She let out an exhale, before Nick winked at her and returned to the kitchen for the next course. He had been lovely helping her. Duncan had offered as well, but had been more hindrance than help for he had no idea what to do — and besides that, whenever he was around, she forgot what she was supposed to be doing, so it was better off that he be across the table next to little Amelia.
She had nearly fainted away at Amelia’s question. Her little voice had carried across the room, and Jane had remained as frozen as everyone else as she awaited Duncan’s answer. He, however, hadn’t said a thing.
And why should he? She had never asked for nor had he ever promised a declaration of love or a future together. She glanced up at him now. While everyone else exchanged Christmas crackers and had given each other gifts earlier in the evening, Duncan sat there alone, with nothing.
With the set of his jaw and the kilt he had insisted on wearing throughout the day — likely in silent protest — he was a man adrift, and Jane longed to cross the room and join him, even though she had no idea what her reception would be.
But far more pressing was that Mary had run from the room — alone.
Once she had returned the trays to the kitchen, instead of then taking her place at the dining room table, Jane took the stairs, seeking out Mary. Something was amiss, although why Mary was hiding it, Jane had no idea.
She entered the room without knocking, figuring that now was not the time for politeness.
Mary was sitting in front of her vanity, painting rouge on her cheeks.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re trying to hide your paleness.” Jane crossed her arms over her chest.
Mary sighed, turning around and standing before practically waddling across the room toward Jane, although despite her efforts, Jane couldn’t help but notice the bend to her back.
“I’m fine,” Mary said, although when she placed a hand on the wall as she walked, it became clear she was lying.
“Mary—”
“Dinner is almost over, Jane,” she said abruptly, pushing past her and out into the corridor. “Let’s just finish this.”
Jane helped her sister down the stairs, but when they reached the bottom, she found that the family was already helping themselves to the plum pudding.
Nick walked over to her, concern on his face.
“It’s clear that Mary is not well,” he said quietly. “We will finish here and then leave. Will you keep us apprised of anything that occurs?”
“We will,” Jane promised, then took a breath before turning to him. While she was aware that Billy’s mother had her own expectations regarding Jane and Nick, she must put a stop to this before it began. “Nick—”
“I know,” he said with a surprising quirk of his lips. “You’re in love with the McDougall, and there can never be anything between us.”
Jane’s eyes widened. “How did you—”
“It’s fine,” he said, before leading her even deeper into the corner, where she was practically hidden between his body, the wall, and the Christmas tree. “Can you keep a secret, Jane?”
“Of course,” she said, looking up at him expectantly.
“You and I, well, we would never be anyway,” he said with a small smile. “I will never take a wife.”
“You won’t?” she asked, astonished. He would make the perfect husband, of that she was certain. If she hadn’t come to know Duncan, then she might have been interested in him, for she never would have known the intense attraction that could exist between two people.
“I will not,” he said, before speaking slowly, “A wife is not my preference.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, furrowing her brow. “I thought—”
She stopped, suddenly realizing just what he meant. It was astonishing and yet… illuminating at the same time.
“Well,” she said slowly. “I wish you the most luck in the world.”
“The same to you,” he said, before surprising her with a quick kiss on the forehead. “Happy Christmas, Jane.”
“Happy Christmas, Nick,” she said, watching him walk away as he began to gather up his family, encouraging them all to find their presents and make for the door.
“The snow is getting thick,” Billy announced as he pushed the curtain back to look out the window. “I’ll help see Mother home.”
“Not to worry,” Nick said, “I can do so.”
“Harriet needs you,” Billy said, motioning to one of their sisters, who had lost her husband a few years prior. “I’ll escort Mother.”
“Very well,” Nick agreed.
“It will not take long,” said Billy to Jane, although Jane noticed the worried glance he tossed Mary’s way. “I suppose McDougall is here in case anything is required.”
“I’ll look after her,” Jane promised, walking over to him and placing a hand on his sleeve. She had no idea where Duncan had gone off to, but she supposed he would reappear at any moment.
Which was, for once, a very reassuring thought.
Chapter 14
Duncan made it about halfway down the road before he paused and glanced behind him. The little house looked as cozy as ever, its red brick just visible through the swirling snow while the chimney smoked puffs of white. He thought of Jane within and the Miller family, all comfortable and warm. No one had likely even noticed yet that he’d gone.
Jane would be fine, he reasoned. He had left her a note, explaining that he had been wrong in remaining in London, waiting for her to return with him. He would travel back to the Highlands, and when she was ready, she could come join him, or he would return and collect her, but he couldn’t stay in London any longer.
If she chose to stay to be with someone like Nick instead… well, so be it. It might be better for all involved.
When he looked back, he noticed that, rather oddly, the light emanating from the front windows had dimmed, as though many of the candles had been snuffed out. That was odd, he reasoned. When he had left the room to pack his bags, the family had still been enjoying the gaiety of the festivities. He had escaped out the back of the house so that no one would see him leave but, come to think of it, he had no longer been able to hear the family.
And one could always hear the Millers.
Duncan paused, unsure of whether he should go back and ensure all was well, or continue on to the rented house, where he would stay for the night before searching out the train schedules to return to the Highlands.
Ultimately, the decision was made for him when Jane stepped out in front of the house and called his name.
“Duncan!” she cried rather desperately, “if you are out there, could you return? Please?”
Duncan didn’t even take time to think on the request — his heart chose for him, as he was down the street and back in front of the house in seconds.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded as he climbed the steps, but Jane was already within. Duncan threw down his bag and followed her, but it was already quite obvious as to what was amiss.
“It’s Mary,” Jane said hurriedly, not even looking at him. “She’s gone into labor. Billy’s family left not long ago to return home, and Billy escorted his mother while Nick was taking his sister. With the weather as it is, they should hopefully return within the hour, but Mary’s contractions are coming rather quickly.”