Amends by Susanna Ives

Author:Susanna Ives
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Susanna Ives
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

***

What had he done? Markham was reeling as he and Ethan walked home. He had been innocently holding Sarah as they’d danced—the closest he had managed to get to her. He should have counted his blessings and left it at that, but then her hair had fallen against her parted lips, and he had become aware of the rise of her breasts. He had remembered their softness in his hands … the first bare breasts he had touched as a man. He had wondered if she would whimper like before if he kissed them and ran his tongue over her nipples. And then, like some ape, he’d pulled her closer, his cock hardening against her.

In truth, he had been hyped up since he’d entered the farmyard to find Sarah in curls and full of soft smiles for the besotted Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth was an honorable man who would be a good match for Sarah. And for that, Markham wanted to punch him, because Hollingsworth had a chance with Sarah, and Markham didn’t. Because Markham had ruined everything years ago, just like he had today.

“Damn me,” he muttered. The other day, he’d pleaded with her for some semblance of friendship, and now this had happened. How Nicholas had glared at him for touching his mother. The boy had readily known what Markham was doing and hadn’t liked it. And who was this O’Keeffe whom Nicholas had threatened to tell? Sarah was adamant that she wasn’t interested in marrying again or even receiving another man’s affections. So why would this O’Keeffe have cared if Markham danced with Sarah? What hold did this man have over her?

“Are you well, Papa?” Ethan tugged at his father’s coat.

“Just lost in thought.”

“Papa, do you think Josie will grow up to be like her mother?”

“I don’t know. She’s certainly a vivacious, loving child, and I hope she remains that way.”

“Timothy says I can’t marry Josie because she’s very poor and doesn’t have a title. He says you’re supposed to have a title because you have so much land. And because you don’t have one, you have to marry ladies with titles, like Mama and Lady Hester. That’s not true, is it? You married Mama because you loved her. So I can marry Josie, can’t I?”

Markham stopped and squatted until he was at eye level with his son. He needed to make sure the boy heard him. Markham had to dispel a fiction passed down from his father and his father’s father. “Firstly, I care very much for Lady Hester.” Guilt wormed in his gut. “Secondly, you are far too young to think of marriage. But when you are of the right age and inclination, you must choose someone of good character who will make you happy and whom you should make equally happy. Her position in life isn’t of any consequence if you care deeply for her.”

“I shall marry Josie, then.” Ethan nodded. “When are you going to ask Lady Hester to marry you?” Ethan asked. “Timothy says she’s waiting, and Lord Simon is annoyed with you because you haven’t asked her yet.

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