“Very well.” Loveday sat down on the dressing table stool and trellised her fingers in her lap. “On the face of it, he is remarkably handsome. Braw, rather. He seems kind. Kinder than his brothers—or at least less hardened by business. He’s promised to give up pugilism.”
“Has he?” Juliet said as Minette brought her cape. “Go on.”
“We have more than a few things in common. A love of gardens, art, travel ... children.”
“He is indeed a devoted uncle. Bella and Cole adore him.”
“I was doubly smitten when I saw him playing with them.”
“Does anyone else compare?”
“No one.” Loveday’s smile faded. “But am I being too forward or foolish to give my heart away so quickly?”
“One can lose one’s heart at first meeting—even against one’s will.” Juliet was thinking more of herself and Leith, a mystery that still confounded her. “You have no reservations, do you?”
“Nary a one, but...”
“Who can define such a mysterious feeling? There is often an undeniable attraction, an inexplicable infatuation, which strikes like a lightning bolt out of the blue.”
“I won’t deny it.”
“I also know that hope deferred maketh the heart sick. But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
“You sound much like Mama.”
“If Mama was here, she might tell you the same. Sometimes ’tis best not to mull matters too much. Just pray about them and see where the Lord leads.”
“In your case, to York Town and a lighter.” Loveday’s wistfulness turned to relief. “And if you hadn’t done that, where would we now be?”
“We’d be at Royal Vale, facing charges brought by Riggs, still yoked to a system I abhor, including insurmountable debt.”
“You rescued us both.”
“Not me, Loveday. The Lord made a way forward despitemy foibles and missteps. Yet despite being grateful, there’s much here that needs help and nettles me—” Juliet left off as Minette reappeared with Loveday’s cape.
From somewhere in the heart of Glasgow, church bells began pealing, reminding them it was the Sabbath. With a last look at each other, they linked arms and went below to the waiting coach.
Sitting side by side with Leith for the first time in St. Andrews-by-the-Green gave rise to all sorts of new feelings. Around them in the Buchanan pew were her family and his, a magnet for curious onlookers. Juliet kept her eyes down, moved by the music and a bit awed at hearing a pipe organ for the first time.
“’Tis known as the kist o’ whistles, or the whistling kirk,” Leith told her at its first soaring notes. “Some say the devil himself helped build it.”
Being here amid all the mahogany and crimson velvet and a towering pulpit adorned with a canopy and miter made her feel very small, the memory of their parish church smaller still. But the order of the Episcopalian service was similar to that of their Virginia parish, including theBook of Common Prayer, if the music was not.
The minister greeted them cordially after the service despite Euan commenting wryly that their seat rents were in arrears. Moving toward the green that bordered the kirk, where their carriages waited, Juliet spied Niall and Loveday bringing up the rear. He’d touchingly brought her a gift that had charmed her completely—Robert Sayer’sThe Florist, a book of engraved flower illustrations from London. And even a set of paints to color them by.
“I must say, I’m relieved to be back in Britain,” Fatherwas saying, walking somewhat slowly with a cane. “I despaired of setting sail, given the colonial threats of closing ports.”
Zipporah laid a gloved hand on his arm. “I believe it was worry more than gout that upended you. Bath should see you completely restored.”
Ah, Bath. Juliet felt a keen ache to go there. Though her headaches had lessened since coming to Scotland, she felt Bath would do her good too. But for now, Leith seemed intent on returning her and the twins to Ardraigh Hall. Royal Vale’s servants were already there.
She wrestled with disappointment at being separated from Leith, momentarily distracted by the sight of Loveday getting into another coach with Euan and Lyrica and Niall.
“I see that we’ve arrived in time to witness your sister’s courtship commence,” Father said with a smile.
“Indeed!” Zipporah settled back on the upholstered seat beside him with a satisfied smile. “How fortunate we’ve arrived in spring with everything beginning to bloom.”
“You should see the garden in back of the Virginia Street house,” Juliet said. She’d taken the twins there nearly every day, rain or shine. They were particularly fond of the little stone-rimmed pond with its ducklings. “’Tis quite charming.”
