Potential
Eliza was drifting around the garden, trailing her fingers over the roses.
She’d always loved their velvety softness and their scent.
Her homemade rosewater had been much in demand.
People had often remarked on the quality of her skin, and it was Isaac who had encouraged her to start a small business.
She had grown camomile and lemon balm for tea in the field at the back of the house.
She’d always loved to be outside when the weather permitted, tending her flowers and plants, walking their little dogs along the beach, taking picnics up to the downs.
‘You are looking very pleased with yourself,’ Isaac said.
‘Our guest seems to have had a very happy day,’ she replied. ‘There’s a sparkle to her eyes which was sadly missing when she arrived.’
‘And you are attributing this to what exactly?’
‘Being here, of course.’
He smiled down at her. He knew her so well. Perhaps too well. A little flicker of angst flared up. Could you know anyone too well?
‘And?’ Isaac prompted.
‘Well, getting out and about around the castle and spending time with those delightful young ladies. It’s always so invigorating to spend time with younger people. They have a different perspective to impart, and Tasha is so bright. She really doesn’t realise how much potential she has.’
‘And our guest?’
‘Of course she has potential, Isaac, potential to overcome this terrible period in her life. We’re all much stronger than we give ourselves credit for, are we not?’ She paused. ‘But it helps if we have loved ones to support us along our sometimes precarious path in life.’
‘When you say loved ones, Eliza, I trust you are not letting any romantic notions get the better of you once again? It may have worked once with Carrie and Guy, but it is unlikely to be repeatable.’
‘Isaac! Would I do such a thing?’
He frowned.
‘Yes, Eliza. I’m afraid to say that I think you would.’
She smiled mischievously at him.
‘Sometimes, Isaac, it doesn’t do any harm to throw a little magic into the air and see where it lands.’
Isaac sighed.
‘Oh, Eliza, please tell me that you didn’t cause Lance to hit his head on the beam above the door this morning.’
She stared at her feet.
‘He may have accidentally just tripped over the point of my shoe,’ she said.
‘Accidentally? How? What were you even doing in such close proximity? Haven’t we talked about this? You are putting yourself, putting us, at risk.’
‘Oh, Isaac, he had no idea that I was there and neither did Jules. She doesn’t pose any danger for she is not a believer, and the lovely potter is rather in awe of her, I think, so was not receptive to any other presence than hers.’
‘But he could have really hurt himself.’
She cast him a disparaging glance.
‘Isaac, you were always banging your head on that door lintel and it did no great harm. Besides, if I’d thought he was going to hit it too hard I would have made an effort to pull him back.’
Isaac paced up and down.
‘I really do think that we should be making a move, Eliza. Now the cottage is to be occupied by a collection of different people, I think it will be too disquieting for us to remain.’
He looked around.
‘With all of the comings and goings there will come a time when we will feel that this is no longer our home.’
‘No!’
He looked startled by the vehemence of her response.
‘Please do not say such a thing. It will always be our home, Isaac, even when we’re no longer here.’
He took hold of her hands.
‘Maybe, my dearest, maybe it is time for us to make a new home.’
‘I need to stay a little longer, Isaac.’
‘How much longer?’
‘I wish to remain while our latest guest is here. Can you grant me that?’
Isaac sighed.
Of course he could. He could grant her anything and she knew it.