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“Of course, you did!” Sarah scooted back and looked at her sister. “You’re wonderful, Kate. You’ve always been wonderful, and he is a fool for not having seen that.”
Kate smiled at her. “I’m sorry that you had to work so hard to convince me, and I’m grateful that you didn’t give up when I all but threw you out of my house.” Tears glistened in her eyes. “You’re right. This is a new beginning, and I will do what I can to see my daughters happy.” She looked down at Frederica before shifting her gaze to Augusta and Dorothea. “To make them feel safe.”
Sarah hugged her sister, praying that Kate, too, would find happiness again. Yet from personal experience, Sarah knew it to be far from easy to leave behind the confinements of a life drilled into one since infancy.
Perhaps, now, at least, her young nieces would never know what that meant.
Chapter Two
OLD HABITS
As the first rays of light streaked across the dawn sky, Keir gestured toward a small clearing to the east with a stream running through it. Mr. Garner, seated atop the box of the carriage, nodded and then directed the horses off the frozen road. The clearing glistened in the morning light, ice crystals clinging to every branch and blade of grass. Mist hung in the air, giving the world an almost magical touch, making it seem like a place from one of the old legends.
Patting Scout’s neck, Keir murmured words of comfort to the gelding, sensing the animal’s fatigue beginning to set in. Keir, too, could feel weariness upon his bones, something heavy that weighed them down and urged him to close his eyes. The time for rest, though, had not yet come.
Keir lifted his head and looked towards Mr. Garner, who just now pulled the carriage to a stop. The hunter then jumped off the box, alert as always; yet Keir saw signs of exhaustion upon his face as well. Of course, that was to be expected. After all, they had not slept in almost two days.
“I’ll see to the horses,” Mr. Gardner remarked as Keir swung himself out of the saddle. He glanced back at the carriage. “You see to the ladies.” A good-natured grin came to the man’s face before he took Scout’s reins and led the gelding away.
The frosted grass crunched beneath Keir’s boots as he approached the carriage. Everything seemed still inside, and so he quietly opened the door. His eyes blinked into the dark interior until they settled upon Sarah’s face, her eyes closed in slumber.
For a moment, Keir was reluctant to wake her, knowing that she, too, had been through a lot these past two days. Still, he did not wish to rob her of the chance to move her limbs and breathe in fresh air. He gently placed a hand upon her shoulder, giving her a soft shake. “Sarah! Wake up, lass.”
To Keir’s surprise, the one responding to him was not Sarah but Augusta instead. The girl rubbed her eyes and yawned widely. “Are we there yet?”
Keir smiled at her. “Not quite, lassie. But we stopped for a bit, and I thought ye’d like to step outside.”
Sarah stirred as Augusta shook her little sister awake without another thought. “Thea, wake up! Wake up!” Only moments later, the two girls bounded out of the carriage with such eagerness that Keir had to jump aside to avoid being overrun.
He laughed, relieved to see their joy.
“Is it morning yet?” came Sarah’s voice, and Keir turned back to look at her.
Although she had slept at least a little, dark circles still rested beneath her eyes, and her skin seemed pale. Yet the touch of red that came to her cheeks as their eyes met warmed Keir’s heart. Aye, he had always managed to make her blush. Sometimes it was only a faint hint of crimson, while at other times her cheeks shone like a beacon in the night sky.
Only now, her left cheek also sported other colors, and Keir gritted his teeth at the memory of Birchwell’s attack on her. He did not even want to contemplate what could have happened if he, Keir, had not returned the moment he had.
Determinedly, Keir pushed those thoughts aside as he took Sarah’s hand and assisted her out of the carriage and down the two steps to the frozen ground. Her blue eyes were wide as she looked around, and she ran a tentative hand through her hair, brushing unruly wisps behind her ears. “Where are we?” She turned around to meet his eyes.
“Still a good bit away.” Out of the corner of his eye, Keir noticed Sarah’s sister awaken. For a moment, Lady Birchwell seemed disoriented, fear widening her eyes as she searched her surroundings. Then, Keir saw recognition flare up before she exhaled a deep breath.
“Are you all right?” Sarah inquired, stepping back toward the carriage. She held out her hand to her sister, and Lady Birchwell grasped it, her other arm wrapped tightly around her infant daughter.
“I’m well. Thank you.” Her gaze moved from Sarah to him, something knowing coming to her eyes before she nodded to them and then stepped away. At first, Lady Birchwell seemed unsteady upon her feet, but then as she stretched her limbs and breathed in the fresh morning air, Keir saw her truly awaken. Her demeanor changed, and something tentatively hopeful appeared upon her face. She gently rocked Frederica in her arms, her eyes moving to her other two daughters as they chased one another around the clearing, laughing as Loki followed them, shaking his little paws against the wetness upon the ground.
“How is she?” Keir asked Sarah when she came to stand beside him.
Sarah shrugged. “I don’t quite know. She’s grateful to have escaped him, and yet I think at the same time there’s still a part of her that doubts the wisdom of that decision.” She raised her eyes to him. “It is not easy to leave behind the only life ever meant for one.”
Unable not to, Keir reached out to take Sarah’s hands within his own. “And how are ye?” He loved the feel of her tender skin against his own, but not nearly as much as the blossoming blush upon her cheeks.
On impulse, Keir pulled her gently into his arms, unable to suppress the sudden urge to embrace her. Swiftly, he pulled her aside, around the carriage and away from view. His arms came around her, gathered her close as he gazed into her blue eyes. “I missed ye,” he murmured, torn between gazing down at her upturned face a moment longer and dipping his head to steal a kiss.
The smile that graced Sarah’s face was reply enough, and without another thought, Keir inclined his head and brushed a loving kiss onto her lips. Then he exhaled softly and pressed his forehead tenderly against hers, relishing the moment of holding her close. “Is there anything ye need?”
Sarah’s eyes met his, and her dainty hands came to rest upon his chest. “How long shall we be on the road?”
Keir noticed her gaze stray sideways and guessed that her thoughts were lingering upon her sister. And rightly so. After all, Lady Birchwell had only just given birth, not even a month ago. “I’m afraid ’tis a long journey. Perhaps a sennight if I were traveling alone. Now, considering weather and road conditions and stops for the night, I suppose ’twill take twice as long.”
