“You have come for advice, so I must be honest with you . . .” Lady Aster paused.
“Simon sounds boring.” Lady Rose filled the silence.
Lady Aster deflated, nodding emphatically. “He definitely sounds boring.”
“Girls!” Violet managed to scrape together some outrage, though Eilidh suspected that after accusing their guest of killing a man, talk of kissing and marriage was small potatoes. “Really, that is hardly helpful.”
“We’re just being honest, Violet.” Lady Aster turned to her older sister. “Master MacTavish is a remarkable man—handsome, adventurous, charming. Oh! Have you noticed how nicely his shoulders fill out his coats—”
“In short . . . theoppositeof boring,” Lady Rose added. She looked at Eilidh. “You chose Master MacTavish once, Miss Fyffe. Why aren’t you giving him more of a chance now?”
Eilidh bit her lip, hesitating, and then decided that if the twins were going to be forthright, then she could be, too.
“I fear you are perhaps missing the point,” she said. “IlikeSimon’s boringness, as you put it. When one has already experienced far too much of life, boring and staid and predictable are balms to the soul. I have already had a lifetime of adventure. To you both, it might sound exciting, but it was actually just exhausting, to both my mind and my body. Now, I simply crave . . . home.”
Violet studied her for a long moment. “I hear your words, Eilidh. And I can even relate to your wishes. But I do wonder if you are perhaps being somewhat short-sighted.” She paused, pressing on her belly once more. “I have been married long enough to understand how glorious marriage to the right man can be. Such a union can feel like the safest, most wonderful of homes. But because of this, I also clearly see how truly terrible it would be to marry the wrong man.”
“I agree. This is why I have focused my affections on Simon. He may be somewhat boring, but he is also kind and patient—”
“Marriage is a life-long commitment. Such a decision should not be made lightly.” Violet shifted on the sofa, still trying to get comfortable. “I, myself, struggle with decision making. Odd, I know, for a countess to admit as much, but it is simply my nature. However, when it came to marrying my Ewan, I had no doubts. It was a breathlessly easy decision to make.”
“Truly?” Eilidh asked.
“Yes. And from everything I understand, you once made a similar commitment to Kieran, without hesitation. You leapt into it joyously . . . doubting nothing.”
“Perhaps, but that was Jamie. That was a woman I have no real memory of being. Even if I regain my memories, I will never be that woman again. Jamie may have loved Kieran, but I do not know if the woman I am now can ever feel that for him. I have changed too much.”
Violet looked pensive. “That may very well be true. But before walking away from Kieran forever, I think you owe it to the memory of Jamie to be sure that he is not who you want. How is it phrased? ‘Marry in haste; repent at leisure.’ Just . . . do not let that be you. Make sure Kieran is not the home you wish.”
“But if you do end up kissing Master MacTavish,” Lady Aster added, “you must tell us every delicious detail.”
“Aster!” Violet gasped and then winced, emitting a low moan.
“Violet?” Eilidh shot to her feet, noting the water darkening Violet’s skirts and the sofa.
“It’s time,” Violet said through clenched teeth. “I believe my waters just broke.”
23
February 1816
Jamie! Dinnae walk away from me!” Kieran picked up his pace, trying to catch up with his wife as she nimbly darted through the thick underbrush. “I’m trying tae have a conversation with ye.”
“No,” she shot over her shoulder. “You’re trying tae scare me. There’s a difference.”
“Aye! Ye should be scared. I’m frightened out of my wits.”
She ignored his words and continued to race through the forest jungle.
Kieran swallowed his frustration and ran after her.
The New Hebrides were a lush paradise.The Minervahad sunk anchor in a picturesque natural harbor just a few days before. Cuthie intended to bargain for access to the island’s rich supply of sandalwood, something to fill the hold for the eventual return trip to Britain.
Today, Kieran and Jamie had escaped into the forest surrounding the village, ostensibly to find wood to repair a damaged deck railing.
But it was mostly a chance for them to have a modicum of privacy to discuss their looming issue . . . both literally and figuratively.
If only his recalcitrant wife would stop.
