Chapter 3 #2
My smile slowly spread. “Simple. Anyone who loves Graham is trustworthy. And you were so quick to leave Edleroy to save him, your love was clear as day.”
“Well, love is a bit strong. I’ve grown fond of the laddie over the years.” He pulled a side of his mouth up in a show of sarcasm.
“You can deny it all you like, but you probably love him as much as I do.”
“I hope not. Running a business with him is one thing; I’d never want to be married to him.” He turned to Patrice. “So, how did you get roped into this scheme of hers?”
Patrice had been standing there listening to our conversation, with great amusement, by the look on her face. She wasn’t one to speak first, but that didn’t mean she was afraid to speak. “I cannae let her run aroun’ the sea without me. Life is too borin’ without her.”
Mr. Ashby caught my eye again. “I can imagine so.”
I crossed my arms, pleased by the conversation. “That settles it, then. We are on this journey together.”
“Aye,” Patrice agreed. “Yoked together for better or worse.”
Mr. Ashby clicked his tongue. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You may yet regret asking for my help. If the worst does come, I would not blame you for abandoning me.”
“I’m not the sort to abandon people. That, apparently, is Graham’s modus operandi,” I said bitterly.
Mr. Ashby sighed but didn’t speak to that. “I’ll get you both rooms for the night,” he said, walking to the innkeeper.
I took hold of his elbow. “I have no intention of staying the night here. Our horses will rest for an hour, then we will return to the road toward Leith.”
Mr. Ashby turned his body fully to me, brows furrowed. “You wish to arrive at the port by morning?”
“You mean to tell me that you rushed from my home with the intention of wasting time in Selkirk?”
“My carriage ride was slower than anticipated. The wheel is being fixed and the horses must be changed. It only made sense to spend the night.”
“Leave the carriage. Let’s get you a fast horse so you can keep up.
We depart at one in the morning.” I went to the innkeeper and took it upon myself to cancel his rented room while paying for our dinner.
I looked back and saw Mr. Ashby watching me with intrigue.
Patrice stood next to him, studying his face.
She said something to him, and he looked at her for a moment before nodding and leaving the inn.
Patrice joined me. “He went to find a horse,” she informed me.
“I thought as much. I suppose we will have to wait here for his return.”
We sat at a table silently for a moment before Patrice spoke her concerns. “Do ye truly believe we can trust him?”
“I have no doubts,” I told her with full confidence. “Do you not recall his face after I read the letter aloud? He was completely shocked, horrified even. I believe his sincerity in wanting to help us. I think he is just as angry at Graham as I am.” I chuckled lightly. “It’s interesting…” I mused.
“What is?” Patrice prodded when I paused.
I glanced at her. “I feel like I’ve known Mr. Ashby for much longer than a few hours.”
“Ye met him in London three years ago,” Patrice said, yawning.
The memory of meeting Mr. Ashby at Almack’s back then had left an impression, but my entire being had been so focused on my reunion with Graham, I’d hardly ever thought of it.
“So, how long have you known Graham?” I asked Mr. Ashby as he led me along the dance floor.
He raised his eyes as he thought. “Just over two years. We have been in business together for nearly one year.” He then looked at me with a smile. “I’d ask you the same, but I am familiar with your history.”
“Are you?” I blushed, which wasn’t like me. I supposed Graham had that effect on me. “Does he speak of me often?” I met Mr. Ashby’s eyes again with a thrill, keen to know what Graham had said about me. Our heights were closely matched, so looking into his eyes was easy and comfortable.
When Mr. Ashby laughed, I was struck by its peculiarity.
He chortled with abandon, as if he had no scruples about being unusual.
The sound of a true boffin, someone who’d rather be reading than dancing.
Although one would not think so by the capable way he guided me around the dance floor.
“You seem to be very amused by it,” I said, smiling broadly at his singular oddity.
“Indeed. Very amused. You need not worry, however. Everything he says about you comes across in your favor. Words spoken with love, even while criticizing, will always sound like praise.”
“So he does criticize me, then.”
“Most ardently.” His rueful smile was somehow genuine.
Mr. Ashby led me away from the dance floor, where Graham stood waiting for me.
He was so handsome and tall, I almost lost all my breath.
He had spoken of me with love. I had already learned he had thought of me while we’d been separated these past two years, but now I knew he had spoken of me to his friends.
That made his confession a few days ago in Vauxhall Garden even more moving.
What was I to do with all this joy inside of me?
Then Graham pulled me aside and announced his trip to the West Indies. I thought my heart would crumble into a thousand pieces. What a night it was for my emotions; the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
What power first love had over a person’s heart. Some would do anything to protect those memories, that everlasting feeling. One might even go so far as to neglect one’s family and travel across the world in order to reclaim that love.