"I will do anything ye ask, love.”
“Then love my sister.”
They all laughed at the silliness of the request, and he teased, “Surely, we can get along without that.”
“I’ll settle for getting along, then, for the now.” Pain flashed in Brigid’s eyes and she bit her lip only briefly. “But ye know what I expect. And Bella, ye must believe that I love him. Not just out of gratitude.”
Bella gave her head a shake. “I know ye believe that. But I’ll need more proof. Ye’ve been through much together, according to Wickham, but ye’ve known each other for a matter of days.”
"Time has naught to do with it.”
“Oh? Ye silly woman. Time has everything to do with it.” She waved a hand. “But time we have. And time I’ll give ye—to convince me yer love is true. And if this mighty love of yers is built on some sense of obligation,” she looked up at Flanders, “then I’ll take my sister and we’ll find our own way. And ye must trod another.”
The nurse returned then, her expression brooking no argument. "Time's up. Out, both of you."
Flanders wanted to protest, but Brigid shook her head. "Go. I’m weary. Remember to be gentle with each other.”
But she wasn't weary. They could tell. She was in pain.
* * *
Flanders discovered suddenlythat it wasn’t wise to pace the front foyer of the house when Wickham appeared not five feet away, with one hand locked on James’ forearm. The tall redhead glanced around as if he’d never seen the Edinburgh house before. He looked more worse for wear than the last time Flanders had seen him, but there was a smile beneath the smudges.
"James!" Phoebe rushed toward her husband but stopped short and wrinkled her nose. "Auch, have ye bathed since ye left home? And ye look like ye’ve been rollin’ in a fire pit.”
James grinned and opened his arms wide. "Come give yer husband a proper welcome, woman."
"Not until ye've showered." She backed away, but her eyes shone with relief. It was only then that Flanders realized the risk he’d taken to leave his family to help a friend.
He waved to gain the man’s attention. “Did I ever thank ye, James, for goin’ back?”
James grinned. “I’m certain ye’ll find a way.” Then he looked Flanders over. “Ye look different in those clothes, and clean behind the ears as well."
"And ye look like ye've been dragged through Hell backward."
Wee Flanders toddled into the hall, spotted his father, and emitted a delighted squeal. James scooped him up, heedless of the dirt.
"Now look what ye've done," Phoebe scolded. "He'll need a bath too."
Wickham chuckled. "I'll leave ye all to yer reunions. I have matters to attend to." With that, he disappeared as suddenly as he'd arrived.
"I'll never get used to that," Bella murmured.
James turned to her with a warm smile. "Bella. We met only briefly at Gallabrae. I regret what happened to ye."
She inclined her head.
"How is yer sister? Wickham said she was badly burned?"
"Recovering. The doctor says she'll mend up fine."
"Good, good." James bounced his son on his hip. "And how are ye finding the future, old friend? Not too overwhelmin’, I hope?"
Flanders took a breath and forced a smile. “We’re managin’.”
“Well, we’ve all agreed to go slowly. After all, ye’ve come a lot further than any of the others.”
Flanders blinked. “Others?”
