Mine Is the Night A Novel

Sixty-Four

There is a secret drawer

in every woman’s heart.

VICTOR HUGO



lisabeth’s fingers trembled as she tried to pin another cuff in place.

My heart is here at Bell Hill. Without meaning to, she’d all but confessed her fond affection for his lordship. No wonder he’d responded as he did. The tenderness in his voice, the warmth of his touch, the attentiveness of his gaze left little doubt of his mutual regard.

But ’tis too soon, milord. Much too soon.

She’d retreated to her workroom in haste, needing time to sort through her feelings. Keep thy heart with all diligence. Aye, she must. The only two men who’d ever professed to love her had also wounded her, savagely. She’d not offer her heart again until she was sure—very sure—he was not simply a good man but also the man of God’s choosing.

Elisabeth looked up at the window, a golden yellow square spilling light into the room. Is Lord Buchanan that man, Father? Silence was all she heard, though deep inside she knew the answer: Wait, my daughter. Wait.

She pressed on with her sewing, grateful to have work that occupied her hands if not always her thoughts. At least in her quiet workroom she was free to abandon the too-large bonnet, on loan from Mrs. Tait. In another day or two the unsightly mark on her cheek would disappear. Certainly by the Sabbath, or she’d be forced to wear the borrowed bonnet all day.

“Och!” Sally flung open the door unannounced, eyes and mouth gaping. “He did harm ye! That scoonrel.”

Elisabeth rose to her feet even as her heart sank. If Sally knew, so did the entire household.

Still catching her breath, Sally blurted out, “His lordship called us a’ into the dining hall. Told us ye’d been accosted by a man on the road hame and that we were to watch for strangers.” The maidservant drew closer, studying Elisabeth’s cheek. “Comfrey leaves,” she said. “Mr. Richardson can pluck ye some.”

“Such a remedy would be most welcome.” Elisabeth sat once more, then tugged on Sally’s apron, drawing the lass into the chair next to hers. “Did Lord Buchanan tell you anything else?”

Sally nodded vigorously. “Said we were to treat ye with respect. And to leuk oot for ye. Which I’m happy to do.”

“Bless you,” Elisabeth murmured. He’d not mentioned Rob’s name, then.

Sally went on, “The men o’ the hoose were vexed whan they heard what happened. A’ the lads have sworn to protect ye and keep ye safe.” She sighed dramatically. “I wouldna mind if Johnnie Hume did the same for me.”

Elisabeth pictured the young blacksmith on Water Row, his muscular arms wielding sledgehammers with ease. “Perhaps you’ll have your wish someday, lass.”

“Aye.” Sally winked at her, then jumped up from the chair and quit the room as swiftly as she’d arrived.

Elisabeth watched her go, then resumed her sewing, wondering if other visitors might come by to assess the damage. However embarrassing to have the household see her thus, Elisabeth was grateful they knew of her injury. Better to have such things discussed openly than whispered behind doors.

The path to her workroom was soon well trod. Mrs. Pringle brought a large flatiron. “A fine weapon, should the lout make another appearance.” Mr. Richardson did indeed find comfrey growing in a shady spot not far from the gardens and produced an abundance of fresh leaves to press against her wound. Mrs. Tudhope came in for a brief commiseration, leaving one of Elisabeth’s favorite apple tarts in her wake. And late in the afternoon, Hyslop stopped in to assure her that Belda would be saddled and ready promptly at five o’ the clock.

“Five?” Elisabeth asked, wrinkling her brow. “Not six?”

“His lordship’s orders,” the head coachman said.

When the hour came, Lord Jack himself arrived to escort her to the stables. He was freshly shaved and dressed in his black riding clothes, which fit his long legs and broad shoulders to perfection. Sewn by a tailor in London, she supposed. Or Paris. How easy it was to forget that Lord Jack had traveled the world.

“You’ll be home well before sunset,” he assured her, leading her across the grassy expanse north of the house. Though the air was clear and dry, the ground beneath their feet was still spongy from two days’ rain. “I’ve arranged for the mare to be boarded each night in Mr. Riddell’s stables on Kirk Wynd.”

“You’re most kind.” She looked up at him as they walked, his rugged face framed by the rosy orange sky. “The household has been quite … understanding.”

He slowed his steps, his gaze locked with hers. “You did not mind, then? Perhaps I should have asked your permission first.”

“ ’Tis best they heard the truth from you,” she told him, longing to say more. Because you are trustworthy. And because you are respected by all who know you.

A stone’s throw from the stables, Lord Jack stopped altogether, then turned toward her. “I think you’ll find the men of Bell Hill eager to guard your safety, Bess.”

She’d already witnessed their loyalty in action. “I cannot step into the servants’ hall without a footman watching over me,” she admitted, lifting her face, no longer caring if he saw her wound. “However can I thank you, milord?”

His answer was swift. “By riding home without delay.” Then he leaned closer, capturing her hands. “And by letting me take care of you, as I should have from the first.”

Elisabeth paused, her skin warming beneath his gaze. “I’ve always felt safe here,” she finally said. “Though I am not a woman who needs looking after. Truly, I can fend for myself—”

“Can you?” His voice was low, but she heard the faint edge of frustration. “Had I insisted you ride home in my carriage on Wednesday eve, you’d not be hiding behind this ugly bonnet.” He released her hand long enough to pull open the ribbon and lift the bonnet from her head. Then he examined her cheek, the touch of his gloved finger exceptionally tender.

“Would that I might remove his mark as easily as I dispensed with your hat,” he murmured. “Time and the Lord’s hand will manage what I cannot.”

Oh, Lord Jack. With him standing so near, his clean, masculine scent overwhelmed her.

“Come, Bess,” he said softly, “or we’ll lose our light.”

She moved forward, following his lead. “You are riding with me?”

“I am.” He was already waving over the stable lad, who had Janvier in hand. Hyslop was not far behind him, bringing Belda. Lord Jack lifted Elisabeth into the sidesaddle with ease, then mounted Janvier in a single sweeping motion. “Shall we?”

They trotted side by side along the tree-lined drive, a warm breeze moving through the branches, fluttering the leaves overhead. In another month the elms and maples would exchange their green garments for yellow ones, the oaks for bright reddish brown. Summer would truly be at an end. But not yet.

As they neared the road to Selkirk and the massive boulder loomed ahead, Bess gripped the pommel more firmly, aware of Lord Jack watching her. Without a word he moved slightly ahead of her, blocking her view until the road straightened again and the boulder, with all its grim memories, was well behind them.

She rode on, feeling her heart ease its frantic pace and her breathing return to normal. You’re not alone, Bess. The worst is over.

Lord Jack waited until she was beside him again, then asked amiably, “What can you tell me of Michaelmas? For we paid scant attention to such festivals aboard ship.”

She offered him a shaky smile, releasing the last of her fears. “Michael is the patron saint of the sea and of horses as well, yet you’ve never paid him homage?”

“Nae, madam. Though for the sake of Janvier and Belda, I might reconsider. What rituals must I endure?”

“I cannot say what the good folk of Selkirk may do, but Highland women gather carrots on the Sunday afternoon before Michaelmas.”

“Laboring on the Sabbath?” he said dryly. “Won’t Reverend Brown be pleased to hear that?”

“Since Michaelmas Eve falls on Sunday this year, the hearth will be put to use too,” she informed him. “While the women are baking into the wee hours of the night, the men are lifting horses from their neighbors.”

“Lifting?” Lord Jack frowned at her. “Do you mean they pick them up?”

“I mean they steal them,” Elisabeth said matter-of-factly. “ ’Tis an ancient privilege but lasts only ’til the afternoon of Michaelmas itself, when the horses are returned unharmed.”

“You are certain about that part?”

“Have no fear, milord,” she assured him. “This is the Borderland. If the old rituals ever took root here, they’ve long been forgotten.” A sad truth, she realized, suddenly missing home. Would her mother ride round the kirkyard on Michaelmas with Ben Cromar’s thick arms holding her tightly to his chest? Would they give each other gifts according to the custom? And sing the Song of Michael?

As they neared the foot of Bell Hill, Elisabeth recited the words she knew so well. “Jewel of my heart, God’s shepherd thou art.”

“Beg pardon?” Lord Jack’s question brought her back to the present.

“ ’Tis a song for Michaelmas,” she hastened to explain. “Offered as folk proceed on horseback round the kirkyard, following the course of the sun.”

“Shall we revive all the old traditions for our Michaelmas celebration, then?”

“Not all, milord,” she said, trying very hard not to blush. The Night of Michael was known not only for its dance and song but also for its merrymaking and lovemaking. Elisabeth intended to keep such scandalous details to herself. “I know you do not care for dancing, but I hope you’ll not mind a lively night of music.”

“On the contrary,” Lord Jack replied, smiling rather broadly. “I am counting on it.”