“Yes.”
“William once carved me a squirrel with that very knife.” She smiled and sat back with Mary.
8
The ferry ride to Tappahannock was smooth and cold.
Reed pounded his feet to keep the feeling in them while the ferryman pulled them into dock. The still pause Reed felt when Hugh first suggested this outing remained. What would ye have me do, Lord?
“Ye’re quiet.” Hugh prodded.
“I’ve been wondering about the purpose of this outing. I think I would have preferred backgammon by a warm fire.”
“And a pair of storm-colored eyes.” Hugh smirked.
“Instead of ye? Any day.”
A derisive laugh erupted from Hugh once again.
“Laugh if ye will. Yer turn will come soon enough.”
“Not me, my friend. I don’t need some woman to tell me when I can and when I can’t.”
“Here, here!” Agreed Griff.
Reed cocked his head to one side. Why in the world did the Lord have him here? “I don’t have to get married, Hugh.”
Griff stiffened.
Hugh’s chuckle fell short of mirth. “Whatever ye say.”
They mounted their horses. Reed and Hugh rode side by side on the road to Tappahannock. Griff lined up behind Reed.
“Are ye so lost ye don’t understand a blessing when ye see one?”
“Right here.” Hugh said keeping his focus forward. “Not lost.”
Silence stretched between them and the couple of miles to Emerson’s Tavern.
Warm bodies and a roaring fire in the large stone hearth on the north wall filled the tavern with a stifling heat. Reed was still glad the feeling was returning to his toes. Hugh melted into the crowd to find a table. Reed and Griff each ordered a tankard from their friendly host, who returned presently balancing sloshing mugs.
“Ye meant what ye said back there, didn’t ye?” Griff spoke directly into Reed’s ear.
For the first time this Christmastide, Reed took a serious look the recent rival for Ann’s hand. “Yes.”
Griff raised his tankard in salute. “Then ye deserve her.”
“No. I don’t.”
Griff’s eyebrows raised.
“But I mean to have her anyway.”
A huge grin warmed his cousin’s face as they banged their tankards. Contentment brought peace even as the fire brought heat.
Griff looked to floor as he scuffed his boot. “About Ruby…”
Contentment scurried into a mouse hole of instant apprehension. “What about my sister?”
“Oh, don’t tell me ye too have been bitten by the fickle emotion that is love?” A returning Hugh jeered. “There is not a table to be had. I fear we must default to my second plan.” Hugh continued before either could answer.
“Second plan?” Reed and Griff sounded together.
“Fireworks.”
Reed shook his head.
“Have ye seen fireworks?” Hugh’s eyes widened like a twelve year old.
A spark of excitement ignited at the very thought. In London, Reed had received an invitation to fireworks. A last-minute, unexpected trip ordered by his father had thwarted the occasion.
“I have heard they’re loud.” Griff grinned.
“How did you come by these fireworks?”
“Italy.”
Reed glanced at his cousin. Excitement bounced out of Griff.
