Page 84 of The Last Debutante
Only she, Mackenzie, and Robbie would ride to Mamie’s. Charity had declined to join them. “I refuse to wear trousers,” she said, gazing down at Daria’s.
“They’re really very comfortable.”
Charity shook her head. “I think your parents will arrive today, and I will be here to explain to them that all is not lost. I think I’ve never been so eager to see anyone leave a place as I am to see you leave Dundavie. I fear if you don’t leave soon, you will be shearing sheep.”
Shearing sheep sounded almost idyllic to Daria this morning. She strode out in her pantaloons to ride with the men.
On the way to Mamie’s cottage, she discovered why Charity was taken with Captain Mackenzie. He rode with Daria, chatting easily, complimenting her profusely. She was one of the bonniest women he’d ever met, et cetera, and he’d long thought so. He enumerated the various bachelor gentlemen he had met through Lord Eberlin and assured her that she would be found quite desirable by them. “I can make the necessary introductions, if you’d like, lass.”
“You?” Daria asked laughingly.
“Aye, me,” he said confidently. “You might be amazed, then, how many men have a secret desire to be a sea captain. I am well-regarded company in most circles.”
Daria laughed at him. “How modest you are, Captain!”
“I know my worth, Miss Babcock. Perhaps you are no’ as certain of yours, aye?” he asked jovially, and rode ahead.
His words echoed in Daria’s head as they made their way to Mamie’s cottage.
When they reached the cairns and started their descent into the little glen where Mamie lived, Mackenzie had another piece of advice for Daria. “It is my experience that a man who spends weeks on a ship will do what he must to be free of the sea, aye?”
“The sea?” Daria repeated, confused.
“What I mean, lass, is that your granny might very much like to be free of her sea. Go in there, then, lock the door, and donna let her out until she tells you what she’s hiding, aye? The truth may pain her greatly, but it will set her free of her sea.”
Yes, Daria could see why Charity was taken with Mackenzie.
When they reached Mamie’s cottage, Daria was alarmed to see the door standing open. The flowers that used to grace the windows were gone. There was no smoke at the chimney. Panic began to spread through her—the cottage looked abandoned.
Daria threw herself off her horse and hurried to the gate.
“We’ve the right cottage, have we no’?” Mackenzie asked.
“Aye,” Robbie said gruffly.
Daria pushed through the gate. “Mamie!” she called out.
“Daria?” Mamie’s voice filtered out from the back room.
Daria strode to the dark room where Jamie had spent a week.
Mamie met her at the door, looking slightly dazed. “Oh dear, is something wrong?” She rubbed her hands on her dirty apron. She was entirely disheveled.
“What are you about, Mamie?” Daria asked, peering past her into the darkened room.
“Just sorting things,” she said absently.
Daria whirled about and went to the front door. She waved to Mackenzie and Robbie, then shut the door and bolted it. When she turned around, Mamie was staring at her warily.
Her grandmother looked so small and so...old. Daria grabbed her up and held her tightly, burying her face in her neck. “Mamie, what has happened to you?” she asked tearfully.
“I am glad you have come, darling.” She pulled away and tried to smile, but Daria scarcely noticed it. She couldn’t look away from the dark circles beneath Mamie’s eyes.
“I’ll just put the kettle on,” Mamie said, and moved to the hearth.
Daria watched her. Something seemed different about the kitchen. She glanced up at the shelf. “Where are your china plates and the crystal?”
“Only things,” Mamie said, with a dismissive flick of her wrist. “Tell me, darling, how have you been at Dundavie?”
