Elspeth frowned. “It stands on a hill, Your Ladyship, and it’s quite a large place. I’ve never been inside, but you can see it from just outside Perth. Everyone knows about Kilmarin. And the Tullochs. Everyone near Perth, that is.”
“Tell me about the Tullochs.”
“I always thought I’d be married to a Tulloch, but my heart only saw Robbie, come to visit a relative, and one glance was all I needed.”
Elspeth’s face glowed with love.
Why was it some people loved easily and well, while others had to struggle at it? Some people didn’t suffer any hills and valleys in their relationships but experienced, instead, a calm ocean.
She felt passion for Montgomery, but would she ever feel placid? She sincerely doubted it. Parts of his character rubbed against parts of hers, and the friction was sometimes annoying, often exciting, but never peaceful.
“Everyone for miles around is a Tulloch,” Elspeth said, smiling. “It’s like being a Fairfax,” she added. “If you aren’t a Tulloch, then you’re married to one.”
“What do you mean like being a Fairfax?”
Elspeth smiled. “Well, not everyone, Your Ladyship. Just everyone at Doncaster Hall. Robbie’s uncle was a Fairfax. Most of the maids have a connection to the family. Even Mr. Kerr.”
“Mr. Kerr?” she asked, surprised.
“His mother was a Fairfax. Didn’t you know?”
She shook her head.
Elspeth suddenly sat up straight.
“Your Ladyship,” Elspeth said, peering out the window with a very odd expression on her face. The view was of the interior of the station. Not a particularly pleasant vista, but little to alarm the girl.
“What is it?”
“Lord Fairfax just entered the station,” she said. “He doesn’t look happy.” She turned to stare at Veronica. “And my Robbie’s with him.”
A dozen thoughts tumbled into Veronica’s mind, none of them coherent.
“Are you very certain, Elspeth?”
Elspeth nodded.
She clasped her hands together so tightly they hurt.
A few minutes later, the door at the end of the car opened. Montgomery stood there, taking up all the space. Behind him was Robbie, looking as if he’d rather be anywhere but here.
Montgomery stepped aside, and Robbie entered the car. Veronica stood, moved to the front, allowing Robbie to sit beside Elspeth. At the moment, blessedly, the car was empty except for the four of them.
“Wife,” Montgomery said, his gaze locking on her face. To the casual observer, his face might have appeared expressionless. She could feel his rage, however. Not to mention that his blue eyes were as cold as shards of ice.
“Husband,” she said, in a tone equally frigid.
Montgomery stood with feet apart, hands clasped on either side of the doorframe. Steam from the engine tugged at his jacket, tousled his hair.
“We need to talk, you and I.”
Conscious of the curiosity of the couple behind them, she made her way out of the car, consenting to go only as far as the landing. No one was boarding at the moment, but the location wouldn’t remain private for long.
Montgomery didn’t speak, annoying her even further. She was truly tired of his silences, tired of his eternal, ever-present, restraint.
She folded her arms, determined to be as stubborn.
Montgomery had more practice at stoicism, however.
