“I don’t need saving, but I am happy for the companionship,” Maud said, amazed at her own boldness.
There was something ghostly and gothic about being out at night. They continued to walk down the hill, and Mollie and Jack moved ahead of them. Part of Maud wanted to be with them, while the other part was thrilled by the rebellion of walking alone with Nate.
They were quiet for a moment; Maud searched for something to say. Why was it that at school it seemed so simple, but here, alone in the dark with him, she couldn’t think of one interesting thing?
“Are you enjoying Miss Gordon’s writing assignments?” Nate asked.
Maud was relieved to be talking about school and writing. “Yes! I’ve just given her my mystery, ‘The Queen’s Betrayal.’ I’m excited to see what she will say. So far she’s given me some interesting notes on how to make my rhymes work. I so love writing verse. It is my true calling.”
Nate cleared his throat. “I have a calling too.”
For a fleeting second, Maud wondered if that calling had to do with what Clemmie had said. “Sounds like a delicious secret,” she said, hoping her tone hid her discomfort.
“I don’t know if it is a delicious secret, but not many people know.”
“Really? Then you must tell me immediately,” she said.
“Good.” He paused, knowing she hated to be kept in suspense. “I’ve been accepted to Acadia and will be leaving for college next year.”
“How incredible!” Maud’s exuberance hid her overwhelming relief. College she could handle, but she didn’t enjoy the prospect of Nate marrying Clemmie. “I’m thrilled for you.”
“If I’m going to be a lawyer, it’s the next step.”
“So you won’t be going into the ministry, then?”
Nate gave her a curious look. “Who put that idea into your head?”
She shrugged and realized how worried she had been. She should have known better than to believe Clemmie could make Nate do anything.
“I’ll be studying for the teaching certificate and then saving up enough for law school,” he said.
“A perfect plan.” One she wished she could have.
“You’ll write to me, I hope,” he said.
“Of course,” she said. “I will make you so homesick for Cavendish you’ll want to race back at the end of each term.”
He grinned. “With you writing to me, I suspect I’ll be missing more than just Cavendish.”
Maud gazed up at those same stars she had counted earlier that night. She didn’t dare look him in the eye, as she was a little afraid of what he might see there. She would miss him, but it wasn’t fair. He got to go away to school, and she was stuck here in Cavendish with no one to talk with about books. She would become sour like Grandma, or petty like Mrs. Simpson, or obsessed with finding a boy to marry like Clemmie.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
Mollie laughed at something Jack said. Maud wished she could let go and not think about the future or what she would do, or wanted to do. Couldn’t she just enjoy this moment, walking with a boy she liked—liked more than any other. The realization gave Maud pause and she stopped walking. She did like him more than anyone else. Did he feel the same way? Clemmie and Pensie said so, but that didn’t mean it was true. Nate frowned. “Is everything all right, Polly?”
“I was just admiring this night air,” she said.
He extended his hand. “Come.”
She took his hand and couldn’t think. She had never held a boy’s hand before. And after she had just counted her nine stars. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. They walked along in silence, and Maud desperately tried to think of something to say, but all she could think about was the warmth of Nate’s hand in hers. Finally, uncomfortable with the long silence, she dropped her hand and, ignoring how he tried to reach out for it again, said, “Let’s catch up to the others.”
Nate didn’t try to take her hand again, but Jack and Mollie had happily linked arms with each other, and Maud found herself feeling sorry she had let go. She knew Mollie liked Jack, and would want him to take her arm, but Maud wasn’t ready for such public displays of affection, where anyone could see them.
When they got to the bottom of the hill near Mollie’s place, the two boys pretended to toss an imaginary ball, while Mollie and Maud cheered them on. Jack ran backwards, pretending to catch a long throw from Nate, and bumped right into Clemmie and Nellie, who were standing at the edge of the road in the shadows. Maud moved closer to Mollie.
What were they doing there? Maybe Clemmie was staying true to her threat and was spying on them. Or were they taking their time getting home?
Whatever the reason, the damage was done.
“Good evening, ladies.” Nate tipped his cap. “A fine night for it, yes?”
Clemmie completely ignored Maud and Mollie.
“It was a fine night, Nate,” Clemmie said. “So many stars it is practically impossible to count them.”
Nellie giggled.
“I’m surprised she can count to nine,” Mollie murmured.
“What do you say, gentlemen?” Clemmie said, ignoring her. “Will you see us home?”
“The nerve,” Mollie said in Maud’s ear. “Everyone knows a girl should wait to be asked.” Maud agreed, but wished she wasn’t so impressed by Clemmie’s bravery. She would never have the gumption to ask a young man to walk her home.
“I’m sorry, Clemmie,” Nate said smoothly. “It would be rude, as Jack and I have already promised ourselves to these ladies.”
Clemmie shot a quick look over at Maud before strutting off, taking Nellie with her. When they were out of earshot, Maud whispered to Nate, “What if those two gossips say something?”
“They’ll be talking about something anyway.” Nate shrugged.
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Jack said.
“You don’t understand,” Maud said, taking hold of Mollie’s hand and feeling safer.
Mollie squeezed it. “That girl can make things quite difficult for Maud. For us.”
“But I don’t care what those girls say,” Nate said.
“Neither do I,” Jack said.
“And if they cause you trouble, we’ll defend you like the gallant knights we are!” Nate said, and he and Jack pretended to ride horses and galloped them the rest of the way home. Maud and Mollie laughed, but a new tension hung over the evening, and Maud was relieved when they said goodbye and walked down Hammie’s Lane toward Mollie’s house.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The following Monday, Miss Gordon returned the weekly writing assignments. When Maud saw all the red marks crossing out much of her beloved story, “The Queen’s Betrayal,” she did everything she could to push down the tears. Didn’t her teacher like it at all? On the bottom of the page, Miss Gordon had written, “Write what you know.”