m working on it.” He gave her a stern look. “Once I’m out of this bed, you and I are going to have a long discussion about your meddling in murder.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Meddling? I see it as my civic duty. My people need to be protected.”
“And who’s going to protect you?”
She lowered her gaze. “Well, we can discuss it once you’re out of that bed.”
“I can promise you one thing, your gorgeous ladyship. Once I’m out of this bed I’m not wasting time on discussion.”
She looked up, relieved to see his faint grin. One thing she knew for certain. She had come so close to losing him this time. They’d been offered a second chance, and if only they were given a little more time together, she would no longer let protocol get in the way. Whoever said it was better to have loved and lost knew what he was talking about.
She loved Major Earl Monroe with all her heart and if she was destined to have her heart broken, at least she would have known what it was to love him completely-physically and emotionally-and she could live on the memories for the rest of her life.
And to hell with protocol.
His gruff voice interrupted her thoughts. “What are you looking so serious about now?”
She tightened her grasp on his hand. “I was just thinking that we’ve wasted a lot of time worrying about things that don’t really matter.”
His gaze was intent on her face now, as if he were trying to read her mind. “Like what?”
She tried to pass it off with a shrug. “Oh, I don’t know, really. Protocol, appearances, obligations to people, I suppose. Things like that.”
He seemed to be having some difficulty responding to that. After a long pause he said quietly, “You do know that they’ll be sending me back home when I get out of here?”
She could almost feel her heart breaking in half. “I thought you might be going home, yes.” Until he’d actually spoken the words, she’d made herself believe it couldn’t happen. Now there was no avoiding it. She prayed she wouldn’t cry until she was out of his sight.
“There’s something else I should tell you.”
He let out a long sigh, and she gritted her teeth. She had to be brave. For his sake. If this was to be the last time she saw him after all, she wanted him to remember her smiling.
“I wanted to wait until I was out of this bed, so I could do things right, but what I need to say can’t wait. It’s better I say it now and get it over with.”
Her throat felt so tight she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to breathe. He was trying to say good-bye. In spite of her best efforts, an embarrassing tear squeezed out of her eye and dribbled down her cheek.
“My divorce is final,” Earl said, squeezing her hand so tightly it hurt. “I’m a free man.”
She blinked, struggling to understand what he was trying to say.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, then muttered, “Aw, hell. I love you, Elizabeth. Marry me. Come back with me to Wyoming, where we’ll raise horses and live out the rest of our lives together.”
She gulped, completely at a loss how to answer him. She’d dreamed of this moment, longed for it. Now it was here she was lost in confusion. How could she leave Sitting Marsh and the Manor House? “Polly and Sadie will manage without me. They’re young and would have moved on in time anyway. But how can I leave Martin and Violet behind?”
She hadn’t realized she’d spoken out loud until Earl said, “Bring them with you. I’ve always thought it would be nice to have servants.”
“Domestics,” she murmured, her mind still trying to grasp the wonderful, incredible offer he was making.
“You could turn the Manor House over to the government as a historical monument,” Earl said. “I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lying here, and-”
With a muffled cry of joy she smothered his words with her mouth. His kiss was very satisfying, considering his weak condition. When she raised her head, the love in his eyes took her breath away. “I love you, too,” she whispered.
He grinned. “It’s about time you told me that. Does this mean you’ll come home with me?”
“Yes.” She sat back on her chair, her hand still clinging to his. “Yes, my love. I’ll marry you and go with you anywhere you want to take me.”
She thought she just might drown in his beautiful smile when he gave her a broad wink and murmured softly, “Atta girl.”
Lord Woolton Pie
1 pound each of diced potatoes, cauliflower,
swedes [rutabaga], and carrots
3 or 4 green onions
1 teaspoon vegetable extract
1 tablespoon oatmeal
Chopped parsley
Boil all ingredients for ten minutes, using just enough water to cover. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Allow to cool, place in pie dish, and cover with crust of mashed potatoes or pastry. Bake in moderate oven (350°), until crust is brown, and serve hot with gravy.
Feeds five to six people.
Kate Kingsbury
