she said tremulously.
‘But why?’
‘B … because I suddenly realised that I loved someone else.’
‘Oh, I see.’ His face darkened as he straightened to his full height. ‘So what’ll happen now then?’
‘Well, I’m rather hoping that the man I really love feels the same about me. Although I would quite understand if he didn’t. I mean, I’m not the girl I was any more, am I? I’ll never walk on my own two feet again, and as for my face …’ Her hand reached up to cover her damaged cheek.
‘Don’t talk so daft, woman.’ Toby looked enraged. ‘You could still have your pick of any man yer wanted. Yer still the bonniest lass I ever clapped eyes on, an’ you’re an heiress now into the bargain.’
‘I may well be, but what I’ve realised is that my roots are still here where I was brought up.’ Her voice was loaded with sadness now. ‘I am very fond of my grandparents,’ she added quickly, ‘and I would never willingly do anything to hurt them, but I think I lost track of where I belong somewhere along the way. All the trips to London, the fancy clothes …’ She looked down at the beautiful gown she was wearing, which just happened to be one of her own designs.
‘The money and all the riches in the world don’t mean anything if you can’t share them with the person you love, Toby. I’m just glad I realised it before it was too late.’
‘So, what will you do now?’
‘That rather depends on you,’ she said softly, and now his head snapped up and he stared at her curiously.
‘On me?’
‘Of course, seeing as it’s you I love. Didn’t you understand what I was trying to tell you? I love you, Toby. I think we were written in the stars but I was so caught up in making something of myself that I lost sight of what’s important.’
For a moment he stood as if he had been rooted to the spot and in the glow from the lamp on the table she saw tears glistening in his eyes.
‘Have I left it too late?’ she asked fearfully. ‘Could you ever consider marrying me?’ And now he sprang forward and wrapped her in his arms, crutch and all.
‘Aw, lass. I never dreamed I’d hear yer say that to me.’ His voice was choked with emotion. ‘Yer must have known that I’ve loved yer since yer were knee high to a grasshopper. Why, I’d go to the ends o’ the earth fer you if yer asked me to.’
‘Can you forgive me for being so blind?’ she whispered, and suddenly they were both laughing, which caused Bessie to creep to the top of the stairs and peep down at them.
‘An’ was that a proposal, young lady?’ His eyes were shining brighter than the full moon in the sky outside and Amy felt as if she might drown in them.
‘I rather think it was, sir, so what’s your answer to be?’
‘Hm, well, I’ll have to give it due consideration, of course,’ he said with an exaggerated sigh, and then his lips came down on hers and a thousand fireworks exploded behind her eyes.
At the top of the stairs, Bessie grinned from ear to ear, ‘An’ about bloody time an’ all,’ she whispered and turning about, she crept back to her room to wake her Jim and tell him the wonderful news.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
‘Hello, Gran. Why, you look absolutely lovely!’
Molly tugged self-consciously at the jacket of the smart green costume Amy had designed and had made for her. She had just arrived at Forrester’s Folly to help Amy prepare for her wedding, although she doubted that Amy would need much help. At Amy and Toby’s request, it was to be a very quiet affair.
Samuel and Josephine had insisted that Amy should go to the church from their home and Amy had been only too happy to oblige. Her grandparents had been wonderful following the Laroques’ departure, and after properly meeting Toby they were happy to welcome him into the family. He seemed like a sensible and kind person, and if he made their granddaughter happy then they were happy too. Better still, as part of their wedding gift to the couple, the workmen were now busily constructing yet another building next to Treetops which would become the new local school where Toby would be the full-time teacher. As Mr Forrester had pointed out, ‘It’s about time the local children had the chance of a decent education.’