Molly-Jane Walter

Chapter Sixteen

The men soon returned with the game they had caught. There were ducks, rabbits, and even a deer. (I will be honest, I was a little upset about the deer, only because I loved deers, all animals really. But Laura had always taught me that something must die so another thing can live.) Gilbert helped his father and Mr. Doyle remove the necessary parts from each animal. Once that was done, I  cook the game on a large stick I had found earlier during the little game Gilbert and I had played while collecting firewood. Stomaches rumbling, we tried to take our minds off our hunger with small talk. "I am so relieved to see you have your ring back, Molly, dear." Mr. Doyle said and grinned, which made me blush with embarrassment. I may be a woman now, but I was still quite shy. Mr. Harding nodded. "I'm so sorry for everything, Molly. If I had known..." He trailed off. I shake my head. "Mr. Harding it isn't your fault." I begin. "But it is! I shouldn't have kept you and Gilbert apart. I was blind to how you both felt about each other, and I tried to force my son into an arranged marriage for goodness sake! He threw up his hands. "I'm sorry, to both of you. I had no choice in the matter though, with the arranged marriage. That is how society works. Nevertheless, there will be absolutely no more arranged marriages in this family." I breath a sigh of relief. "And I'm sorry too. When I found out the truth of what my daughter had done...well I've never felt so disappointed or shocked in all of my life." Mr. Doyle said. "It's in the past now." I smile. "Now that that is all in the past, I believe our dinner is cooked, so lets eat and get some rest. We'll have to be up at first light." Mr. Harding said. "But...what about those other men?" I tremble. "There's no way they would be able to find us tonight. Not only is it a good couple of hours' walk from where we found you, but there is no moon, so they will not be able to find their way in the dark." Mr. Doyle assured me. I nod, relieved. Sitting beside Gilbert, I begin to eat, thankful that we were all safe and that Miss Doyle would no longer cause any trouble between Gilbert and I.

Once we had all finished, Mr. Harding announced it was time to rest for the night. Gilbert stood and offered both hands to me. I grab his hands and stand, rubbing my back. "Goodnight to you both." Mr. Doyle said, as Gilbert and I bid him goodnight. Mr. Harding looked upset, and I couldn't help wondering if he was still blaming himself. "Mr. Harding, you mustn't blame yourself. Truly what Miss Doyle did was not your fault." I say, taking his hands in mine and trying to assure him. "All the same, I feel terrible that I didn't see what was going on. How could I have put you through all of that, Molly?" He sighed. "I don't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know how sorry I am." "Mr. Harding, I do forgive you. No more blaming yourself. The past stays in the past. The future is what awaits us, and we must look brightly towards it." I tell him gently. He smiled, a real smile and said, "Thank you, Molly. Truly. I don't know what we would have done if my family had never met you." I smile in return, and bid him goodnight.  I make my way towards where Gilbert laid on the ground with one hand under his head. He looked up at the sky as I settled myself beside him. I roll over to face him. "How did I get so lucky?" He whispered. "How do you mean?" I ask, puzzled. "I mean you, silly. How did I get so lucky to have you?" He laughed quietly. "I think it was fate, not luck, that brought us together." I reply, snuggling into him. He turned and threw an arm over my waist. "I believe so too." He whispered, and pressed his lips to mine. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted. "I believe that may be the universe telling us to sleep." I laugh, making Gilbert laugh as well. "Goodnight, my darling. Sleep well." Gilbert whispered as he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "Goodnight." I whisper back.

The next morning, Gilbert and I wake before the sun has risen. Mr. Harding and Mr. Doyle had already prepared the horses for our journey. "Good morning." Mr. Doyle chuckled. "Good morning, sir." I reply. Gilbert pulled me aside. "How did you sleep?" He asked. "Surprisingly well actually, given the fact that I slept on the ground." I laugh. "We should do this more often!" I say, trying to make light of the situation. Gilbert chuckled. "Indeed, but not under these circumstances!" "No, definitely not!"  I laugh again. "How did you sleep, anyway?" I ask, as I wrap my hands in his hair. He smiled. "It was nice, surprisingly enough. I've never slept on the ground before, but I'd give that a gold star." He grinned, and I sahke my head, smiling. "Alright you two, let's get going. Hurry up, we've got to get out of here and quickly. We don't need no one else sneaking up on us." Mr. Harding bellowed. Gilbert and I make our way towards the horses.  Gilbert wrapped his hands around my waist and lifted me onto the white mare. I grab the reins in one hand, using my free hand to adjust my skirts so that they would sit comfortably while I rode side-saddle. Gilbert mounted a black gelding, while Mr. Harding and Mr. Doyle rode Chestnuts. Both of the men held the reins of the two horses we had rescued from Arthur's carriage. "Alright, let's get a move on. The sun will break over the mountains any moment now, and we need to be a good distance before anyone finds our trail." Mr. Doyle called to us. I tap my leg gently against my mare's side, and begin walking her next to Gilbert's gelding. "I wish there were a way to send word to your mother and sisters that I am quite well," I say wishfully. "I know. But they'll soon see that you're in good health for themselves." Gilbert replied tenderly. I nod, excited at the thought of seeing them again. We rode for a couple of hours before deciding to take a break and let the horses rest for a while. The place we stopped at had a long stream, from which we - horses and people - were able to drink from.