She Asked the Gunsmith to Wed Her Before Her Uncle Sold Her Land — “I’ll Want to Court You After,” the Gunsmith Said
Chapter 3
The rain continued through the night.
Margaret stayed at the small house Samuel rented behind his shop.
They sat on opposite sides of the kitchen table.
There was one lamp between them.
The situation was so strange that neither knew how to behave.
Finally Margaret said:
“You can sleep in the upstairs room.”
Samuel shook his head.
“You should.”
“I’ll sleep here.”
“On the chair?”
“I’ve done worse.”
She smiled.
“Samuel.”
“Yes?”
“We are married.”
“I am aware.”
“You do not have to behave as though I am a customer who came to have a musket repaired.”
He laughed.
“I don’t know how else to behave.”
“Neither do I.”
Silence.
Then Margaret looked at him.
“Are you angry?”
“No.”
“Afraid?”
“Yes.”
She looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because I have wanted to court you for three years.”
Margaret froze.
“You never said.”
“I thought your father would object.”
“He would not have.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“And now?”
“Now I have married you before asking whether you would have let me court you.”
Margaret smiled.
“You may court me.”
“Good.”
“After breakfast.”
Samuel laughed.
“You are very practical.”
“I had to become practical.”
Her smile faded.
“My uncle made sure of that.”
Samuel reached across the table.
He did not touch her.
He simply placed his hand near hers.
Margaret looked at it.
Then she moved her fingers closer.
Their hands touched.
Neither pulled away.
In the morning, they went to the Vale estate.
Thomas was waiting.
He stood in the courtyard beside a fine chestnut horse.
When he saw Margaret, his expression hardened.
“You married him?”
“Yes.”
Thomas looked at Samuel.
“You.”
Samuel said nothing.
Thomas laughed.
“You think this changes anything?”
Margaret held up the marriage certificate.
“It changes everything.”
“No.”
Thomas stepped closer.
“The deed has already been prepared.”
“Then you have committed fraud.”
“You cannot prove it.”
“My father’s will can.”
Thomas’s expression changed.
Margaret saw it.
Samuel saw it too.
“Where is the original will?” Samuel asked.
Thomas looked away.
“That is none of your concern.”
“It is my concern now.”
Thomas’s face reddened.
“You are a tradesman.”
Samuel stepped forward.
“And she is my wife.”
Thomas laughed.
“Only because she was desperate.”
Margaret’s eyes hardened.
“She was desperate because of you.”
Thomas raised his hand.
Samuel moved between them.
“Don’t.”
Thomas stopped.
For a moment, the three stood in silence.
Then Thomas said:
“You have until sunset to leave this property.”
Margaret looked around.
“This is my father’s home.”
“Not for much longer.”
He mounted his horse.
Before riding away, he looked at Samuel.
“You should have stayed at your forge.”
Samuel watched him disappear.
Margaret whispered:
“Where do we begin?”
Samuel answered:
“With the will.”
