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“That man that ye looked at when ye came into the Kirk,” Felix began, his voice hesitant, “the one about halfway down. Who is he to ye? I havenae seen him before.”
Edwina breathed a sigh of relief, for she had briefly worried it might be something more serious. “An old friend. My only friend, in truth, though I havenae seen him since the Kirk.” Over Felix’s shoulder, she searched the crowd for Victor’s familiar face. “I do hope he hasnae left already.”
“Ye’ve a friend who’s a man?” Felix sounded surprised.
“Och, he’s like a brother to me. We were raised together, ye see. Victor McAdams. He was my faither’s ward since he was a bairn, and we were always behavin’ like siblings.” Edwina continued to search the guests for her friend but could not see him anywhere. “I think ye’ll like him. At least, I hope ye do. It’s nae as if I have friends to spare.”
Felix still looked somewhat dubious. “If he means that much to ye, I’ll do my best to become a friend to him. Although, I’m nae much good at makin’ friends either.”
“Really? I hadnae noticed,” she teased, bringing her gaze back to him.
Victor will be here somewhere,she told herself.I can hunt for him and speak with him once I’ve had my fill of dancin’ with my husband.Just thinking of their new relationship made her feel dizzy with excitement, in a way she could never have anticipated. After all, she had avoided marriage for so long that she had assumed she would remain a spinster forever. If she had, she realized she would have missed out on one of the greatest experiences in life.
“Signal to the musicians for another lively reel,” she whispered, smoothing her palms up his chest until her hands cradled his neck. “I’ve a desire to dance with ye until I cannae dance anymore.”
Felix’s expression softened back into one of affection. “I’ll do it, but daenae tire yerself out too much, and daenae drink too much, either. Ye’ll need to have a good deal of yer strength and sobriety for our own private gatherin’, once we can leave this lot behind for the night.”
“Are ye determined to make me look like a beetroot?” She chuckled, yelping as the musicians suddenly began another reel, and her husband wasted no time in whirling her about the room.
If she could have paused time, she would have paused that moment. Two strangers who could have gone their separate ways had been thrown together by a silly fall in a darkened garden and the greed of a vile cousin, only to realize that it was the best accident that could have happened. Edwina’s heart soared at her good fortune, dancing in her husband’s arms making her feel as if she could truly fly.
Papa, why do I suspect that ye had somethin’ to do with this?She smiled, praying that itwasher beloved father, taking care of her even after he was gone. Just as he had always promised he would.
* * *
“I willnae be a moment, I promise!” Edwina called to Melissa and Meredith, who were trying to goad her into another dance with them.
Melissa wagged a finger. “Daenae think ye can sneak away without us noticin’. We’ve eyes like hawks, the pair of us, and we’d spend at least another hour with our new sister before ye vanish!”
“She’s hoppin’ about like a frog, Melissa. Can ye nae see that the poor lass needs a moment?” Meredith laughed and waved a hand at Edwina, giving permission for the latter to hurry off.
Grinning with so much joy that she felt her face would crack, Edwina did just that, running from the Great Hall. Although, it was only relief from the heat that she needed. It was proving rather difficult, even as the new Lady of Moore, to escape for some fresh air. Wherever she turned, people wished to offer congratulations and invite her into conversations. Ordinarily, she would have relished that, but the air had grown stifling after all the dancing.
I wonder if I should go to the gardens,she mused as she slowed her pace, coming to a quieter, cooler part of the Castle.Felix might have seen me leave and come to join me.
She had danced for hours with him, before he had been coaxed away by Angus and Ryder to mingle among the rest of the men. After that, she had danced for at least an hour more with Melissa, Meredith, and the children. Her sore legs were definitely feeling the strain of such merriment, but perhaps Felix would indulge her in caressing the aches away.
“Ye look beautiful, Edwina, but then ye always do.” A voice made her jump, for in the gloom of the empty hallway, she had assumed she was alone.
A figure stepped out of a recess with a goblet in his hand, looking rather worse for wear. His fair hair stuck out in all directions, as if anxious fingertips had been running through it. His eyes were bloodshot and shadowed by dark crescents, and his proud shoulders were slumped in a kind of defeat.
“Victor?” Edwina’s body relaxed. “Mercy, how much have ye had to drink?”
Victor stumbled forward. “Nae nearly enough.”
“Are ye well?” Concern replaced her fear, as she went to her old friend’s side and grabbed his arms to steady him. “Are ye residin’ here tonight? Shall I have someone take ye to yer chamber?”
Victor shook his head, reeling back like a spooked horse. “I’m nae residin’ here. I’m nae welcome here.” He sniffed. “I ken I should be happy for ye, but… ye’re the only friend I have in this world, Edwina. Do ye think that husband of yers is goin’ to let ye keep me as a friend, now?”
“He is eager to meet ye,” Edwina assured, troubled by the sight of her friend in such obvious pain. “I already told him who ye were and he’s promised to be friendly with ye. If ye come with me, I’m sure we can find him and—”
Victor grabbed her suddenly, slipping his arms around her and pulling her tight against him. “Why did ye do this, Lass? Why did ye nae come to me and discuss it with me? If I’d kenned what Kenney had done, I would’ve… I would’ve—” He trailed off, burrowing his face into her shoulder.
“Victor, please.” Edwina pushed against his chest to try and free herself. “Ye must release me.”
“Must I?” he rasped. “Ye never used to mind when I’d hold ye. When I’d come to Beckingdale, ye’d run from the Manor to meet me and throw yer arms around me. This is what I mean when I say that everythin’ has changed.”
Edwina pushed harder. “Ye’re goin’ to wake up in the mornin’ and be mortified by this, Victor. This isnae ye. This is the wine or whatever ye’ve had talkin’. So, cease now, before ye do somethin’ ye’ll regret.”
