The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.
Victor Hugo
As the Buchanan coach rattled over the road to Paisley, Juliet could see lights from the glittering house shining from a distance. Across from her sat Leith, newly arrived from Glasgow. They’d barely had time to give a greeting, though she’d heard him rumbling around their shared dressing room upon his arrival. When he emerged, she’d felt her heart give a little leap.Resplendent.That was the only word for how tailored he appeared tonight, his jaw smooth. Had he found the razor she’d hidden in his washstand?
His navy suit paired perfectly with her pale blue silk, as if they’d conspired. But he’d barely glanced at her tonight, only murmured something complimentary about her gown as he accompanied her downstairs then helped her into the waiting coach. Settling her skirts around her so as not tocrowd his legs opposite, she felt at a complete loss for words, though her feelings seemed to fill the conveyance to bursting.
She’d not seen him in a sennight. Long enough to let the romantic memory they’d made in his bedchamber fade. Was that his hope? To remove them from the embarrassing blunder? For her, the delay had given her time to ponder and conclude she’d rather risk her heart than hide it. She must explain to him her tears, her fleeing, rather than endure another clumsy separation and uneasy reunion.
Was now the time? The beat of her heart seemed as loud as the coach wheels bumping along the rutted road.
Into the stilted silence they spoke at once.
“Forgive me, Jul—”
“Pardon me, Lei—”
Awkwardness ensued as they left off. A feverish heat engulfed Juliet, tying her tongue and sending her digging for her feather fan.
“We obviously need to continue this conversation in future,” Leith said as the coach slowed and joined the line delivering guests to the front door. “For now, please accept my apology for my conduct the other night.”
There was a note of regret in his voice she’d not heard before. Instead of his usual cool courtesy, there was just ... courtesy. A contrite courtesy. Mystified, she mulled it.
“No apology needed.” Her voice came soft but insistent. “’Twas I who trespassed—”
The coach door opened, halting her words, and she was handed out, her husband following.
As footmen announced them at Paisley’s front door and then at the opening of the drawing room, Leith was hard-pressed to keep from staring at Juliet as she made her entrance.Every eye in the suddenly hushed room was upon her. She was Mrs. Leith Buchanan and she wore it well, though what she deserved was a tiara and a title.
He led her forward, her gloved hand resting on his forearm. Lyrica greeted them, Euan not far behind. Since the guests were mostly neighbors and kin, this gathering lacked the heavy presence of the city’s assembly room. Loveday followed with Colonel Catesby and Zipporah, adding a pleasing Virginia air to the Glaswegian gathering.
“Your gown is exquisite,” Lyrica said, voicing Leith’s thoughts and kissing Juliet on both cheeks, “as are your pearls.”
“They were my mother’s.” Juliet smiled, touching the necklace with a gloved hand.
Was she nervous? Or still thinking, as he was, of their honest exchange in the coach?
Leith took stock of who was in attendance, watching Niall extricate himself from his present company in favor of Loveday. A wedding was in the offing. Lamb Hill needed a mistress too. Having Juliet’s sister near would be as beneficial as having his brothers near him. Family was always a bulwark for a more secure future.
When the country dances began, Leith partnered with Lyrica while Euan escorted Juliet and Niall accompanied Loveday. Round and round they went until Leith broke protocol by choosing Juliet for a reel, avoiding the men and the usual cliques of political talk along the room’s edges. He’d had enough of America’s cry for liberty, at least for now.
“You’re breaking all the rules,” Lyrica teased as the reel ended. “First, you partner with your wife, and second, your affection for her is evident to all.”
“All but the lass in question. I’ve not seen her for some time.”
“You’ve been in Glasgow?”
He nodded, regretful, holding fast to his change of heart. “There’s much that needs deciding regarding the colonies and our interests there.”
“Have a care...” Her gaze pivoted across the room. “We’ve enough trouble at home. Cochrane is here.”
Even the name raised his hackles. “Why did you invite him?”
“Because I didn’t want to snub his poor, long-suffering wife.”
“Better that than offend mine.”
“Come now, Leith. Juliet doesn’t even ken who he is. Besides, any lass who took a horsewhip to an overseer can take care of herself.”
