Page 139 of Tears of Gold

“Poor Adam indeed.” I smile, the March sunshine kissing warmth on my face through the windows of the car.

“I’ll just stand here on this pier and freeze.”

“Half an hour.”

“Not a moment more.”

I hang up and then steer through the back roads towards Abi’s. I clamber out of the car like an elephant trying to reverse itself out of a mud bath.

“Whoo, you came.”

I pull her in for a hug. “Of course I came. You made it sound like life or death.”

“It is. It is.”

I follow her inside. I’m sure all the doorframes in the country are shrinking in width at the moment. “I’m so uncomfortable, Abs. How have you survived this twice? I can barely breathe. My ribs just can’t expand anymore.”

She turns and appraises me. “I have to say, you are an impressive size.”

“Thank you, friend.”

“You know me. I like to keep it real.” Grinning like a lunatic on crack she bends down and picks a big box up off the sofa. “This is for you.”

“More baby clothes? I swear this baby will only wear one outfit once. Jennifer has been buying every single thing she sees.”

I stare down at the box in confusion. On top is an envelope with Eli's writing on it.

“What?” Putting the box back on the sofa, I open the envelope.

To my Faith.

Captain Wentworth wasted years without his Anne.

I won’t live another moment more without you as my wife.

Meet me on the pier and make me the happiest and proudest man alive.

Let me tie us together in a promise of gold.

E.

“I don’t understand,” I mutter.

“Open the box, Faith.”

I bend, well as much as I can, and pick up the box, lifting the lid and peeking inside. An ivory cashmere bolero is inside.

Abi squeals. “The dress was too big to squish into a box.”

“What dress?”

The kitchen door flies open and Tabitha almost falls through it. She’s all dressed up in a black slinky dress. “This one!” She pulls rivers of ivory satin from behind her.

I stare, my mouth hanging open. It’s the dress I looked at all those months ago in my room at Bowsley. The day I realised I was never going to wear a dress like that because, well, I’m a goddamn whale.

“It’s been adjusted to account for the bump.” Jennifer steps up behind her daughter. “I remembered which one you were looking at.” She looks mighty pleased with herself.

“Elijah wants to marry me now?”