Mine Is the Night_ A Novel - Liz Curtis Higgs [154]
“Now then, Bess,” she said, sitting across from her, “it is time you found a home of your own.”
Elisabeth looked round. “But this is our home.”
“More than a home,” Marjory said firmly. “A husband.”
Her eyes widened. “Whatever do you mean? I cannot think of marriage when I am in mourning—”
“Listen to me, Bess.” Marjory clasped her daughter-in-law’s hands in hers. “You have more than honored my son’s memory these many months.”
“Aye, but, Marjory—”
“We must look to your future now. God has surely brought Lord Buchanan into your life for a reason.”
“Lord Buchanan?” Elisabeth tried to stand, but Marjory held her in place. “Dearest, he has not asked for my hand—”
“Only because he wishes to honor the rules of society.”
Elisabeth shook her head. “I believe he means to honor you.”
“Well, then.” Marjory released her and sat back, triumphant. “If I am the only impediment, you have my permission to marry as soon as ever the banns may be read in the kirk three Sabbaths in a row.”
Elisabeth shook her head, disbelief written across her features. “How can I tell Lord Buchanan such a thing without seeming presumptuous? The man has never even mentioned marriage.”
Marjory couldn’t keep from smiling. “That is why you must be the one to broach the subject.”
Sixty-Seven
’Tis expectation makes a blessing dear.
SIR JOHN SUCKLING
lisabeth stared at her mother-in-law, trying to grasp what she was suggesting. “You want me to propose to Lord Buchanan?”
“At the very least, present yourself to him,” Marjory said, her hazel eyes aglow. “Let him know of your willingness to end your time of mourning. He will not move forward until you do.”
Move forward. Elisabeth looked down at her plain black dress. Was she ready to drape herself in blues and greens, reds and purples, telling the world she no longer mourned the man she’d once loved with all her heart?
Oh, my Donald, if only I might ask you.
But her husband was gone. Her heart alone held the answer.
Elisabeth met Marjory’s gaze and prayed for the right words to say. “You must know how I cherish the memory of your son,” she told her, wanting to dispel any doubt in her mother-in-law’s mind.
Marjory touched her cheek. “I do, Bess.”
“And yet you are willing to let me go?”
“How can I not? You’ve been so very faithful. To Donald and to me.” Marjory’s lower lip began to tremble. “I cannot imagine the last year without you by my side.”
“Nor can I.” Elisabeth leaned forward and gathered her mother-in-law in her arms. “Whatever happens, I will see you well cared for, dear Marjory.”
“I know, I know …” The rest of her words were muffled against Elisabeth’s shoulder.
After a quiet, tender moment, they eased apart. “There’s something I’ve not told you,” Marjory confessed. “It is about Lord Buchanan.”
Elisabeth’s heart skipped a beat. “Oh?”
“According to Reverend Brown, his lordship is a distant relative on Lord John’s side of the family.”
Elisabeth let the words sink in. “Lord Buchanan is our kinsman?”
“Not by blood,” Marjory assured her, “but certainly by marriage, however long ago. Because of that slender tie, Reverend Brown thought we might prevail upon his lordship to provide a small income for us. But I’d hoped for more than mere silver.” She stood and moved to the hearth. “I asked the reverend to keep this discovery to himself. Even Lord Buchanan may not yet be aware of it.”
Elisabeth watched her measure the tea leaves, then pour hot water into a crockery pot. “You’ve had your eye on him from the first, haven’t you?”
Marjory smiled. “Not for myself, of course. My heart has been engaged elsewhere for some time. But for you, aye.” She rejoined her at the oval table, bearing a wooden tray with cups and spoons, honey and milk, and the steaming pot with its fragrant brew. “I’ve given this some thought, Bess, and have decided the very best time to approach his lordship is tomorrow night after the Michaelmas feast at Bell Hill.”
Overcome, Elisabeth sank back against her chair. “So soon?”
“Remember the words of Shakespeare,” Marjory cautioned her. “Delays have dangerous ends.”