“It has been a wonderful four years,” Mrs. Rutley said. “You’ll be sorely missed, Louisa.”
Before Louisa could respond, Ruth threw her arms around her. “You’ll mind yourself, won’t you? If you need anything, you can always call on me. No matter if I’m in the middle of the ocean or docked on land, I’ll do all I can to come.”
Tears filled Louisa’s eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, astonished—and pleased—by this outward show of affection from her otherwise reserved friend.
Ruth pushed her away. “Good-bye,” she said before bounding up the stairs. But Louisa did not miss the glistening of tears in her eyes.
“Well, Mrs. Rutley, my parents should be here within the hour. They have always been a stickler for punctuality.”
The headmistress smiled. “Why don’t we wait outside? It’s a lovely day, far too lovely to be indoors. Plus, there is something you must see.”
With an encouraging nod from Mrs. Rutley, Louisa opened the front door and stepped out onto the portico. The day truly was lovely. The air was unseasonably warm, and not a single cloud marred the otherwise clear sky. The scent of budding flowers and fresh-cut grass wafted past her.
But none of that held her attention once her gaze fell upon the figure that stood facing the great oak tree.
Sir Aaron.
She set the bag on the ground beside her and walked toward the knight. He turned as she approached. Why was he carrying the sword that had hung from the wall in his library?
“We must speak before you leave,” he said.
Despite her anger with him, Louisa could not deny the warmth that filled her just being in his presence. He was so handsome, so dashing, that she could barely breathe.
He does not truly care for you, Louisa Dunston. If he did, he would not have deceived you.
“I’m here,” she managed to say, pleased her voice did not betray her nervousness. “Say what you will.”
“You could have won,” he said matter-of-factly. “You could have won, and the theater would have remained if I would have given you a chance to state your case. But I allowed my pride to get in the way. I was unfair to you, and for that, I’m sorry.”
Louisa sighed. “I, too, was so focused on getting my way, I failed to consider your goals. I made every excuse to justify breaking the rules upon which we had agreed. I acted like a petulant child. Therefore, I also offer an apology.”
They stood staring at one another, the only sound the distant cry of a crow. Louisa bit at her lip, wishing the right words would enter her mind. Before she could gather her thoughts, however, Sir Aaron set the sword across his palms.
“The Sword of Destiny,” he said as he lifted it, so it hung between them. “Do you remember when I told you the story behind it?”
Louisa nodded. “Indeed. Your ancestor wielded it in the War of the Roses. And according to legend, whoever wields it is led to his destiny. But why have you brought it here?”
“I thought it had led me to Chatsworth so I could purchase the theater, that I had no other reason for being here. But I was wrong. It led me to something far more important, someone more notable. It led me to you.”
Her heart skipped a beat as he unsheathed the weapon and dropped the scabbard on the ground beside him. Sunlight glinted off the blade, making it all the more majestic. “I’ve wanted to make a name for myself by being associated with as many businesses, as many enterprises, as I could muster. Unfortunately, I was willing to do whatever it took to see my destiny fulfilled. Even betraying the woman I love. A friend gave me some wonderful advice. I can own every shop in Chatsworth, every building within ten miles. But because I aimed only for that life, I was also destined to remain alone. But that is not the kind of life I want for myself. What is wealth without having someone with whom to share it? Someone for whom I’ve come to care a great deal. That sort of life is empty, indeed.”
For a moment, Louisa could only stare at him. Was that not what she had come to see as well? “I couldn’t agree more,” she said. “Now that the theater is gone, and despite my love for you, I’ve no idea what I want for my life.”
Sir Aaron walked around to stand behind her. With the sword in one hand, he raised the sword in front of her. “Hold it,” he said.
“Will it not be too heavy?”
“Not if I help you carry its weight.”
Trembling, she wrapped a hand around the leather-bound hilt.
“It’s said that whoever wields this sword will be led to his—or her—destiny. Now that we wield it together, let’s see where it leads us.”
With one swift downward motion, he buried the sword into the soft earth, his hands covering hers.
“I’m not a knight of old who changes the destiny of England. Only the man who loves you.”
His warm breath sent pleasant shivers down her spine and heat to her stomach. She leaned her head back and said, “All I want is for us to share our love for one another.”