Chapter 22

There was rain in the air as Dawson rode out that afternoon. He had found the stables abandoned – more of the servants having resigned over the apparent scandal of his past – and having saddled his own horse, he had ridden across the parkland in search of Aurelia, his mind filled with thoughts of what he had discovered that day, and what had occurred.

"Curse that man," Dawson said to himself, thinking of Silas and his threats of revealing the secrets of Dawson's past.

It was still a mystery how Silas had discovered what had happened back in Kentucky, and Dawson now feared his troubles had followed him to England. But now was not the time for such thoughts.

He was looking for Aurelia, and as he rode towards Canford House, he wondered what he would say when he found her. Would he tell her he loved her? His words to Reuben had been emphatic, and now he caught sight of her, riding at a gallop as the rain began to fall more heavily.

"Aurelia," Dawson called out, and now he urged his horse into a gallop, charging alongside her as she looked up at him in surprise.

"Dawson," she exclaimed, reining in her horse and staring at him in disbelief.

"I had to find you. Reuben's been to see me. He told me everything else that's happened. I'm so sorry, Aurelia. I didn't mean you to be involved, but Silas …" he began, but Aurelia interrupted him.

"He's the one to blame, Dawson. And I'm the one who should be sorry. He did this because he was jealous of … us," she said, and Dawson shook his head.

"He's nothing but a … fool. He can't force you to love him. And he can't force you to marry him, either," he said.

"But my father can. He's gone to see him now. He's going to agree to my marrying him, Dawson," Aurelia said, and tears welled up in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks as the rain fell more heavily around them.

Dawson reached out to her, taking her hand in his. It was the first time they had seen one another since the night of the Cutler ball. So much had happened since then – so many lies and rumours, none of which were true. Dawson knew Silas' words about Aurelia unchaperoned were lies, and he could only hope Aurelia believed the same about him, too.

"Not if I ask you to marry me, Aurelia," he said, gazing into her eyes as she stared at him in astonishment.

"Do you … do you really mean it?" she asked, and Dawson nodded.

"I do. But … only if I know you don't believe what you've been told. I don't want you to take pity on me, or think I need forgiveness. I don't. There's nothing to forgive, Aurelia. I promise you – those rumours aren't true. I'm not a hardened criminal or a wanted outlaw. I'm just a rancher who inherited something very unexpected. But I'm glad of it because it means I got to meet you," he said, still with his hand clasped in hers, their horses standing next to one another as the rain grew heavier.

Aurelia gazed back at him, and now a smile came over her face, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Dawson … I couldn't imagine marrying anyone else. Not now. I rushed head-on into a … well, I wouldn't even call it a romance. I thought I was in love with Silas, but I wasn't. But this … the more I've come to know you, the more I've come to realize my feelings for you. I don't want anything else but this," she said, and Dawson breathed a sigh of relief as he slipped down from his horse, reaching up to help her into his arms.

There, in the pouring rain, they embraced, and Dawson could not have felt happier – or more relieved – to know she was safe and that they could be together.

"I love you, Aurelia," he whispered, as she clung to him.

"And I love you, too," she replied.

***

To have Dawson appear as he had done had come as a surprise to Aurelia. She had feared she would never see him again, and in her sorrow, she had even considered running away – anything to prevent a marriage to a man who would use threat and blackmail to claim his prize.

Silas disgusted her, and she felt like a complete and utter fool for having fallen for his lies. But the sight of Dawson charging after her, like a knight on a stead in an ancient tale of chivalry, had brought joy to her heart, and when he had asked her to marry him, Aurelia had no doubt as to her reply.

"I'm sorry for the things I've done – for asking you to help persuade my parents to allow me to marry Silas. It was a cruel thing to do," Aurelia said as Dawson helped her onto her horse.

"It wasn't cruel. We all do strange things for love – I'd say this is one of them, too," he said, and Aurelia laughed.

"I'm so glad you came after me," she said.

"I had to, though I'm not the kind of man who makes rash decisions. I'm a scientist. I like predictability. But … I couldn't hold back, Aurelia. I had to tell you. I had to take the risk. Those times we came close to a kiss … I've not stopped thinking about what might've been if we had. All this … anyway, it doesn't matter now, does it? But we've got to convince your father now," Dawson said as he mounted his horse with a look of determination.

Aurelia nodded. It was one thing for her to say yes to Dawson's proposal, but as for her father …

"He still thinks you're a hardened criminal," she said, and Dawson laughed.

"Well, he might well do, but I'm not – I assure you. Come on – let's ride to Silas' lodgings. If not … I heard someone mention a place called Gretna Green," Dawson said, and Aurelia laughed.

"I hope you're joking," she exclaimed, and Dawson nodded.

"I'm joking," he replied, as together they rode off across the parkland towards Silas' lodgings.

He and his mother had taken a house on the edge of the village for the season, and as they approached, Aurelia was surprised to find not only her father's carriage outside but also her brother's horse.

"Reuben's here," Aurelia exclaimed as she jumped down from her saddle.

"Perhaps he's saying the same thing as us," Dawson replied.

Aurelia knew this would not be a pleasant encounter. Silas would even now believe he had won – that his claims against Dawson and the rumours he had spread about Aurelia had led to there being no choice but for the baron to ask him to marry his daughter. Silas' mother, too, would be crowing over her son's victory – one he would not concede easily. At the door, they were received by a servant, who was naturally surprised at the sight of the earl and Aurelia demanding entry.

"The master's with the baron, My Lord," the servant said, but Dawson simply barged into the house, and Aurelia followed, glad to be doing things the "American" way for once …

"My Lord, I must protest …" the servant exclaimed, but Dawson now hurried across the hallway, followed by Aurelia, opening doors on left and right, before bursting in on the baron and Silas just as they were about to shake hands.

Reuben was there, too, and as Aurelia and Dawson appeared in the doorway, all three turned in astonishment.

"What's the meaning of this? Who let you in?" Silas exclaimed as Dawson hurried forward.

"I let myself in. My Lord, I can't allow you to offer your daughter's hand to this man. He's nothing but a liar and a cheat. He's the one who spread the rumours about me and blackmailed your daughter with threats. He's the criminal," he exclaimed.

Aurelia's father stared at Dawson in astonishment, but Aurelia now interrupted, as Silas roared with rage.

"It's true, Father. Dawson isn't a criminal, and Silas dragged me down into scandal. He's the one who wanted me to meet him in the garden – just as I told you. I won't marry him. I love Dawson. He's asked me to marry him, and I've said yes," Aurelia said, tripping over her words but only wanting her father to understand what was at stake.

The baron stared at her, but Silas grabbed her by the hand, dragging her towards him.

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing? I'm the one you're to marry," he snarled.

But Dawson now struck him across the cheek, and he fell backwards, letting go of Aurelia's hand as she let out a scream.

"Enough!" her father cried as Silas staggered to his feet, scowling at Dawson, who stood defiantly facing him.

"And how dare you treat the woman you claim to love in such an abhorrent way," Dawson said.

Reuben now stepped forward, holding up his hand for silence.

"Father, what Dawson says is true. That's what I came to tell you, but you wouldn't listen. Dawson isn't a criminal – he's the victim of a rumour. A rumour spread by Silas," Reuben said.

Silas cursed under his breath.

"Lies. It's all lies," he exclaimed, but Aurelia shook her head.

"They're not lies, Silas. It's you who's the liar. You only wanted to marry me because of your own failings – you need my dowry," she said.

Her father looked at her in surprise.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"It's true, Father. He doesn't have a penny to his name. I made enquiries through my valet. Silas' debts are considerable. He needs Aurelia's dowry to avoid ruin. Admit it, Silas," Reuben said.

Again, Silas cursed under his breath, but he did not deny it, and Aurelia now turned to Dawson, who put his arm around her.

"I don't want your daughter's dowry, and I don't care about gardens and chaperones. I'm tired of English ways – hiding what I feel behind lies and false pretensions. I'm in love with Aurelia. I'm no criminal. Those rumours aren't true. They were started in Kentucky by my business rivals, and they've obviously followed me here. But they're not true, and I'd swear on the Bible itself to that," he said.

Aurelia's father looked confused, glancing from Silas to Dawson and back as though he did not know what to do – or think. Aurelia now stepped forward and took his hand in hers.

"Please, Father. This is what I want. I've said yes to Dawson's proposal, but I want your blessing, too," she said.

"You're promised to me," Silas snarled, but Aurelia's father now shook his head.

"No, Silas … she's not promised to anyone, not without my saying so. You're my daughter, Aurelia. It's my duty to take care of you. You've been foolish. But falling in love can make one foolish. Even I know that. And you, Dawson – you've certainly made your position clear. But how can I know it's true?" he said.

Dawson looked him straight in the eye. There was a determination in his expression, and a strength of character, too. Compared to Silas, there was no question of who Aurelia would marry. Dawson was the man she loved. He had earned her trust and love, and now Aurelia wanted only her father's blessing to seal the bond between them.

"Because I'll produce every account, every receipt, every scrap of paper relating to the ranch. You can examine them all, and I'll send for testimonies, too. I'll do whatever it takes. You know me, and I know you. I might not like being the Earl of Wimbourne, but I know my duty, and I've done everything I can for my tenants – for the estate and you, too," Dawson said.

There was sincerity in his words. He had nothing to hide, and while Silas had hidden behind a web of lies, Dawson had never been anything but himself. It was just as Aurelia had already come to realize – there was more to being a gentleman than using the correct cutlery and bowing.

Dawson had proved himself a gentleman in every way, and more than that, he had proved himself as her gentleman – the man she had fallen in love with and wanted nothing more than to marry. Aurelia's father now nodded, glancing from Aurelia to Dawson and back.

"I'm sorry, Dawson. I'm sorry I was too quick to judge you," he said, and Aurelia breathed a sigh of relief.

She had feared her father was about to say no – to refuse her permission to marry Dawson and consign her to a life of misery with Silas.

"You were only trying to protect your daughter. And I don't expect you to trust me until I've proved myself entirely. But I'd be interested to know where these rumours came from," Dawson said, turning to Silas.

"I say they're true and that you're nothing but a liar. And if you're foolish enough to trust your daughter to this man, Joseph, then you deserve everything you get. I was told of your past by a man named Aldington – a man from Kentucky," Silas said, and to Aurelia's surprise, a smile came over Dawson's face.

"Well, then, I know it's a lie. Curt Aldington was my biggest rival in Kentucky. He wanted to buy the ranch, and when I refused, he started spreading rumours about me. He even had his ranch hands damage my fences and burn one of my barns to try to intimidate me. If Curt Aldington is here, in England, I'd be glad of the chance to speak to him and … settle our differences," Dawson replied.

Again, he did not seek to deflect from the accusations against him, and Aurelia was now certain he was telling the truth. She had believed him from the start, but to see him now, standing tall and proud next to Silas, who could only curse and utter further threats, was to see the difference between a true man and a pitiful excuse for one. Aurelia felt a fool for having ever considered Silas as more than she now saw him, and it seemed her father, too, had made up his mind.

"Then it seems we've misjudged you, Dawson. And for that, I can only be sorry," Aurelia's father said, and he held out his hand to Dawson, who took it and shook it, smiling at the baron, as Aurelia breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"Get out of my house," Silas snarled, and Dawson now turned to him and smiled.

"I think you'll find it's my house – it belongs to the Wimbourne Estate, and you're my tenants. I checked this morning. But I'm not about to throw you and your mother out. You can have a week to pack your things and leave," Dawson said, and leaving Silas speechless, they left the house.

Aurelia could not believe what had happened. She was elated, and as they stood by her father's carriage, the sun appeared from behind the clouds, creating a rainbow across the sky.

"I'd say we're in need of a celebration," Aurelia's father said, and Aurelia looked up at Dawson and smiled.

"Come home with us – we can all celebrate together," she said, and Dawson nodded.

"That's very kind of you. I want you to know … all of you, that I meant everything I said. I'm not interested in Aurelia's dowry. I know the English don't like to talk about money, but we Americans do, and I can assure you, I've got plenty of it – without needing a dowry or a gang of criminals to steal it for me.

But what really matters is how I feel about Aurelia. I love her – and as her father and brother, I want you to know I'll do everything I can to take care of her and show her the love she deserves," Dawson said, glancing at Aurelia and smiling.

She smiled back at him, knowing his words were sincere. She loved him, too – more than she could describe. It was unexpected, of course. Aurelia had not set out to fall in love – and certainly not with anyone other than Silas. But having done so and having realized where her heart lay, she could not imagine feeling anything else but this.

"And that certainly deserves a celebration," Aurelia's father replied.

"But what about Roxanna? Shouldn't we tell her the good news?" Aurelia asked, glancing at Dawson, who smiled.

"Perhaps Reuben might like to be the one to escort her to Canford House," he said, raising his eyebrows.

Reuben blushed, but he did not refuse. Mounting his horse, he rode off, leaving Aurelia and Dawson to ride home with the baron. Aurelia's mother was surprised to see them, as was Letitia, and they were even more surprised to hear the tale recounted and learn of the proposal.

But it did not take long to persuade Aurelia's mother of Dawson's merits, and by the time Reuben and Roxanna arrived, she was apologizing profusely for having doubted Dawson in the first place.

"I felt certain it wasn't true, but one gets so caught up in rumours – and to hear the ton speak of one's daughter in such a way … oh, but it doesn't matter now, does it? They'll be laughing on the other side of their faces when they realize they'll be addressing the mother of the new Countess of Wimbourne. What a delightful title," Aurelia's mother said as Aurelia and Dawson exchanged glances.

Roxanna was overjoyed to hear the news, but it seemed to Aurelia as though there was still some unfinished business between Dawson's cousin and Reuben. They had grown close, and for all appearances, they could well be a courting couple.

And yet Roxanna had resisted the possibility of attachment, repeating her intention to travel on several occasions, even as Reuben had clarified his feelings. As they celebrated the betrothal, Aurelia could not help wondering if her brother and Roxanna would find the happiness she had found with Dawson.

"A toast – to Kentucky and all it's given us," Aurelia's father said, raising his glass in a toast.

"Will I have a new dress? If she's having a new dress, I should have one, too," Letitia said, and Aurelia smiled.

"Well, the chief bridesmaid should have a new dress," Aurelia said, smiling at her sister, whose eyes grew wide with delight.

"Do you mean it, Aurelia? Am I to be the chief bridesmaid?" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight, and Aurelia nodded.

"And you know what they say about the chief bridesmaid, Letitia," their mother said, and Letitia looked at her mother curiously and shook her head.

"No, Mother," she replied, and her mother smiled.

"They say she's very grown up and should start going to balls, and parties, and soirees, and all manner of exciting things," she said, and Letitia uttered a cry of delight.

"Oh, did you hear that, Aurelia? Isn't it wonderful?" she exclaimed, and she was so excited she had to sit down and catch her breath.

Roxanna and Reuben had paired off and were talking by the drawing room window. Aurelia watched them, wondering what they were saying. Her brother had stood up for her – defended her from the fate her parents had threatened, and it was he who had made enquiries concerning Silas' finances. Now, Aurelia could not help feeling a certain sense of debt towards him, and she wondered if there was something she could do to help him in his obvious desire to court Roxanna.

"Would you give your blessing to Roxanna and Reuben?" Aurelia asked, turning to Dawson and lowering her voice so as not to be overheard.

Dawson smiled.

"I'd give it, yes – but Roxanna makes up her own mind," he said.

"I just wish there was something I could do to help them realize the happiness that could be theirs," Aurelia replied, and Dawson smiled.

"I think they might already have realized," Dawson said, and as Aurelia turned, she was delighted to see her brother and Roxanna hand in hand.

As she and Dawson approached them – Letitia still exclaiming loudly her delight at being chosen as chief bridesmaid – Reuben and Roxanna looked up and smiled.

"You're not the only happy couple here today," Roxanna said, and Aurelia smiled back at her, delighted at the thought of having Roxanna as her sister-in-law.

They were total opposites, yet they had found common ground, too. Aurelia was the prim and proper English rose, and Roxanna was the free-spirited Kentucky bloom, but now they were to be one family, united by the happiness they had found in falling in love with men, who also might be called their opposite.

"Congratulations," Dawson said, holding out his hand to Reuben, who smiled.

"I don't need your permission?" he ventured, and Dawson laughed.

"I think you'll find it's me who needs permission from Roxanna for most things," he said, and they all laughed.

It was the happiest of gatherings – a celebration of all that had come to pass. Aurelia knew how close she had come to disaster, but Dawson had saved her, and now it was as though nothing else mattered but the happiness they had found and the love they now shared. With her father's blessing, it was agreed the wedding should take place as soon as possible and that every effort was to be made to quash the rumours surrounding Dawson and his alleged criminality.

"This man – Curt Aldington. He's not … dangerous, is he?" Aurelia asked as she and Dawson walked in the garden after the celebrations had ended.

It was a beautiful evening, the last of the day's sun still warm on their faces, and the air perfumed with the sweet scent of the flowers. Dawson paused, turning to Aurelia and shaking his head as he took her by the hand.

"No, Aurelia. He's not dangerous, I promise. Not to us. He's just a petty, jealous man. I'll prove it's all a lie. Don't worry. He can't hurt us. Back in Kentucky, he might've done. But I think he'll find – as I have – things are different over here," Dawson replied.

Aurelia was relieved, and now Dawson put his arms around her, and she rested her head on his chest, the two looking out across the garden – looking towards their future. Aurelia could not have felt happier at that moment, knowing she was to marry the man she had come to love more than anything in all the world.

"It's so strange to think … well, I was quite hostile to the thought of your arrival," Aurelia said, feeling embarrassed about how she had behaved towards him on his arrival in England.

Dawson laughed.

"Hostile? I'd say you couldn't stand me. And it took falling into the river for you to realize I wasn't so bad after all," he replied.

Aurelia blushed. She had been foolish to judge him on appearances, and if she had learned one lesson from what had passed, it was that appearances could be deceptive. Silas had appeared as something he was not, and Aurelia had fallen for his lies. But Dawson was still the same man she had met on that first day of his arrival – and Aurelia had no desire for him to change.

It was she who had changed, and for that change, she was grateful. He had taught her so much – more than she could ever teach him – and Aurelia knew she was now a better person because of him.

"I'm sorry," she said, but he only looked down at her and smiled.

"You don't have to be sorry for anything, Aurelia. Let's just look forward to what's to come," he replied, and Aurelia thought that to be a very good idea, indeed.