Patrick and Mena wed in Harrisonburg in a beautiful white church that afternoon. Mena wears a blush pink gown and is given away by her father, Charles. It’s a beautiful, perfect ceremony with laughter, love, and tears.
“Aiylin!” Mena calls, she throws a bouquet of flowers that land in her hands. “You’re next!” she laughs as Patrick pulls her into the carriage.
They laugh and wave as the couple leaves for the hotel. Their train will depart in the morning for the coast where they will board a ship bound for England. Patrick surprised Mena with a trip for the holidays. They will return in three weeks, to be home the week before Christmas.
Aiylin is not surprised that her parents leave right away and for the first time in years, she’s alone. Blessedly, alone. She checks into her hotel, to rest and enjoy her time before catching her train Friday morning.
Chapter 5
Langdon flinches at the pain in his own wrist, the old man had almost broken it! All for touching his daughter. He just doesn’t understand yet that Aiylin is his for the taking. He sips slowly from the small dark colored bottle, knowing that soon the pain will disappear. It will all become clear soon, once his plans fall into place. Opening and closing his mouth slowly, he notes that his jaw will be sore for a while, a man the size of Charles could have broken it if he’d chosen to. Chuckling to himself, he thinks about how every blow that has landed on him will be passed along to Aiylin so she can enjoy the pain of it.
Trying to convince them that he loves Aiylin fell flat after she went home whining about a sore wrist. Unfortunately, she’s being difficult. He was trying to court her, but she has refused him at every turn.
Instead, he will be forced to put her in a compromising situation, he grins thinking about her begging beneath him. Shaking himself from his reverie, he stares out the window of his shop. The flowers he had sent were returned. The florist said no one was home. Even when they tried to deliver them to the factory, they were refused. His frown had the young delivery man backing away.
“Where are they?” he growled. No one can keep a secret in this town. “Want to earn some extra money?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Find out where the Millers are?” The bell rings as the kid leaves and Langdon paces.
Where could they be? He’s just about to close up when one of his best customers enters.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Weise. What can I do for you?” he asks and offers her and arm to guide her to a chair.
“I heard you had an altercation with my son, Patrick a few nights ago. I hope you won’t judge him too harshly. He’s been spending too much time with the Miller family, I’m afraid.” She sniffs and pats her white braided updo.
“Not at all. It was a misunderstanding, please, think nothing of it. I was just closing up for the day. May I offer you some tea?” he asks, sitting across from her.
“That would be lovely,” she sits back and struggles not to cry at his kind treatment of her. Langdon makes a fresh pot and spills a few drops of his special medicine into her cup. Sitting across from her, he offers her the cup and watches as she sips it.
“Forgive me, but my son ran off with that family! He left me a letter!” she hisses and has to fan herself to calm down.
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Weise,” he pats her hand. “What did the letter say?” he asks
“Only that I was being unreasonable, and he loves her. They are married by now, and that sister of hers helped her plan this betrayal!”
“You mean Aiylin?” he asks watching her finish her tea.
“Yes, that’s the one!” she dabs her eyes and accepts a refill of her tea. “Is it warm in here?” she waves a hand at her flushed cheeks.
“Yes, the tea will help refresh you. I’m sorry they’ve treated you so terribly,” he leans forward and watches her sip. “Aiylin has been teasing me for months. I thought we might have something special but finding out that she could treat someone like this makes me think twice.” She nods in understanding. “Would you have dinner with me, Mrs. Weise?”
“Oh!” the thought of going home to the empty house has her nodding eagerly. “Yes, please. Don’t worry yourself, Patrick, someone will snap you up.” She fans herself and smiles, “That tea was delicious,” she giggles. “You must share the recipe, and I will spread the word about what a kind young man you are. You’ll have more offers than you can count.”
Patrick smiles, “That’s kind of you. We are kindred spirits, hurt by the same family. I find that once I purge the offenders by talking about it, it is easier to move on.”
“That’s a wonderful attitude.”
He guides her to the door and out front into her carriage.
It is early at the restaurant, and Langdon and Darla are seated straight away. He’s able to pry information out of Mrs. Weise with only one glass of wine and some attention. The poor old woman is lonely. After she drops him off back at his shop, Langdon smiles, watching her drive away.
She told him most of what he needed to know. The rest he will get from the train station. Aiylin is out of town, visiting the old women’s sister. Perfect. He will pay her a visit, and if she won’t marry him, he wonders how much her stupid father will pay to save her reputation? He laughs and adjusts his suit. It’d be much easier if she’d
