Nineteen #3
“Let me pack a few things,” Constance said, her excitement rising as she realized she truly was returning home, and with the man she loved. “It won’t take long. I’ll take items for Fiona and Grace, too.”
She started to turn away but Fiona’s voice stopped her. “I’m not leaving England.”
The words had the impact of a pistol being fired in the room.
“You must,” Gordon said. “You are my sister. I take care of you.”
Fiona swallowed. Her eyes were huge. She clasped her hands in front of her as if holding them for courage. “I don’t want to leave, Gordon. I won’t go.”
He studied her a moment and then drew a deep breath. “Then I shall stay here.”
Almost everyone in the room disagreed with that idea. Not only was it too dangerous for him, but now, as Phillip pointed out, they were all implicated in the matter.
“There are people searching for that sword,” Phillip pointed out. “If you stay here, we are all in danger.”
Fiona spoke to her brother. “I have no desire to go to America. This is my home.”
“But how will you survive?” he asked.
“We’ll take care of her,” Charlotte said, a suggestion that was quickly seconded by the others. “Finally, I’ll be able to give someone a Season. And look at you,” she said, taking in Fiona. “Why, if we put you on the marriage mart, we might snare a duke.”
Both Gordon and Fiona shook their heads. He said, “I feel I must protect her.”
His sister turned to him. “No, you must see to your own safety. You have a wife to take care of, Gordon.”
“And a child,” Miranda agreed.
“But what of you?” he asked.
“I must find my own way,” Fiona said. “All will be well. Don’t worry.” She stood pale and defenseless, but resolute.
“She’ll be safe,” Justin assured him. “We will take care of her like one of our own. After all, you and I are still clansmen, of the heart if not by blood.”
His words humbled Gordon. “What of you, Grace?” he asked. “Are you coming with us?”
Grace wrinkled her nose before admitting honestly, “I prefer staying here, too.”
Gordon crossed to his sister. He took her in his arms and hugged her, not wanting to let her go. “I shall worry about you every day.”
“Don’t,” Fiona said, tears pooling in her eyes. “We always knew that one day our paths would part. It’s the fate of siblings. Besides,” she added,” I’m safer here than you will be with the Indians there.”
Her honesty made them all laugh, including Alex. “It’s not bad,” Constance assured her.
“I nursed Brian’s ear,” Fiona said. “I’ll take my chances here.”
“We shall take care of her,” Charlotte assured Gordon. “Francesca, Miranda, and I will find her a wonderful husband. She’ll be the toast of the ton.”
Constance gave Fiona a hopeful smile, realizing that she was the only one in the room who had noticed how pale she had gone at Charlotte’s enthusiasm. Constance moved toward her. “Please, learn to trust again,” she whispered.
Fiona’s answer was a wan smile.
Gordon, still standing next to his sister, embraced her again. “You will write me.”
“Of course,” Fiona promised. “And I will have Tad,” she said, showing some spirit. “He’ll see me safe. He likes me better than he does you anyway.”
“So you say,” Gordon bantered back, but there was a sadness in his eyes.
Alex took charge. “Hurry and pack,” he said to Constance. “There isn’t a great deal of time to ready a ship.”
In the end, Constance was ready in a ridiculously short amount of time. Within two hours they were dockside, waiting in the coach while Alex talked to one of his captains.
Her sisters and their husbands had all insisted on coming to see them off.
Fiona and Grace had stayed behind. Fiona had claimed it would be too hard to watch her brother sail out of her life.
Constance understood. Saying good-bye to her sisters was sad, but she was excited about the future.
Her path no longer followed Charlotte’s and Miranda’s.
Instead, she belonged with this man standing by her side. It was the fate of siblings.
As it turned out, there was a ship owned by another company preparing to leave on the morning tide. It was a sloop being delivered to a buyer in New York harbor. Alex used his influence to gain boarding for Constance and Gordon.
The first streaks of dawn were appearing in the sky as Constance hugged Charlotte and Miranda one last time. She then put her hand in her husband’s and they climbed the gangway.
As the sloop was set loose of its moorings, Gordon stood with his arms around Constance. She waved to her sisters until the ship rounded a bend and they could be seen no more.
For a second a stab of fear paralyzed her…but then her husband kissed her ear. Here, with him, was where she belonged.
Leaning back against his chest, she said, “You won’t regret leaving. You can’t imagine how beautiful the valley is.”
“I don’t need to imagine it,” Gordon said. “Anyplace is beautiful as long as I have you with me. We are going to build a good life together.” He swung her in his arms. “Come, wife,” he said. “We have a lifetime of loving to start.”
And that is exactly what they did. Down below, beneath the deck of a ship, nestled together in a hammock, two became one…never to be parted again.