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“What on earth for?” her mother asked, seeming confused. “You and he will always be together. There is no need to prolong the coming of children.”

Siobhan leaned forward, her sister and mother reflecting the movement. “It is because I have fallen in love with him,” she said in a low tone. “I want him all to myself, at least for a little while.”

Her mother rolled her eyes. “It is good when a wife comes to care for her husband. However, there is an order to things. Emotions do not come into play.”

“I disagree,” Miles said, walking in. His eyes locked with hers.

Siobhan hoped he’d not heard her declaration, as she wasn’t sure he felt the same. If there was a time for the ground to open and her to fall in, this was it.

She lifted her hot face when he neared, and he kissed her temple. Then he went to her mother first and then her sister and kissed their cheeks. “Ladies, what a pleasant surprise.”

“Amelia and Charles are engaged,” Siobhan informed him as he took a seat beside her. “Am I to assume there will be a celebration?”

As her mother and sister began regaling with the plans for a grand gala, Miles kept stealing glances at her. Siobhan was convinced he’d heard her, and she was not sure how to respond to him. Although she wished with all her heart that he would come to love her, she also understood that oftentimes the best one could hope for was deep caring.

She searched his face for an inkling of what he was thinking. However, Miles was a master of masking his thoughts.

By the time her family left, they were rushed for time. Both remained in the same clothes in which they were dressed as they went to the McLeod estate to meet with Miles’ friends and their wives. It would be the second time they gathered, and it seemed to Siobhan the group gathered regularly when possible for a meal.

“How often did you and your friends meet before all getting married?” Siobhan asked, liking that he held her hand.

His lips curved. “Quite often, perhaps twice, and even three times a week. We had little else to do. In fact, I didn’t meet with them as often as the others. Now that they have wives, some occupations, every other week or so is the most we can muster.”

“It is gratifying that the group is making an effort not to grow apart.” Siobhan looked on as Miles lifted her hand to his lips. “I feel the same.” His heated gaze met hers. “I cannot wait to return home and have you all to myself.”

A sigh escaped her. “There can be no intimacy for at least four days,” she informed him with a frown.

“Oh,” he replied, “I see.” He recovered and kissed her hand again. “I am content to share the bed with my beautiful wife.”

Siobhan chuckled.

The evening was enjoyable. Siobhan mentioned to them wishing she could invite Henriette and her brother to join them during their gatherings knowing the group would adore her friends. Felicity lifted both hands in excitement. “Of course. It would be exciting to have French guests. Please ask them to join us next week.”

When the women asked how she knew them, Miles turned from his conversation with Henry and Grant to listen. Siobhan was sure he waited to hear what she’d say about the shelter and Susan. But it did not stop her from telling the other three women about what she and Henriette did most Saturdays.

“How honorable,” Hannah, Henry’s wife, exclaimed. “I would love to join you one day.”

“I would as well,” Wren, who’d recently married Felicity’s brother Grant, added.

The last woman, Felicity, shook her head. “I suppose that means I shall join as well. I can’t imagine remaining home while the lot of you save the world.”

“I do not think it is safe,” Miles interrupted. “Siobhan was attacked there, and the culprit has yet to be caught.”

Henry nodded in agreement. “The lot of you will stand out. You may as well be holding signs asking to be robbed.”

“I believe that by bringing along a few men, we will be very safe,” Wren eyed Grant. “Would you not accompany me?”

Grant, who was the most recently married of Miles’ friends, looked at the other men, seeming at a loss as to which side to take. “You know I will,” he finally admitted.

Felicity let out a bark of laughter. “A gaggle of posh people descending will set all kinds of things into motion. I prefer our husbands stay away. We can wear serviceable gowns and…”

“Why don’t you plan something separate?” Evan asked. “Perhaps once a month, we can set up and give things away to the needy.”

Siobhan had to admit it was a good idea, but she considered Susan and her brood. She didn’t want to abandon them.

The women began to discuss the possibilities, becoming enthusiastic about the prospect of planning for their new venture. Her admiration grew for her new friends at their excitement to help those less fortunate.

Chapter Fifteen