Behind the Mask (53 page)

Abbi was not surprised to see Lance approach. As always, she was struck by the distinction of the uniform, and the impressive effect of the sword and pistol at his sides. She noticed too that he always wore a small scabbard on his belt that housed an elegant dagger. It looked a little too fine to be standard military issue, and she wondered if it had significance.

“Hello,” she said, appreciating a distraction from her melancholy thoughts.

“Hello.” He set a hand on her shoulder to observe her work for a moment. “It’s very nice, Abbi,” he said. “I must say for a beginner you’re doing very well. Not that I’m any great art critic.”

“I thank heaven you’re not.” She laughed.

Lance moved her things aside and sat down on the bench. “As long as you’re enjoying your work, it shouldn’t matter what anyone thinks.”

“That’s true.”

“Still, I like it.”

“Thank you, Lance. You’re kind as always.”

A minute later he spoke in a tone that caught her attention. “Abbi, I’d like to talk to you, if I may.”

Abbi stopped painting but left her brush poised, wondering if this would be what she’d been expecting for weeks now. “I’m listening,” she said, still concentrating on her work.

“Abbi, you know I’m a man of few words, but I think the time has come that you should know . . . I would like it very much if . . . we were to marry.”

Abbi swallowed carefully. She didn’t want to lead him on, but she couldn’t help recalling Cameron’s admonition regarding the captain before she’d left the mountain.
The nearer we get to my coming down from here, the more distracted I want him to be
. She set her brush aside and glanced down, laughing softly in an effort to cover her nerves. “Lance, your offer is very flattering, but . . . we hardly know each other.”

“We’ve spent regular time together since you’ve returned. We dine together practically every day.”

Abbi listened with patience. Everything he said was true. He had increasingly spent more and more of his free time here. Occasionally he even spent the night. His company always delighted Ramona and Salina, and Abbi often hovered near them. It had eased her boredom and allowed her to keep her promise to Cameron.

“I’ve talked with you more than any woman I’ve ever known,” he went on. “I doubt we could know each other better than that.” Abbi was amazed at his naiveté. He didn’t have any idea what a real relationship should be like, or he wouldn’t be proposing to her.

“Lance,” she said gently, “we’ve spent a great deal of time together, but . . . we really know very little about each other—not about the things that matter in a marriage.”

“I know that you’re all I’d ever need or want in a wife.”

His statement made her wonder what his perception of a wife might be.

“Does love fit in with your plan?” she asked.

“I care very much for you. I would do everything in my power to make you happy.”

Abbi glanced down and had to admit, “I know.”

“Do you find me distasteful, Abbi? Have I done or said something that makes you hesitate?”

“No,” she said, looking into his eyes. “You’re a good man, Lance. And you’ve always been kind and caring. I’m grateful for your friendship. I just . . . don’t know if this is the right choice for my life.”

Lance leaned back and sighed. “Will you think about it?”

Abbi felt some relief. At least that would give her time and allow them to continue on as they were. “Yes, I’ll think about it. Thank you.”

Lance stayed and visited with her for a while, but Abbi sensed a tension between them that hadn’t been there before. That evening at dinner she was shocked when Ramona said, “Abbi, my dear, is there a reason you’ve turned down Lance’s proposal of marriage?” Abbi looked up at Lance, somewhat relieved to see that he was embarrassed by his stepmother’s intrusion. “Is there a reason?” Ramona repeated.

“Ramona,” Lance said, “I told you what was going on because you asked, but I don’t see where Abbi’s decisions are anyone’s business but her own.”

Abbi made a mental note to thank him for that later. Sitting there in his uniform she could almost imagine a great hero defending her against a dragon. Ramona certainly wasn’t all that bad, but her overt opinions and nosiness were often bothersome and frustrating.

Ramona looked stunned and Abbi clarified, “I didn’t turn him down, Aunt Ramona. I told him I needed some time to think about it.”

“I hope you think about it carefully. Yes, I do hope,” Ramona continued, apparently not the least bit deterred by Lance’s reprimand. “You really should marry. Salina and I don’t want to stay here until you turn twenty-one. You really should marry.”

“Speak for yourself, sister,” Salina interjected and Abbi glanced at her affectionately. “I should like to stay forever.”

“Hush up,” Ramona scolded before turning again to Abbi. “A woman in your position needs a husband, my dear, and I don’t see any other prospects. Lance is a good man. You really should reconsider. Lance is a good man.”

Abbi felt angry as she considered for the first time that perhaps Ramona had ulterior motives. If Abbi married Lance, he could care well for his stepmother with Abbi’s money. Though nothing had been said to that effect, she couldn’t help wondering if it had crossed Ramona’s mind.

Later that evening, Abbi’s anger turned to fear as she sat alone in her room. According to Dr. Furhelm’s calculations, she was nearly halfway through her pregnancy. And still she and Cameron were living in separate worlds. The doctor had come every two weeks, assuring her all was well with each visit. But his visits depressed her as they marked another passage of time. And everything was made worse with the reality that the fair would be the day after tomorrow. How could she forget Cameron’s promise that they would be together, that they would share the folk-dance? She’d already committed to going with her aunts, but the thought of being there without Cameron incited knots in her stomach. How could she bear it?

Abbi found it difficult to sleep as worries and fears assaulted her. Finally she turned her mind to prayer, desperately seeking some peace and hope for the future. She recalled Georg telling her about the lieutenant who had lost his life for Cameron’s sake, and the wife and children he had left behind. Abbi reminded herself that she had much to be grateful for, and with her gratitude came the hope she so desperately needed. She prayed Cameron might feel that same hope, and with thoughts of him she fell asleep.

Cameron walked toward the stable, looking around him at the signs of summer becoming late. Georg had promised him that, one way or another, he would be off this mountain before autumn. But each day felt like a month and he ached to be away from here and, mostly, to be with Abbi. Freedom was a dream further still beyond his reach.

In the stable Cameron found a message waiting for him. He couldn’t help hoping that it might be good news. But he had hoped the same thing every day, and as of yet it had always been information of one kind or another, coming in bits and pieces to prepare him for the state of affairs he would be returning to.

Cameron put his glasses on and opened the little paper to read:
All here is as good as it will get. I’ll see you tomorrow. Everything as planned
. For a moment Cameron couldn’t breathe. He had to read it again, just to be sure. And again. Then he lifted his face heavenward and let out a joyful cry before he sank to his knees and thanked God for finally giving him another chance. He prayed that all would go well, that he and Abbi would remain safe. And that he truly might be free when all was said and done.

After a good night’s sleep, Abbi went straight to the stable. She didn’t feel at all like riding, but she needed Georg’s company, if not his reassurance. She walked in and found him smiling.

“What?” she demanded. “Is it good news?”

Georg’s smile deepened as he held out a little piece of paper. Abbi took it and read. Her hands trembled as she recognized Cameron’s handwriting.
Assemble! I’m coming down
.

“Oh Georg,” she cried, pressing the paper to her heart. “Is it really true?” Abbi sighed with unexplainable relief. “He’s coming? At last?”

“A few days, at the most,” he promised and Abbi threw herself into his arms. Georg laughed and lifted her off the ground. Even the prospect of being without Cameron at the fair tomorrow didn’t feel quite so grim. Just to have him back in her life at all would be heaven.

Cameron quickly set to work, knowing there was much to be done. Still, as busy as he was, the day dragged far too slowly. He scoured the lodge and stables, wanting everything in a condition that could be left indefinitely. He packed a change of clothes and some personal items into saddle bags, knowing Georg would come up soon to get whatever else he might need. Georg wanted Cameron’s transition to go quickly, with the least possibility of drawing any attention. Traveling light was essential.

Cameron hardly slept that night while his thoughts churned with excitement. When morning came he moved about the lodge, touching pieces of his seclusion in bittersweet farewell. He walked through one last time, making certain all was in order, then he saw to the animals’ needs, leaving plenty of food and water to last until Georg came up. He told Duke and Captain good-bye, ruffling their ears. “Georg will be back for you before long,” he said. “And perhaps very soon, you will belong to a very important man.”

Cameron sighed and threw his cloak around his shoulders. He went briskly to the stable and saddled one of his horses, bidding farewell to the other. Going down through the crevice in the rock was like moving into another dimension of time. He felt as if his world had stopped when he’d come here over four years ago. Now it was beginning again. He turned back to put the thicket in place over the opening, then he remounted and headed down the forest trail, trying to imagine the times Abbi had ridden this trail. It was more narrow and treacherous than he’d remembered, and he marveled that any woman would be so fearless.

Cameron emerged from the forest and crossed the fallen tree, coming into the open at last. He took a deep, life-sustaining breath and paused to absorb the view. Below him Horstberg glistened in the morning light. He gazed long and hard at the castle, sitting magnificently against the mountain, and he wondered if it might really be possible for him to return there and resume the position he’d left behind. If he did, would he be well received? The idea was as frightening as it was exhilarating.

A thousand thoughts hurtled through Cameron’s mind, but he put them all aside and concentrated instead on Abbi. She was his hope, his strength. She had led him out of his personal hell, and God willing, she would continue to guide him toward freedom. Thoughts of her prompted him to heel the mare forward. He galloped through the covered bridge and had to pause again as the Albrecht estate came into view. It had been familiar to him as a youth through his rare visits to Georg, but he’d never dreamed the connection he would find to it now. Perhaps he should have visited Georg more often.

“Abbi,” he murmured and galloped on, slowing as he approached, going carefully to be certain all was well. The stable doors were wide open, and he could see that Georg was alone, sitting on a stool, bent over some tool that he was sharpening with a whet-stone. Cameron dismounted and led the horse by the reins through the doorway. The grinding noise kept Georg from hearing Cameron’s entrance, and he paused to absorb the presence of his friend; never had there been a truer friend than Georg. The years fled as he observed how little Georg had changed. And he was grateful that he had waited until now for their reunion. The moment was sweet, knowing how far they had come—in spite of what still lay ahead.