Elsie
I folded the letter and smiled at his name on it. He would come as soon as he read this letter. With every part of myself, I knew he would risk everything to be with me. It was something Graham could never do, but I had wished he would—how did I cling to that love when he’d disappointed me so much and for so long? It was clear to me now that I had not loved him enough to follow him until I thought I’d lose him and all my waiting would be for nothing.
I grew more impatient to see Arthur with every passing day. For I knew, deep down, that he was equally impatient to hear my answer and seemeagain. Days turned to weeks. Butterflies filled my stomach and made me smile daily as I thought of him. At times, my chest would not contain my excitement and a laugh would burst from me. I received more than a few strange looks from my cabinmates.
Then, just as I thought I would actually go mad, Marianne announced our arrival in Scotland was imminent. “We will be arriving at Leith in a few hours,” she said.
“That is excellent news,” I replied cheerfully. “Will you be as glad as I to be on land again?”
She smiled softly. “Indeed.” With that, she left the cabin to rejoin her mother.
I went to the top deck and stood next to my father. We were already so close to Leith I could see buildings and many ships in the harbor. I exhaled a long breath at the sight.Home. I was almost home.
“Are you certain about this decision of yours?” my father asked me, watching the land as I was. We had spoken about my feelings for Arthur, and I’d told him of the letter I planned to send as soon as we docked. My father was against it at first, but I’d taken the time—because we had much of it aboard the ship—to explain why I’d fallen in love with him and why I wished to marry him. I told him how we respected each other, admired each other, and worked well together. I explained the difference between my feelings for Arthur and my feelings for Graham.
“I have never been more sure of anything,” I responded.
He sighed. “I have heard that before, you know.”
When I looked up at him, he was watching me skeptically. I would forgive his doubts, as long as he supported me. And it seemed like he did, surprisingly. It was not as if Arthur had much to offer me in regards to fortune or title.
But if I’d learned anything about my father over the past few weeks, it was that he truly cared for my happiness, a truth I had not known until now. So I smiled at him. “You’ll see.”
He nodded, turning back to the harbor. “If he’s as good a man as you say, I will accept him as my son-in-law. But I’ll not have youwaiting for him. You’ve become yourself again, so I won’t allow you to pine over another man.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry, Papa. If he makes me wait for too long, I shall give him up entirely.”Or I will go find him myself,I thought silently.
I was almost home, where my journey had begun with a letter delivered by the man I loved. I couldn’t wait to meet Melody’s new baby and learn how everything had gone with the birth, and I also couldn’t wait to regale Melody with my adventures and tell her everything about Arthur. She would be extremely surprised, but she would understand me just as she always did. This homecoming would be special indeed, as so much had happened in our separate lives.
Running into Melody’s waiting arms was the pinnacle of being home. She hugged me so tightly I felt I was losing the air from my lungs. But it only brought laughter. We rocked back and forth for several long moments before releasing each other. Her blue eyes were as bright as ever and filled with joyful tears. She wiped them away quickly and grinned at me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Father approach my brother and clamp hands on both of his shoulders, saying something to make my brother smile widely. Then my father went inside before us.
“You have tanned, Elsie,” Melody said. “And you seem stronger. What have you been doing all these months away?” She pulled me into an embrace once more.
I laughed. “I have much to tell you. So much that you’ll never believe me.”
“I’ll never believe another word you say, El,” Cameron said from behind his wife. He came around her to embrace me and kissed me on my head. “Never scare us like that again.” He looked into my eyes with complete seriousness.
Logan ran right to me and hugged my legs. I scooped him up with slightly more effort than I used to. He had grown far too much in just a few months. I kissed his soft cheeks.
“Let’s go into the house,” Melody suggested.
“Yes, let’s.” I took her by the hand while putting Logan down. “Show me your baby!” I exclaimed.
Melody laughed and walked with me into the drawing room, where my father was holding a little bundle. He smiled at me as I approached them. My father tipped the baby down so that I could see the face, and Melody introduced us. “Aunt Elsie, meet your niece, Kenna.”
She was just as precious as Logan had been at her age, but with an added sweetness for being a girl. Her eyes were wide and blue, framed in thick lashes. Her hair was a deep rusty red, just like her father. I grinned at Melody, then at Cameron, who threw an arm around my shoulders.
“I’m glad you’re back, little sister.”
“I am sorry I was gone, simply because ofher. Otherwise, I hardly missed you at all.” I cooed at the sweet baby girl.
We all spoke quietly as the baby slept, and then I began smelling myself and knew I had to clean up before I could continue. I bathed, changed, and brushed out my long hair. Just as I pulled the brushthrough one last time, I heard a knock at the door. Melody came in before I could answer. I turned and smiled brightly at her.
She sat on one of the chairs near the fire, beckoning me to follow, and I sat on the other. “Tell me everything.” Her eyes glowed with intrigue, and it made me reminisce about all the times we had sat together telling secrets and sharing our thoughts with one another. I had missed this more than I expected.
“Where to begin?” I sighed and leaned back, rubbing my forehead thoughtfully.
