“That’s my girl. Now come on. Let’s go have a pleasant evening at a reasonable hour, something denied us before. What say you?”
“It won’t be the same. We’re not the people we were.”
“I’m not expecting anything of you, Vivi. We’ll just enjoy each other’s company. I’d say we’re two people in need of a bit of fun.”
Her brow furrowed; the lips that always curled up so easily formed a straight line. “As a result of all that’s happened, I’m damaged, Finn. I’m not certain you’d like the person I’ve become.”
“Someone who fights for children when so many view them as expendable? I like what I’m seeing so far.”
“We can’t go back, Finn.”
“I’m not expecting us to. We’ll have a little outing, a few laughs. Then say goodbye.”
“Where would we be going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Finn—”
“You trusted me once, Vivi. Trust me now.”
In the corner of the garden, Sister Theresa stood beside Mother Margaret and watched the tableau taking place not too far away while children raced around the couple who had stopped the horse and seemed to be in serious discussion. Something about Finn Trewlove was familiar. The cut of his jaw, she finally decided. She had once cradled a jaw very much like it as she whispered words of love.
“You spoke to her?” Mother Margaret asked.
“I did.” Mother Margaret often assigned the most unpleasant tasks to the sisters, her belief being that adversity would strengthen their faith. “I cannot help but believe she is hiding from something.”
“She is running from something, Sister. Perhaps with this young man suddenly appearing in her life, she will finally begin runningtowardsomething.”
Sister Theresa knew all about running. Sometimes a person had to run in the wrong direction before she could run in the correct one.
Chapter 14
They were having an outing simply as a means to put the past completely behind them. Although she wouldn’t read more into his request than that, she did wish she had a fancier frock, but she possessed only two, one a dark blue, the other black. So this evening it would be the dark blue because at least the corners of the collar weren’t too badly frayed. She thought she’d cast aside her vanity in want of a simpler life. What a disappointment to discover it had only been in hiding and that the attentions of a young man could bring it forth so easily.
She did hope Finn had spoken true about having no expectations regarding tonight. He had to know the roads they’d each traveled had taken them in different directions, would never converge.
Stepping back from the oval mirror that hung above the washbasin, she tried to get a better look at herself. No cheval glass in this residence. The sisters never had a need to see themselves in their entirety, to know if they were put together properly. Their clothing was as it was and there wasn’t a lot they could do with it.
“What do you plan to do with your hair?”
Only then did she notice Sister Theresa reflected at the edge of the mirror as she stood in the doorway. With a laugh, self-consciously, she touched the braid she’d wound around her head and pinned into place. “I’ve already done it.”
She turned to face the sister. “Does it not look right?”
“If I were going to spend the evening with a gentleman caller, I might want something a bit more... elaborate. Would you like me to have a go at it?”
She couldn’t help it. She stared.
“You really must learn to hide your shock a bit better as that stunned fish look is terribly unflattering. I didn’t always wear a habit, you know.” She walked into the room. “Sit.”
Lavinia did as she was ordered, easing onto the wooden straight-backed chair. There was no dressing table, merely the small square table where the washbasin was kept. Seated, she couldn’t see herself in the mirror.
With a great deal of efficiency, Sister Theresa removed the pins and unplaited her hair. She almost groaned from the pleasure of having someone else drag a brush through the long tresses.
“This young man is from your past,” the sister said quietly.
“Yes.”
