Chapter 50
50
A flower cannot blossom without sunshine nor a garden without love.
Chinese proverb
“I hope you don’t think me a meddling sister,” Juliet began as she and Loveday dressed for church the next Sabbath. “But I do hope you give special consideration to Niall Buchanan.”
Loveday paused before the looking glass to adjust her garnet necklace. “And why would I?”
Juliet warmed to the teasing in her tone. “Because we would not only be sisters but sisters-in-law?”
Laughing, Loveday turned to face her. “What does he have to recommend him in your eyes?”
“’Tis not my eyes but yours that matter.”
“Very well.” Loveday sat down on the dressing table stool and trellised her fingers in her lap. “On the face of it, he is remarkably handsome. Braw, rather. He seems kind. Kinder than his brothers—or at least less hardened by business. He’s promised to give up pugilism.”
“Has he?” Juliet said as Minette brought her cape. “Go on.”
“We have more than a few things in common. A love of gardens, art, travel ... children.”
“He is indeed a devoted uncle. Bella and Cole adore him.”
“I was doubly smitten when I saw him playing with them.”
“Does anyone else compare?”
“No one.” Loveday’s smile faded. “But am I being too forward or foolish to give my heart away so quickly?”
“One can lose one’s heart at first meeting—even against one’s will.” Juliet was thinking more of herself and Leith, a mystery that still confounded her. “You have no reservations, do you?”
“Nary a one, but...”
“Who can define such a mysterious feeling? There is often an undeniable attraction, an inexplicable infatuation, which strikes like a lightning bolt out of the blue.”
“I won’t deny it.”
“I also know that hope deferred maketh the heart sick. But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
“You sound much like Mama.”
“If Mama was here, she might tell you the same. Sometimes ’tis best not to mull matters too much. Just pray about them and see where the Lord leads.”
“In your case, to York Town and a lighter.” Loveday’s wistfulness turned to relief. “And if you hadn’t done that, where would we now be?”
“We’d be at Royal Vale, facing charges brought by Riggs, still yoked to a system I abhor, including insurmountable debt.”
“You rescued us both.”
“Not me, Loveday. The Lord made a way forward despite my foibles and missteps. Yet despite being grateful, there’s much here that needs help and nettles me—” Juliet left off as Minette reappeared with Loveday’s cape.
From somewhere in the heart of Glasgow, church bells began pealing, reminding them it was the Sabbath. With a last look at each other, they linked arms and went below to the waiting coach.
Sitting side by side with Leith for the first time in St. Andrews-by-the-Green gave rise to all sorts of new feelings. Around them in the Buchanan pew were her family and his, a magnet for curious onlookers. Juliet kept her eyes down, moved by the music and a bit awed at hearing a pipe organ for the first time.
“’Tis known as the kist o’ whistles, or the whistling kirk,” Leith told her at its first soaring notes. “Some say the devil himself helped build it.”
Being here amid all the mahogany and crimson velvet and a towering pulpit adorned with a canopy and miter made her feel very small, the memory of their parish church smaller still. But the order of the Episcopalian service was similar to that of their Virginia parish, including the Book of Common Prayer , if the music was not.
The minister greeted them cordially after the service despite Euan commenting wryly that their seat rents were in arrears. Moving toward the green that bordered the kirk, where their carriages waited, Juliet spied Niall and Loveday bringing up the rear. He’d touchingly brought her a gift that had charmed her completely—Robert Sayer’s The Florist , a book of engraved flower illustrations from London. And even a set of paints to color them by.
“I must say, I’m relieved to be back in Britain,” Father was saying, walking somewhat slowly with a cane. “I despaired of setting sail, given the colonial threats of closing ports.”
Zipporah laid a gloved hand on his arm. “I believe it was worry more than gout that upended you. Bath should see you completely restored.”
Ah, Bath. Juliet felt a keen ache to go there. Though her headaches had lessened since coming to Scotland, she felt Bath would do her good too. But for now, Leith seemed intent on returning her and the twins to Ardraigh Hall. Royal Vale’s servants were already there.
She wrestled with disappointment at being separated from Leith, momentarily distracted by the sight of Loveday getting into another coach with Euan and Lyrica and Niall.
“I see that we’ve arrived in time to witness your sister’s courtship commence,” Father said with a smile.
“Indeed!” Zipporah settled back on the upholstered seat beside him with a satisfied smile. “How fortunate we’ve arrived in spring with everything beginning to bloom.”
“You should see the garden in back of the Virginia Street house,” Juliet said. She’d taken the twins there nearly every day, rain or shine. They were particularly fond of the little stone-rimmed pond with its ducklings. “’Tis quite charming.”
“Wait till you see Ardraigh Hall’s,” Leith told her, shutting the door. “The wilderness there is remote, but the park should suit you and the children.”
“Wilderness?”
“The acreage between the formal gardens and the deer park. I’ll show you myself.”
“So, you’re coming with us?” she asked, nearly holding her breath till he answered.
“Aye,” he said.
Their return to Ardraigh Hall was exactly in reverse—Nurse riding with the baggage in a lead coach while Juliet and Leith accompanied the children in the rear. This time, however, Cole sat upon his father’s lap while Bella sat on hers, safe from the coach’s swaying and dipping. Juliet felt a bit anxious as the spring wind whipped the conveyance, threatening to topple them. Closing her eyes, she sent a prayer heavenward for safety, then gave thanks it was only a few miles more.
“Are you well?” Leith asked, concern tightening his features.
“I am now.” She smiled at him and braced herself as another gust of wind shoved them. The brazier at her feet had never been more welcome. Would she ever adjust to Scotland’s weather? At his continued regard of her, she added, “I was just remembering my mother, who died on a windy winter’s day.”
He held her eyes for a second longer, and she wondered his thoughts. Would small revelations like these build some sort of bridge between them? Soon Father would leave. Loveday also. Juliet despaired of being alone with this man unless she knew him better.
When Bella held out her arms to her father, he raised his brow, but he took her from Juliet and passed her Cole, who held tight to his hobby horse. Bella locked her arms about Leith, standing in his lap and kissing him with enough vigor to dislodge his cocked hat.
“Who’s been teaching them such tricks?” he half growled at Juliet.
“By tricks, if you mean a show of affection, then I am guilty,” she said, retrieving the hat.
“I even caught them kissing the cat.”
“Have you never kissed a cat?” She caught the barest glimmer of a smile in his eyes as she said, “Then your education is quite lacking.”
“Kitty?” Bella asked, looking about.
“Kitty is coming with Aunt Loveday in a special carrier,” Juliet told her. “Hobbes would be meowing quite loudly by now if he were here.”
“Da?” Bella said, bringing his hand to the leather shutter to raise it so she could see out.
He obliged, looking at the windswept landscape pulsating with new life. Juliet did the same, her eyes drawn to the twin towers that were let to the Romany. Smoke spiraled upward, hazing the green fields about them.
She thought of Havilah. Did he?
Rather, did he think of her often?
“I’m excited for Father to join us,” she said. Loveday had decided to stay in the city on account of Niall. Perhaps Juliet’s talk with her about him had done some good. “Will your brothers and Lyrica be joining us at Ardraigh Hall?”
He cleared his throat. “All three estates border each other, so we often go back and forth.”
“Are we there yet?” Bella chirped as she began kicking her legs against the seat in a flurry of quilted petticoats. Cole began squirming beside Juliet, clearly done with riding, so she dug in her pocket for some marzipan fruit Cook had made.
Raising his cane to tap on the ceiling, Leith instructed the coachman to use the west entrance. “You’ll get a better view of the park and gardens that way,” he said to Juliet.
“Go over the bridge?” Cole asked, chewing on the marzipan.
“Not today,” Leith answered as they left the main road for the back of Buchanan land.
Raising the window shade higher, Juliet took in the rolling landscape as her mind stretched beyond the James River to make room for her new view. An Eden-like park soon to be awash with bluebells bordered the house on two sides. Black swans floated on a vast lake that rippled in the wind. From the back, the house looked more castle on the rise, and she felt she’d stepped into a fairy tale.
“Home, Da?” Bella asked, looking back at Leith as he held her up to the window.
“Aye, home,” he answered. “And glad of it.”
Ardraigh Hall seemed more home to Juliet too with Royal Vale’s servants about her. She embraced them, realizing Hosea had grown taller and Rilla more lean while the others seemed unchanged—all but Sage, their former coachman, whose remaining hair was now snow white. All were anxious to share their experiences aboard ship.
“When Colonel Catesby told us Royal Vale was now Mr. Buchanan’s, he gave us the choice of staying in Virginia, where we might see war, or braving a land we’ve never seen.” Sage took a breath as if worn out by the words, given he was a taciturn man. “We held a meeting, even talked with Reverend Moses, and decided to come together by ship.”
“I never did see such a sight as all that water,” Rilla said with a shake of her head. “I was sick afore I set foot on the boat and all the days in between till I landed. I aim to die right here, as I’m never going to cross back over to Virginia again.”
“I watched those jacks on board and wanted to join them.” Hosea looked proud. “Captain Walker let me take the great wheel a time or two and even explained celestial navigation.”
Lilith and Marion showed her the lacework they’d done while Vestal remarked about the dolphins and sighting a whale. They were anxious to know their places in the household, and Juliet sensed their concern about how the other domestics would accept them.
“You understand that by your coming here, the laws of America, especially colonial Virginia, no longer apply.” She marveled that when one simply changed shores, their standing and future changed with it. “British law states that as soon as you set foot on English ground, you became free. Free to leave here and seek employment elsewhere if you choose—something I support you in wholeheartedly—though if you desire to remain in our employ, I’ll do all that I can to see that you’re well rewarded.”
They fell into a thoughtful silence. Such a realization would take time, though she wondered, having been born into slavery like they’d been, if they’d ever feel truly free.
“Miss Jul—Mrs. Buchanan, since you’re the new mistress, will you be managing the household here like at Royal Vale?” Vestal asked.
“I shall, so please come to me with any questions or concerns like before. Father will be arriving shortly, and I know Loveday will be overjoyed to see you again.”