“I should return by sennight’s end.” Even to him the forty-six miles loomed long, and he was already wondering how he could curtail his business there.
“Is it safe traveling that road? Safe from highwaymen and such?”
“With a pistol and fast horse, aye.”
“And my prayers,” she added with a fleeting smile. She reached for his hand as if about to shake it and seal some sort of business arrangement.
We shall start small.
He brought her gloved fingers to his lips, wanting something more. Wanting even to remove the glove—or take it with him. Though he did have the miniature and her blue ribbon and the now blissful memory of their midnight kiss.
“In the spirit of Luther, you are making me sorry to see you leave.” She gave him a last, lingering look before she entered her bedchamber and shut the door.
54
My heart is like a singing bird.
Christina Rossetti
A few days later, Juliet returned to Ardraigh Hall with Loveday after spending several hours at Lamb Hill. Niall had proved a consummate host, and they’d begun talking of the coming wedding. Since the ball, Niall had approached Father with his intentions, and a settlement was underway with the Buchanan lawyers. In lieu of the banns being read, a license would be signed.
“A contract! When will these matters rest on love alone?” Loveday exclaimed as they emerged from the carriage onto the gravel drive. “’Tis silly when your very dowry comes from the Buchanans themselves!”
“Well, these protocols must be observed, however illogical,” Juliet said, looking past the carriage and horses to a sunlit meadow behind the stables.
Leith? Home already? Her heart gave a little leap. She pulled her hat lower to block the sun and better see him.
There, on lead reins, were the twins atop two Shetland ponies with flowing manes and tales. Bella’s was black and cream and Cole’s dun colored. Forgetting herself, Juliet hurried across the forecourt toward the meadow, leaving Loveday to enter the house alone.
Amid an expanse of green, Leith led Bella while a groom led Cole. But in truth, Juliet had eyes only for Leith. Out of his frock coat and weskit, stripped down to his shirt, breeches, and boots, he walked the pony backward and forward across the velvety grass, oblivious to her approach, his attention on his daughter.
“Mam!” Bella shouted with a little laugh, waving a hand.
Leith turned round and nearly brought Juliet to a halt. Caught up in the moment of the spring day—the warm breeze that bent the grass, the joy of his children—he seemed altogether altered. Nay, not altered. Better. His higher self. She wanted to throw her arms about him in gratitude, and only with the utmost effort did she temper her response in front of the stable hand.
She came to a stop along the edge of the meadow. “Such bonny ponies! What are their names?”
Cole looked at his father in question while Bella shouted, “Flora!”
After leaning down to whisper to Cole, Leith stood straight again while the lad yelled, “Charlie!”
Amused at the history lesson therein, Juliet continued watching them till Leith brought them to a stop, promising more on the morrow. They continued on to the stables with the groom, leaving Juliet and Leith following behind.
“When did you arrive home?” she asked, already wondering when he’d leave again.
“Soon after you left for Lamb Hill in the forenoon.”
“We just missed each other, then. How was Edinburgh?”
“Auld and reeking,” he said with a grin as she fell into step with him. “What happened while I was away?”
“Glad news—there’s to be a wedding Wednesday after next at Lamb Hill.”
“Och, I’m neither surprised nor disappointed.”
Elated, she tried to remember all the details. “You’re to stand up with them, as am I. Then after a wedding breakfast, the couple will leave on a wedding trip to Bath in the company of Father and Zipporah.”
“A reasonable plan. Needs be we join them at some point.”
