“Me Laird,” the man said as Archer walked past him, climbing up the small steps and into the interior of the carriage.
The footman turned his gaze to Emilie.
“Me Lady,” he greeted with another friendly smile.
The man extended a hand, offering it to her as she climbed into the carriage along with her husband. She glanced up, noticing Archer’s eyes lingering on her hand, the one that was holding onto the valet’s.
She couldn’t be entirely sure, but she thought she saw something like jealousy, or maybe it was protectiveness, lingering in his steel gray eyes. Whatever the emotion was, it sent a small thrill dancing through her as she climbed into the carriage and situated herself on the bench seat across from Archer.
There was a scuffling of feet and the huffing of horses from beyond the windows, and then the carriage lurched as it started on its journey.
Emilie glanced at Archer, wondering if he would be providing any conversation at all on the drive to Thrums. But it appeared that her husband would not be speaking any time soon.
He was leaning back against the seat, his head tipped back and his eyes closed. So, Emilie turned her attention to the window, watching the lush green landscape go by as they made their way toward the port city.
Despite her nerves, the ride went quickly. And, before Emilie knew it, the tops of the buildings that made up the city could be seen in the distance.
The noise reached her much sooner than she thought it would. The cries of gulls and the low hum of people floating to her on a breeze.
The carriage rode into the town, and Emilie all but pressed herself against the wall of the carriage to take it all in.
The nuns hadnae known what they were talkin’ about. Nae about this place.
It was a thought that ran through her mind on repeat as she looked out over the expansive town. People bustled to and fro, fat babies on their hips and laundry balanced on their heads.
Fishermen stalked the streets, carrying baskets filled with their catch of the day, hocking their wares to vendors.
The carriage rolled to a stop, apparently meeting their destination, and Archer wasted no time throwing the door open. Emilie was too busy trying to drink in every bit of the scenery to care much when he climbed out of the carriage and then extended his hand to help her out as well.
Now is as good a time as any to try to annoy me husband.
“It’s all so bonnie,” she exclaimed, and she hadn’t even had to pretend to add the breathiness to her tone. “I cannae believe it. The nuns always said that cities did nothin’ but breed sin. But this? This is so lovely.”
“Of course, the nuns would see sin everywhere they look,” Archer chimed.
She had expected his words to be harsh and gruff, as they so often were. But instead, they had been more placating than anything. She glanced at him, finding him watching her with a more open expression than she had ever seen.
Of course, he was still glowering. Emilie doubted that expression ever truly left his face. But his eyes were shining with what appeared to be amusement rather than annoyance.
I have to do better.
“Why shouldnae they?” she asked, driving her voice up an octave. “The world is full of sin. And the more people there are, the more sin to be had.”
Quickly, Emilie scanned the crowd. Her eyes landed on a building, a sign swinging slightly in the breeze, and she had to fight back a smile.
“I mean, just look,” she pointed at the building. “A tavern that’s full to the brim, and it’s nae even midday yet. Those men should be out workin’ or home with their families, and yet, there they are, fillin’ their bellies with drink.”
Archer, surprising Emilie entirely, chuckled darkly.
“Ye have a lot to learn about the world, wife. Now, follow after me.”
Emilie glanced at him in surprise, but did as she was told as he turned and walked away.
It was hard for her to keep up her prattling, but she tried to the best of her abilities. Words flew out of Emilie’s mouth, high-pitched and grating, about everything that she saw and everything that she could think of.
But still, Archer never once seemed annoyed. If anything, his tone only seemed to grow more and more patient as they made it farther into the city.
“Where are we headin’?” Emilie finally wailed, hoping that if babbling about nothing hadn’t done the trick, then maybe whining would.