“Why do you have to go to Scotland? When I first met you, you were arguingagainsttraveling to Scotland, I believe.”
“My grandfather lives in Scotland. My mother’s father. I have to tell him about my mother, and I cannot simply send word to him in a letter, Douglas. Besides, I’ve never met him.”
His brows drew together. “Do you think now is an opportune moment to do so?”
“My mother and her father were estranged, and I know it always saddened my mother. Now, at least, I should make the effort to heal that rift. Besides, I cannot, in all good conscience, write that poor man and tell him the news that his daughter is dead in a letter. How cold and cruel would that be?”
“You couldn’t be cruel, Sarah. You worry too much for those in your care.”
She tucked that comment away to study later. For now, she needed his…consent? Surely not. No, she needed his company.
“Can you spare the time?” she asked.
“So you want me to go to Scotland with you?”
“Of course I do. You’re my husband.”
“And I’m Scottish,” he said.
She stared at him in surprise. “You’re not.”
“Never tell a Scot he’s not a Scot,” he cautioned.
“You never said. Nor do you sound like one.”
“I’ve lived all over the world since I was fourteen. I speak a number of languages. I haven’t been home in some years.”
“There,” she announced. “All the better reason why you should return. I couldn’t imagine being away from Chavensworth all that time.”
He ignored that comment for a question. “Where does this unknown grandfather of yours live?”
“Outside of Perth.”
He stared at her. “Perth, is it? That’s a bit of a coincidence.”
She frowned at him.
“I was born in Perth,” he said.
Actually, she had no knowledge of Scotland, other than it was a rugged, mountainous land, peopled—according to her father—with barbarians. She’d dismissed that opinion since her mother was Scots and certainly not a savage.
He glanced back into the interior of the observatory, then back at her. “How soon are you set on leaving?”
“A day? Two days,” she decided.
He nodded. “I’ll need a week,” he said.
“A week?” She thought of protesting, then kept silent.
“A week,” he said. “Are you very sure this is something you’re set on doing?”
“Very sure,” she said. “How many days do you think it will take to reach Kilmarin?”
“Kilmarin?”
“My grandfather’s home,” she said.
For the first time since she had met him, Douglas seemed truly out of sorts. Not irritated exactly, as much as discomfited. If she didn’t know better, she would think she’d given him a shock.
