Beth suddenly asked, “Why did he ask two women to marryhim?”
Right. Blackwell had told her that he’d had to get married and that he had a plan in place. That plan must have been Chelsea. In a robotic tone she explained, “There is a law here that nobility has to marry before thirty. Blackwell claims he wants to marry me, but he’d already made a different proposal. If he doesn’t marry, then he and his mother lose WoodbridgeHall.”
“His mother hoped you and her son were going to end up together. She was funny on the phone actually. She sounded like she wanted you in her family, so I was open withher.”
Yes, Martina was wonderful. Donna hadn’t met someone so vibrant in a long time. “She’s funny in persontoo.”
“Donna, I wish you saw in yourself what everyone else sees in you. Promise me you’ll meet me at theinn.”
“I will.” Now she had to go inside, get her bag and escape without seeing Blackwell. She couldn’t imagine any apology she’d say being good enough to fix this mess. She wasn’t sure she could do this, but she stood from the bench and walked toward the house. “I’ll gonow.”
Beth said, “Okay. Get some dinner and just relax. Don’t move until I get there. We’ll sort everything outsoon.”
Calm eased through her. She stopped on the path and closed her eyes. “You’re the closest thing I have tofamily.”
“I know dear. It’s why I’mcoming.”
She opened her eyes and began to walk forward again. “What if Blackwell doesn’t let me get mystuff?”
“Don’t be negative or stupid. If you love him, listen to your heart and do the hard thing for you.Believe.”
Life wasn’t a romantic movie. Her shoulder slumped, but at the same time, she let her heart lead her feet. Did she love Blackwell? She’d never met anyone like him though not seeing him again left her feeling empty and unable to think clearly. “I don’tknow.”
“Look, why don’t you give your old therapist acall?”
Wise. Beth knew her, but maybe she could figure this out on her own without paying that bill. She nodded as she continued along the path. “Maybe I will, but not until I get the room. I don’t want anyone to overhear thatconversation.”
“Okay, see you soon.” Beth hung up thephone.
Donna stared at the white house that was bigger than the White House itself. Blackwell’s life was larger than life. He deserved love and happiness, but so did she. She needed to decide fast if she could move past her own self-sabotage. Going to her dark place emotionally wasn’tgood.
She must look a mess, but she walked up to the front door and slipped inside. If she saw Blackwell, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. There was no way “I’m sorry” was going to fix what she’dbroken.
