Page 112 of Threads that Remain

She looked at him. “That is what you are offering me?”

“No.” He held her gaze. “I am offering you me. If you will have me.” His voice softened. “If you agree to marry me, and you become frightened, lonely, or tired of being brave, I would be there. And I can promise that. And I will never forget what you have sacrificed.”

He took a breath before continuing. “However, I would rather go to Canada heartbroken than take you there under false pretences. If you refuse because you cannot bear the life I offer, I have no right to ask you to reconsider merely because I am unhappy.”

Anne’s eyes filled.

“I shall have the chance to make a home with the man I love. I shall see a new country, learn new things, and face the difficulties with a husband who trusted me enough to tell me the truth.”

She touched his cheek.

“If the winter is dreadful, we shall endure it together. If the fort is small, I shall make it beautiful. And if the colonel’s wife is intolerable, I shall become very fond of the surgeon’s wife.”

He laughed, then grew serious.

“Anne Brandon, I love you. I would rather face ten years in Canada with you than one year anywhere without you. I cannot promise England or wealth, but I can promise my whole heart, my fidelity, and every comfort within my power to give. Will you be my wife?”

“Yes.”

He stared at her.

“Yes, Matthew.”

She stepped into his arms.

“And I think ten years may pass rather more quickly than you imagine.”

Matthew went to her father, who was surprised by the news of the posting and how quickly it was coming.

“Anne will be leaving her family, her country, and every familiar comfort she has known,” Brandon said.

“I know.”

“You must never make her feel that, because she followed you, she has forfeited the right to find the reality difficult.”

“I would never.”

“She may hate Canada, the winter, the fort, or even you.”

Matthew laughed. “I sincerely hope not.”

“My dear fellow, she is marrying you. There will almost certainly be days when she does.”

Matthew smiled.

Brandon’s expression grew serious. “If the posting becomes dangerous, you will tell her the truth. And if you can send her home safely, you will not let pride prevent you.”

“I promise.”

“You love her?”

“Yes.”

“Then you have my blessing.”

Anne told her family. She explained that Matthew’s regiment would sail for Upper Canada in September and that their posting at Fort Henry might last as long as ten years.

Colonel Brandon asked practical questions about the regiment, transport, route, and preparations. Marianne embraced her daughter and tried to smile, though her feelings were plain. The family offered congratulations, but beneath them lay the knowledge that Anne would soon cross an ocean and travel farther still.