Page 123 of A Modest Independence

“Nothing so civilized as that.” She paused, almost hating to ask. “Would you?”

“Not at this particular moment.” He moved his thumb over the side of hers in a soft caress.

Butterflies stirred in Jenny’s stomach at the gentle familiarity of the gesture. “Do you ever stop to consider the sheer distance you and I have traveled since we left Dover?”

“Frequently.”

She threaded her fingers through his. “I can scarcely believe we’ve come so far. Though it hasn’t been much of a pleasure trip, has it?”

“I don’t know about that. There are certain aspects I’ve found immensely pleasurable.”

Heat bloomed in her cheeks. “As have I. But the journey itself has been so hurried. We’ve had no time to see the sights or truly get to know anyone.”

“We’ve gotten to know each other.”

Jenny met his eyes in the darkness. He looked back at her steadily, his blue gaze solemn—and a little sad—behind the lenses of his spectacles. “We have, haven’t we? We’re far better friends now than we were in London.”

“Is that what you plan to do after I’m gone? Settle someplace where you can get to know people? Make new friends?”

Some of the warmth went out of her at the reminder. But she refused to weep any more over their parting. She was resolved to be grateful for the time they had left together. Grateful for all that they’d shared thus far. “I’d like to. Very much.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Do you know, I’ve never slept under the stars before.”

“You may now, if you like.”

“I couldn’t possibly. We haven’t long to go. We’ll be at the ridge by morning. And then we’ll finally find out what happened to Giles.”

Tom’s cheek brushed over her hair. “I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

“Why should I be?”

“Because there’s a good chance we’ll learn nothing more about his fate than what we already know.”

“I won’t be disappointed.” She paused. “Well, perhaps I will be a little, but at least I’ll be able to write to Helena and tell her I did my best. That I left no stone unturned. Other than that…I couldn’t be disappointed in any part of this adventure. It’s been everything I ever wanted and more.”

“Has it been enough?”

“Enough?” The quiet question sounded a warning bell in her brain. Tom hadn’t yet pressured her outright to return to England, but it was always there—that subtle expectation that eventually she would go back to the life she had before. Jenny didn’t like it one bit. She nevertheless kept her voice light. “To quench my longing for adventure, do you mean?”

“Nearly three months in as many countries would satisfy most people.”

“I don’t judge myself by the standards of most people.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes. You’re wondering if I’m ready to go home. The answer is no. I won’t be, not for a long while I expect. Possibly never. I thought you understood that.”

“I do understand. I also understand that people can change their mind in light of new experiences.”

“Nothing I’ve experienced on this journey has made me sour on traveling.”

“Not even our present situation?” The bullock cart rattled and shook, jostling them against each other.

“Our present situation is lovely.” She closed her eyes for a moment—only a moment, nestling her cheek more comfortably on his shoulder. “You and I, together under the stars. What more could I ask for?”

“What more indeed.”

When Jenny next opened her eyes, dawn was breaking and the snow-clad mountains were looming ahead of them. She sat up straight, gazing up at them in wonder.

And then she looked down.