It hurt to say such things.
Sometimes the truth was the only thing to set a man free.
It proved too much for her brother to bear. “Then have him. You’ve made your choice.” He swung around and marched towards the stile.
She didn’t chase after him as she had done many times in the past. She didn’t attempt to placate him or tend to his wounds.
He was lost, and it would take more than her love to help him find his way home.
“Mother of all saints!” Nicholas snapped.
Helen turned to find him on his feet and shrugging out of his black coat. “I know! My brother is as stubborn as a mule. He’ll not listen to reason.”
“It’s not that.” He raised his coat aloft and stared at the brown gunge splattered across the back. “When he hit me, I landed in a damn cow pat.” He sniffed the horrid substance and groaned. “It would happen when I don’t have a clean coat.”
A relieved laugh burst from her lips. “You landed in a cow pat?” The rush of euphoria washed away her sadness temporarily.
“You find it amusing?”
“Yes, and utterly marvellous.”
Nicholas arched a brow. “Have I missed something?”
“You’re my farmer. The man I’m meant to marry.” She didn’t wait for recognition to dawn but rushed into his arms, almost knocking him over again. “Nicholas, it’s you. It’s always been you.”
“Then I shall renew my faith in mystics,” he said, throwing his coat to the ground and kissing her once on the mouth. “If you’re destined to marry me, it means we’re sure to solve the case and clear my name.”
“I have every faith we can overcome our problems.”
He pressed his forehead to hers, his deep breath heavy with regret. “I should speak to Sebastian,” he said, pulling away and glancing at the coaching inn, “at least attempt to heal the rift.”
“He won’t listen. You know how he is.”
“Still, I must try.” He chucked her chin. “If I find myself in the dock, I shall hire you as my counsel. You have a skill for forming an excellent argument and will surely save my neck from the noose.”
Her heart ached at the thought. Each passing hour increased the risk of Mr Hope or Sir Percival finding them. Still, she could not let Nicholas see she was scared to the marrow of her bones.
She forced a smile. “We have a more pressing dilemma. How are we to make love again with my brother playing chaperone?”
* * *
Nicholas strode through the taproom in his shirtsleeves and found Sebastian sitting at the small table in the far corner, head bowed.
Faced with Sebastian in a vile temper, most men would run for the hills, but Nicholas knew he should have taken Helen home to Grosvenor Street, that he had been too weak to deny his heart’s desire. And that his friend deserved an explanation.
He came to a halt at the table. “May I sit down?”
Sebastian glanced up. “Only if you want another whipping.”
Nicholas pulled out the stool and sat down anyway. “In a fair fight, we both know I would be victorious. But unless you mean to avoid your sister’s wedding or spurn an invitation to your nephew’s christening, you—”
Sebastian thumped the table. “She’s with child?”
“No! But I mean to marry her. I mean to have a family, have a life.” And based on the fact they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, she’d be with child within a month of exchanging vows.
Sebastian’s mouth twisted in disdain. “But you don’t want children. Or shall I add that lie to the ever-growing pile?”
“I want children with her.” When two people loved and respected one another, they could create a happy home.