Chapter 54
54
My heart is like a singing bird.
Christina Rossetti
A few days later, Juliet returned to Ardraigh Hall with Loveday after spending several hours at Lamb Hill. Niall had proved a consummate host, and they’d begun talking of the coming wedding. Since the ball, Niall had approached Father with his intentions, and a settlement was underway with the Buchanan lawyers. In lieu of the banns being read, a license would be signed.
“A contract! When will these matters rest on love alone?” Loveday exclaimed as they emerged from the carriage onto the gravel drive. “’Tis silly when your very dowry comes from the Buchanans themselves!”
“Well, these protocols must be observed, however illogical,” Juliet said, looking past the carriage and horses to a sunlit meadow behind the stables.
Leith? Home already? Her heart gave a little leap. She pulled her hat lower to block the sun and better see him.
There, on lead reins, were the twins atop two Shetland ponies with flowing manes and tales. Bella’s was black and cream and Cole’s dun colored. Forgetting herself, Juliet hurried across the forecourt toward the meadow, leaving Loveday to enter the house alone.
Amid an expanse of green, Leith led Bella while a groom led Cole. But in truth, Juliet had eyes only for Leith. Out of his frock coat and weskit, stripped down to his shirt, breeches, and boots, he walked the pony backward and forward across the velvety grass, oblivious to her approach, his attention on his daughter.
“Mam!” Bella shouted with a little laugh, waving a hand.
Leith turned round and nearly brought Juliet to a halt. Caught up in the moment of the spring day—the warm breeze that bent the grass, the joy of his children—he seemed altogether altered. Nay, not altered. Better. His higher self. She wanted to throw her arms about him in gratitude, and only with the utmost effort did she temper her response in front of the stable hand.
She came to a stop along the edge of the meadow. “Such bonny ponies! What are their names?”
Cole looked at his father in question while Bella shouted, “Flora!”
After leaning down to whisper to Cole, Leith stood straight again while the lad yelled, “Charlie!”
Amused at the history lesson therein, Juliet continued watching them till Leith brought them to a stop, promising more on the morrow. They continued on to the stables with the groom, leaving Juliet and Leith following behind.
“When did you arrive home?” she asked, already wondering when he’d leave again.
“Soon after you left for Lamb Hill in the forenoon.”
“We just missed each other, then. How was Edinburgh?”
“Auld and reeking,” he said with a grin as she fell into step with him. “What happened while I was away?”
“Glad news—there’s to be a wedding Wednesday after next at Lamb Hill.”
“Och, I’m neither surprised nor disappointed.”
Elated, she tried to remember all the details. “You’re to stand up with them, as am I. Then after a wedding breakfast, the couple will leave on a wedding trip to Bath in the company of Father and Zipporah.”
“A reasonable plan. Needs be we join them at some point.”
Her discarded hopes revived. “I’ve always longed to see Bath.”
He looked at her in that intent way he had. “And eat Bath Oliver biscuits and visit the shops on Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon, likely.”
She smiled, trying to imagine it. “All of it, yes.”
“I suppose we didn’t have a proper honeymoon.” His brow creased, and he looked down at his boots. “The Glasgow Lass hardly suffices.”
“I sometimes wonder what I would have done had you sailed away without me.”
“Fate is a fickle thing.”
“Fate, yes,” she said. “But not Providence.”
“Meaning the divinely delayed cargo allowed you to overtake me and ask for my hand.”
She almost laughed. His teasing was not far afield. “Do you regret it?”
“Nae.” He came to a stop behind the stables in a patch of shade where ivy climbed to the gambrel roof. “Do you?”
“Do I?” She stepped nearer him into the shade of the building. “Let this be my answer.”
Mindful of her hat, she pulled it free and let it drop into the grass at her feet. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him, so quickly and lightly it was more a brush of her lips. When he reached for her she eluded him, snatching up her hat.
“Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, Luther said. Or as a wise Scotsman recently told me, ‘When you wed hurriedly, you court after.’” She turned away with a last look over her shoulder. “For now, ’tis the four hours, as you Glaswegians call it. Time for tea.”
That night, Leith joined them for supper in the smaller of the two dining rooms off Ardraigh Hall’s entrance. This one was Juliet’s favorite, with its sculpture niches and stucco panels of the four seasons. Niall arrived from Lamb Hill and sat beside Loveday, their hands intertwined beneath the table, while Father and Zipporah sat across from them, leaving Leith and Juliet at opposite ends. The twins, worn out from their time in the saddle, had an early supper followed by a bath and bed, overseen by Nurse.
“So, I’m pleased to hear you’ll soon join the Buchanan clan,” Leith said to Loveday, raising a glass of Madeira at meal’s end.
Juliet lifted her glass, as they all did, toasting the coming nuptials.
“With pleasure,” the would-be bride replied, beaming. “To live out my days at Lamb Hill beside my sister and yourself gives me the greatest happiness.”
“Praise be that we’re all on this side of the Atlantic.” Father set his glass down, and a footman refilled it. “Have you seen the latest papers?”
“Full of American news, aye.” Niall sat back in his chair. “All the colonies continue to ban the use of British goods, and there’s now rumor of a second Continental Congress to come.”
“Moreover, there’s talk that the soldier and surveyor, George Washington, may be appointed commander in chief if there’s to be a war.” Father heaved a sigh. “He’s a formidable foe if it comes to that.”
“I met his lovely wife, Martha, whilst in Williamsburg. A lively, engaging woman,” Zipporah added. “But all this war talk seems nonsense. How would these Americans fight us? They have no military, just ragtag militia.”
“They’re said to be amassing an army and have begun building their own armed ships.” Leith took another drink. “My guess is they’ll strike British warships near colonial ports. There’s even talk that they’re soliciting aid from foreign nations. France will likely be paid in tobacco for arms and ammunition.”
“Our avowed enemy.” Father muttered an oath. “But closer to home, how does it affect you tobacco merchants?”
“Mayhap the ladies best retire to the drawing room while we continue that conversation,” Leith said, looking to Juliet.
“Thank you kindly.” She stood and gave him an appreciative glance. “I shall always prefer wedding to war talk.”
Chuckling, the men resumed their conversation before the women had cleared the chamber. Juliet closed the door to allow both sides privacy.
Zipporah stood by the hearth, drawing her shawl closer about her shoulders. “I’m so glad your father and I will be here to attend your wedding. You’ll be a beautiful bride.”
“Nine more days,” Loveday said with a smile, sitting down on a sofa facing the fireplace. “Loveday Catesby Buchanan sounds almost poetic.”
“Indeed it does.” Juliet took a cup of hot chocolate from Rilla with a smile. “If only Aunt Damarus were here. You’ve written her of your plans?”
“Just yesterday I posted a letter telling her all the little details.”
Zipporah raised a brow. “Do tell!”
“Well, to begin, I shall wear my lilac silk taffeta, and my bouquet will be lily of the valley from the orangery at Lamb Hill.” Loveday took a sip from her own cup. “Our wedding cake shall be decorated with royal icing and candied violets, though I suppose Aunt wouldn’t care for our use of sugar.”
“Well, perhaps one might make an allowance for so special an occasion,” Zipporah said. “I’m very happy to have all the tea we want at our disposal on this side of the Atlantic too.”
In the next room the men’s voices seemed to rumble. Tobacco smoke snuck beneath the door. Fragrant Tidewater tobacco. Yet this room was a far cry from Royal Vale’s parlor. Would she ever be at home here? She didn’t miss the steady hum of the city, but at least there she could be alert to the needs about her and do good. Here she felt like a plant in the orangery, all foliage and little fruit.
After a game of whist, the women sought the staircase amid yawns and murmuring about plans for the morrow while the men talked on in the dining room till well after midnight.