Those dreams had been shattered by his disappearance, then reshaped by his return. The pressure to see what their relationship could be now made her shoulders sag under the weight of hope and expectations. The one question she had yet to find the courage to ask was, was Lucien still in love with his wife?
A soft knock at the door interrupted her reverie.
“Come in,” she called, turning from the window.
Caitria entered, her expression apologetic. “Forgive the intrusion, my lady, but Ava-Marie is desperate to see the sea. She’s been cooped up for a few days so a walk should tire her out for the afternoon. She’s washed and changed already, and I wondered if perhaps you might accompany us to the cliff path? She’s quite insistent that we wait for you.”
Courtney smiled. “Of course. I’d be delighted to show you both the view. It truly is spectacular.”
As they walked together down the hall to collect Ava-Marie, Courtney felt a sense of rightness, of pieces falling into place. This grand old house, weathered but enduring, seemed to welcome her back like an old friend. And if the memories it held were bittersweet, they were also precious. They contained the foundations on which to build new remembrances with this changed Lucien and his delightful daughter.
Standing at the cliff’s edge a short while later, with Ava-Marie’s small hand clasped trustingly in hers as they gazed out at the endless blue of sea meeting sky, Courtney allowed herself to hope.
She showed them the narrow path to the shore below, warning them both to be careful of the drop and that Ava-Marie was never to go down to the beach or go in the water alone. The rip tides were dangerous.
Caitria took Ava-Marie to paddle in the water while Courtney sat on the sand, remembering spying on Lucien swimming naked when she was a young girl and visiting with Lauren. On her first visit here, she’d decided to marry Lauren’s handsome older brother, and a few years later when he proposed, she knew her dreams had come true.
Just then, a body plonked down in the sand next to her. She knew who it was before she turned to look at him. “My daughter’s going to love it here.”
She turned to smile at him. “It’s a beautiful place.”
His smile died. “It will be when I set it to rights. What were you thinking about before I sat?”
She laughed and felt her cheeks heat. “I was remembering spying on you swimming in this cove when I was fifteen. That’s the day I knew I wanted to marry you.”
“I was a good swimmer then?” he laughed.
“More like the fact you were nude, and as you were the first naked man I’d ever seen, my head was turned.”
This time, Lucien’s cheeks flushed with color.
She carried on. “We often swam here after we were engaged. And swimming clothes were often absent.”
Before he could reply, Ava-Marie spotted her father. “Papa!” She raced across the sand and threw herself into her father’s open arms. “I love it here. I want to swim every day.”
Lucien hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head. “As long as a grown up is with you, then you may come here as often as you like. And of course, if you are a good girl.”
Courtney loved how he didn’t care that Ava-Marie’s dress was wet and covered in sand. He still hugged her tight.
“Now, I think it’s time Caitria took you home. I want to have a talk with Lady Courtney, if that’s all right?”
The little girl must have been tired as she didn’t put up a fight. Soon, only the sound of the gulls and waves filled the silence.
“Lord Danvers accompanied you here,” she asked. “How has your father settled in? Lauren was worried about him.” It was lame conversation, and she wondered if they would ever get to that place where they could talk about anything and know what the other would say before they spoke.
Lucien lay back on the sand with his hands behind his head. “He seems to be better away from town. He’s still drinking too much, but I don’t think he’s gambling. I’ve let it be known around the area that no one is to let him gamble. He’s even seeing a widow in the village.”
“That must be a weight off your shoulders. I know you’ve only been here for ten days, but what else have you uncovered since you’ve been here alone?”
He closed his eyes against the glare of the sun. “That I understand estate management but I’d still welcome Julian’s input to a few ideas I have. Rockwell also mentioned that I should follow him in developing a Merino herd, but I’m not sure I can afford to take a risk.”
Courtney bit her lip and wondered if she could tell him about the mills the ladies were investing in. The sisterhood followed Tiffany’s advice. She’d done her research regarding the demand for the fine wool. Their share price was racing up on the idea ofa more consistent supply of Merino wool. “I believe Rockwell is right and the risk is worth taking.”
His eyes flew open. “And how would you know that? Have you been studying the share market?” He laughed…but his laughter died as he looked at her face.
She swallowed hard. “If we are to have any chance at seeing if this relationship can evolve into something both of us want, we must trust each other. Don’t you agree?” She looked into his eyes.
He rose up on one elbow but took his time in answering. “I think trust would be an advantage, certainly.”
