by Regina Scott
“You are hardly a burden,” Simon said, heading toward the lights of the main cabin.
“My parents would have disagreed,” Nora said, walking beside him. “They were older, you see, in their forties when I was born. They hadn’t planned on supporting another child. It was very clear that I was unwanted, and a bit of an embarrassment. Sometimes, I think they were glad to go away, just to be free of me.”
“Nora!” His protest was sharp. “No parent wants to leave children alone.”
Too late she remembered his father’s untimely passing. “Yes, of course, Simon,” she said, lowering her head.
He stopped and touched her arm. “Forgive me. I have no right to comment on your family. I rarely understand my own.”
“Oh, your family is easy to understand,” she said, looking up at him. “They love you.”
He managed a smile and went to open the door.
Nora lagged behind. Why had she told him about her parents? She was just beginning to think he liked her. She shouldn’t admit that her own parents had found her unlovable. That would only put doubts in his mind.
Now she slipped into the main house behind him, watching as he crossed to the hearth, bent to set down the case and open it. Levi or John must have gone to summon the others, for all the Wallins were present. Drew and Catherine were on the bench that had been pulled away from the table, James and Rina nearby on chairs. Beth was still at the table, but Levi was lounging on the braided rug before the fire. John and Father Christmas were sitting on either side of the chessboard, but the pieces were scattered about as if they had no interest in playing now that better entertainment was here.
“What will you favor us with tonight, brother?” Drew asked, stretching out his legs.
“A love song,” Beth begged, setting aside her schoolwork.
“Something soft and sweet,” Mrs. Wallin agreed. She patted the chair nearest her rocker. “Come sit by me, Nora.”
Honored, Nora went to perch on the chair. But she found it hard to take her eyes off Simon. Standing tall, true, he tucked the worn violin under his chin and drew the bow along the strings. Music, pure and bright, flowed from his caress. She could almost see the notes curling around the cabin, touching his family. Catherine leaned her head against Drew’s shoulder, and Beth sighed.
Simon’s mother bent closer to Nora. “That’s called ‘The Song of True Love,’ dear. He must be thinking of you.”
Hope lifted her head, her gaze full of her husband. Simon’s eyes were closed, as if he too was carried away by the haunting melody. Was he playing for her?
She had no answer, for he didn’t open his eyes until he’d finished playing. As his family applauded, his brows rose as if he were a little surprised by the enthusiasm.
“Nicely done, Mr. Simon,” Father Christmas said. “You sure you don’t want me to arrange for you to play at the fancy theatre down in the capital?”
Before Simon could decline, James hopped to his feet. “Never mind the capital. How about something more lively right here? I’ve a hankering to dance with the prettiest gal in the room.” He eyed his bride, and Rina blushed.
“The prettiest woman in the room is taken,” Drew said, rising and offering his hand to his wife.
Levi heaved a sigh. “Looks like it’s you and me again, Beth.”
“For a few more years,” Beth predicted.
They were rearranging the furniture before Nora could even wonder about a partner. Drew and James shoved chairs and benches against the log walls, and Levi and John rolled up the rug. It seemed they were all going to dance.
She’d always wanted to dance. The school she’d attended had provided lessons. She knew where to put her feet, how to hold her arms. But she’d never been invited to a dance, and Charles and Meredith had never been willing to take her with them when they’d attended balls.
She looked to Simon. He too was watching his family scurry about, violin held beside him. He was her husband, the logical one to dance with her. The only one she really wanted to dance with.
But if he was playing, she’d never get a chance.
As the others took their places, Simon lifted the violin again.
“Wait,” Nora said.
Everyone looked at her, obviously surprised. She would not let that detour her.
“Brother John,” she said, “would you help me?”
“Surely,” John said, but she could hear the puzzlement in his voice.
She motioned him over to the bench beside the table and struck it with one hand. A dull boom echoed around the room.
“Can you keep time like that?” she asked.
John frowned a moment, then glanced over at Simon and grinned. “I can,” he promised, straddling the bench.
“And I can do better,” Father Christmas promised. He joined John by the table, pulling a flat oblong metal box from his pocket. Raising it to his mouth, he blew out some notes.
A harmonica! Nora grinned in delight, but Levi raised his head. “What is that?”
Father Christmas winked at him. “Something that might find its way into your stocking if you’re a good lad.” He turned to Nora. “Just promise me a dance, newest Mrs. Wallin, after you’ve finished the one you’ve planned.”
Nora blushed that he had guessed her intent. Turning, she looked to Simon, who was frowning at her.
“I don’t need accompaniment,” he told her.
Nora crossed to his side, her heart beating nearly as loud as John’s makeshift drum. “Yes, you do, if you’re going to put down that fiddle and dance with me.”
* * *
Dance? He never danced. He played the music so others might enjoy themselves. He’d resigned himself to that fact. Now here was Nora, tugging him out of the shadows. He wasn’t sure he was ready for the light.
James apparently disagreed.
“Excellent idea,” his irrepressible brother declared. He released his wife’s hand and strode up to Simon. “You should get a chance to dance, Simon. If you don’t remember how, I’ll partner you.” He held up one finger. “But I lead.”
Simon shook his head. “I think I can manage, James.” He set down Pa’s violin in the case and straightened to eye Nora. “If you’re sure about this.”
“Oh, yes, Simon,” she said, her eyes shining bright as silver.
Simon took her hand in his. Her fingers were trembling, but he thought it was from eagerness. The smile she offered him was wide and deep. Perhaps dancing wasn’t such a bad idea.
John stretched his arms, fingers interlocked. “All right, then. Let’s have a waltz.”
“A waltz it is,” Father Christmas agreed. He brought the harmonica to his lips and began to play. John’s thump-thump-thump underscored the meter.
James swept Rina into his arms and began to twirl her around the floor. Drew and Catherine fell in behind them. Levi looked to Simon and raised his brows.
Simon recognized the song—it was one of Pa’s favorites. Ma had taught them all to dance to it at one point or another. He remembered following her awkwardly around the floor, tripping over his own feet until he got the hang of it. With a nod to Nora, he led her out onto the floor.
But dancing with Nora was nothing like dancing with Ma. She followed his lead effortlessly, beaming at him all the while as if he was a master of the art. Holding her as they turned, her gray skirts belling about her, he felt like a master, strong, sure, graceful. Even though it was only John pounding on the bench and Father Christmas on a wheezy harmonica, it seemed as if the finest orchestra was accompanying them.
And Nora looked so happy, her cheeks rosy and her eyes bright, her hair coming loose to float like a veil around her face. He couldn’t look away.
After one last drawn-out note, Father Christmas lowered the harmonica, and John stopped, shaking out hi
s hands. The other dancers swung to a halt, and Simon made himself release Nora and applaud with the rest of his family.
Father Christmas grinned at them. “Who’s for another round?”
James and Drew immediately chorused their interest, and Simon found himself nodding eagerly.
John stood. “Levi, come take over. There’s a lady here I’ve never partnered, and I mean to rectify that.”
Simon wasn’t sure who he meant, but Levi released Beth and went to the bench to join Father Christmas.
John approached Nora and gave her a bow. “Mrs. Wallin, might I have the honor of this dance?”
Nora glanced at Simon as if unsure. He felt himself stiffen. What was wrong with him? He wasn’t about to get in a fight with his brother for the right to dance with his own wife.
She must have heard something in Simon’s silence, for she dropped John a curtsy. “I would be delighted, Brother John.”
Levi started beating the time, and Father Christmas raised his harmonica once more.
Simon stepped back against the hearth as the others swirled past, Nora in John’s arms. It was just John, Simon told himself. He was likely only being kind. After all, John was considerate to everyone. There was no reason he couldn’t dance with Nora.
But did she have to look so happy about it?
“Ahem.”
Beth’s tone drew his gaze to his sister, who was standing beside him, her arms upraised as if ready to partner him.
“I should play,” he said.
“You should not,” Beth replied. “Honestly, Simon, we are trying to help you, but you don’t make it easy.”
Simon resigned himself to a scold and led his sister out onto the floor. At least if he danced with her, he didn’t have to watch Nora and John.
“You aren’t helping,” he told Beth as they turned. “You’re interfering.”
“Which is what family is supposed to do,” she insisted.
“When the other family member is confused or incapable of acting,” Simon pointed out. “I am neither.”
“Oh.” Beth chewed on that a moment. “You’re right, of course. It’s not like you to be confused, and you are one of the most capable of my brothers. So why don’t you marry Nora?”
Simon was glad Nora was on the opposite side of the room and likely couldn’t hear his sister over the sound of the music.
“I am married to Nora, remember?” he told her.
Beth wrinkled her nose. “Maybe. But sometimes you act as if you don’t particularly like the idea.”
Simon dropped his hold, grabbed her hand and dragged her into the kitchen. Once he was sure they were beyond anyone else’s hearing, he asked, “What are you talking about?”
Beth shook her head, clearly exasperated with him. “You order her about, disagree with most of her suggestions. A wife wants her husband to be more considerate.”
Fine words for a girl still in the schoolroom. “Is this according to Godey’s?” Simon asked her.
Beth colored. “No, it’s from my observations. I don’t remember much about Pa, but I do remember he always put Ma first. Drew and James are the same way with Catherine and Rina. And they have a way of looking at each other.” She sighed. “So romantic.”
“I don’t need to romance Nora,” Simon said. “That’s not why we married.”
Beth waved a hand. “I’ve heard all about your reasons. It was very noble of you, Simon, to win us the land and rescue Nora from her despicable family. But she deserves more.” Beth peered closer. “And so do you. You can do it, Simon. I know you have the ability to love deeply.”
He started to pull away in denial, but Beth tightened her grip.
“You do! You wouldn’t have stayed here in Wallin Landing if it wasn’t true. I know we all drive you mad at times. And you wouldn’t have accepted Britta and Fleet.”
“I accepted them under duress,” Simon informed her.
“You accepted them because Nora accepted them,” Beth countered. “I think you love her, but you’re afraid of being hurt. You think she won’t like who you are.”
Said so bluntly, the fact slammed into him. But he refused to allow it to be true. “Maybe I’m just the family curmudgeon.”
“Well, you certainly can be,” Beth agreed. “But you don’t have to be. I don’t know why you don’t want to try, Simon, because Nora truly is the sweetest person. And I have proof love is worth the risk. Look at Drew and James.”
Something tugged at him like a rope on a log. He fought off the feeling. Nora was sweet, but it didn’t follow that her sweetness would accommodate his sometimes sour nature. “I’m not Drew or James. And I have to question the experience of a fourteen-year-old.”
Beth pouted. “I’ve read all of Pa’s books, and many in Mrs. Howard’s lending library. Men do great and wonderful things for love. I know you can too.” She gazed up at him. “Won’t you please try, for Nora’s sake?”
For Nora’s sake. He’d already given up his bed, had his home redecorated and provided room in his life for a three-legged cow and a native dog that was likely even now rending his clothing apart. Simon sighed. “I am doing the best I can, Beth. Leave it at that.”
She sighed as well, and this time the sound was firm and unyielding. “Then you leave us no choice, Simon. We all love you and Nora, and we’re going to make sure you’re happy together, whether you’re ready or not.”
Chapter Fifteen
Nora wasn’t sure what was happening with Simon. She had seen him take his sister aside, but she finished her dance with John and one with Father Christmas, Levi awkwardly tooting along with John on the bench, before Simon and Beth returned from the kitchen. They joined the other couples in thanking the musicians for their efforts. Simon looked particularly thoughtful as everyone began bidding each other good-night. His brows were drawn down, and his mouth was firmly fixed. What had Beth said to him?
“Is something troubling your sister?” Nora asked as she and Simon walked back to their house under a velvety night sky.
“No,” he said, hitching the violin case closer.
Not for the first time she wished he was a bit more loquacious. “She kept you in the kitchen a long time.”
“She seemed to think I required it.”
She resolved to get the answer out of Beth the next day. She was just glad to find the house in good shape and Fleet sleeping curled up by the sideboard when they reached the cabin, as if patiently waiting for the next round of food to be served. Simon uttered a “Humph,” which she could only hope was his way of saying the dog had done better than he’d expected. But she made sure to let Fleet out with her when she left to milk Britta the next morning.
She had to wait until Beth was done with school before asking what had happened with her and Simon the night before. Father Christmas had left for points south. Nora had been concerned Fleet might follow, but the dog seemed pleased with his new home, sniffing about the outside of her cabin and the main one.
“He thinks we’re his new pack,” Levi claimed, squatting to scratch the dog behind his ear. At least he seemed pleased to have the dog about. Simon’s brother came into the main house with Nora, reluctantly leaving Fleet to explore the clearing.
Mrs. Wallin had told Nora earlier that she would be spending the day at Drew and Catherine’s helping with baby things, and most of the men were out working on the new acreage. Levi went to study the chessboard, very likely in preparation for a match with John that evening. With the fire glowing in the hearth and something with basil baking in the oven, Beth brought greenery from the back porch and piled it in front of her on the table.
“You can help me, Nora,” she said as Nora hung up her cloak. “I need three hands to bring this all together, and Levi cannot be bothered.”
Levi leaned back and crossed his ar
ms behind his head, further disheveling his curly blond hair. “That’s because you’re making something that will have no impact on me. You might even call it a grim reminder.”
Nora wandered closer to Beth. “What are you making?”
“Something Simon will never need either, at the rate he’s going,” Levi declared, and this time Beth glared at him.
Frowning, Nora slipped onto the bench beside Beth, her gray skirts brushing Beth’s pink gingham, and lowered her voice. “Speaking of Simon, I was wondering what kept the two of you in the kitchen so long last night.”
Beth shook her head. “It wouldn’t have taken nearly so long if Simon wasn’t so pigheaded.” Immediately, she made a face. “I’m sorry, Nora. That wasn’t very nice.”
Nora smiled at her. “It’s all right. I’m coming to realize your whole family has had trouble with Simon. But you needn’t be so hard on him. He’s very reasonable, once you give him a chance.”
“Reasonable.” Beth blew out a breath. “Well, that’s one word for him. I was merely trying to point out to him that he could be a better husband.”
Nora recoiled. “A better husband? Why, he’s a marvelous husband!”
Beth raised her golden brows. “He is?”
Nora nodded. “Yes, of course. He is considerate and fastidious and asks my opinion on any number of matters.”
“And then tells you where you’re wrong,” Beth said.
“Well, yes,” Nora agreed. “But he’s usually right. Except in the case of Britta and Fleet, of course. And on how I can help the family.”
Beth pointed a finger at Nora. “See? That’s why I took him aside. He could do better.” She lowered her hand and her voice as well. “I think he’s in love with you, Nora, but he’s afraid to show it.”
Nora must have shaken her head harder than she’d intended, for she could feel her hair slipping out of the knot at the back of her head. “You’re wrong, Beth. Simon’s not afraid of anything. He doesn’t love me.”
Beth leaned back. “Maybe. We’ll see. And this just might help things along.”