"You cannot be thinking of leaving now? Why, it's only just dawn. You haven't slept."

"I must get back to my family." I must get away from here.

Victoria gave her a searching look, but Hayley stood her ground. Finally Victoria said, "If that is your wish. But wouldn't you like to see Stephen? Everyone else has visited him."

"No," Hayley said quickly, shaking her head. "That's not necessary."

A puzzled frown creased Victoria's face. "Why don't you want to see him? Did something happen in the garden you haven't told me?"

Hayley dropped her chin and stared at the carpet. I am the Marquess of Glenfield… I have neither the desire nor the inclination to continue this discussion. Any association we may have had in the past is long over. Hayley blinked back the tears hovering close to the surface. "No. Nothing happened."

"Go see him," Victoria urged, squeezing Hayley's hands. "He needs you."

If only that were true. "No, he doesn't."

"Hayley. He does. You know he does. Come. I'll go with you."


* * *

Standing next to the bed, looking down at Stephen, Hayley experienced a strange sense of history repeating itself. A white bandage swathed his head, a lock of raven hair falling over it. His features were relaxed, his breathing even. He looked exactly like the man she'd rescued and nursed in her home. Was it only a few short weeks ago? It feels like a lifetime.

In less than a month her entire world had changed, lifting her to the heights of ecstasy, only to drown her in the depths of despair. She'd fallen deeply, madly, irrefutably in love with a stranger, a man she'd discovered she didn't know at all. A man who'd made it abundantly clear tonight that she meant nothing to him and he wanted nothing to do with her. If only you were the person I thought you were, a simple tutor, a man with no family who needed me. Who wanted me. As I wanted and needed you. A single tear escaped her, slipping slowly down her cheek. Don't wish for what you can't have.

Hayley turned from the bed and walked to the door. She paused for a moment, looking back at the man who lay there. She mourned the loss of Stephen Barrettson, the man she'd loved. She wished the Marquess of Glenfield a long and happy life. Whoever he was.

She closed the door softly behind her.

SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT

Chapter 28

A full week passed before Hayley started to feel a bit like her old self again. She didn't exactly feel good, but at least she didn't feel quite so bad. Her chest still ached when she thought of Stephen, but she resolutely forced her mind away from him.

Fortunately, there were many things to keep her occupied, the most important of which was Callie's seventh birthday. Hayley went to a great deal of trouble planning the party, in part to make the day memorable for Callie, but also because the event gave her something to focus on. The whole family was busy making gifts and finding inventive places to hide them from Callie's inquisitive eyes.

"I can't find any of my presents," Callie complained the day before the party.

"You're not supposed to find them," Hayley said with a smile. "No presents until tomorrow."

"I've searched everywhere. Even in Winston's quarters." Callie leaned close and whispered, "He keeps sketches of half-dressed ladies under his stockings."

Hayley's smile faded. "Callie. It's very impolite to look through other people's belongings. I'm sure those ladies are, er, friends of Winston's."

"Oh, I don't think so. They looked very naughty and-"

"Why don't we find Pamela and the boys and give Winky, Pinky, and Stinky a bath?" Hayley suggested in a desperate voice. "They cannot attend the party if they're all dirty."

"Indeed not," Callie agreed, her attention diverted. "Especially Stinky."

"Especially Stinky," Hayley echoed.

Less than half an hour later, the Albrights descended en masse at the lake, buckets and soap in hand. They whistled for the dogs, and moments later the three huge beasts barreled out of the forest. The boys filled the buckets and dumped water on the dogs as they ran by.

Winky, Pinky, and Stinky knew this game, and with tails wagging they barked loudly, splashing in the water, trying to eat the soapsuds. Everyone was laughing, breathless, and soaking wet when an amused voice broke into the gaiety.

"It seems I find the Albright ladies in the most appalling condition every time I call."

Everyone turned around. Marshall Wentbridge stood about twenty feet away, smiling broadly.

Pamela's face turned bright red and she sent Hayley a look of agonized chagrin.

"Hello, Marshall," Hayley called, waving to him. She shot Pamela a quick sideways wink. "Would you care to join us?"

Marshall approached them, removing his jacket as he walked, his eyes fixed on Pamela. After setting his jacket on the grass, he waded into the water up to his knees without the slightest hesitation. "What can I do?" he asked, a devilish grin on his handsome face.

Hayley tossed him a wet rag, which slapped against his shirt, soaking him. "Catch a dog, any dog, and try to clean it." She shot him a jaunty salute. "Good luck."

It took the six of them over an hour to see any improvement in the dogs' appearance. No sooner would they catch one dog and clean him than the blasted beast would run into the forest and return covered with mud and leaves.

But finally, the animals quieted down, and amid much laughing and frivolity the dogs were bathed. Once the deed had been completed, Hayley sent Callie and the boys on ahead to clean up and change their clothes. She bent down and gathered up the rags and buckets and remnants of soap. When she stood, she saw Pamela and Marshall standing a short distance away. They stood very close to each other, their hands joined. Hayley quickly looked away, not wanting to interrupt their privacy.

She hastily collected the rest of the supplies and was just about to start back to the house when Pamela and Marshall approached her. Hayley couldn't help but notice their beaming faces and clasped hands.

She had to fight to keep from laughing outright at Marshall's disheveled appearance. He looked most distinctly undoctorly. She wondered what his colleagues at the Royal College of Physicians would think if they could see him now.

"It was very good of you to help us bathe the dogs," Hayley said to him with a smile.

Marshall grinned. "I can't remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much."

Hayley picked up the buckets. "Well, if you two will excuse me, I'm badly in need of cleaning up myself."

"If you don't mind," Marshall said in a rush, "I'd like to talk to you for a moment."

Setting the buckets down, Hayley gave him her full attention. "Of course, Marshall."

He cleared his throat several times. "Well, um, in the absence of a mother or father in your household, and as you are the adult in charge-" He broke off his halting words and cleared his throat again, his face growing redder by the minute. "That being the case, I would like you to know that I have asked Pamela to marry. Me." He cleared his throat again.

Hayley truly had to struggle to keep a straight face. The two of them looked so utterly bedraggled standing before her, hands clasped tightly together, their love for each other shining brightly on their wet faces. She turned her attention to Pamela.

"Do you want to marry Marshall, Pamela?" Hayley asked in what she hoped was a serious voice.

Pamela nodded so vigorously, Hayley feared she'd render herself dizzy. "Oh, yes."

Hayley turned her attention back to Marshall. "Why do you want to marry my sister?"

"Because I love her," he answered without hesitation. "I want to share my life with her. I want her to be my wife."

Hayley smiled. "That's all I need to know." Reaching out, she hugged them both at the same time. "I'm very happy for you," she said, blinking back tears. Everything I wanted for her is coming true. Wiping her eyes, Hayley chuckled. "It just occurred to me, Pamela, that we spent a fortune on new clothes for you, and look at how the main proposes. You smell like a dog and look like a drowned cat."

Pamela laughed and raised shining eyes to Marshall, who hugged her to his side.

"But a very beautiful drowned cat," he said. His gaze settled on Pamela's upturned face and his merriment faded. "Very beautiful."

Hayley was smart enough to know when her presence was no longer required, and this was definitely one of those times. She quickly excused herself, leaving Pamela and Marshall alone. She trudged up the path toward the house, lugging the buckets and rags. Just before the path veered off, she glanced back.

Pamela and Marshall were locked in a tight embrace and Marshall was kissing her sister in what appeared to be a most thorough manner. Hayley turned and resumed walking. She knew what a wonderful, euphoric feeling it was to be held in the arms of the man you loved.

She thanked God Pamela's happiness was real and not an illusion.


* * *

Later that afternoon, Hayley crouched in her flower garden, unenthusiastically pulling up weeds. The activity was too slow and too solitary, and too easily lent itself to introspection. Introspection, Hayley had found, was not good. It led to one place and one place only.

Stephen.

And thoughts of Stephen led to one place and one place only.

Heartache.

After the frivolity of the dog bath, pulling weeds was much too tame. Perhaps some writing would take her mind off those things she didn't want to think about. Sighing, she stood and yanked off her leather gardening gloves.