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With gained courage, Brigid spoke. “I find my feelings growing no matter how hard I try to ignore them. I look forward to seeing him and I do not grow bored of our time together. We always find things to discuss or laugh about, and even silence is comfortable with him.”
“Then love him and be done with it.”
“I feel—”
Reena wasted not a moment; she finished voicing what her friend could not. “Guilty for loving him, when you should not. John would want you to be happy, as you would want the same for him. Do not waste time in doubt and guilt. Love Thomas, Brigid, love him with all your heart.”
“How?” Brigid asked. “He has shown no sign of loving me.”
Reena laughed. “It is obvious.”
“Again you see what others do not.”
“Magnus sees it.”
Brigid brightened. “Perhaps Thomas has made mention of his feelings to him.”
“Would you feel more comfortable with your own feelings toward him if I found out how he felt toward you?”
“Aye, I would. You would not mind inquiring, discreetly of course?” Brigid asked with a grin.
“If I do, what then will you do about it?”
“You challenge me,” Brigid said.
“Aye,” Reena admitted. “Thomas is a shy man with women. He thinks himself ugly, and while he loves you, I think he finds it difficult to believe that you could feel the same for him. So it will be up to you to make your feelings known to him.”
“Find out how he feels toward me, and then I will gather the courage and speak with him. But what of you?” Brigid returned the challenge.
Reena acted as if she did not understand. “What do you mean?”
Brigid laughed and shook her head. “I know you as well as you know me, Reena. We have grown up together and have known things about each other before a word was spoken. As you have seen my love for Thomas bud and grow, I have seen the same with you and Magnus, though I must say, his love for you has been evident.”
“You speak nonsense,” Reena said.
Brigid laughed again. “You know it is not nonsense. Magnus keeps you forever at his side.”
Reena sighed and slumped back in her seat. “I am confused.”
“Sounds like love,” Brigid teased.
“I had thought love was more simple and more defined.”
“If only it were,” Brigid said and relaxed back in her seat.
“The ache in my stomach—”
“Is part of love.”
“The constant thought of him—”
“Is love,” Brigid repeated.
“I tingle when he is near,” Reena whispered.
“Love.”
Reena grew silent, staring at the flickering flames in the hearth.
