“Oh no, not a bit of it. I miss it and my friends there; but really, the world is not such a vast place as it seemed when I first crossed the Atlantic. I know I’ll visit one day. For now, I am very happy to be back in Scotland. I knew the moment the train started to pull in at Waverley station back in March that this is where I belong. We came through the tunnel, and I saw the big grey bulk of the castle looming over me. When I stepped onto the platform, I was surrounded by Scottish voices; and even though it had been seven long years since I’d set foot here—” Margaret broke off, smiling sheepishly. “You’ve read my first piece for Demorest’s, I don’t need to repeat it verbatim.”

Her mother smiled warmly. “I am so relieved that the closeness we established in our correspondence continues to thrive. Your father . . .”

“Oh, let us not spoil things by talking of him.”

“He will never admit it, but he is astonished by what you have achieved, Margaret. The fact that he has not once mentioned stopping your allowance should have told you at least that he no longer opposes the choices you have made.”

“Though he cannot endorse them!”

“No, that would be quite beyond him, but he makes no objection to my visiting you and even staying overnight in that little town house you have rented on Heriot Row, though Dalkeith is only seven miles from the city. What’s more, when I suggested that I could help raise funds for your Edinburgh sanctuary, he said he expected no less.”

“I’m delighted that we will be working together.”

“As am I. I wish I could spare you more time, but I have so many other commitments and spend far less time in Edinburgh than I would like. Ah, here we are. I believe Lochiel has arranged a carriage for us. All we need to do is find a porter for our luggage.”

A mere twenty minutes later they were on their way, following a sinuous road along the banks of a river. The nerves which Margaret had quelled now set her stomach roiling, making her wish that she had eschewed her boiled egg at breakfast. It was less than fifteen miles to their destination. In two hours, perhaps less, she would see Donald again.