He held on to her hand, not allowing her to withdraw. “Marry me.”
Suddenly, Helena could relate to the sheep. His proposal was like a six-in-hand coach barreling toward her. Her gaze locked on the door as she fought the temptation to run.
Marriage equaled confinement and loss of control. It meant failing to please, consequences, and isolation. Her heart shuddered, then slammed against her breastbone as if trying to escape her body.
“Shh, it’s all right.” Sebastian gently stroked her hair. “Don’t be afraid, love. It’s all right. I withdraw my request.”
The sound of her rapid breathing filled the carriage. This was ridiculous, behaving like a frightened child. Clamping her lips together, she took a shaky breath as a drop of perspiration trickled down her back.
Sebastian wasn’t Prestwick. He didn’t want to squire her away to a remote castle. Instead, he wanted to keep her among Society where she had formed friendships, and he wanted to make a home for her sisters. Sebastian was everything her husband hadn’t been—loving, thoughtful, engaging, accepting—but marriage was a big leap.
She reached for his hand still stroking her hair and held it tightly. His strong and steady touch quieted the maelstrom inside. “M-may I have time to consider before you withdraw your request?”
His smile lit the carriage, rivaling the sun. “Take as much time as you need. I am not going anyplace.”
And neither was she. She had to trust in Sebastian’s plan to reunite her with her sisters.
With the sheep finally cleared from the lane, the carriage jerked forward and continued toward Springvale Manor, the home of Pearl’s employer. When they had stopped in the village, Sebastian asked for directions to Mr. Mason’s farm. The innkeeper, a rather chatty fellow, described a much larger estate than Helena had been anticipating.
Apparently, Mr. Mason’s farm had been prosperous before his accident, but when it appeared he wouldn’t survive, his hired men found other employment. With no brothers or sons to help, the farm had begun to fall into disrepair. She was uncertain what living conditions she would find Pearl living in, but her sister would have no more worries once she came to stay with Helena.
As the carriage turned onto the drive, three chimney caps peeped over the tree line. Helena scooted to the edge of the bench, anxious for her first glimpse of the house. Several steep-pitched roofs came into view, and as they approached, Helena spotted at least two outbuildings.
“It is larger than I thought,” she said.
“And it’s in better condition than the innkeeper led us to believe.”
The grass around the house was clipped short, and window boxes dripped with flowers. A rounded door swung open and a young woman hurried to stand in the drive. She looked toward the house, dashed back inside, and a moment later returned with a gentleman at her side. His arm was draped around the woman’s shoulders while a crutch supported his other side. Helena’s stomach dove when she noted the bottom half of his leg was missing.
The woman smiled broadly and waved as the carriage rolled up to the house.
“That must be Pearl. She has changed so much.” Pearl’s hair had darkened to a chestnut brown and her manner was more carefree.
“It seems they are expecting us,” Sebastian said.
“I didn’t want to arrive unannounced as I did at Cora’s. I think I shocked the poor girl. I sent a message yesterday.”
Sebastian descended the carriage steps first, then held Helena’s hand to assist her.
“Helena!”
Mr. Mason’s smile was as wide as Pearl’s as he nudged her. “Go on. I will be all right without you.”
Pearl hesitated but a heartbeat before rushing to gather Helena in a hug. “Thank God you are alive. I never believed you were gone. I sensed you were still out there.”
Cora had spoken similar words. Helena returned her sister’s vigorous hug. “Oh, Pearl. How I have missed you.”
Her sister’s blue eyes sparkled as she took Helena’s arm and urged her to follow. “I want to introduce you to someone.”
Sebastian trailed behind, allowing her to have this moment with Pearl. Her sister resumed her place at Mr. Mason’s side. He was a handsome man with longer-than-fashionable blond hair that fell on his forehead. And he was young. Perhaps not much older than Sebastian.