Because of You by Cathy Maxwell Page B

even—yet his words struck her with the force of a blow.
    Samantha sat stunned.
    “Is that what I’ve been doing?” she asked at last.
    “I don’t know. Only you can answer that.”
    She stared at him. Who was this man? He was no ordinary stranger who had just wandered into Sproule. But then, she had known that since the moment he’d asked for the keys to the Ayleborough vault.
    “Who are you?” she asked once more.
    “Marvin Browne,” he replied smoothly…almost too smoothly.
    “I don’t believe you are good husband material,” she baited him, wanting to slip past his guard.
    He grinned, his teeth white and even. “You’re right. I’m not. Nor will I change. I am a loner, Samantha. I need no one in my life.” He reached for her hand and took it in his own. “But I will take care of you.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you saved my life. The least I can do is protect your reputation. So, will you do me the honor of being my bride?” He paused before adding, “And the answer is yes.”
    Samantha studied her hand so much smaller than his. She could feel his calluses, a sign he wasn’t afraid of hard work. She knew nothing about him. What she did know was a bit odd, such as his desire to visit the vault, his ravings about pirates, and his drinking.
    And yet she trusted him.
    “This is not the way it should be,” she said slowly.
    “Is anything?”
    “I don’t have a choice, do I?” she said.
    “No,” he answered.
    “Then I guess my mind is made up for me. I will marry you, Mr. Browne.”
    “Marvin.”
    “Yes, Marvin.” She tried to smile, but her lower lip trembled. This was a big step and she was very much afraid.
    He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “You won’t be sorry. I will take care of you.”
    Something in his promise reached deep down inside of Samantha to a place she hadn’t even known existed. She wanted to believe his promise. It made her feel good that he would be there beside her in marriage. For a moment, at the thought of it, she couldn’t even breathe.
    A knock on the door brought her to her senses. She practically jumped out of the chair, pulling her hand from his.
    With a guilty start, she turned to the door, but his hand recaptured hers. “We’ve done nothing wrong. Besides, we’re betrothed.”
    She stared at him. He said that so easily, while her heart was beating as rapidly as if she’d run a great distance. She felt guilty for it and she didn’t know why…except that her feelings toward Mr. Browne—no, she corrected, toward Marvin—were not as clear as they had been. Something had just happened between them.She didn’t know what, but she felt confused and a little giddy.
    She didn’t think he felt the same way.
    She hurried to the door. Mrs. Sadler and Mrs. Porter stood on the step. She invited them in.
    “We have clothes,” Mrs. Sadler said. “They aren’t the finest, but they’ll do.”
    Marvin took them from her. “Thank you.”
    The innkeeper’s wife slid him a glance that said she still had her reservations about him.
    Samantha stepped in. “It is very kind of Mr. Sadler to share his clothes with Marvin.”
    “We will have a wedding breakfast after the ceremony,” Mrs. Porter volunteered. “Squire Biggers has promised the license will be here before the wedding.”
    Samantha looked toward Marvin. His gaze met hers and she could see he hid a smile. She had to bow her head a moment. She knew enough about him now to know he probably had some dry, irreverent thought about the blustery squire.
    “Also,” Mrs. Sadler said, “we’ve prepared a room for you, Miss Northrup, at the inn. It’s probably best we let Mr. Browne stay here the night before the wedding.”
    “But I would rather stay here,” Samantha said.
    Mrs. Porter stepped forward and put her hands on Samantha’s arms before giving her a little hug. “We know that, dear, but tomorrow, after the wedding, Vicar Newell is moving right in. He and his wife have been living with