Page 64 of Sleepless in Saunton
“Shall I take Tatiana back to the manor?” His mother did not meet his eyes, aware she had offered something improper, her expression nothing short of mischievous.
He cleared his throat. “I would appreciate that. Jane and I should talk perhaps … before we return.”
Tatiana clapped her hands. “First you must come see!”
Tugging on Aurora’s hand, Tatiana led the way to the second cave. As they entered, Barclay was again struck by the eerie solitude of the second statue standing in its private cave, with dappled light stealing in from the opening above.
She led them to a bench in the back, where a hamper and blanket rested. Taking hold of Jane’s hand, Tatiana led her forward to sit on the bench. “We did not see it before, but look.”
Jane sat, then turned her head in the direction that the girl pointed, gasping in surprise. “There is a verse etched on the wall of the cave.” She bent from side to side. “It is lit by the sunlight, and it can only be viewed from this bench!”
“What does it say?” Barclay’s curiosity got the better of him, the question spilling from his lips before he could stop himself.
Aurora gazed at the statue in the middle, not looking at the verse but speaking its lines from the recesses of her memory.
“Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt that the sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar,
But never doubt I love.”
Barclay smiled. “Tsar.”
His mother smiled in response. “Indeed. He certainly loves his Shakespeare. I would have done well to recall that this was Tsar’s creation, not your sire’s. I confused the two, but”—she turned shining eyes to his—“but the sentiment holds true from a mother to a son, which is why I shall never regret my time here.”
He inclined his head, touched by his mother’s support. She stepped forward, taking Tatiana’s hand from Jane. “Come, little one. Your father and Jane should talk while we return to the manor.”
“I got them here!”
“You did, child. Well done.”
Aurora and his daughter headed for the cave exit, leaving Barclay to stand awkwardly in the subdued lighting. Staring at his boots, he rubbed the toe of one boot against the moss on the lit floor while he thought about what to say now that he had his chance. “I think I may owe you an apology.”
He heard Jane exhale deeply. “Yes, I believe you do.”
Drawing a deep breath, he walked forward to drop to one knee next to her. He was alone with Jane, and he could only pray she was not yet betrothed to that audacious little worm, Dunsford.
CHAPTER18
Jane looked at him in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“I thought I might declare myself,” Barclay answered, fascinated by her irises which were particularly vivid in the light playing in the cave. “I might be too late, but—”
“Too late?”
“I know Dunsford intended to propose.”
“Oh … I confess I did not heed your advice to wait when he spoke to me earlier in the library.”
Barclay’s heart fell. He had missed his chance, and Jane had accepted a proposal from another man. Feeling foolish, bent on one knee as he was so he could be at eye-level with her. Now he was stuck here with nowhere to hide as she pondered him from inches away. “I … see.”
He made to rise, but Jane shot out a hand to stay him. “I gave Mr. Dunsford my answer because I saw no reason to delay. I informed him that I was honored by his offer, but unfortunately my affections were otherwise engaged and I would not be doing him a justice if I were to agree to be his wife.”
Barclay closed his eyes, his fears spent. This day had been exhausting in every way, but when he opened his eyes once more, he was invigorated with renewed energy. Jane gazed at him with curiosity as he attempted to gather his frayed wits and press forward. “I am so relieved to hear that. I would have been sorely disappointed.”
She smiled tentatively. “What of you? Are there nuptials to be announced? Between you and Mrs. Gordon?”
