“Comfortable enough in the saddle that she’s enjoying a jaunt on her own while I return to work here. Namely to rebuild the main tobacco barn.”
“We shan’t detain you, then.”
Without another word he cantered down the lane past the dependencies to the fields beyond.
“Fancy that, she’s out on her own. I expect my nephew to ride in next. ’Tis the hour he usually appears.”
They fell quiet for a time, each lost in thought, Selah adjusting to the notion of twins. Oceanus would make a fine big brother no matter what the Almighty sent them. In the meantime, she’d seek out the cradle in the attic, see if it was big enough for two babes. Begin sewing tiny garments and pray for a babe to fill them.
They’d not spoken of Watseka or which room might be hers. The omission bespoke a lack of confidence in her recovery, of hopelessness gaining the upper hand. Selah stared down at her unfinished punch, puzzling out where to house Shay. But for the moment the soreness in her heart was so acute she couldn’t grab hold of the joy before her.
40
This had been Selah’s dream of many months. Watching the sunset from Rose-n-Vale’s portico with Xander by her side. Breathing in the sights and sounds of the estate as it settled. The faint whiff of smoke from the summer kitchen. The lowing of a milk cow in the pasture. The doves in their nest beneath the portico eave. Tonight the sunset was a spectacular firestorm of russets and gold, heralding the coming autumn.
But where exactly was her husband?
She journeyed down the lane to look for him, past the dependencies where maids and stable hands milled about in the twilight, Ruby and Jett at her side. The dogs seemed to be leading, she merely following. Did they know where their master was? Xander had left after supper to meet with a party of indentures who’d returned from searching for Watseka. But that was two hours ago.
Down the hill she went toward the smallest tobacco barn. It sat beside a scorched field, the only barn unscathed by the blaze. There she found him, an alarming sight with his rapier, fencing with an imaginary opponent. She entered quietly behind him and pressed her back against the barn’srough wood. The dogs, ever obedient except when it came to Widow Brodie, sat on their haunches and watched him too.
On guard. Advance. Lunge. Parry.
For being tall, he was remarkably quick on his feet. She all but shivered at the whistle of the sword as it sliced the air. Her father had spoken of Xander’s skill. He’d been trained by a fencing master from the first supply in his youth. She’d come across books by fencing masters in his study. But she’d not thought to see him at practice. It seemed to bode ill.
He turned and walked toward her. The rapier glinted in the fading light.
“You are very skilled,” she said, a bit awed.
“And you are very biased.” He sheathed his weapon and cupped her elbow, leading her out into fresh air.
“Why have you returned to fencing?”
“I am rusty as an old sword.” His smile was thin. “And I promised to teach Oceanus upon his return home.”
Was that all? She prayed so. She discarded the worry as they walked uphill to the house. “’Tis been my dream to watch the sunset with you ... and the dogs.”
“You are a long-suffering woman.” He glanced at the dogs fondly as they jockeyed for position beside him. “Little wonder they adore you.”
They stepped onto the portico, two chairs awaiting them. The rest of the household was abed. Lost in the luxury of aloneness, Selah took a seat, savoring the remaining sunset as it melted onto the horizon.
He reached for her hand. “Now seems the time to ask you if a move to the new wing would be favorable. Our present bedchamber would become your mother’s. The dormer room the nurse occupies would be Shay’s.”
“A wonderful plan.” The very thought cheered her. “I overheard Factor McCaskey say he’ll be sailing with your first tobacco shipment. I thought he and the nurse might make a match. He seems fond of her and has openly teased her about returning to Scotland with him.”
He looked toward the river all ashimmer with the last of daylight. “Which brings me to another matter that will likely make you blush.”
She returned her gaze to him, overwarm already.
“’Twould seem Hopewell Hundred has become a trysting place. I was there earlier today after another search when Laurent appeared and then Nurse Lineboro.”
Her sharp intake of breath caused Ruby to raise her head, looking sleepy-eyed. “They are ... a couple?”
“I didn’t stay to find out. But aye, they did meet. Thankfully I remained out of sight, though Jett did growl when Laurent first appeared.”
“Oh, Xander ...” Selah kept her voice to a whisper, though she hardly knew what to say. “What a riddle this is.”
“Keep the matter between us. We shall bide our time and see how it plays out. That they are hand in glove is now apparent, but we cannot ken what that signifies. Not yet.”
