‘You’re early, Amberton.’
Lance twisted his head to find Robert Felstone standing on the railway platform beside him. He’d been staring at the track so fixedly, looking for any hint of steam in the distance, that he hadn’t seen him approach.
‘Yes, I must have got the wrong time.’
He frowned as he said it, wondering why he was bothering to lie. He knew exactly what time the train was due, having checked the schedule repeatedly over the past few days and at least five times that morning, but for some reason he didn’t want the other man to know that.
‘Ah.’ Robert gave a wry smile. ‘I’m early, too, as it happens, though you know there’s nothing wrong with being eager to see your wife, Amberton.’
‘I hardly know my wife.’ Lance had to consciously restrain himself from looking back down the track. ‘How could I miss her?’
He pulled at the rim of his top hat, asking the question as if it were simply rhetorical, though in truth he was somewhat curious to know the answer himself. The past three weeks had felt at least double that length.
‘I knew Ianthe for less than ten minutes before I asked her to marry me—’ Robert was still smiling ‘—though it took her another two days to say yes. Then I had to wait three months before seeing her again. They were the longest three months of my life.’
‘Lucky for me it’s only been three weeks, then.’
‘True, although I wouldn’t have agreed to any longer than a month. I really ought to be angry with you for sending my wife off on your honeymoon, but then they say absence makes the heart grow fonder.’
‘They do, but as I said, I must have got the time wrong.’ Lance cleared his throat awkwardly. ‘Any idea why they’re coming back a week early? Violet’s letter was somewhat vague.’
‘So was Ianthe’s, though I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. Do you care for some company while we wait?’
‘By all means, as long as you don’t mind being stared at.’ Lance nodded his head towards a group of men clustered together on the far platform. The frequent glances in his direction made their topic of conversation quite obvious. ‘I seem to be attracting a lot of attention this morning.’
‘Which makes a refreshing change for me.’ Robert arched an eyebrow. ‘Usually I’m the one being gossiped about, but your reputation seems to be even more jaded than mine. The two of us together ought to be the talk of Whitby.’
‘I thought you were an esteemed man of business?’
‘Man of business, yes. Esteemed, no. I was on my way towards becoming a gentleman once, but I’m afraid circumstances put paid to that.’
‘Because of Charles Lester? I heard the rumours.’
‘I didn’t push him.’
‘I never thought that you did. Besides, I think Violet would have refused to marry me if I had.’ He felt a tug of jealousy at his own words. ‘She’s one of your greatest defenders.’
Robert laughed. ‘I put that entirely down to Ianthe. Old Harper made his disapproval of me quite obvious.’
‘Then we’ve something in common. He called me a reprobate—quite rightly, of course.’
‘And now you’re married to his daughter.’
‘I doubt he would have been pleased.’
Robert glanced at him speculatively. ‘I understand that you’re setting up in business yourself? Iron, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. I’ve opened a new mine close to Rosedale.’ Lance hesitated briefly. ‘As it happens, I wouldn’t mind your opinion on a few matters. I heard you invested in the works at Grosmont.’
‘I did, though I’m no expert on mining, I’m afraid.’
‘Neither am I. I’m learning as I go along, but I wouldn’t mind another opinion.’
‘Then I’d be glad to discuss anything you want.’
‘Good. I’m there almost every day. Come and visit when you—’
He stopped at the sound of a whistle blowing, his heart seeming to do some kind of violent somersault in his chest as he turned to see the locomotive already rolling into the station, chuffing slowly to a halt in a billowing cloud of steam. The whistle blew again and it stopped, the compartment doors all bursting open, seemingly at once, as passengers started to get off.
Lance peered over the top of the crowd, resenting the height of the other travellers that made it impossible to spot his wife, about to make his way forward when a flurry of green silk flew past him and threw itself headlong into Robert’s waiting arms. He watched in amusement. That would give the crowd of onlookers something else to talk about. It seemed Ianthe Felstone was just as excited by the prospect of a reunion as her husband. He felt a brief pang of jealousy, quickly followed by a whole different pang as he turned again and caught sight of his wife.
‘Lance.’
She was standing just a few feet away, dressed all in blue, his new favourite colour, smiling up at him, though for a few moments he seemed oddly incapable of answering. She looked positively transformed, her whole face seeming to glow with health and happiness. She looked slightly bigger than before, too, as if her body had rounded out in the time since she’d left. Even her hair looked fuller and softer, with feathery tendrils stroking the sides of her newly rounded face.
Whatever that first pang had been, it stabbed him anew, a bittersweet combination of pleasure at seeing her again and resentment that such a dazzling transformation had happened in his absence. She seemed to have blossomed during their separation, while he’d spent his time counting the days.
‘Violet.’ He smiled stiffly and extended an arm, acutely aware of how formal his behaviour must seem next to the enthusiastically informal couple beside them. Frankly, if the Felstones started to behave any more informally, then he might have to suggest they adjourn to one of the nearby waiting rooms. ‘It’s good to see you again. I trust that you’ve had an enjoyable trip.’
‘Very enjoyable, thank you.’ She threaded her arm through his. ‘Goodbye, Ianthe.’
Lance lifted a hand to the rim of his hat, though by the look of things, saying goodbye was the very last thing on either of the Felstones’ minds.
Violet giggled. ‘I don’t think she heard me.’
‘No, I think not.’ He led the way out of the station, pressing her arm tightly against his side so that she couldn’t pull it away again. Now that he had her back, he didn’t want to let go, even for a second. ‘She almost knocked me over to reach him.’
‘I noticed. I hope you weren’t waiting long.’
‘Not at all,’ he lied. ‘It was perfect timing.’
‘And the weather’s so fine today.’ She gave a sigh of pleasure as they walked out of the station on to the harbourside. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen Whitby looking more beautiful.’
‘Me neither.’ He glanced down at her radiant expression, still oppressed by that same bittersweet duality of emotions. In truth, he hadn’t paid any attention to the weather that day, but beautiful seemed the most appropriate word for his view now.
He let go of her arm reluctantly, handing her up into his waiting carriage before turning to greet his batman. ‘Did you enjoy yourself, too, Martin?’
‘Very much, sir.’
Lance lifted an eyebrow. If he wasn’t mistaken, his retainer’s usually taciturn features were arranged in something resembling a smirk.
‘Something the matter?’ He narrowed his gaze suspiciously.
‘No, sir. It’s just good to see you looking so happy, sir.’
‘I don’t recall saying anything of the kind. Am I happy, Martin?’
‘You must just look that way, sir.’
‘We’ve had a wonderful time.’ Violet twisted around enthusiastically as he threw his batman a last pointed look and climbed in beside her. ‘Edinburgh was wonderful. The castle, the museums, Princes Street Gardens. It was the most thoughtful wedding present you could ever have given me.’
‘A honeymoon without the groom?’ The words sounded more bitter than he’d intended.
‘That’s not what I meant.’ Her expression sobered instantly. ‘And it was more than just a holiday, you know that. It was freedom. You gave me that, Lance. I’m grateful.’
‘Then I’m truly glad that you enjoyed it, although I’m sorry you never made it to the Highlands. What made you curtail the trip?’
‘Ianthe wasn’t feeling well.’
‘Oh.’ He felt a fleeting sense of disappointment, but then what other reason had he expected? That she’d missed him as much as he had her? He pushed the thought away as the carriage started moving. ‘Is she unwell?’
‘Not exactly.’ She beamed suddenly. ‘She started to feel sick in the mornings and when she consulted a doctor, he told her she was going to have a baby. She said she’d be happy to keep travelling, but I knew she’d want to tell Robert as soon as possible.’
‘Ah.’ Nothing at all to do with him, then. ‘In that case, I’m happy for them, but still sorry it cut your holiday short.’
‘I’m not.’ She rested her head against the seat cushion with a tired smile. ‘It feels good to be back. I think I appreciate it more for having been away. Does that make sense?’
‘Perfectly.’ He leaned back beside her, warmed by the words. ‘Five years ago I was desperate to escape and see new places. I never wanted to come back. When I was shot and they said I had to leave the army and come home, I was half tempted to shoot myself again, but now that I’ve seen a bit more of the world, I appreciate my own small corner of it a bit more. Now I can see it in the same way I did as a boy. Arthur and I loved the moors. We spent all our free time roaming up there.’
‘Just the two of you?’
‘We thought so, but there always seemed to be somebody around when we got into trouble. I think my mother set people to watch us. The terrain can be dangerous if you’re not careful. There are cliffs and bogs, and the weather can change completely in ten minutes.’
‘I never realised how unique the landscape is here.’
‘This is a wilder landscape than most.’
She leaned towards him so that her head brushed lightly against his shoulder. ‘I must like things to be wild, then.’
‘In that case, we’ll definitely have to make sure you reach the Highlands next time. You must have a wild soul.’
She burst into a peal of laughter. ‘No one’s ever suggested that before.’
He smiled, starting to share in her happiness. After all, she was right, he had played some small part in her transformation. It felt good to have made her happy and he liked her laugh. He’d missed it, he realised with a jolt, as if missing her hadn’t been bad enough.
‘Maybe no one else knows you the way I do.’ He stretched an arm out, resting it along the top of the carriage seat behind her.
‘Do you know me?’ She craned her neck towards him with a look of surprise.
‘I think I’m starting to. You look different, Violet, in a very good way, I might add. As if you’re the person you were always meant to be, independent and adventurous and carefree.’
‘Now I know you’re talking about someone else.’
‘That’s because you still think of yourself as Violet Harper, downtrodden daughter. You’re Violet Amberton now, my rebellious, runaway bride. She’s a whole different woman.’
‘In that case, I think I like being Violet Amberton.’ She leaned a little closer towards him and he brought his arm down, wrapping it around her shoulders. She seemed to fit there perfectly.
‘Good. I like you being her, too.’
‘Will you really come with me to the Highlands?’
‘Me?’ He felt a twinge of surprise. He hadn’t said anything about going himself, though he felt ridiculously pleased at the invitation to join her. He gave a small tug on his arm, pulling her closer. ‘All right. Just as soon as things are more settled at the mine.’
‘How is it going?’
‘I can show you if you like. We’re travelling back that way.’
‘Yes, please.’ She nodded eagerly. ‘I’d like to see the reason we got married.’
He winced inwardly, although it was a fair comment, he supposed. He had married her for the mine, for the money to expand it at least, even if that didn’t feel quite like the reason any more.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, he helped her down from the carriage, gesturing towards a ramshackle collection of wooden, shed-like structures on a rock-strewn plateau halfway up a hillside.
‘It’s not as chaotic as it looks, I promise you.’
‘I didn’t expect a palace.’ She looked around with interest. ‘Is your office in one of those?’
‘Not so much an office as a desk, but in that small shack at the end, yes. The rest are where we store the equipment.’
‘Are those all entrances to the mine?’ She pointed towards a few holes in the hillside.
‘Yes, there’s four altogether. It’s safer to have several escape routes.’
‘I see.’ She peered inside one of the sheds, looking around as if she were genuinely interested. ‘How many people work here?’
‘At the moment, about thirty. Only men though. I don’t allow women or children. They spend three hours in the mine, then I insist on an hour outside. I pay good wages and I make sure it’s as safe as it can be.’
She nodded thoughtfully. ‘You said you wanted to expand. What is it that you want to do? More tunnels?’
‘Not yet.’ He gestured down into the valley. ‘But if we build our own blast furnace, then we won’t have to take the ore to Grosmont for smelting. We can do our own smelting and puddling and then sell it as wrought iron instead of pig. We’re not far from Rosedale and we can use their supply line to transport it directly to the ports. I’ve already struck a bargain with the owner.’
‘Is it expensive to build a furnace?’
‘Extremely, in the short term, but in the long run, we can reinvest in the estate. If we build it in the valley away from the villages, then it won’t ruin the countryside or the air either. It’ll be a good thing for everyone, I hope.’ He turned to face her again, unable to stop a feeling of happiness from bursting out of him suddenly. ‘I’m glad that you’re home, Violet.’
To his surprise and delight, she didn’t hesitate to answer. ‘So am I.’