Dear Devlin,
I was so pleased to receive your letter and even more pleased to learn that all is well with you and your crew. I have become good friends with both your mother and Eleanor; in fact, the very day you left your mother insisted I move into Harmon House, which I have done. I have become very fond of your entire family! Alas, Rex has returned to duty, Cliff will soon sail off to Martinique (I did not realize he had a sugar plantation there!) and Sean has returned to Askeaton, so suddenly the house is so empty and so forlorn. Tyrell remains, but I only see him in passing, as he seems preoccupied with his own affairs. Your mother and stepfather remain in good health. Soon Eleanor leaves for Bath to rejoin the Hinckleys, although there is some controversy over whether she should be allowed to go. I do wish she would stay, as I enjoy the time we spend together.
We missed you at Christmastime. That eve we had a splendid family celebration. Your mother arranged a spectacular meal with enough to feed a regiment. Eleanor and Sean fought, as usual, over her returning to Bath, where apparently she has far too many suitors for a young lady of her age (at least, in Sean’s opinion). Cliff invited the widowed Lady Arlette to join us, much to your mother’s dismay. Have you ever met her? She is an amazing beauty, and quite fond of Cliff. The men spent quite a bit of time discussing the change in Napoleon’s fortunes, the state of Europe and what a peace might be like there. Everyone kindly avoided the subject of the American war, I suspect in deference to me. After supper Rex caught me under the mistletoe, but his kiss was a brotherly one. Sean was so angry with Eleanor that he walked out on us all, but I do not know why or what happened.
Your family has been so wonderful. Your mother gave me a lovely locket with your portrait inside and I have come to treasure it. I received a shawl from Eleanor, gloves, chocolate and a fan from your brothers, and a book from Sean. The book is a history of Ireland and it is fascinating. He also gave me Bayberry as a wedding gift and she is here now, for Sean sent her down. I ride every morning, rain or shine.
I should love to meet your new ship’s surgeon as he sounds like an agreeable man. I still have fond memories of Jack Harvey. Have you ever heard of him since he left your ship?
I have given your regards to your family. I wish you good health and good cheer. May God keep you and your men safe.
Your loving wife,
Virginia
Virginia knew that it might be months before she received a reply—the navy had told her that—but by the second week of March she was disappointed that she had not heard from him. In two more days it would be her birthday. She foolishly wished that Devlin could be home to share it with her.
“Do not despair,” Mary said, her arm around her. It was a gray, windy day and the windows rattled. “You will hear from him again, I have no doubt.”
Virginia smiled at her. “I do hope so.” She touched her belly, an unconscious gesture. She was beginning to think that she was pregnant. She hadn’t had her monthly since Devlin had left, and she was stunned by the possibility that she might be with Devlin’s child, as well as both thrilled and afraid. She dearly wished to have Devlin’s child, even if she hadn’t expected to become pregnant so quickly. But would Devlin be as pleased? Every man wished for a son, but their relationship remained a new and fragile thing and it was too soon for it to be tested in any way. He might not be ready to see their child come into this world. And if that were so, she could not really blame him.
A horse’s clopping hooves could just be heard from outside, in spite of the wind and the rattling glass panes. “Maybe it’s the post,” Virginia cried. His last letter had been conveyed to the house by a postal rider and Virginia suddenly hoped that the rider was bringing her another one. She rushed to the window and looked out—and her heart seemed to stop.
The rider leaping from his mount wore a navy-blue cloak over his blue naval jacket, a black felt officer’s hat upon his head. The moment she glimpsed him, even before he turned, she knew and she cried out.
“What is it?” Mary murmured.
It was Devlin, and Virginia could not answer.
He turned, his cloak swirling about his shoulders, his white britches and high boots mud-splashed. He strode toward the house and Virginia gripped the windowsill, breathless and faint.He had come home.
The door was flung open. Devlin took one step across the threshold and froze as he saw her.
She could not even smile. Their gazes locked and she could only stare, failing utterly to breathe.
She loved him so much that it hurt.
His gray eyes blazed. “Virginia.” He swept off his hat and bowed.
She curtsied. “We…we did not expect you…so soon.”
He smiled a little. “I decided to chase an American merchantman across the ocean.”
Her eyes widened. “How…how utterly convenient.”
And he smiled. “I thought so.”
Was he trying to tell her that he had chased a ship across the ocean merely as an excuse so he could come home to see her? As her mind raced with the notion, he approached and kissed her cheek. She closed her eyes, her cheeks flaming, hollow with needing him now. He turned and murmured a greeting to Mary.
“You wonderful man,” Mary said, hugging him. Then, smiling, she said, “I have a call to make, in spite of the weather. Edward is not home,” she added significantly. She turned and left the front hall.
Virginia bit her lip, her fingers curling into her palms. Devlin handed his cloak and hat to a servant. “I received your letter,” he said, his gaze moving over her face as if he were making an inspection of her features.
“I hope it brought you some warm comfort on a cold Atlantic night,” she managed.
“Indeed, it did.” His smile flashed, brief and strained. “Although I might behead Rex, for I doubt the kiss was a brotherly one.”
Virginia flushed, as it hadn’t been all that chaste, although Rex had heartily apologized afterward.
