They all stood still for a few moments, taking in the blessed normality of it all. People were strolling down the main street, chatting and stopping occasionally to greet friends. A little boy was bowling his hoop. An old man was walking with his dog on a lead. A pretty young woman was smiling up at her escort, who seemed equally besotted with her.
‘Yes, it is a lovely evening,’ Pandora said quietly. ‘This is what I wanted to return to Lancashire for. Let’s walk your mother and sister home, Zachary love, then we’ll go back to the shop.’
At the house door, Mrs Carr gave her a hug and a kiss. ‘I’m glad my son’s met you, lass. Welcome to the family.’
Hallie gave her a big hug, too.
‘You’ll be all right?’ Zachary asked her.
‘I’ll be fine now I know Harry Prebble’s locked away.’
As they walked towards the shop, Pandora felt as if the world had settled into its rightful place around her. She was home, in Lancashire, with the man she loved.
When they reached the shop, they found it had closed early and the house door was locked. ‘I’ve not got my keys.’ Pandora smiled as she rapped on the door.
Dot came to open it, beaming at the sight of them. ‘Thank goodness you’re both safe. Daniel came round to tell me what had happened and then he stayed with me to make sure I was all right.’
‘I think we’re all a lot safer now,’ Zachary said.
‘They really have got that Harry Prebble locked up?’
‘Yes. And I think he’ll be in prison for a very long time. He’s been stealing and frightening people. The woman he was with confessed everything because she was so angry at him for not caring if he left her behind.’
He stopped at the foot of the stairs. ‘Is there anything to eat, Dot? I’m ravenous.’
This request, so typical of him, made Pandora smile. ‘You’ll find your new master’s got a hearty appetite, Dot.’
The maid smiled. ‘I’ll fetch you something up at once, sir. I put a stew on and kept it simmering low.’
When she’d gone, Zachary put his arm round his wife’s waist and they walked slowly up the stairs together.
‘Welcome to your new home,’ she said softly.
At the top he stopped, glancing down to make sure the door to the kitchen was closed. He pulled Pandora towards him and gave her a lingering kiss.
She nestled against him, then a sound down in the kitchen made them draw apart.
‘We’ll leave the rest for later,’ he said with a smile. ‘Now, show me round my new home, Pandora love. I’ve only ever seen the parlour before.’
When Dot brought up a heavy tray a few minutes later, she said, ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you. Miss Blair has moved back to her cousins’ until she marries Mr Dawson.’
She had their full attention now.
‘She’s going to marry Mr Dawson?’ Pandora asked.
‘Yes. It was lovely to see them both looking so happy. She deserves to be happy. She’s a lovely lady.’ Dot took out a handkerchief and blew her nose hard.
‘I’m delighted for them.’
‘Well, I’ll leave you to start your meal, ma’am. I’ve got a pudding ready to serve when you ring the bell.’
Pandora watched with pleasure as Zachary cleared his plate and then ate two helpings of apple pie and cream.
He saw her smiling and chuckled. ‘I’ve got my appetite back now those I love are safe.’
After Dot had cleared the table, however, Pandora felt unaccountably shy. She looked at her husband, wondering if he felt the same.
‘Do you want to sit and chat for a while?’ he asked.
She took her courage in both hands. ‘No, let’s go to bed. I love to lie in your arms. I’ve missed that so much.’
‘I love to hold you.’
The room was filled with soft candlelight as they undressed and the bed was the most comfortable they’d ever shared.
All shyness fell away as they kissed, murmured and embraced one another, so that it seemed the most natural and wonderful thing in the world to make love at last.
She sighed with pleasure as she lay in his arms afterwards. ‘Cassandra told me once that if I truly loved my husband, I’d enjoy loving his body as well as his mind.’ She raised one hand to caress his face, idly tracing a line down it. ‘She was right. Dearest Zachary, how much time we’ve wasted!’
‘We’ll not waste any more.’ He kissed her again.
In October, Cassandra and Reece found a letter waiting for them when they went to church, because all mail for the district was delivered to the shop in whose barn the church service was held.
Her eyes lit up as she saw the handwriting. ‘It’s from Pandora. Look how nice and thick it is. I’ll just have a peep at the first page before the service starts.’
She opened the envelope and found a short letter, then a sort of diary explaining in detail what had happened to Pandora and Zachary since she left the farm.
‘She’s sounds so happy!’ Cassandra exclaimed. She scanned the letter quickly then reread it more slowly. ‘I shan’t worry about her half as much now she’s safe in England. I really liked Zachary.’
Her baby daughter made her annoyance at being neglected known and Cassandra had to attend to her before she could do anything else.
She bent her head in prayer, but a tear slipped down her cheek. She was happy for Pandora, of course she was, but she missed her sister so much.
She felt a touch on her arm and turned her head sideways to see Maia looking at her anxiously. ‘I’m all right,’ she whispered. ‘Just thinking of Pandora.’
Maia nodded and turned to look at Xanthe, who was staring out of the window. Cassandra followed her sister’s gaze and sighed. Xanthe was getting very restless. Would she be the next to leave?
Shaking her head she banished those worries and cuddled her daughter close, feeling Reece’s hand on her arm, knowing that all was as right with her world as it could be.
Tonight she’d read the whole diary aloud to her husband and Kevin, then she’d sleep by Reece’s side. Tomorrow they’d have more than enough work to keep them busy.
She’d worry about the twins when she had to. For the moment, she’d enjoy her life and family.
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About the Author
Also by Anna Jacobs
THE GIBSON FAMILY
Salem Street
High Street
Ridge Hill
Hallam Square
Spinners Lake
THE KERSHAW SISTERS
Our Lizzie
Our Polly
Our Eva
Our Mary Ann
THE IRISH SISTERS
A Pennyworth of Sunshine
Twopenny Rainbows
Threepenny Dreams
THE SETTLERS
Lancashire Lass
Lancashire Legacy
THE STALEYS
Down Weavers Lane
Calico Road
THE PRESTON FAMILY
Pride of Lancashire
Star of the North
Bright Day Dawning
Heart of the Town
THE BLAKE SISTERS
Farewell to Lancashire
STAND ALONE NOVELS
Jessie
Like No Other
Tomorrow’s Promises
Yesterday’s Girl
Freedom’s Land
Table of Contents
Beyond the Sunset
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Contact Anna
About the Author
Also by Anna Jacobs