Hugh shook his head and nodded at the groom who had come out to assist him. The man bowed in response, then turned back for the stables, rubbing his hands together in the cold.

Alone entirely, Hugh looked back at Deilingh, the place he had begun to think of as perfectly ideal.

It pained him to leave it. To leave the family. He hadn’t truly been part of a family in some time. This place, and her family, had restored him to it. But only for a time, and now that was over.

He pulled his greatcoat more tightly around him, patted his scarf, and nodded to himself. He hoisted himself up into the saddle and tightened his heels against the horse.

“Ready, my friend?” he murmured, leaning down to pat the horse’s neck as it began to shuffle in agitation beneath him. “All right, then.”

“Wait!” a light voice called in the winter morning air.

Hugh stilled, his breath catching. He exhaled, watched the fog of it curl away, and waited.

“Wait!” the blessed voice called again.

There was no mistaking it now, and he turned towards it.

Elinor was hurrying down the path from the front of Deilingh towards him, deep red shawl wrapped around her, gray skirts flapping with the swift motions of her legs. Her long, fair hair bounced loosely around her shoulders, dancing to and fro with her haste.

He had never seen anything more lovely in his entire life.

“Careful!” he called out in warning, unable to help himself. “The path is icy.”

She flashed a quick smile and eased her pace only slightly, her steps becoming more careful, but with no less energy.

Hugh drank in the sight of her as she neared him, loving how bright her cheeks were, either from cold or exertion. Loving how her hair naturally curled only at the ends. Loving…

Her. Just loving her.

His heart ached, tightening within him when she finally reached him.

“Hugh,” she panted, out of breath. She gripped the horse’s bridle as if by her power alone she could hold him there. “Thank you for waiting.”

He could only nod for a moment. Swallowing, he managed to add, “Of course.”

He wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Of course he would have waited? Of course he didn’t mind? Of course he would do anything she asked?

Of course was the proper answer to all of the above, and to several more questions she had but to ask of him.

If only she would.

Elinor looked up at him, her eyes luminous in the morning light, amidst the white of the surrounding snow and frost-covered trees. “Oh, Hugh…”

That tone… Heavens, he would have gathered her in his arms for a moment with that tone, if only he felt able to.