It was worth some careful consideration, to be sure.
“You seem to be walking with intent.” He glanced over at Leah as she spoke. He noted that her hair was pinned up and he yearned to see it flowing freely down her back once more. But that was courting an entirely different sort of trouble. “Are you leading me somewhere specific? If so, should I be concerned?”
He hadn’t realized he’d been walking back to Windmill Hill, but it was only fitting since that was where he generally found his steps took him when something was on his mind. This time, he decided he wanted to show the lady at his side something quite spectacular. “I thought you might enjoy seeing the windmill and all the secrets it holds inside.”
She laughed. “How very mysterious. No wonder it is someplace that you like to visit.”
Chuckling in return, Harlan found it had been some time since he’d allowed himself the freedom to do so. He had always imagined a gallant lifestyle, fighting honorably for his country, but perhaps it wasn’t what he was meant to do for the rest of his days, until he could no longer lift a weapon to defend himself properly.
Perhaps it was time he learned if he was meant for more.
He paused at the entrance to the large windmill and glanced at Leah as her mouth went slack, her expressive, brilliant eyes were riveted on the slow turn of the massive blades overhead. “It’s amazing,” she breathed.
“I’m glad you approve.” He opened the door and waved a hand for her to precede him.
Once inside, he watched her face as she continued to look about in awe. He tried to view his surroundings through fresh eyes, or at least, recall the first time he’d walked inside an area that had become almost a hallowed place. Stairs led all the way to the top of the structure and a large, wooden beam stood in the center to support the overall design, while giant, metal wheels assisted the turning and breaking of the blades on the outside. “That is the windshaft,” he explained. “Depending on the sort of windmill design, it can be used for grain, or in this case, energy from the river. It’s very similar to the ones in Holland.”
“How fascinating.” She moved about the structure, extending a hand to brush against the sides of the sturdy wood. “I always thought that if you could touch something that was nearly lost to history, you might be able to feel the sentiments of the past.” She blinked and then shook her head. “I’m sure that sounds very silly.”
“Not at all.” He smiled, and he knew it was a genuine one. “I should think many people want a glimpse into the past, whether it was thirty or a hundred and thirty years ago. It is probably why there is a specific devise in here to showcase the land where we are standing.”
Her eyes lit up and he could feel his chest swell with pride that he’d offered her something so worthy. “Truly?”
“Yes.” He walked over to a door near the side of the structure. “I should warn you it is normally dark in here, but for good reason. Inside is a devise referred to as a camera obscura.”
“I have heard of that,” she murmured. “But I have never gotten to witness how it works.”
He shut the door behind them and the room was instantly filled with a fission of wavering light. “As you can see, today is a perfect day for viewing.”
Leah quickly realizedthat the small pinhole where the light was reflecting wasn’t simple sunshine at all, but rather a view from the lower part of the valley and the river flowing silently by. The difference from seeing it from outside is that the image was inverted and it shimmered on the walls around them like a fantastical daydream. “This is… magnificent. How could anyone contrive something so unique?”
“There have been scientists and mathematicians for centuries that have strived to make our world a better place. Or, at least, allow us to see the world from a different view.”
Leah extended her hand and allowed the reflection of the day to envelope her. She smiled at the slight waves upon the water that, in turn, shimmered on her hand. “Remarkable.”
There was a slight pause, and then she heard Harlan reply, “That isn’t the only thing that is remarkable in this room.”
With her heart abruptly in her throat, Leah turned to him. He was dressed casually again today, but with the light catching the glimmer in his eyes, she found herself daring to reach out and lightly touch his strong jaw. She had been captivated by him the night before when they had shared a bed together, but in the light of day, he seemed even more seductive, more virile.
“What is it that you want of me?” she whispered.
He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing lightly. “I’m not exactly sure, but I know that I can’t let you go. Not yet. Not until I can understand this.” He hesitated and reached out a thumb to trace the lower part of her mouth. “Until I can understand this overwhelming appeal foryou.”
Leah wanted him to kiss her, more than anything else. But she refused to do so while he still wore the mask, while he still held himself back from her. She had too much pride in herself to allow anything otherwise.
Regret became a heavy cloak around her, for she was quite sure that in another time, another circumstance, they might have had a chance to truly love one another. She stepped back from him. “Thank you for showing me the mill, but we should be returning.”
She turned to go, but he grasped her arm. “Don’t leave. Not yet.”
She closed her eyes, making sure to keep her back to him. “Whatever you think you can persuade me to do, don’t ask it of me. I can’t allow my emotions to become entangled with someone like you, someone I can’t fully trust, and certainly one who won’t trust me.”
There was a defining pause. “You don’t understand. This is something I have to do. ”
“Then, as I see it, there is little more to discuss.”
Leah held her breath, as the hand on her arm slowly decreased.
She walked outside and was grateful for the full light of day to shine on her face. It was the return to reality that she had been needing. In the darkness, it was easy to get swept away by desire and illusion, but with the dawn, the spell was broken.
