Page 119 of The Highlander Is All That

She would have much preferred to have Hamish here with her, but he was, no doubt, back in the arms of his Scottish widow by now.

She refused to allow such a prospect to dim her joy.

The walk up the steep hill had her panting by the time she arrived. Lately, she’d been tired a lot, no doubt due to the child. She took a moment to lean against the fence and catch her breath. From their yard, she could see the harbor, the cobbled main street snaking through the picturesque town, and the waters of the Bristol Channel sparkling in the distance. Not far from shore, a packet sailed past, probably headed for some exotic port. Sweet sea-scented breezes caressed her face. She closed her eyes and tipped her face to the warm sun. It really was a lovely place to live. She could see why Miss Claire had chosen it. And she felt very lucky to have found it as well.

“There you are.”

Elizabeth opened her eyes and smiled at Miss Claire as she bustled out of the cottage. “I was beginning to worry.”

“Ah, yes. The hill took me a while.”

“I can imagine so. It takes me longer each time, I sometimes feel.” Miss Claire peeped at her packages. “What did you get?”

“Fresh bread, some lovely cheese and fruit.”

“Excellent.” Miss Claire clapped her hands with delight. “I was just making tea. Do come in and sit.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Tea sounds lovely.” She hooked arms with Miss Claire and together they made their way into the tiny kitchen-cum-sitting room. Oh, this cottage was a far cry from the grandeur she was used to, but Elizabeth found she enjoyed it very much. It was an adjustment, making fires for herself, brewing her own tea, and making meals as, naturally, there were no servants around. But she loved feeling . . . useful.

Back home, she’d whiled away the hours doing embroidery and attending to social duties. Somehow, this felt more like real life.

The only drawback was the fact that she missed her sisters and her aunt terribly.

And of course, Hamish.

But she wasn’t thinking about him.

Or his widow.

Not in the least.

“Oh,” she said as Miss Claire laid out the teacups. “This letter arrived for you.”

She slid the envelope across the table. Miss Claire’s eyes brightened. “How lovely.” She checked the seal. “It’s from Helena. What a dear girl.”

“She is.” And yes, though they’d only just met, there was another person she missed. Helena, Kaitlin, Violet, and Eleanor. How ironic that she would be exiled from the ton just when she’d finally met members of the nobility she actually liked.

Miss Claire opened the envelope and read in silence for a moment. Elizabeth found herself wishing she would read it aloud, even though it was probably personal. News from London seemed surprisingly alluring.

“How is she?” she asked when she could contain herself no longer.

“Oh well. Very well. She’s increasing again.”

“That is lovely.”

“Yes. James is hoping for a little girl.”

“Naturally.”

“There’s more news. About the season, if you’re interested.”

Could she be? Could she really be that interested? “Oh please.”

“She mentions a Lady Callinda Frey.” Claire’s brow wrinkled. “Do you know her?”

“Oh, yes. I do.”

“I thought as much. I believe some of these messages are for you.”