Chapter Seven

"Marry me."

It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

"What?" she scoffed, "Sid, you can't be serious."

"I am. I'm serious, Nell. Marry me. It's the solution to all your problems. Not to mention it would put me over the moon."

She stared at him with her mouth open. Shocked.

"Don't you see we could be so happy."

He let go of her hand and she limped over to the bed where she sat down and put her hand to her head.

"Sidney," she chided him gently, "You don't want to marry me."

"If I didn't want to marry you, I would never have asked in the first place."

"Sid, from what I've heard one woman would never be enough for you." Nell rolled her eyes and forced a smile.

Sid sat across from her on the small couch. His frame folding out and his legs touching hers.

"Nell, I'm not asking you to give me anything you don't want to give willingly."

She blushed and looked down, "This is all just because you feel sorry for me. Marriage is sacred. I can't just marry you to save myself from poverty."

"Well, I'd hope that wouldn't be the only reason. You do have feelings for me, don't you?" he asked.

She smiled and nodded.

"Good then. Say yes, Nell. We can figure this out as slowly as you want, but let me help you now."

"Oh, Sid. You wouldn't just be becoming a husband to a woman of...questionable virtue, you'd also be stepping into the role of father."

"There's nothing questionable about your virtue, Nell. And I think I'd be rather good at the parenting thing. Teach him to fish, that sort of thing."

Nell's mind wandered. Visions of Bub and Sid walking through the woods with fishing poles in hand played in her mind. A smile on Bub's face, and Sid looking more handsome than ever. Could she ever really have happiness like that?

"You don't have to answer tonight, but for the transfer to go through it'll have to be soon. I'm not going anywhere. I fully intend to give you my heart, whether you like it or not. Now, let's see that ankle."

She sighed as he slowly lifted her swollen foot onto his lap. He removed her shoe, and examined her ankle through her stocking. She cringed in pain.

"Can you take your stocking off?" he asked in a hushed tone.

She oblinged and slid it down to her shin at which point Sid hooked his finger in the delicate hosiery.

"May I?"

The pain seemed to worsen by the minute, and with her foot elevated she could feel it throbbing. She nodded somewhat reluctantly, and Sid began to pull her stocking down off her foot. He caressed her ankle, his nimble thief's fingers examining the swollen bruise. Nell had never experienced the careful, loving touch of a man before. Not like this.

He spent a good while tenderly inspecting. "I'd say you've got a bad sprain." he whispered. He didn't release her foot. Instead, he let his fingers slide over her calf and down to her toes. Nell suppressed a moan at the gentle caress. She'd never lusted over a man before. She knew it was a sin to lust in your heart, but she was fairly certain the feelings she was having were indeed lustful.

Her mind flashed to the first time the reverend touched her. She felt sick. She thought it might vomit on him on the spot, but he choked her. He put his hands around her neck and squeezed until she saw spots. He threatened her life, even as he tore the clothes from her body. When it was over he pushed off of her and left her weeping, bruised and feeling utterly ruined.

Since then she had learned that her value was something that could never be taken from her. The world may see her as a victim, or as "damaged goods", but she knew deep down that wasn't the case. She was a mother. A woman. Sid was awakening things inside her that she never knew she could feel.

"It hurts," she whispered, "But that feels good."

Her cheeks burned horribly at her admission. No doubt a man like Sidney Carter had heard more racy comments than hers, but still she felt embarassed.

"You need some whiskey."

"I don't drink." she waved off the flask he offered.

"Aspirin, then." he continued massaging her foot.

"It's there in the cupboard. Top shelf.."

Sid gently sat her foot down and got the medicine. He poured her a cup of water from the pitcher and handed it to her. She took the pills and handed Sid the cup back. He leaned against the door.

"I better head out. It's getting late." he said quietly. Everything within him wanted to lay down with her. Hold her. Just...hold her.

"I will see you in the morning?" she asked him.

"Of course you will. I'll be by first thing with some crutches. You won't be able to walk on that ankle for a few days."

She smiled at him, "Good night, Sidney."

"Goodnight."

He'd given her a lot to think about, but he hoped she would say yes. How hard could being a husband be? And a father? The boy was only a little baby. He knew he wasn't exactly a great role model, but his life had changed a lot in the past few years. He was a better man now. A sort of man who could protect Nell and her baby. He wanted her. Not just in the biblical way, although he'd often thought of that, no he wanted her to be his.

Nell laid her head down on the pillow and thought about Sid's question. She needed to give him an answer, but she wanted it to be for the right reasons. She felt certain she could easily fall for him, but just because you love someone doesn't mean you're meant to marry that person. His proposal was unconventional to say the least, but still very gallant. She could ask Father Brown for council, but at the end of the day ultimately it was her who had to make the choice. She looked over at her sleeping baby boy. Could this be the answer to her prayers?

The next morning Sid dropped off the crutches and then headed over to the prespretary to get started on some work for Father Brown. He had the surprise of his life when the sauntered into the kitchen.

"Lady F!"

"Hello Sidney." his former employer beamed.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Monty is in London on business so I thought I'd tag along and pay a visit to my favorite people."

"Well, it's good to have you home."

"Naturally, I'll need a driver while I'm here. I'm assuming I can rely on you."

"Of course." he told her.

"Not too busy with your new girlfriend?" she inquired with a sly grin.

Sid turned his eyes on Father Brown, "What? I didn't know it was a secret." the Father shrugged.

"It isn't. Nell isn't my girlfriend, technically." Sid clarified.

"Oh I see. Well, maybe you can tell me what exactly she is while you drive me home? Hornby picked me up from the station and drove me straight here. I had my car dropped off a bit ago so we're all set."

"Father?" Sid looked at him.

"It's all right, Sid. Plenty of time for you to finish these jobs around here."

"All right then, Milady."

They headed out the door together. Sid opened the door for her, "Just like old times,"

Sid chuckled as he closed the door behind her.

He was of course, coaxed into spilling the beans about Nell as he drove. Felicia was like a proud mother.

"Who would have thought that scruffy young man that used to drive me around would grow up to be a husband and father." she gushed.

"Right, well she hasn't said yes yet now has she?" Sid reminded her.

"Sidney, if you're quite sure you want to marry this girl then you need a ring."

Sid shrugged, "Nell don't care for material things."

"Maybe not, but it would be special." Felicia argued, "Let me help you. I'm sure I can find something to her taste."

Sid was quiet. To be honest he didn't know much about Nell's taste. She was beautiful, quiet, and lovely. Obviously hardworking, and tough as well. Maybe Lady Felicia was right. Nell deserved a ring.

"All right." Sid agreed.

"Perfect!" Lady F exclaimed.

The more he thought about giving Nell a ring the more real it became to him. Could he actually be the man she needed? He knew nothing about being a husband and even less about being a father.

Suddenly, he was filled with doubt.

Was this the right thing?

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