“Indeed.” Vic’s face lit up. “Several nights a week, the young lads and lasses of Northland meet at the pitch. My father keeps tabs on the promising players in the area. I think he’d like to have a winning team someday.”

“It didn’t escape my notice that your family crest is on the entrance to the field, and the school, and the farm we passed with all the sheep. You’ve got a hand in all of it, haven’t you?”

“Yes. I know I’ve talked a lot about the weight of responsibility in my title, and the complications of my family, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t also express my genuine affection for this country, its beauty, its people.” Vic’s expression softened as her voice grew more wistful. “This is my home, and I’m proud of that. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

Sophia gave her fingers a little squeeze. She didn’t understand that kind of responsibility. She’d made her way in the world by saving herself, but her chest tightened as she listened to the mix of emotions thickening Vic’s voice. What would it be like to be so anchored to who you were and where you belonged?

They drove across a stone bridge above the point where a lazy stream broadened into a picturesque estuary filled with sailboats, and a quaint town began to rise up around them. Stone buildings lined narrow streets, and in the breaks between them, she caught her first real glimpse of the sea. They made a wide sweep around the edge of an open field, and the water spread out before them, shimmering silver and orange in the low glow of evening.

“Wow.”

“Yeah, that’s no hardship to look at.”

“I never thought of England as having beautiful beaches. I’ve only ever been in London.”

“Then you don’t know what you’ve been missing.” Vic’s voice took on a playful lilt as they swung wide, back toward the river and the heart of the town. “The village of Amberwick is one of the most impressive jewels in the crown of Northland, but it’s not the only one. I wish we had time to make a progress through the country. I know I’m biased, but this whole area is breath-taking. I wish more people knew about what we had to offer up here.”

“Sounds like you need better PR and marketing.”

“That’s where you come in, isn’t it? Your movie might just put us on the map. Soon people will pilgrimage from near and far to see the place where Sophia LeBlanc made a name for herself.”