She nodded, a tremulous smile on her lips.
He led her over to a chair, but when he started to move away, she wouldn’t release his hand. Hooking the closest chairleg with his foot, he pulled it over and sat. With his free hand, he retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her.
“Thank you.” She released his hand to blow her nose.
The noise sounded so much like a mouse squeak that he had to bite his lip to keep from smiling. “Perhaps you should start at the beginning.”
Immediately, her hand shot out and grabbed his, her blue-green gaze trained on his own. “Tell me you are healthy. Have you been ill?”
“I haven’t been ill. I am healthy.”
She released him again and dabbed at her eyes. “I had a dream. No, it was a nightmare. You were in bed, dying. I tried to keep you with me, but Orinda was there. She was a ghost and she held out her hand to you and you…you took it.” She dabbed at her eyes, new tears springing forth.
Orinda? Why would she send… understanding dawned and his admiration for the lady spirit, which was already high, rose even more. She had made Juliet understand what she felt for him. Though he didn’t entirely approve, he appreciated the nudge. “So you wished to see if I was well?”
“Yes, no, yes. I couldn’t bear to lose you. I’m sorry that I said what I said. I’ve never been in love before. I didn’t understand.”
His heart tripped at her words and his entire body grew tense. “What is it you understand?”
The frantic look in her eyes vanished as they softened, appearing far more green. She smiled. “I love you, Noah. I didn’t know this is how love felt, but I know now. I would be honored to be your wife if you’ll still have me.”
Elation filled him. Embracing her, he captured her lips in a gentle kiss of acceptance. He brushed back the tendrils of hair from her face and let his love show in his gaze. “I will. You have made me the happiest of men.”
“And now, I’m the happiest of women.”
“Then may I be the first to congratulate you both.”
At Jacob’s voice, he released Juliet and frowned at his younger brother. “You do know eavesdropping is quite rude.”
Jacob, who leaned against the doorway with his legs crossed, uncrossed them and bowed. “True, but I wasn’t asked to leave either.”
Before he could reprimand his brother further, Juliet tensed, pulling out of his arms. “Oh, I must apologize. Will your employer be upset I came here? I had to see you and didn’t care what anyone thought. I took your path through the woods to find you.”
That she’d searched him out no matter the social consequences confirmed for him she truly did put him above all else. But he was puzzled. “What do you mean by my employer?”
She glanced over at Jacob and then at him. “I mean this house. You and your brother have positions here?”
He grinned, but his brother laughed. “Noah, you had best tell this songbird the whole truth before any banns are read.” With that, he disappeared around the corner.
“What does he mean by the truth?” Her back came up straighter and her brows knit.
He took her hand in his, though she let him grudgingly. “I haven’t lied to you. I have only withheld information based on what Orinda allowed you to see in the diary.”
Though her hand softened within his, she still frowned. “There were only a few blank pages left.”
“Yes, and I’m sure even as we speak, they will be complete. Do you remember reading how Orinda’s husband built a large house?”
She nodded.
“His good friend, Mr. Kingman, his partner in trade, also built a large house. This is his house, or rather the part we’resitting in was his house. Then his son added on, and then my father added to it. I thought it was plenty large enough.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth opened.
Quickly, before she could grow angry, he finished. “The man Orinda married was the business partner of my great-grandfather. My family continued the trade portion of the business and now have many ships. I believe our ancestors’ close relationship is why Orinda can send us dreams.”
Her mouth snapped shut, and she pulled her hand from his and crossed her arms. “Orinda sent the dreams?”
He nodded, then stopped, questioning his own assumption. “I believe she did. It could be her husband since he and my great-grandfather were such good friends. I cannot be completely sure.”
