The Sweethearts Collection. Pam Jenoff
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wondering if the effects of the colourings had gone to his head.
‘Tomorrow, we are taking ourselves off to make merry.’
That night Colenso slept soundly and for once nightmares didn’t torment her, so that she woke refreshed and eager for the day ahead.
‘Oh, are we not going to the beach?’ she asked when Garren turned towards the countryside.
‘Time for a change,’ he smiled, clearly enjoying his little mystery. ‘Now, let’s relax and enjoy the freedom of being in the great outdoors. Look at that heather, isn’t it a riot of colour? It’s a good job we don’t have mauve colouring or you’d be making purple lollipops next.’
‘And why not?’ she asked. ‘In fact, if we were to mix some red with blue, we could create some.’
‘Mon dieu, the woman is mad,’ he cried, waving his hands in the air. ‘Ah listen, a skylark. Is that not the sound of summer?’ She smiled. He was certainly in good spirits this morning.
They tramped on, venturing deeper into the countryside alive with golden gorse, its coconut fragrance wafting on the breeze.
‘What that we could bottle that aroma,’ Garren sighed. ‘We’d make a fortune.’
‘Fortune favours those who help themselves,’ Colenso told him. ‘At least that’s what Mammwynn used to say.’
‘She was probably right. Oh look, here we are,’ he said as they arrived at a gentle sloping field.
‘Goodness, what are all those?’ she asked, hopping up and down as she stared at the circle of stones.
‘Those, Miss Carne, are known as the Merry Maidens and you’d better not jig around like that,’ he instructed, laughing at her puzzled expression. ‘For I have it on good authority that these were once young girls who were turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath.’
‘You’re joking, of course,’ she chuckled.
‘Maybe, maybe not, but it is the Sabbath so I wouldn’t risk it,’ he replied, his grin belying his serious tone. ‘Look at the way they’ve been placed. See how they get smaller from the south-west to the north-east there,’ he said, gesturing with his arm. ‘Some tales suggest they were arranged to mirror the waxing and waning of the moon, though personally I prefer the Merry Maidens story,’ he grinned.
‘Hence making merry today?’ she replied.
‘Absolutely,’ he nodded. ‘And that stone over there tucked into the hedgerow is known as the Gun Rith Standing Stone, which could have formed part of the processional alignment with the Merry Maidens.’
‘So this place was used for sacred ceremonies?’ she asked, gazing around in wonder.
‘Well, it was also known as Dans Meyn, which would suggest that here was used for rituals involving dance.’
‘You can feel the magic in the air. Mammwynn would have loved it here,’ she cried, surprised not to feel the necklace thumping madly at her chest. Then she realized she was no longer wearing it. She would put it back on tonight, she vowed. Suddenly, she became aware of Garren gazing at her intently.
‘I can feel magic in the air too,’ he said quietly. ‘And I’m hoping it will look favourably on what I am about to ask.’ He swallowed hard. ‘Colenso, I have loved you from the moment I first saw you standing all bedraggled in my workshop. Would you … could you consider becoming my wife?’
‘Oh,’ she gasped, her eyes widening.
‘I’m reliable and would always look after you,’ he declared, taking her hand in his. ‘We both love children and I could provide you and them with a good home, so … what do you say?’
‘Well, you’ve taken me by surprise,’ she stammered.
‘I know I can never replace your Kitto. I’m not half as good-looking, for one thing,’ he gave a nervous laugh before continuing. ‘However, we do get on well together and in time you might even come to return my affection.’
‘I am fond of you, Garren,’ she told him, blinking back tears as she stared at the stones. But was that enough?
‘To my mind that’s a good start,’ Garren replied.
But what did she want from life? It was the first time she’d thought about it since Kitto had died. Kitto, her heart almost stopped for a moment. She still loved him, but he wasn’t coming back, was he? He wouldn’t have expected her to stop living, she knew that. She was only eighteen, after all, and didn’t want to end up like Mara, remaining frozen in the past for the rest of her years.
Having her own home and family had always been her dream. Garren would make a good husband and father and, in return, she’d make sure she was a good wife and mother. Slowly, she turned back to face him.
‘Thank you, Garren, I would be proud to become your wife,’ she told him. His face lit up and, letting out a whoop of glee, he lifted her off the ground and swung her round and round in the air.
‘I hope this doesn’t count as dancing,’ she laughed.
✳
‘Father, we have some good news for you,’ Garren said, as they burst into the little upstairs living room where he was sitting.
‘It had better be good an’ all, rushing into the room like that. If a man can’t rest his eyes in peace in his own home, then it’s a poor show,’ the old man grumbled, although Colenso could tell he didn’t really mind at all.
‘Colenso has agreed to become my wife,’ Garren announced proudly.
‘Has she now?’ Mr Goss asked, eyeing her shrewdly. ‘Well, in that case we’d best break out that port I keep for special occasions. It’s in the dresser in my room.’ He waited until Garren had left then turned to Colenso.
‘And is this news good for you, my dear? Are you ready to move on? I wouldn’t want to see Garren hurt.’
‘I’d never do that, Mr Goss. I admire and respect him too much.’
‘I didn’t hear the word “love”,’ he murmured, just as Garren reappeared carrying a bottle. He went over to the sideboard and poured a small amount into three glasses before handing them round.
‘To you both,’ Mr Goss said, getting stiffly to his feet and raising his glass. ‘I hope you will be as happy as Meggie and I were,’ he added, his eyes looking suspiciously bright.
‘Thank you, Father. Colenso has made me the happiest man. To our future,’ he said, clinking his glass against hers.
‘To all our futures,’ Mr Goss said, settling himself back in his chair. ‘Sit down, dear,’ he added. ‘The good news seems to have relieved my son of his manners.’
‘I haven’t been up here before,’ Colenso said, taking a seat on the couch and staring round the bright, well-furnished room.
‘Used to be Meggie’s favourite room, this. Catches the afternoon sun. Still, you’ll be wanting it for yourselves now.’
‘Goodness, Mr Goss, I wouldn’t dream of sharing it with you,’ Colenso cried.
‘Nor would I ask you to,’ he assured her. ‘I have been thinking of removing myself to the gentlemen’s hotel. No, don’t argue,’ he went on as Garren opened his mouth to protest. ‘I have a little money saved and, to be honest, my legs can’t manage these stairs for much longer. The opportunity of having my meals cooked and laundry taken care of is too good to miss. Besides, I won’t be here to call on when you get a rush in the shop.’ His impish grin made him look like his son and Colenso couldn’t help smiling.
‘Well, if you’re sure,’ Garren said.
‘Oh, I am, son. I am. Have you set a date for the wedding?’ he asked.
‘Goodness,