The sudden light in his eyes lent to his smile. “To Bath.”
“Oh, Leith...” Her disbelief doubled. She was in no frame of mind to return to Glasgow and its taint anytime soon. Nor was he, it seemed.
He reached for her, pulling her from the chair onto his knee. “Once there, we’ll send word for your family to join us. That will give us plenty of time to be alone first.”
“I promise not to miss the twins too much.”
“They’ll be safe and sound till our return.”
“And when shall we return?”
“Mayhap never. ‘We adore springs of hot water as divine.’”
“You quote Seneca.”
“One of the few philosophers I admire.” He held hercloser, her head resting upon his shoulder. “We should see England soon, given favorable winds and weather. Both of us are in need of a respite.”
“And a long bath,” she teased. She hated her disheveled state, but at least she was alive and well and in his arms again. “I feel as if we’ve run away—or are eloping—without a stitch of clothing except what we’re wearing and scant else.”
“We’ll soon see Bristol Harbor and rectify that.”
She sat up again, her hands clutching his wrinkled waistcoat. “It all seems like a dream. I’m half afraid to let go of you lest I return to the nightmare of before.”
“I’m nae dream, Juliet. Let me assure you of that.”
He kissed her, the touch of his lips unfamiliar after so much time apart. It recalled his first attempt, that sweet, almost holy moment when they’d taken a step toward each other instead of another step back.
Epilogue
I ask you to pass through life at my side—to be my second self, and best earthly companion.
Charlotte Brontë
BATH, ENGLAND
In the wide, curving row of elegant Palladian architecture, the Buchanan townhouse was number 2. Overhead the patter of servants’ feet in the attic reminded Juliet of Cole and Bella. She stood in the formal withdrawing room with its blue damask walls and gilded mirrors, so new that a drift of sawdust scented the air. Awed, she looked out a tall window at the most spectacular Bath sunset yet as it broke over the chamber in soft coral waves. A benediction on another blessed day.
Whathadn’tshe and Leith done here in England?
They’d gone to the Pump Rooms and taken the waters. Promenaded in the blossoming parks. Stood with mouths agape in the grand abbey with its rainbow-hued stained glass, where the voices of a convent of medieval women once reached the vaulted ceiling in worship. Juliet was especially taken with the abbey’s west front with its stone ladder of angels.
Leith’s practicality amused her. “Since they’re winged, why rely on a ladder?”
“Have you not read of Jacob’s ladder in Genesis?” she’d teased. “Since they’re very old angels, perhaps they’re simply tired or their wings are tarnished.”
She pondered it now as the sun sank lower, till it was nearly extinguished like candle flame. The closing of the door behind her made her smile. Leith approached, encircling her with his arms so they faced forward and admired the remaining view.
“We should probably walk to the river in the last of the light,” he said.
“The river—at this hour?”
“Nothing like seeing Bath by moonlight from the Avon.”
“Romantic. Will you navigate?”
“Aye, though I can’t promise smooth sailing with you in my sights.”
“You’ve given me the honeymoon of my dreams.”And made me nearly forget the disaster in Glasgow. She sighed as he kissed the hollow of her shoulder. “Just when I think there’s nothing left to delight in, you find a way.”
“And I’ll keep trying till the end of my days.”
“So you’ve forgiven me for thinking you a mere merchant and trying to matchmake you with my sister.”
“I forgive you everything.”
“How blessed we are to have come to this. I still can’t quite believe that I’m yours and you’re mine.” She turned round again to face him, struck by the undisguised emotion in his eyes. “And a moonlit ride on the Avon followed by more hot chocolate and reading by the fire with you is heaven on earth.”
