Molly-Jane Walter

Chapter Thirteen

By the end of my story, both of Gilbert's parents were shocked. It was Mr. Harding who spoke first. "My dear, we are so sorry you had to go through that. But you are safe now. You'll never have to see your aunt or your cousins again, unless you absolutely want to." He informed me. I nod, grateful. "And you will never have to see that brute again, I assure you, Molly." Mrs. Harding vowed, and took my hands in hers. "He may claim that you are his property, but he'll have to go through all of us to get to you." At this Mr. Harding and Gilbert nodded. "Now, I say we all finish our breakfast before the carriages arrive to take us to Rosefield Hall." Mrs. Harding smiled. Making our way back towards the breakfast room, Gilbert took my hand in his and squeezed it gently. I notice that Miss Doyle had not moved from her seat during the whole thing. Anger burns inside me. Was she really so cold, that she didn't care what happened to me at all? Yes, we barely knew each other, but that was the same between her parents and I, and they had rushed out to help, despite not having known me very long. I decide right then and there that Miss Doyle was just as cruel as my aunt and cousins. She had a heart of stone, and had no shame in showing her dislike for you.

After breakfast, Gilbert and I played with Charlotte and Lillian while Mr. Harding and his wife organised for the carriages to be brought round to take us to Rosefield. The town had been so generous, ensuring that we had everything we needed, and sparing anything they could. I had never felt so touched before, except for the time when I first met Gilbert's family. The hotel happened to have a piano, to which I sat down and played for Gilbert and his sisters. The song I played was a soft fairytail-like song. Charlotte and Lillian jumped up from their spots on the floor and twirled each other around as Gilbert and I laughed. At that moment, Mrs. Harding came in to tell us that the carriages were here. As Gilbert and I were close to the same age, and since Mrs. Harding knew the situation between us, she informed everyone that Gilbert and I would ride together, while she and her husband went with their daughters. The Doyles' would ride in a separate carriage. Miss Doyle seemed quite unhappy with these arrangements but said nothing. Everyone made their way towards the front of the hotel. Gilbert told his family he would just be a minute, as he wanted to speak to me alone. We waited a few seconds until everyone was out. "What did you want to--" I begin, and was surprised when Gilbert pressed his lips hard to mine. He kissed me feverishly and wrapped his arms around my waist as I run my hands through his hair. Eventually, he pulled back. I smile, trying to catch my breath. "What was that for?" I ask teasingly. "That was for everything you've done for me, and to show you how much I love you." He whispered gently, his eyes locked on mine. I place my hands gently on his face and kiss his forehead. "I don't know what I would do without you, Molly." He whispered. I nod, understanding exactly what he meant. "We'd be lost without each other, that's for sure," I reply. He nodded and smiled. Taking his hand in mine, we made our way to the carriages.

Once in the carriage, I snuggle up close to Gilbert, who wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I can't wait to see Rosefield, Gilbert," I tell him. He smiled and nodded. "Remember the lake at Woodland? Well, the one at Rosefield is much larger than that." He informed me, his face beamed with pride. I gasp. "No way!" Gilbert chuckled. "Yes, way. And I cannot wait for you to see the inside of the house itself. Everything about the house is much larger than that of Woodland. Being a holiday house, that is." He replied. I was stunned. Bigger than Woodland? Woodland Manor had felt HUGE to me when I had arrived there. I couldn't imagine anything bigger than that. Gilbert saw the amazement on my face and laughed. "Gilbert, you must remember, I was a girl who came from nothing. This is all very exciting for me. I've never really lived in a big house. Well, except for my aunt's house, but that doesn't really count." I whisper. Gilbert nodded in understanding. "I know, my darling. And you never have to think about your aunt or your cousins ever again. I promise." "Thank you. For everything, Gilbert. If it weren't for you and your family, I would have had a very different future. One that would not have been at all pleasant." I snuggle in closer to Gilbert, who kissed my forehead gently. About halfway through the carriage ride, we both fell asleep. We were so tired from not having slept very well the night berore. As I slept, I dreamt of our wedding. We had had to put plans on hold, what with everything that had happened: The fire, the man showing up at the hotel, my aunt's role in trying to marry me off to a horrible man... I couldn't wait to get to Rosefield. Hopefully, the drama would be left behind. I didn't want any more horrible men trying to marry me, no more guns, and most of all, no more incidents where the ones I loved were put into danger. Especially not because of me. We hadn't even been able to tell Gilbert's family that we were engaged because of all the excitement with Laura coming to visit. We hadn't wanted to tell them in front of her, just in case Gilbert's father didn't take the news very well.