Chapter Twenty
Sabine had missed so much in her absence. She learned the long and tragically romantic tale of William’s return from the Caribbean. She’d written to Kitty just as soon as she’d heard and Kitty had explained everything in full, reassuring her that William was fine, as was little Will and he was adjusting to his new leg, and his new naval rank well. She’d also learned that Kitty was once again expecting.
Jane and Daniel repaired their marriage quickly. Within days they were back to behaving like newlyweds around the house, much to Sabine’s disgust. It always unnerved her to see her parents act affectionately around each other, but perhaps it was the same for all children.
And the three months of courting passed quickly. Daniel barred Connor from the stables, instead securing him employment at the blacksmith’s in the village. He was the most talented blacksmith without any formal training. It was almost instinct that he made shoes and fitted them. Sabine tended to the horses in the way that Connor had previously and she and Jane resumed their almost daily trail rides into the forest.
Her brothers were home for the summer from Eton and were very amused to learn that their elder sister was marrying the stable hand, the man that she had so passionately committed to detest. Philip and Louis got along really well with Connor, even though he was a decade older than them. They seemed to look up to the man who was far more experienced than them.
Connor came to dinner with the Winchester’s at least three times a week and Daniel made a real effort to get to know Connor as a person, and a potential son – in – law, but asking him questions about his background, as well as what he intended to do about his future. Daniel seemed genuinely impressed with Connor’s theories on horse racing as a sport. What captured Daniel’s attention, Sabine believed, was how Connor described Puissant’s run so passionately. Connor was truly mesmerised by horses. Sabine had never met another person who thought so highly of the animals as her.
As for Mr Rochester. She really hadn’t been a lady in regards to her dealings with him. She’d disappeared for months on end when she’d made a semi – commitment to him, whether her heart was in it or not, she had a duty to respect him. He seemed quite surprised to actually see her when she visited with him. Her parents hadn’t told anyone of her expedition to Scotland as to protect her reputation, so Mr Rochester wasn’t aware of her feelings for Connor.
After she’d told him of her courtship with Connor, all the guilt she felt was lost.
“The stable hand?” he had scoffed. “You would select a penniless Scot over me?” he’d continued on.
“Quite easily based on your reaction here, Mr Rochester. Do not be so rude!” she had scolded. “I came here to offer you my most humble of apologies and you are making it very hard for me to be remorseful.”
The visit concluded shortly after. The last Sabine had heard was that Mr Rochester had travelled south in search of a bride. Sabine wished them luck, and hoped the poor woman knew what she was getting into.
But aside from the unpleasant meeting with Mr Rochester, Sabine enjoyed her summer in Nottinghamshire as opposed to the many she spent in London boring any men who happened to speak to her. With a maid for a chaperone, Connor and Sabine spent time together riding, picnicking, and conversing about town. She loved the ease that she felt when she was with him. She never felt as though she had to pretend to be more interesting than she was – Connor seemed to enjoy her company regardless.
He’d saved her. Not in a life threatening way, but in a way that meant that she was not condemned to a life of feeling as though she wasn’t good enough. He’d saved her in every way a woman could hope to be saved. He’d saved her from herself.
As summer came to an end, and the courtship to a close, Sabine’s parents finally allowed wedding invitations to be sent out, and it all became a sudden reality. She was marrying. The church had been reserved for the end of September, and she hoped that gave their guests enough time to travel. Her brothers had received permission from their headmaster for a weekend’s leave for the wedding especially once they had returned. Invitations had been sent to her Aunt Em and Uncle Sebastian in London, as well as her cousins and their spouses, her Grandmamma in York and Connor’s many family members in Scotland – both in the Highlands and on the border. She honestly wasn’t sure if they would come seeing as the wedding was to be in England, but she secretly hoped that Mungo would allow it for Connor’s sake and for the sake of their relationship. She’d also sent an invitation to Heather. She had reservations, but she had asked if she could attend on the day she’d found out about Connor and Sabine’s engagement.
Sabine didn’t want a big affair. She wanted it to be small and personal, with only the people that mattered to them to be around them.
On a rainy Thursday, a fortnight before the wedding, Daniel and Jane insisted that both Connor and Sabine pile into the carriage with the shades drawn. Their destination was to be a surprise and Sabine was quite apprehensive about it. She’d never enjoyed surprises, not even as a child.
“Really, papa,” Sabine sighed. “Why all the secrecy? Are you taking Connor to the cemetery and shooting him so that no – one will know?” she joked, secretly wondering if it were possible. Daniel was carrying a leather pouch with him, one that was big enough to carry a pistol.
“Sabine, be patient please,” Daniel instructed, taking Jane’s hand and sharing a knowing smile.
What on earth were they planning? She looked to Connor for reassurance but he appeared to be as bewildered as her. Connor had taken to dressing a little more formal around her parents. His white shirt was always buttoned and he wore a jacket that matched his practical work slacks. His boots were not as scuffed as they usually were, and he’d made an effort to make them shine. He’d cut his hair as well, not short, but so that it was neater. His golden hair still curled at the ends, but it finished just below his earlobes, rather than nearly at his shoulders. She could tell that Daniel really appreciated the effort.
Her mother had procured a fine wedding suit for Connor and was tailoring it to him herself but Sabine knew he wanted to wear traditional Scottish attire. He was really angry with himself for leaving his kilt behind, and he hoped, if his family decided to attend, that they would bring it with them.
The carriage pulled to a stop after about twenty minutes of travel. The driver opened the door for them and let down the stairs. As Sabine was helped out by Connor, she took a look around at where they had arrived.
All she could see was green, fenced paddocks that stretched on for miles. The grass was dewy from the rain and the dark clouds made the paddocks seem never ending. Adjoining the first paddock, as well as the corral, was a house that was three storeys high. The walls were white, yet decayed with weather and the shutters were a fading blue. Twenty yards from the boundary of the house was a barn that was made from dark wood, and stretched on to make it a generous size, one that would hold several stalls.
She knew exactly where they were. This property belonged to Mr Wallace. He was a widower that ran the farm on his lonesome, but he’d recently decided to move down to Kent to be closer to his daughter and her family. The house and land were empty.
Daniel and Jane were smiling very deviously as they watched Sabine and Connor look at their surroundings.
“With what I was paying you, Connor, your dreams would never have come true. I admire ambition, and as our wedding present, Jane and I have decided to give you a head start. Mr Wallace sold this place to me for a very reasonable price. I’ve had the deed –” he said, pausing to open the leather pouch and pulling out a stiff piece of parchment. “– put into both of your names … all you need to do it sign it and you both will own it outright.”
Connor’s jaw dropped. Sabine was absolutely speechless. Her father was holding the deed out to them expectantly, but she couldn’t force her feet forward. They couldn’t possibly own property.
“Papa,” Sabine squeaked.
“Sir, it’s … it’s too much,” Connor choked.
“Nonsense,” Jane retorted. “It is a gift, and it won’t be returned. There is also another gift that is non – refundable.”
“Mama,” Sabine groaned. “You’ve spent enough.”
“We’ve sourced ten fabulous horses – mares, stallions, fillies and colts alike. With Puissant and the stallion that you’ve taken a shining to, Connor, that will make twelve. Will that be enough to start your training?”
“An’ ye have bought horses?” Connor choked. “No, I can’ accept. We can’ accept.”
“Connor,” Daniel said firmly, steeping forth to place a hand on his shoulder. “You will not refuse. They are a gift from us to you both. We are also placing Sabine’s dowry in trust for the education of your children, seeing as I know you won’t accept that. Please, just say ‘thank you’. It is my way of apologising for being so horrid to you – to both of you – in the beginning. Truth be told, I couldn’t imagine letting my Sabine go to a better man.” Daniel held his hand out to Connor.
Accepting it, Connor smiled gratefully. “Thank ye,” he said sincerely. “This,” he said looking around at the house, paddocks and barn. “Is exactly what I’ve always envisioned. Are you happy, Sabine?” he asked her.
Sabine followed his eyes around the property. Southerby House had always been where she lived, but the stables had been her home. The house was idyllic, and this dream that Connor had could be her dream too. “I am happy,” she breathed. Crossing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around her father’s neck and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, papa,” she whispered in his ear.
“I’m sorry, Sabine,” he whispered back. “Forgive me. For everything.”
She knew he was apologising for her childhood as well as his behaviour towards Connor. He’d always felt guilty about missing the first five years of her life, and truth be told, Sabine had always held resentment toward him because of it. But after everything he had done for them, she really could begin to put it all behind her. She was adding a new chapter to her life story, one where her childhood loneliness could be forgotten. “I forgive you, papa,” she assured him.
The skin beside his brown eyes crinkled as he smiled. He cupped her face and pinched her cheek lightly as he had done in her adolescence. “You’re not marrying just any young lady, Connor, you are marrying an Earl’s daughter. My daughter … our daughter,” he corrected himself, looking to Jane whose eyebrows had risen. “We want nothing but the best for her. We’ll convert the third floor into servant’s quarters and we’ll have it staffed within a month so you will reside at Southerby for a little while. I hope that’s alright.”
“I honestly don’ know what to say,” Connor said, shaking his head.
Sabine released her father and joined Connor at his side. “It’s going to work out, Connor,” she assured him, just as she had at the beginning of their impromptu courtship.
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Hope you liked it :) I know it's a bit shorter, but that's because I've decided to cut a bit out of this chapter and include it in the next one. I've decided to add one more chapter before the epilogue, and that will be the arrival of the Scottish clan in England ...
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