Chaste Kiss (30 page)

Laughing softly, she said, “I daresay your father is having a jolly laugh. He's the one who chose to name you after your uncle, you know. I wonder if my brother somehow knew. Well, no matter. He knows now, doesn't he? Rest his soul."

William pulled his eyes from the fire to look at his aunt as she continued rambling along, not allowing him the briefest of opportunities to respond. He was struck dumb by the fact she accepted it all so casually. To her it seemed perfectly sensible, but to him it was all so unbelievable. And yet, the thought of her calling him William felt right—finally.

He had distinct memories of being William. Things only the man himself would know, and as for Thomas Ashenhurst, his life had been less than eventful. All these years, he'd been nothing more than a mere shell of a man. A man without a soul. William's soul. Now they were one, fused together by the powers of Heaven.

He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. It was all too much to accept. His fingers stopped at the base of his neck, brushing the bare skin above his collar.

Short. His hair was short. Isabel wouldn't be able to—my God. “Aunt Tess, I—"

"Yes, dear. You must go to her. You must find the woman who brought you out of your nightmare. The one who gave you peace. Both of you."

William rushed to his aunt and held her tightly. “I
am
both men now, Aunt Tess. A complete person for the first time in over four hundred years. I remember everything, but mostly I remember how much I love and adore you. Don't worry. I'll call as soon as I can.” He kissed her cheek.

"I love you too, dear. Now hurry to her. Don't waste another moment."

William started for the study door.

"Wait!” his aunt called. “What shall I tell Winifred?"

He scowled. “Damn. I'd nearly forgotten. I must go to her and tell her."

Tess grinned earnestly as she gracefully moved up beside him. “I have no doubt you will let her down gently. I'll have your things packed and your flight scheduled by the time you return. Now, what is your destination?"

"The southern United States. A little town located in the mountains of North Carolina."

"An American? How on earth did you end up there?"

"It's a long story, Aunt Tess."

"Another time then. Run along. You don't want to keep Isabel waiting. I'll have everything ready for you when you return from Winifred's."

"Thank you, Aunt Tess. Whatever would I do without you?” After a quick kiss on her forehead, he darted out of the room.

Chapter Seventeen

To William's surprise, Winifred wasn't overly distraught by their broken engagement. As it turned out, she didn't love him and was doing as expected just as he, although, she did claim a great affection for him. Relieved they'd parted amicably, he was free to go to Isabel with a clear conscience.

After three flight changeovers and renting a car from the first agency he could find, William finally arrived in Brantley. His first instinct was to go directly to Derrington Manor, but realized while driving into town that Isabel was probably not at home. Being the middle of a workday she'd either be in her shop or out with a client.

As badly as he wanted to find her, pull her into his arms and never let her go, he had to use his head. He had a serious case of jet lag and probably looked like bloody hell. And she had work to do. Work she loved. Not to mention, he might scare her half to death if he suddenly walked up, alive and well, after everything that had happened.

Locating the only major hotel in Brantley, he registered and made his way to his room. There would be a better time and place to see her, he told himself.

Then he told himself where he could go.

He was a coward, plain and simple. How would she react to him? He didn't look very different, but would she still want him? Did she still love him? Every insecurity he ever had boiled to the surface. What they had before was different, unique—special. Would they feel the same way now that he'd changed? Now that he was alive?

He tossed his bag onto the bed and headed straight for a hot shower. The steam would clear his head and help him decide what to do. He also needed to call his aunt and let her know he'd arrived safely.

As the water beat down on his neck and back, he argued the various reasons for going to Isabel now against waiting until later. By the time he dried off, he realized all he wanted was to hold her and tell her he loved her. Timing wasn't really an issue. He'd be happy to shout his love for her from the rooftops if necessary. He could only pray she would accept him as he was.

Forgetting all about calling his aunt, William quickly shaved and dressed, then got in his car and drove down Main Street. He circled the block several times, before taking a spot across from Derrington Antiques. For several minutes he sat staring at the little shop, watching people come and go. Finally building up the courage, he moved to get out of the car when the shop door opened and Isabel stepped out.

He stilled, his fingers wrapped around the door handle. She was beautiful, more beautiful than he remembered. He took in the sight of her clad in jeans and a large floppy shirt. She looked sad. Was it because of him?

The door opened behind her and Detective Wise stepped out. He placed his arm possessively around her shoulder and escorted her down the street. William watched until they disappeared behind the corner. He really couldn't blame her for being with Mick. As far as she knew, he was spending eternity in Purgatory.

Clenching his eyes closed, William gripped the steering wheel, desperately trying to hold on to the few sweet memories he had of her. It was all he had left now that her love had been given to another.

A solid thunk snapped him from his thoughts. He opened his eyes and spied a flyer under his windshield wiper. Reaching around through the open window, he snatched it away. Giving the words a cursory glance, he tossed it in the seat beside him and headed back to his hotel. After making a rather lengthy stop at the hotel bar, he went up to his room to call his aunt.

"Thomas, is that you dear?"

"Yes, Aunt Tess. I've arrived in Brantley. I just wanted to let you know. How are things there?” He asked for the sake of asking, when he could really care less.

"Fine, dear. How's Isabel? I can't wait to meet her."

He cleared his throat. “She's fine."

"I can tell something's wrong, dear, even across an ocean."

William let out a heavy breath. “I haven't spoken with her. She was with someone. I don't believe I'll be seeing her again,” he said, staring into a glass of scotch.

"You mean to say you're giving up? After all that happened between you? I knew I should have come along."

"Aunt Tess, she's seeing someone else. I'm not going to interfere with her new life."

"Oh, rubbish. Yours is an eternal love. That's the only kind that could have broken the curse and brought you back. If she's with someone else, it isn't because of love. Now, you stop this nonsense and go see her."

He vaguely regretted ever telling his aunt the entire story. “I can't just go up and say, hi, remember me? I'm the dead guy you used to be in love with. Really, Aunt, even you must be aware of that."

"Thomas—oh bother, I mean William."

"Thomas if fine,” he said. What did it matter what she called him? There was only one person he wished would remember him as William, and she was forever lost to him.

"No matter what you might think, no matter what you saw or think you saw, you must give her the opportunity to make her own decisions,” his aunt continued. “Right now, she's going on the pretense you are never coming back. She has a right to hear the truth. All of it."

"I suppose you're right,” he mumbled with a sigh.

"Of course I'm right.” Her firm tone didn't go unnoticed.

"I guess I could at least tell her I'm not sitting around in Purgatory waiting for the end of time. I just don't know how I'm going to do it."

"You'll think of something. I'm sure she can't be so busy with this other fellow that you can't have a few moments alone with her. Go to her house, ring the bell, and when she opens the door just start explaining."

"I'm afraid her uncle might have me horsewhipped before I can get a word in. I—” The words from the flyer on his windshield sprang to mind. It was perfect. He could get in and out without anyone knowing if necessary.

"Thomas? Thomas, what is it? Are you there?"

"I need a favor. I want you to send me my portrait. I mean the portrait of Uncle William. You'll have to use an express service. I need it here by Saturday."

"What on earth do you want that for? You're who the girl wants, not your portrait?"

"Aunt Tess, it's imperative I receive the painting before Saturday. Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes. Of course, dear. I'll pack it up and ship it out immediately, but why?"

"Isabel's shop is sponsoring an auction at Derrington Manor for charity. I'm going to see what happens when her old friend shows up on the auction block."

"Oh, my. Now, Thomas, you promise to give the girl a chance. Don't assume anything from her reaction."

"It's all right, Aunt. Even if she doesn't want anything to do with me, I think she might like to have the portrait to remember who I once was.” He paused. “I want her to have it,” he said softly.

"I see. And if she doesn't bid on it?"

"Then I will, and I'll give it to her."

"Very well, dear.” She sighed. “I can see you won't simply take the direct approach and just go talk with the woman. Honestly, I'll just never understand young people."

Chuckling, he gave her the address then hung up the phone. He actually felt a little better. His aunt was right. He was letting his fears interfere with clear judgment, but he couldn't quite shake the image of Isabel in Mick's arms.

Witnessing her reaction to his portrait would tell him a great deal, and he did want her to have it. If anything, he knew they'd meant something to each other, and that she would like the painting as a memento of their time together.

The day of the auction arrived and William drove down the all too familiar road to Derrington Manor. Other than the absence of Isabel in his life, things felt right for a change, no longer off-kilter. Even though he'd remembered everything while still in England, he didn't feel complete until he turned onto the long drive to Derrington Manor and the grand old house rose up before him.

Parking his rental car on the side of the driveway, he followed the other patrons as they filed into a large tent located on the lawn in front of the house. How many times had he walked across the very grass beneath his feet musing over his situation? How many times had he leaned against the old oak and looked up at Isabel's window imagining them together?

Standing in the back, hidden by the crowd, he watched the object of his thoughts greet various people as they took their seats. He envisioned once again, as he did not so long ago, the two of them sharing a life, becoming a family. Only this time, it
was
possible. If she would still have him.

The sound of a mallet striking the block drew his attention, and Isabel took a seat in the front row next to Constance and Debi. A sharp pain assailed him as he remembered the night in her room when he teased and touched the woman he loved. It was a pleasant pain. A pleasant memory.

Her dress had truly been a man's fantasy. The way the straps slid gently off her shoulders, exposing her porcelain-like skin. The many freckles he paid homage to on her beautiful back as he lowered the zipper. The blinding ache that encompassed him and held him still. Looking at her now, the way her summer sweater and blue jeans fit snuggly against her body were as mind numbing as that little black dress. Or was it just Isabel who did that to him?

William forced himself to close his mind to the fantasies. He needed to pay attention to what was going on around him, or he would never know if she still wanted him. If she still loved him.

Several items were auctioned off rapidly, but at a low price. The fever of bidding hadn't yet struck the crowd yet. William did what he could to drive up the price on an item or two and watched from the side as Isabel's face brightened with the higher bids. It was for charity, after all.

Carefully maneuvering to where he could see her more clearly, he caught sight of his portrait coming to the platform. As the auctioneer's assistant placed the painting on the easel, Isabel's face lost all color.

William held his breath. What was she thinking? What was she feeling? The auctioneer started the bidding, and William had his answer.

"One thousand dollars!” she called.

He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with sweet, mountain air. A broad smile spread across his face as he watched her bid vigorously on the painting, shutting out every counter bid. At least her memories of their time together had not turned bitter.

"Going, going, and gone, to Miss Derrington of Derrington Antiques,” the auctioneer said.

Smiling broadly, she asked that the painting be placed in the far corner, away from the crowd and the auction stage. He watched as she followed the attendant who carried it, and grinned at how she fussed repeatedly at him to be careful.

Once placed where Isabel had indicated, she stood perfectly still staring at the painting for several minutes. Lifting her hand, she gently stroked the canvas with quivering fingers.

Hope soared to life in William's chest and propelled his feet toward her, but his progress abruptly stopped at the sudden appearance of Detective Wise by her side. He clenched his teeth against the wrenching in his stomach as Mick wrapped his arm around her waist. That was a loud enough message for him. She was with someone new, she'd made a new life, and it would be wrong to interfere. William was better off dead to her, leaving the past where it belonged and allowing her to move on into a future without him.

As he started to turn away, Debi Cummings stepped up beside Isabel.

"You okay, Izzy?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks to friends like you two."

Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, hope surged to life in William's chest. Could it be she and Mick were just friends after all? He couldn't leave until he was absolutely certain. His aunt was right. He had to give Isabel the choice—the truth and stop being a coward.