“That would be nice,” Jocelyn said. She loved the seaside and hadn’t had the chance to explore it since she’d arrived.
“I was thinking something more exciting, but we can do that if ye like,” Clarissa said.
Willamina scoffed. “Stop making Jocelyn feel bad. I think a walk near the water sounds lovely.” Her hands stroked her belly. “I dinna feel up for much else.”
“You didn’t make me feel bad, Clarissa. Since I haven’t seen Leyson Castle before I think I would like to explore the grounds and get to know it. Mayhap we can have afternoon tea near the shore?” Jocelyn suggested, pleased when the other ladies agreed.
Gunn smiled. “’Tis settled then. Perfect.” He finished his soft-boiled egg and sipped his tea. Giving her a wink, she tried to come to grips with the feeling that had just overcome her.
Family.
That’s what she was feeling. A sense of belonging. She hadn’t felt it since she’d left her parents’ home when she’d married.
She leaned into Gunn. “Where are you going? Is everything well?”
“’Twill be once we finish. We’re going to pay Theodore a visit at his establishment that he funded with my coin.”
Her mouth fell open and she raised her brows. “That should be an interesting conversation. His face at your arrival will be priceless.”
“I do hope so. I want to see utter shock reflecting back at me.”
Worry flashed into her mind. “You’ll be careful?” she asked. She didn’t know why she worried. Gunn alone was more than capable of holding his own. With the four of his friends accompanying him, Theodore didn’t stand a chance. But still, a little niggle of worry ate at her periphery.
“Always. Dinna fash about me. All will be well.”
After everyone had finished eating and the serving staff had cleared away the dishes, the men said their goodbyes, promising to return soon.
Jocelyn watched Gunn leave the room, his friends following him out the door.
“Finally!” Clarissa exclaimed dramatically. “I honestly thought they would ne’er leave.” She giggled. “I jest. But why should they have all the fun? Let us enjoy the day.”
And they did. They froze their toes when they dipped them into the cool sea water and walked along the water’s edge. By the time they sat down to nibble on the tea and sandwiches Jocelyn had asked the cook to prepare, their feet were red as tomatoes.
Wrapping hers in the folds of her gown, she squeezed her toes, trying to get the blood flowing through them to warm them up.
“It has been too long since I’ve spent the day at the shore,” Willamina said. “’Tis always nice to wallow in the salty air.” She sat in a chair near the table that held their luncheon fare.
“I think we need to warm up. ’Tis a beautiful day, but the water was much too cold.” Lizzie shivered. “If our husbands were here, they would scold us for putting ourselves into a situation that could make us ill.”
“Especially ye, Willamina,” Clarissa chimed in. “Finlay would have our hides if ye caught an ague. We would ne’er hear the end of it.”
Willamina held up her teacup. “’Tis why I am drinking plenty of tea.”
For the rest of the afternoon, conversation flowed easily, as if they’d all been lifelong friends and were doing a weekly meetup. At no point did Jocelyn feel unwelcome. In fact, it was just the opposite. It was as if she was already part of the group and had been from the beginning. The feeling of belonging wrapped around her once again.
After, when the wind began to whip around them as if it were tinged with ice, they retreated inside. Huddling around the gigantic fireplace in the great hall, they stuck out their hands, rubbing them together to warm them.
“I must confess,” Jocelyn began. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such an enjoyable time spent with friends. Thank you.”
“Pfft. No need for thanks,” Clarissa guffawed. “We have fun whenever we’re together. Wherever we are. Ye’ll soon see.”
Jocelyn nodded, not knowing what to say. She was just so happy to be there and to be accepted.
“I think I will go upstairs and order a hot bath to warm up and wash the salt off my skin and hair,” Gwen announced.
“That’s a lovely idea,” Lizzie agreed.
“Mayhap after we can all meet in the game room for some bridge?”
