“What if…what if the ancient giants were well-known people? Warriors, perhaps, or statesmen.”
He stared ahead for a time, apparently considering the notion. “Another good suggestion. Maybe one who protected his people from invaders, thereby opposing both kings and men.”
“Exactly. We should ask the locals at Hesket about the history of the area. They might provide the clues we need.”
Adam nodded again and flashed her a grin. She could not help but note how his cheeks dimpled when he did so. And how the smile warmed her, despite her best intentions to dismiss it.
“I always knew you to be a worthy opponent,” he said. “However, I still underestimated you. Now, you begin to frighten me.”
She laughed. “Perfect. I have desired nothing more than to strike fear into your heart. I only hope to have you groveling at my feet before this journey is finished.”
“Not likely, Miss Hancock. I never grovel.”
“And I said I never vomit, but we all know what happened aboardWayfarer.”
“Then we shall see about that.”
“I look forward to it, Mr. Ashford.”
She could not help but notice how Aunt Hester cast a backward glance to smile at her.
…
Jane rubbed a foot between her hands, not caring how unladylike it might appear. Propriety was for people who had not just walked four hours at a brisk pace in suspect shoes. She looked up from her aching foot to find Adam disappointedly scanning the drab interior of the tiny pub. The man behind the bar proved monosyllabic, dashing any hopes of collecting information about local history from him. The only other patron of the pub lay sprawled across a table surrounded by empty pint glasses, snoring loudly.
“How are your feet, dear?”
Jane shifted her regard to Aunt Hester. “Tired but unbroken. And yours?”
“Miserable and thankful for the respite.”
“Hear, hear,” said Barlow. “When I was a lad, I would walk ten miles without a second thought. Now, I feel as if I just crossed the Alps with Hannibal and his elephants. The indignities of old age, I suppose.”
Aunt Hester frowned. “I would hardly call forty old.”
“How did you know I was forty?”
“Simply a guess. You seem too vigorous to be older than that, yet too astute to be much younger.”
He chuckled. “I see. Excellent logic, Mrs. Byrd.”
“Hester,” she said.
“Pardon?”
Jane blinked, surprised as her aunt blushed. “Call me Hester, please.”
Barlow sat up straight in his seat and drew a deep breath. “It would be my pleasure, Hester, if you would return the favor by calling me Simon.”
“Absolutely, Simon.”
Jane shook her head in wonder. Since childhood, she had viewed her aunt as the mortar holding together her disintegrating family. Aunt Hester had always been the first to sacrifice and the last to wilt under fire. Her budding affinity for Mr. Barlow seemed to lift that burden, if only for the moment. Jane wanted the same. Desperately. However, the knowledge that her future depended on an impossible search and a toss of a coin held her captive to dread. Still, she was happy for Aunt Hester’s freedom. She deserved it.
“I’m afraid we must seek information elsewhere.”
Adam’s pronouncement distracted Jane from her dark musings. “Are you certain?”
“I believe so. If we are to learn anything of the local area, we will need to inquire elsewhere.”
