Octavian arched an eyebrow as he took a sip of his ale. “Indeed, having connections has its privileges.”
She winced. “I know I overstepped and took advantage, but there is so much still to see. As I just said, there is so little time in which to do it.”
“I’ll be traveling between London, Glasgow, and Greenock regularly. Come with me whenever you wish. Just slow down on this visit, will you? You’ll have time to do whatever you find of interest over the coming months.”
“You would take me with you?”
He groaned. “Yes, I have no desire to be without you.”
She set down her fork and cast him a dazzling smile. “Octavian, that is a lovely thing to say.”
“It’s the truth, Syd. You know it is. I haven’t kept my feelings to myself.”
“I know. You are wonderful.”
He grunted. “So are you. Who else but you would have accomplished all this in a day? You haven’t once complained about being left on your own. Nor did you tear through the shops and buy trinkets you did not need, or bemoan the lack of decentmodistes or the miserable Scottish weather.” He glanced out the window, noting the rain pounding against the panes with a rapidpik-pok. “I like being married to you.”
“Feeling is mutual, you big ox.” She blushed and shifted uncomfortably in her chair because any mention of permanence in their marital relation was still upsetting to her.
He ought to have kept quiet about it, for her fear of their marriage crumbling once they reached London was deeply embedded within her and not a jest to be treated lightly. He reached for her hand. “Tell me about the rest of your day.”
She placed her small hand in his. “Was this not enough for one day? I start again bright and early tomorrow. How was yours? Can you talk about any of it?”
“No, it is all top secret. A few minor issues but nothing serious.”
They finished their meal and retired to bed.
Syd had truly worn herself out and was asleep before her head hit the pillow. Octavian drew her up against him because Syd slept better while pressed to his warm body. Perhaps he was the one who slept better knowing she was beside him.
He had grown used to her shapely softness and the lovely scent of her skin that reminded him of wild roses kissed by the morning dew.
Ah, well.
Who could explain why they felt so comfortable with each other and craved each other’s touch? The sense of rightness was primal in him, arising from somewhere deep within his soul. It had nothing to do with reason or logic.
He read quietly in bed for a few hours, and then set aside his book and fell asleep himself. But before he did, he made certain to draw her into his arms.
Octavian was in good spirits, for Syd’s expeditions over the following days pleased her to no end, and that in turn pleasedhim. However, he was not all that delighted when she began returning to their hotel after nightfall. She did this for two days in a row, and would have driven him mad with worry had he not arranged for a carriage and driver to remain with her all the while. Syd was adventurous, and he wanted someone armed with a weapon and knowledgeable about the city to escort her wherever she wished to go.
He was relieved when they left Glasgow, although Syd did not really give him serious cause to worry. She spent almost all her time either at the medical school or at the museum. But she often lost all sense of time and only left when they politely kicked her out.
The rest of their week was spent in travel, his assignment taking him next to Edinburgh for a brief visit, and then finally to making their way south to London. As the sun began to set, they passed by the Eildon Hills and then turned slightly north to come upon the ancient wonder of Melrose Abbey, a magnificent structure built by the Cistercian monks.
Octavian noticed a fair going on in the nearby town of Melrose. “Care to stay over and stroll through the fair tomorrow, Syd?”
At her nod, he had their driver stop at one of the local inns on the chance they might have a room available for the night. This slight change in plans would not take them out of the way since they would have had to stop within an hour’s time as darkness fell.
“I see sheep!” Syd poked her head out of the carriage window for a better view of the fairgrounds.
So did he.
There were tents of all sizes flying their pennants of brilliant colors. Reds, golds, greens. The tents were mostly plain, but some were emblazoned with a clan insignia. Many bore designs of dragons, thistles, and claymores.
“Sheep! Sheep!” Syd cried out excitedly as they drew closer.
Octavian loved this vitality about her.
He laughed. “Ah, then we are compelled to stop here and explore.”
