Page 112 of Duke of Sapphire

“Perhaps Ian would like to show his parents Tam?” Henry read her meaning at once.

We should not speak of all the details with Ian present.

Henry set down his cup. “Ian,” he said. “Go to the stables. Ask the groom to help you prepare Tam. He must be presented properly to your parents.”

Ian nearly tripped over the rug in his haste. “I’ll make him ready,” he promised. “He’ll look grand.”

“Walk,” Henry said.

Ian slowed his step only a little. “Tam!” his voice echoed down the hall. “We’re comin’!”

When the door closed behind him, the room felt smaller.

Henry’s gaze returned to Nathan. “Tell me,” he said. “What happened?”

Nathan ran a hand through his hair. “We were on the north road,” he said. “Nae the usual one. I wanted to show Eleanor a view ye can only see from a particular ridge.”

Eleanor made a face. “Ye can see it fine from the safer road,” she said.

Charlotte watched them, her fingers tightening around the teapot.

Of course he wanted a view. Henry would call it folly. I call it something else. They lived the story I used to dream and nearly died for it.

“The storm came quicker than the shepherds said,” Nathan went on. “Rain ye wouldnae believe. The river swelled. The road crumbled under the wheels.”

“The carriage went down,” Eleanor said quietly. “We were still in it. It struck a rock. I broke my arm. Nathan’s head met something harder than it is.”

Nathan gave a rueful snort. “I woke with crofters lookin’ down at me. They live far off. Nay town. Nay post. Nothin' but sheep and stubbornness.”

“The storms kept them in,” Eleanor said. “Nay one was travelin'. Nay one could reach a village. We lay there for weeks, getting' better while the world went on without us.”

Charlotte pictured it, the small house on a hill, rain on a slate roof, a boy in England wondering when his parents would return. Her stomach turned.

Their story proved that the shepherd Henry and Charlotte had questioned was wrong. Besides, he’d been into his cups that night and his story should not have been relied upon.

“When I could stand without seein’ three of everythin',” Nathan said, “we made it to a town. First thing we saw was a notice.” He looked at Henry. “Drummond. Deceased. Wife also. I nearly threw it in the fire.”

Henry’s jaw tightened. Charlotte saw his hand whiten around his cup.

“We had no word,” he said. “Only rumors. Only the carriage. Nothing more.”

“I know,” Nathan said. “That’s why we sent the rider at once. Ye deserved to ken as soon as we did.”

Teacups clinked softly as everyone settled more firmly. Charlotte passed Henry his second cup without comment.

He looks steadier now.

Eleanor lifted her cup with her good hand. “My arm will mend,” she said. “Nathan’s head is as bad as ever but we are lucky.”

Nathan snorted. “We are stubborn. That’s more likely.”

Charlotte let herself smile. The room felt warmer. For a moment, the terror of the last months receded.

Ian burst back in. “Tam's ready!” he announced. “His mane’s brushed an’ he's standin’ straight. Ye have to see him now.”

Eleanor smiled. “We shall see him,” she said. “But first, come and have tea. Ye have been runnin' about, and I must make sure ye are eatin'.”

Ian groaned. “Tea first?”