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where a vermillion sun has half-veiled behind purple clouds. The sun was setting early. Soon, Mr. Billingsley would take his leave, and she would likely not see him for another year. It was a strangely disheartening thought.
    “Might I ask you a question, Mr. Billingsley?”
“Of course.”
    “I…” Margaret lightly nibbled on her lower lip as she hesitated. “Last year, it was Cynthia who asked this question. Although… I confess, the thought has also entered my mind, and more than once.”
    “Well? What is the question?” he asked. “Or do you intend to hold me in suspense forever?”
    “Good gracious, Mr. Billingsley! Have you no patience? I hesitate to ask the question because I hate to sound unkind.” Margaret paused by a rosebush and lightly brushed her fingertips across the petals. “Why do you spend so much time with my grandmother? Why are you always reading to her and doting on her?”
    “Your grandmother is a remarkably kind-hearted woman. Is she not worthy of being doted on?” Margaret did not look satisfied by his answer, so he added, “Perhaps a lack of affection is to blame?”
    “What do you mean?”
    Jacob’s eyes were downcast. “My mother died in childbirth, and I had no grandmother of my own. Even my own father paid little attention to me, and he certainly did not shower me with affection. Your grandmother was the first person to acknowledge my existence. She was the first who cared.”
    When Margaret saw him dab his eye with his thumb, she asked, “Did my question make you sad? I’m very sorry…”
    “You needn’t apologize. I have no reason to pity myself. Lydia has shown me all the kindness and maternal love I could ever hope for, and for that, I shall be forever indebted to her.” Jacob lazily shuffled his feet along the cobbled path, disrupting the stones. “I hope you know how lucky you are to have her in your life.”
    “I am! Why do you think I visit her every year? She is, without question, my favorite person in the entire world.” Margaret made an attempt to smile at Jacob, but he would not meet her gaze. He was ashamed of the tears in his eyes. “In a sense, she is your grandmother, as well as mine.”
    “And yet, we are not related,” he was quick to point out. “Miss Berryton, it must be said that I… that I…”
    Margaret stopped walking and turned in his direction. She had a tulip in her hand, and she was gently spinning the stem between her fingers. “Yes, Mr. Billingsley?”
    “I look forward to your visits each year,” he quietly confessed. “I… anticipate your company very much.”
    “It is very kind of you to say that.”
    “That man… the one who broke your heart… the one who disappointed you…” Jacob swallowed so hard, Margaret could see his throat bobbing. “He was a fool to abandon you.”
    “I… thank you, Mr. Billingsley.”
    Margaret turned away from him and silently resumed her walk.
    Neither of them uttered another word, even though both of their hearts pounded vigorously.

Chapter Four

    Twenty

    “My dearest Maggie, I can hardly believe it!” Lydia’s blue eyes were bright and lively as she embraced her favorite grandchild. “On this day, seventy years ago, I was born. I have lived a very long time… and yet, nothing has ever made me happier than this.” When Lydia turned her attention to the man standing beside Margaret, she said, “If you are to marry my Maggie, Mr. Carridan, you are a very lucky man!”
    “On that, we agree.” Dark-haired, dark-eyed and dimpled, Vincent Carridan took the older woman’s hand and bowed over it. “It is good to finally meet you, Mrs. Calder, and I am happy to have your blessing.”
    “Such a gentleman!” Lydia observed. “And handsome, too! He seems like quite the catch, my dear.”
    Smiling at her fiance, Maggie said, “Indeed. I was very fortunate to find such a flawless man.”
    “Oh, I am hardly flawless!” Vincent chuckled at the thought. “We all have our faults, to be