The Remembrance
DARIUS thought the weather perfect for their ride in the curricle. The clean scent of the June air mingled with the intoxicating fragrance of violets sitting beside him.
“Would you like to take the reins?” he offered.
“I would.” She nodded. “You will help me?”
“Of course.” Reaching one arm around her, he brought her close, transferring the reins into her hands. “Now grip firmly. Use the muscles in your forearms, not just your hands. Direct him. Tell the horse what you want from him.”
As she followed his instructions, Darius buried his face in her neck, nuzzling his favorite spot. “He wants to please you.”
“He must be a uniquely accommodating horse!” she sang at him.
She laughed a melodious sound. Her lovely laugh. It was a rare sound coming from her and he wanted to cherish the moment for the precious gift it was whenever he heard it.
“He pleases me. I wonder if I please him as much?”
“I can attest that you do with certainty, Marianne.” It felt good to banter with her, the unspoken meaning of their words as clear as if they’d said them a loud. She said you please her.
They crossed over the ridge that looked down to the sea below. Darius put his hands over hers, assisting in slowing the curricle.
“This is a good place to get out. Walk with me?”
He reached up to grip around her slim waist, lifting her easily from the seat and down to the ground. Providing such service to her felt wonderful, as d
id the knowledge that it would be his “right” to do so for her always. He loved the feel of Marianne under his hands.
After securing the horse, he led her to the edge. He looked out.
“Right down there,” he said, pointing, “is where I first remember seeing you.” He met her eyes. “You were just a little girl, nine or ten years old. You were collecting fossil curies, and had them arranged in order from largest to smallest. I was with my dog, a great beast of a hound called Caesar. He was rampaging along the beach with boundless excitement, until he pelted through your careful array, scattering your collection. I saw all this happen from a distance. You jumped up fuming, soundly scolding him. Caesar was very repentant, and by the time I got to him, you were patting him on the head and saying, ‘he was a good dog and probably didn’t mean to be so stupid.’ I tried to apologize for him. I said, ‘I hope my dog wasn’t a bother to you.’ I remember that you repeated my words back to me. I’ve never forgotten. You looked up at me so solemnly and said, ‘Your dog wasn’t a bother to me, sir.’ And then you sighed. You must have been very frustrated, but you were so composed and resolute, like a soldier.”
“I remember the dog, and that day!” She looked at him in wonder. “That was you?”
He nodded. “I remember thinking what an intelligent, unspoiled child you were.”
She blushed at his compliments, the rosy flush coloring her fair cheeks, making him want to press his lips to them and kiss over every inch.
“Mr. Simms used to pay a penny per five curies. He sold them in his shop to tourists. I thought myself very industrious, that it would make me a great fortune.” She smiled, caught up in the remembering. “And Caesar? He is no longer with you?”
“No. He passed on after a full and happy life. But his descendants are. You’ll meet Brutus and Cleo soon—they’ll be your very own personal guard.” He paused before speaking softly. “That was the first time, Marianne.”
She became quiet, almost as if she held her breath, waiting for him to say more.
“I remember the second time, too. It was maybe seven years later. You stood on that rock over there.” Pointing toward the south end of the beach, he said, “The wind whipped your hair back and pressed your dress against your legs. You looked like you were waiting for something, standing there, perched on the rock, staring out to sea. I thought you so beautiful, and knew you were the same little girl. I recognized your hair, but it was your bearing and your manner, the way you carried yourself that was the same.”
ALL this time?
Marianne could not have been more staggered by his revelations. How could he have been admiring her for so long?
“Darius, I had no idea.” She could hardly believe what he’d told her and shook her head in denial. “I still don’t comprehend why you would take an interest—”
“So, I left Somerset. Years passed, and I tried to forget about you while I waited for you to grow up. Tried, but was not successful at all.” He smiled, his thumb caressing under her eye. “It was impossible to forget you,” he said very softly, his eyes boring into her.
“I–I am…”
“Shhh.” He brought two fingers to her lips. “You don’t have to say anything, Marianne. I just wanted you to know, that is all.” Brightening, he said, “I have a gift for you.”
“Another gift? You have given me so many, Darius.”