It was difficult thinking of Barbara as old. She was so very beautiful. Trying to picture the way she’d have looked when she was Lily’s age, when the world lay in front of her, hurt Lily’s eyes, and she blinked a few times.

Barbara said, “I’m not meaning to frighten ye, Lily, nor make ye sad. But it’s good ye should learn something from my mistakes, so ye’ll not show your whole heart to Archie.”

To show she understood, Lily said, “Because ye think Matthew might be my weak side.”

“No.” Barbara smiled, fondly. “Because I think that ye’re his.”

Chapter 20

Tuesday, 10 May, 1692

All the talk was of invasion.

King James was out of Ireland now and had been back in France awhile, and it was claimed the Jacobites who had but lately gone across to join him were assembling in their ships to make a bold return, with the support of the French fleet.

The waters off Leith’s harbor teemed with English ships preparing to take back on board the soldiers of the regiments who had been quartered in the town, to carry them to stand against this newly rising threat.

And now all men between the ages of sixteen and sixty were called out and mustered to do training for defense.

Only Henry, being but fifteen, was left behind at Riddell’s Close to keep the women company. Then Barbara left for an appointment with a friend, and it was time for Maggie’s nap, and Lily took advantage of the time to clean the downstairs rooms, and Henry became restless. In midafternoon, when Maggie wakened, Henry brought her down to Lily and said, “Let’s go see the ships.”

The English fleet was setting sail, which proved a great diversion for the little girl and, privately, for Lily also. She’d not lost her childish love of everything to do with ships—the setting of the rigging and the scrambling of the crew on deck, and most of all the sight and sound of canvas being hoisted up the tall masts, and the shiver that chased over all the sails as they first felt the wind, and then the wondrous moment when they caught it, came alive with it, and slowly brought their vessels round to face the open water of the firth.

Lily found the sight this afternoon so all absorbing that she did not notice anyone approaching until Maggie gave a happy cry, tugged free of Henry’s hand, and took off running back along the pier.

“Mind how you go,” was Matthew’s warning, “else you’ll end up in the water, and I’ll have to borrow someone’s net to fish you out again.”

Maggie ignored him and stretched up both hands and asked him for his hat.

“Na, na,” he said, “you’ll not be wanting it the day. I’ve made it dirty.” But he gave her both his gloves, which made her satisfied, and holding her hands high she toddled proudly back to Henry.

Henry asked his brother, “Are the rest of them gone home?”