She searched through several baskets until she found it.
He leaned closer. "Something is worrying you, I can tell," he murmured in her ear.
"It's nothing, Alexander, really."
"How can I trust you when you keep lying to me?" he growled, exasperated.
Sarah bristled. "How dare-"
"I can tell by the tone of your voice, Sarah, so don't even bother trying to fob me off with excuses."
Finally she relented, and took his hand. "All right, all right. I was thinking what the doctor told me last night."
His face fell. "I'm dying, aren't I?" he sighed.
"No! No, you're not. But so far as he could tell, you're not blind. He couldn't find anything wrong with you."
He grabbed her wrist, holding her close to his body. She shivered at his latent power. The grip was not painful, no more than a loop around her limb, but she was certain she couldn't have broken free no matter how hard she tried.
"So you think I'm lying to you, is that it?" he demanded.
"No, no, not at all," she insisted in a firm tone, for indeed the thought had never occurred to her until now. "I was just wondering what on earth could have happened to you that would be so terrible that it would cause you to not want to remember. Not wish to see.
"I don't think you're lying. But Dr. Gold says there's nothing wrong with your eyes. They react to the light, and aren't physically damaged so far as he can tell."
"But I can't see," he insisted.
"I know. But at least now there's hope. We need to find the solution. Jonathan will get my letter, and he will give us some answers. You know him, I'm sure of it. The tattoos, the songs, it all fits. You have far too much in common with the Rakehells not to be known by one of them.
"So since Jonathan has always been the most outgoing of the group, I'm sure he'll be able to help. So until we get a reply to my letter, we have a most important project. We need to get you fit and well for when he comes back, or sends word to us as to who you are, and what he suggests we should do next.
"Now please let go of my arm and stop scowling, or people will start to think we're having a lover's quarrel."
He released her at once, looking appalled at the way he had lost control. "I'm sorry, Sarah. I didn't mean to hurt you-"
"You didn't. I'm fine," she reassured him. "Just finish emptying the baskets. I'll get us some plates and we'll eat."
"I'm so sorry--"
"Don't be. It's fine. No hard feelings," she said in a light, bantering tone.
He still looked pensive and more grim than she had ever seen him. But the sunny day was far too lovely for such bleak thoughts, and he eventually began to thaw once more. At last he gave her a tentative smile.
Soon they were sprawled out on the grass with full plates of food and a glass each of white wine. Alexander only picked at his repast.
Sarah caressed his shoulder tenderly. "I'm sorry you're upset. I didn't want to tell you what the doctor said until later. I didn't want to spoil the festivities. Please, Alexander. It's a gorgeous day, and we're both young and alive. It's all we can hope for, and worth enjoying, is it not?"
He nodded. "You're right. Brooding won't make things any better."
"No, only taking things one step at a time. So if you're finished rolling that egg around your plate, I think we should go dance."
"Are you sure?"
"It is only a hornpipe. How bad can it be?"
"But I might be a terrible dancer."
She laughed. "You're the most graceful man I've ever met, blind or sighted. I don't think I need have any cause for concern."
She was correct. His legs might have been stiff, his back sore, and he greatly out of practice, but being in his arms was like dancing on a cloud. They laughed and joked, and everyone marveled at the change in the normally quiet and shy vicar's sister. They were delighted to see she had fallen in love at last, and to a good 'un, as Jenny said. Pity about what had happened to him in the war, but...
She refrained from giving any specific details, however, and just left them guessing. Caleb warned her not to speak of his infirmity. It was no one's business but Alexander's own, and Sarah's if she chose to fall in love with him.
And while the old chap was a respectable God-fearing man, he did not underestimate the power of young love, and hoped for another family wedding as soon as possible, and a little one on the way. Hopefully in that order.
But he wouldn't be the least surprised if it wasn't, he thought with a small shake of his head as he watched the lovely couple dance and laugh together as though they had known each other all their lives.