ch warmth, such welcome in the young woman’s face, and the heat from her hands seemed to reach into Chloris and soothe her troubled soul. “You are Lennox’s sister?”
The woman nodded. “One of them. I am Jessie.”
Chloris struggled to make sense of it. The letter he’d sent confided that he’d had word of his kin. Was this the matter of great urgency that he was called away upon, on that fateful day that he had sent a letter? “He was searching for you.”
“Lennox and I have recently been reunited. He was on his way here, to find you, when our paths crossed.”
“Being reunited with you again will be a huge comfort to him, for he has searched for you all these years.”
Jessie nodded. “Aye, but if he had not been on his way to find you, our paths would not have crossed. There is great significance in that for a man such as Lennox.”
Destiny, he had mentioned it often. Chloris longed to believe in it, too.
“But it is you that he needs now for his comfort,” Jessie continued, “you most of all.”
Chloris withdrew her hands from Jessie’s, difficult though it was to turn away from the succor she offered. “It cannot be. My cousin will have his coven ousted if I dare to see Lennox again.” She picked her words carefully, aware of the pain the young woman had suffered because of her mother’s persecution.
“I do not know the full circumstances of the situation, but Lennox has already sent his people north.”
Chloris was startled. “They have gone from Saint Andrews?”
“They had to leave, your cousin was determined to oust them all, every last one of them.”
Horrified that her worst fears had almost been realized, Chloris struggled to put the pieces into place.
“We must speak quickly in case your servant returns.” Jessie retrieved her basket and withdrew a folded page. “Lennox is here in Edinburgh and he has taken rooms for us just a few streets away. He has written the address for you, and he will remain there until you are able to meet him.”
Chloris stared down at the page, saw that it was written by the same hand, and her heart beat wildly. Lennox was here, in Edinburgh. “He has come here?”
“He’s in love with you, Mistress Chloris.” Jessie laughed softly. “He is in a terrible, sorry state. I must say it is quite endearing to witness.”
Chloris could scarcely breathe.
“Can I tell him you will come?” Jessie asked.
“Yes, I will be there within the hour.”
* * *
Chloris was ready to leave the house immediately, but she forced herself to wait a little longer, lest someone spied her following in Jessie’s footsteps. Her heart was all aflutter, her thoughts dashing this way and that. Lennox had come after her, he had hunted her down. Why hadn’t he gone with his people? How had he found her? The questions spilled through her thoughts as she attempted to bide her time.
Mary entered the drawing room. “I’ve left out your cloak and boots, mistress.”
“Thank you, I will be going out immediately.”
“Shall I order the carriage to be brought round?”
“No. I want to take the air, so I will walk.” She followed Mary out of the room, then hurried to her bedchamber where a cloak hung over the dressing screen next to the armoire. Changing into her boots, she grabbed the cloak and raced downstairs.
Once out in the street she glanced about to check that she wasn’t being observed, and then hurried on her way. It was not far, but every step felt as if she had to make haste, lest she awaken from the dream and discover she had imagined this situation.
As she approached the building where Lennox had taken lodgings, she saw Jessie watching from a window, waiting for her. Before she even knocked at the door, Jessie opened it and directed her up the stairs.
“The first door at the top of the stairs, he’s waiting for you. Hurry, before the landlady sees you.”
“Thank you.” Chloris squeezed Jessie’s hand, then lifted her skirts and darted up the stairs. She almost tripped in her haste, but when she got to the landing and saw the door ajar, she felt suddenly nervous. It was as if it were a dream and if she stepped through the door she would awaken and find herself alone.
A moment later the door opened wide and Lennox was standing there, one hand against the door frame, looking out at her.