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A warm glow rested in Keir’s eyes that made Sarah wonder. “Do you have such a friend? Someone you’ve known all your life?” Sarah instantly thought of Christina, one of the Whickerton sisters.
Keir nodded, and that warm glow in his eyes deepened. “Aye, I do. His name’s Eoghan. As lads, my brother Duncan, Eoghan and I were inseparable.” He chuckled. “We got into a lot of trouble together, going off on adventures, but ’twas always worth it.”
Sarah loved the joy in Keir’s gaze as he spoke of his friend. “Why did he not accompany you to England, then? Or has he outgrown the need for adventure?”
Sighing, Keir shook his head, and the glow darkened. “Nah, I dunna believe so. Only Eoghan lost his wife a few years back, and she left him with a wee lassie, Augusta’s age. Her name is Bonnie.”
“Oh.” Sarah swallowed hard, remembering the night Frederica had been born. There had been a moment or two when she had been uncertain if Kate would live. “I’m so sorry.”
Keir nodded, the expression in his eyes one of deepest sorrow. “Aye, he loved her fiercely, and it broke his heart. But Bonnie needed him, and so he continued on.”
Leaning closer, Sarah welcomed the way Keir’s arms closed more tightly around her. “He misses her still?”
Keir nodded. “Aye. Most days, he seems fine, the way he was before he lost her.” He exhaled slowly. “But then there are moments when I can see how deep the wound still is.”
Sarah closed her eyes and rested her head against Keir’s shoulder. “I cannot imagine his loss,” she whispered, and her fingers dug into Keir’s coat, holding on tightly. “I cannot imagine…”
More than once, Sarah had been on the brink of having to bid Keir farewell, and now, more than ever, she knew she could not bear a life without him. But could they have a future?
Of course, his family did not live by the standards and expectations of the Englishton, but would they truly approve of her? And if they did not, would that mean the end to all Sarah’s hopes? After all, Keir adored his family and to find himself faced with their disapproval would pain him. Certainly, he would not go against their wishes. How could he?
“What are ye thinking, lass?” Keir asked with frightening precision as he once more grasped her chin, urging her to look at him. “Ye have that look in yer eyes again.”
Sarah swallowed, annoyed with herself for spoiling this moment. “Your grandmother is a duke’s daughter, is she not?” Indeed, he had told her so once.
Keir nodded. “Aye, she is.” The corners of his mouth teased upward ever so slowly. “But she forgot how to be English a long time ago.” He leaned down and touched the tip of his nose to hers in a teasing way. “Dunna worry, lass. She willna judge ye. I can see that ye fear that. No, she will applaud ye for walking yer own path.”
A shuddering breath left Sarah’s lips, for her doubts would not be so easily silenced. “I could not have done so without you.”
Keir nodded. “And she couldna have done so without Grandma Edie.” He touched her cheek. “None of us can stand alone. ’Tis a universal truth and nothing to be ashamed of, ye hear me, lass?”
Sarah nodded as tears blurred her eyes, and a moment later, she found herself in an almost crushing embrace… and it felt wonderful!
Chapter Seven
AT AN INN IN GRETNA GREEN
The very moment they crossed the border into Scotland, Keir felt a hum in his bones. It was an odd sensation, and although he was still a good distance from the home he loved, he already felt its pull, tugging him onward, hastening his steps.Aye, ’tis good to come home!
The sun had already set, darkness falling over the world and the sleepy village of Gretna Green as they drew up to the inn. Its worn stone walls were light in color, set against a dark, but clear night sky, revealing a thousand stars. It was a moderate-sized, clean inn, and its windows glowed with candlelight, soft music and laughter spilling out into the night whenever the door opened.
Turning his head, Keir could all but see English soil; and yet it felt good to be on Scottish ground once more. On the morrow, they would continue their journey north, and Keir knew that feeling deep within him would only grow with each step he took. It had been too long, and a part of him could not wait to show Sarah his home, to have her meet his family. He could only hope that her heart would eventually feel at home in Scotland.
As Mr. Garner ensured that the horses were tended to, Keir assisted the ladies out of the carriage. The girls looked at this new place with wide eyes and curiosity, their sense of adventure not yet satisfied. Sarah, too, met his gaze with something akin to enjoyment and hopeful expectation. Certainly, there was a hint of nervousness about her, too. After all, everything these days was rather unknown to her, far away from what she had grown up with. Yet it was Katherine who looked deeply apprehensive. Although the last few nights sleeping in proper beds at various inns had restored some of her strength, the young woman still moved with great hesitancy, her gaze uncertain, as though she still doubted every step she took. Keir wondered how long it would take for her to truly feel at ease.
Together, they entered the inn and seated themselves in the taproom. Its wood beams were dark with age, the tables worn and the floor slightly uneven. Still, the light cast by the fire in the hearth illuminated the room with its flickering orange glow, warming not only their chilled fingers but their bodies, too. While Sarah saw to her sister and nieces, Keir ensured that they would be provided with a hearty stew, thick and meaty with carrots and potatoes, fresh bread on the side, toasted in the hearth and smothered with melted butter and honey. In Keir’s experience, a full belly soothed many worries and allowed one to take in the world with fresh eyes.
Indeed, once their plates were empty, their bowls freed of all contents, everyone appeared more relaxed. Even Katherine had a small smile flicker across her face as she watched her two eldest daughters whisper to one another, their eyes aglow.
Keir smiled at Sarah, meeting her eyes, seeing how relieved she, too, felt. Indeed, the atmosphere was one of contentment. It had taken them a good bit of time and effort to get here, but slowly everyone was settling into this new routine.
Then Keir rose to his feet and stepped over to Sarah, gently placing a hand upon her shoulder as he leaned down and said, “I shall see to our rooms.” He grinned at Augusta and Dorothea, both girls all but bouncing in their chairs. “And keep an eye on those little fleas. I have a feeling they might bounce away.”
Sarah chuckled, then glanced at her nieces, well-aware that both girls were listening. “What fleas? I don’t see any fleas.” She spun abruptly toward the girls, and they squealed. “Do you see any fleas?”
The girls’ giggles followed Keir as he crossed the taproom and approached the innkeeper’s desk. The man’s balding head shone in the firelight like a polished apple, and he wore a pair of round spectacles that made his eyes appear even smaller than they were. Again, Keir secured two chambers, one for the ladies and one for himself and Mr. Garner. As the innkeeper jotted down a few notes in a ledger and then rummaged through his desk for the keys to their rooms, Keir looked over his shoulder toward their table.
At Sarah.
