“We will be leaving early tomorrow for Strathmore Castle, so if you wish to walk the street at the bottom of Edinburgh Castle and wander into a few more shops, I can meet you back at the inn in time for supper. I have a private errand to undertake in the meantime; I have something to collect,” replied Adelaide.
Having never visited Scotland before, Mary was keen to take in a few more of the sights of the great city of Edinburgh. There was every chance she may not get the opportunity again.
With Adelaide off on her secret mission, Mary was surprised as to how quickly she welcomed the time alone. The one thing she did not welcome, however, was the biting wind which pierced her coat. Cambridge was cold in winter, but a thick scarf and her trusty red coat had seen her through the worst of the chilly days. Here in Scotland, her English attire failed against the onslaught of an icy Scottish breeze. Standing outside a drapery, peering in through the window, she hugged herself in an effort to stay warm.
“Stockings—that is what I need. Thick wool ones,” she muttered.
Hugh dropped the last of his Christmas gifts into his leather satchel and gave himself a silent cheer. “Ewan, Caroline, David, Mama, Great Aunt Maude, Adelaide, Charles, and William. Not that the baby will actually do anything with his gift, but it’s the thought that counts,” he said.
His Christmas shopping was complete. At the bottom of the satchel lay two other gifts. One was a special Christmas present for Mary, the other a small box.
It was the item inside the small box which had taken Hugh most of the morning to choose. He had thought to ask Adelaide’s opinion, but decided it was best if he kept his own counsel. He had already failed Mary enough times without adding the pressure of his family’s expectations to her worries.
When the time was right, he would speak to her.
Stepping out into High Street, he turned in the direction of the inn and began to walk. His morning had been a success. Apart from all the gifts, he had also bought two new bottles of black writing ink and some extra parchment. He had even remembered to get the small silk bags that Ewan had requested for giving coins to the castle staff on Handsel Monday.
He was quietly pleased with himself; for once he was organized for Christmas. He did, however, make a mental note to write out a long list once he got back to the inn—just in case he had stayed true to form and forgotten something of importance.
Crossing over High Street, he spied McNally’s sweet shop. His stomach rumbled at the thought of Scottish tablet, and he made a beeline for the front door.
“Hugh.”
A sudden voice from his right stirred him from his single-minded mission. Coming toward him was Mary, a small parcel tucked under her arm. He gave her a friendly greeting. “Hello.”
He nodded toward the parcel. “Anything exciting?”
She shook her head. “No. Just woolen stockings. I never realized Scotland would be this cold.”
As she neared, he could see she was holding the parcel close to herself, and her shoulders were scrunched up. A wave of pity swept over him the instant he realized Mary was shivering. He ached to pull her into his arms and protect her from the wind.
If she was suffering in the relative warmth of Edinburgh, Mary was in for a miserable time in the frigid climes of Strathmore Mountain. He smiled as a thought came to him. He now had the perfect opportunity to try and make up for some of his thoughtless behavior—to show Mary that she was indeed important to him.
“Did you by chance get an opportunity to go to Butlers with Adelaide?” he asked. Butlers in Edinburgh sold all manner of clothing, from hats and scarfs, through to greatcoats and boots, and everything in between.
“No. We passed it on the way through to some other shops and she pointed it out to me. They are by royal appointment to the king, are they not?” she replied.
“And the Duke of Strathmore,” he said.
The look of delighted surprise on her face made his heart beat a little faster.
Hugh offered Mary his arm. “Come. You cannot visit Edinburgh without setting foot inside Butlers, especially when you are a guest of one of its patrons.”
She took his arm and his heart soared. They had walked together through the university grounds over the years, but never once had he dared dream that he would be walking arm in arm with her in the middle of Edinburgh.
With her hand on his arm, he knew she was where she was meant to be. He nodded his greetings to other people as they headed back up the Royal Mile, all the while indulging in a pleasant fantasy that they were a married couple, and this was something they did every day.
The short walk to Butlers soon had Hugh’s mind racing with other ideas. He would buy Mary a pair of sensible wool-lined leather gloves. Yes, that would do. No. A thick scarf and gloves was what she needed. And a coat.
By the time the doorman at Butlers ushered them inside, Hugh had a plan firmly set in his mind. Mary would not feel the cold for one moment if he had anything to say about it.
As a nearby shop assistant made his way toward them, Hugh straightened his shoulders and turned to Mary.
“I am so sorry,” he said.
She scowled. “What for?”
“For being an ass. I forgot your Christmas present in Cambridge because I was too caught up in my concerns. And I wasn’t there for you when you were asked to leave the university. It was selfish of me. So, I am begging your
