Adelaide and Charles had taken the lead in the walking party, with Lady Alison and Aunt Maude following close behind. Hugh and Mary were left to bring up the rear. His family members marched on ahead, creating an ever-growing gap between them.
Mary slipped but managed to steady herself. “Oops, nearly,” she said. Hugh reached out and took her arm. He looked down and saw the patch of black ice she was standing on.
“Here, step toward me. There are some drier spots over this way,” he said.
She took a step toward him, but the black ice caught her a second time. As her feet went out from under her, Hugh steadied himself and wrapped his arms around her.
They stood in silence for a moment. A little white cloud of condensation hung between them as they both breathed heavily in the cold air.
“Thank you. I am glad you are surer of foot than me,” she finally said.
Her head rose, and in that instant, Hugh was certain he had been clubbed with the hilt of a highland dirk. The green eyes which held him were mesmerizing. He blinked hard. Who was this enchantress who had stolen the body of kind, helpful Mary? His love for her had coalesced into something deeper, something more powerful.
Pure. Raw. Desire.
He brushed a hand on her cheek and leaned in close. His heart was hammering in his chest. Closer. She batted her long eyelashes. Closer. Her lips parted. Closer.
“Come on, you two, we need to get to Dunn’s before nightfall!” bellowed Maude.
Hugh muttered several very un-Christmas-like words under his breath as Mary turned her head away. He waved to his family, who he was not surprised to see were all staring daggers at Maude.
“Coming,” he replied through gritted teeth.
In the village, they headed for the local store: Dunn’s. As soon as she stepped inside, Mary felt immediately at home. Unlike the fancy shops in Edinburgh, Dunn’s was more like the usual places where Mary shopped in Cambridge. A one-stop shop for most things.
“Have you ever tried tablet before?” asked Hugh.
“No. What is it?” replied Mary.
“It’s made from sugar and cream,” said Hugh, handing her a piece.
“And a dram of whisky if you have any self-respect,” added Maude.
Mary popped the tablet into her mouth. The buttery confection was a delight. So chewy and yet so soft. She hummed with happiness.
She wiped the sugary crumbs from her lips, then licked her finger. “That was marvelous,” she said.
Hugh offered her another piece. Then, for some inexplicable reason, he stood and watched her eat it. When she licked her fingers again, she was certain she heard him swallow deep. The barest hint of a moan escaped his lips.
He quickly returned to the counter and purchased another two bags of tablet, handing them both to Mary who put them into the pocket of her new coat.
Before they left the village shop, Mary made a mental note of some inexpensive items which would make suitable Christmas gifts. With a little more practice in her hobnail boots, she felt confident that in time she could make the trip back to the village on her own.
“Thank you, Mister Dunn. As always, it is a pleasure to visit your shop,” said Lady Alison, as they finalized their purchases and made for the door. Aunt Maude stuffed a boiled sweet into her mouth and nodded her agreement.
Mary allowed Hugh to take her arm for the return walk home. She told herself it was purely for safety’s sake and to please Hugh. She was his guest and should not refuse him any kindness he wished to bestow upon her.
She pulled the bag of tablet from out of her coat pocket and offered it to him. With a polite ‘thank you’ and a smile which had her blinking hard, he took out two pieces. He handed the largest piece to Mary and popped the other one into his mouth.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what?”
“For the delicious tablet. For saving me on the road earlier. Just everything.” As she placed her arm once more in his, Mary made a fateful decision. She would not hold back from enjoying this Christmas. Wherever she spent her next Christmas, she would always have this one to remember him by. A happy memory of a treasured friendship. Of a love that, though it was unrequited, still gave her joy.
After New Year’s she would return to England, and she would let him go.
As Hugh and Mary led the way home, Lady Alison took a hold of her daughter’s arm. She smiled at Adelaide.
“It is lovely to have you home, my darling. And wonderful to be able to hold my new grandson. You and I need to catch up on so much.”
Adelaide raised an eyebrow. “Thank you, Mama. It is wonderful to be home in Scotland. Is there anything particularly pressing that you wish to discuss with me?”
Lady Alison leaned in close. “Well, since you asked. May I enquire as to whether you were able to secure a particular item in Edinburgh?”
Adelaide gently patted her mother’s arm. “You didn’t think I would dare to arrive without it, did you? Charles had it well hidden in our luggage.”
Lady Alison softly chortled. “Well done, my dear. Now it just remains to see if we can make magic happen a second time.”
Aunt Maude followed behind, tucking into her bag of boiled sweets before offering one to Charles who walked alongside her.
“Witchcraft at Christmas, hmm,” she gruffly remarked.
Chapter Eleven
The whisky hit the back of Mary’s throat, and she held a hand to her chest. Heat coursed through her body, right to her toes.
“I have had a hot toddy before, but never straight whisky. I can see why you would need a bottle or two of
