Her discarded hopes revived. “I’ve always longed to see Bath.”
He looked at her in that intent way he had. “And eat Bath Oliver biscuits and visit the shops on Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon, likely.”
She smiled, trying to imagine it. “All of it, yes.”
“I suppose we didn’t have a proper honeymoon.” His brow creased, and he looked down at his boots. “TheGlasgow Lasshardly suffices.”
“I sometimes wonder what I would have done had you sailed away without me.”
“Fate is a fickle thing.”
“Fate, yes,” she said. “But not Providence.”
“Meaning the divinely delayed cargo allowed you to overtake me and ask for my hand.”
She almost laughed. His teasing was not far afield. “Do you regret it?”
“Nae.” He came to a stop behind the stables in a patch of shade where ivy climbed to the gambrel roof. “Do you?”
“Do I?” She stepped nearer him into the shade of the building. “Let this be my answer.”
Mindful of her hat, she pulled it free and let it drop into the grass at her feet. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him, soquickly and lightly it was more a brush of her lips. When he reached for her she eluded him, snatching up her hat.
“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, Luther said. Or as a wise Scotsman recently told me, ‘When you wed hurriedly, you court after.’” She turned away with a last look over her shoulder. “For now, ’tis the four hours, as you Glaswegians call it. Time for tea.”
That night, Leith joined them for supper in the smaller of the two dining rooms off Ardraigh Hall’s entrance. This one was Juliet’s favorite, with its sculpture niches and stucco panels of the four seasons. Niall arrived from Lamb Hill and sat beside Loveday, their hands intertwined beneath the table, while Father and Zipporah sat across from them, leaving Leith and Juliet at opposite ends. The twins, worn out from their time in the saddle, had an early supper followed by a bath and bed, overseen by Nurse.
“So, I’m pleased to hear you’ll soon join the Buchanan clan,” Leith said to Loveday, raising a glass of Madeira at meal’s end.
Juliet lifted her glass, as they all did, toasting the coming nuptials.
“With pleasure,” the would-be bride replied, beaming. “To live out my days at Lamb Hill beside my sister and yourself gives me the greatest happiness.”
“Praise be that we’re all on this side of the Atlantic.” Father set his glass down, and a footman refilled it. “Have you seen the latest papers?”
“Full of American news, aye.” Niall sat back in his chair. “All the colonies continue to ban the use of British goods, and there’s now rumor of a second Continental Congress to come.”
“Moreover, there’s talk that the soldier and surveyor, George Washington, may be appointed commander in chief if there’s to be a war.” Father heaved a sigh. “He’s a formidable foe if it comes to that.”
“I met his lovely wife, Martha, whilst in Williamsburg. A lively, engaging woman,” Zipporah added. “But all this war talk seems nonsense. How would these Americans fight us? They have no military, just ragtag militia.”
“They’re said to be amassing an army and have begun building their own armed ships.” Leith took another drink. “My guess is they’ll strike British warships near colonial ports. There’s even talk that they’re soliciting aid from foreign nations. France will likely be paid in tobacco for arms and ammunition.”
“Our avowed enemy.” Father muttered an oath. “But closer to home, how does it affect you tobacco merchants?”
“Mayhap the ladies best retire to the drawing room while we continue that conversation,” Leith said, looking to Juliet.
“Thank you kindly.” She stood and gave him an appreciative glance. “I shall always prefer wedding to war talk.”
Chuckling, the men resumed their conversation before the women had cleared the chamber. Juliet closed the door to allow both sides privacy.
Zipporah stood by the hearth, drawing her shawl closer about her shoulders. “I’m so glad your father and I will be here to attend your wedding. You’ll be a beautiful bride.”
“Nine more days,” Loveday said with a smile, sitting down on a sofa facing the fireplace. “Loveday Catesby Buchanan sounds almost poetic.”
“Indeed it does.” Juliet took a cup of hot chocolate from Rilla with a smile. “If only Aunt Damarus were here. You’ve written her of your plans?”
“Just yesterday I posted a letter telling her all the little details.”
