Page 68 of Love Set Apart
“Robert is right,” Emilie said. “You are so very kind to help us. We wouldn’t wish to take advantage.”
“Understood. I want ye to know there is a place there for ye. Ye would be comfortable, and happy, I believe, but it is up to ye. When we go back to the inn, why doona the two of ye take some time to talk and then tomorrow ye can let me ken what ye think.” Edna glanced at Angus who was nodding his head in agreement. “We’ll also need to find a bridge nearby if possible.”
“A bridge?” Robert asked.
“Aye. It is how I time travel,” Edna said.
Robert and Emilie exchanged confused looks.
“If ye decide to leave with us, ye’ll see what I’m talking about,” she assured them.
The young couple seemed content to leave it at that for the time being. So they all headed back to the inn and to their rooms for the night.
“I’m exhausted,” Edna said, once they were in their bed.
“As am I. A good night’s sleep on a hopefully comfortable bed will do us both good.”
“And then tomorrow we go home.”
“Once we settle things with Robert and Emilie,” Edna clarified. “I doona like the idea of leaving them here without a plan.”
“If they decide no’ to come with us, then we’ll stay here for a while longer to make sure they get settled.”
“Fingers crossed they want to travel with us to Glendaloch.” Edna could see that Angus was more than ready to go home.
* * *
“What do you think?”Emilie asked. She sat on a small wooden stool by the hearth as Robert made a fire to keep them warm.
“I’m no’ sure. Are ye no’ afraid to go?” he asked.
She wrinkled her brow and tipped her head to the side, gazing into the fire as she thought. “I’m not. Are you surprised?”
“Perhaps a little,” Robert said. “It is the unknown that we’d be heading into.”
“At this moment our future is unknown no matter what we choose. There are no guarantees we will find a place here in France or in Scotland. I have no family and yours, from what you’ve told me, might not be willing to help you.”
“I doona believe they will,” Robert said. It was clear to Robert that she knew what she wanted to do, but he had so many questions. If the frown he was wearing was any indication of his feelings, then they might be staying.
“Why do you frown so, Robert? Do you not wish to go?” Emilie reached out to touch his arm. “Edna and Angus want to help us. They are good people. I trust them. Do you?”
“I do. They have helped us to this point.” He knelt in front of Emilie, taking her hands in his. When he looked at Emilie he had a picture in his mind of what their life together would be. He had no idea what to expect in the future or how he would even be able to take care of her and any bairns they’d have. “What do ye think it will be like there?”
“I think it will be so much more wonderful than the world we know. Angus told me that it takes little time to travel almost anywhere.”
“How is that possible?” Robert asked.
“I don’t know, but I think I’d like to find out,” Emilie said.
Robert looked down at his hands. He was having a hard time with the idea of leaving what was familiar to them. Giving up control of their lives to a future they knew nothing about gave him pause.
Emilie touched his cheek with her hand, and he lifted his head to gaze at her. “We’d have each other. What more do we need?”
He released a sigh. “Yer right, but I’d like more time to think.”
“We should give them our decision tomorrow morning. I feel sure they want to go back home.”
“I imagine they do. Shall we get some sleep?” Robert asked.
