Juliet’s focus narrowed to the medicinal cupboard that rivaled Williamsburg’s apothecary. “I spy calomel, which returns me to our prior conversation and the ongoing investigation.”
“I’ve done a little digging since then.” Loveday stopped her bustling. “Alchemists say ’tis a form of mercury. A white powder.”
A sick sensation formed in the pit of Juliet’s stomach. What was calomel doing at Lamb Hill?
“’Tis used sparingly, as it’s known to cause tremors and severe nervous symptoms, though it is often found in Scottish cupboards.”
Their eyes met in mutual concern, then Loveday passed to a window. “Who can that be that I hear on the drive? Father? Why don’t you go meet him, as he might bring news.”
Leaving the stillroom, Juliet saw Father arrive without Zipporah, who was nursing a cold.
“I’m feeling my age today,” he said. “I had the coachman deliver me to Ardraigh Hall instead of Lamb Hill, quite forgetting where you are.”
“I’m sorry, Father.” They moved into the house and the smallest drawing room. “This travesty is taking a toll on everyone.”
“Don’t be sorry, Daughter. None of it is your fault.” He reached inside his weskit and withdrew a letter.
From Leith? Juliet almost seized it in her joy, then pressed it to her bodice as if it could steady her rolling emotions.
“Shall I give you a few moments alone?”
“No, I don’t want you to tarry, as Zipporah might need you.”
“Tarry I must, and gladly.” He took a seat in a chair Leith preferred. “While you read privately, I’ll just have a bit of quiet and peach brandy.”
“’Tis there in the decanter on the end table.” She sat in the twin chair beside him, reminded of the times she and Leith had done the same, and broke the seal with some surprise. Somehow he’d been given the tools to pen her a few words.
My beloved Juliet,
So unlike Leith. Yet she had never had a letter from him, so how was she to know his style? Her heart, so sore, was assuaged somewhat.
I ken not how much longer we are to be separated, though I pray continually for our reunion. If anything good can come from our situation, it is this—being removed from myself, as it were, and all the temporal routines and obligations that bound me, has caused me to regard any time left to me, to us, as altered. My former life with all its trappings seems naught but dross. Little glitters or has value but you, the children, a life dedicated to what matters eternally. I apologize for being insufferable and behaving badly ofttimes.
I miss you more than words can say. My heart is yours, has been yours since the moment we met. Nothing can alter that, not separation nor silence nor even death.
You are my first waking thought and my last, and in all the hours between. You alone are keeping hope alive in me. You and God Himself
The letter left off abruptly and she felt the wrench of it, held captive midsentence by what he’d been about to say. Someone had come in, likely, and told him to stop. Pondering what might have happened since he wrote it, she folded the paper and slipped it into her pocket to peruse again later.
The twins’ laughter carried from the walled garden where they were walking about with Beatrice. The sound buoyed Juliet like a drowning soul thrown a rope. The double rainbow, the twins, Leith’s letter. All good things that kept her from unraveling completely.
Father poured himself another brandy. “The trial has now begun, and though we know nothing of what’s happening inside those legal chambers, we will hope for the best ... while preparing for the worst.”
The worst.Juliet laced her hands together in her lap. “What preparations do you have in mind?”
“Let’s start with the trial. Tennant has informed me of how matters stand. I’m stunned by the family perfidy, but it seems increasingly clear Euan is complicit. If he and Cochrane somehow manage to have Leith convicted, then we need you to leave Glasgow, as his estate will be contested, including the custody of Bella and Cole.”
“Oh, Father. I couldn’t bear it if Euan took the twins. I hope Loveday and Niall fight for them if it comes to that, if Leith and I cannot have them—”
“They are prepared to fight, aye. But first they will fight for your rights, and that Leith’s will, which named you their guardian on your shipboard journey here, be upheld.”
“Go on.”
“Leith’s legal counsel believes they have enough evidence to expose Euan and Cochrane as accomplices guilty of murder, fraud, embezzlement, and whatnot. The list is long.”
“At least Niall is innocent of all this.”
“Thank heaven for that. The guilty parties will likely go to trial,” Father continued grimly. “If convicted, they face death or transportation.”
