amethyst crystals in the coastal caves. The stem snapped easily as he held it at the base, presenting it for her to see.
“My favorite,” she said as she took it into her hand.
“Then I shall bring you one every year to mark this day,” he said as she held the flower to her chest. His hand brushed the soft curve of her back, the day behind them emboldening his touch. All the effort to hold back over the last six weeks felt foolish now; it was the right time. How could he not kiss her in that moment? But just as he was about to move in, he caught sight of a sparkling Austin Morris, red with a chrome trim, parked at the end of the track just on the other side of the trees. The sunlight dazzled him as it danced off the grille at the front.
“Isn’t that James?” he asked as she pulled away, turning to see.
“God, what’s he doing here?” she whispered. “You’d best let me do the talking,” she said, pulling Tom’s sweater over her head as they descended the last few steps on the rocky path. Moments later they were standing in front of James Warbeck in the small clearing. The sea was rough, and Tom could feel the spray of it on his cheeks.
“James,” she said, smiling. Her voice sounded different, affected in some way. “Whatever are you doing here?” Tom had to look away as Elizabeth kissed James’s cheek. The young doctor took one of her hands into his without once looking away from Tom.
“Looking for you.” A jagged tooth jutted from his smile as he draped his arm around her shoulders. “Mrs. Clements told me that you went to Land’s End with Margaret, but I saw her in the grocery store, and I thought to myself, ‘If Margaret is back from her trip, then that must mean that my Lizzy is also back.’” An elaborate show exposed what looked to be an expensive wristwatch. Tom wanted to push his arm away from Elizabeth’s shoulder. “I have been looking for you for over half an hour. And here you are.”
“Yes,” she said, a little quieter, less sure than she was before. “Here I am.” Tom saw the crocus flower fall from her hand.
“I have been itching to show you this. I thought to myself, ‘My Lizzy would just love to see it.’” An arm swept wide in the direction of the vehicle. “Your carriage to Porthcurno tomorrow. Have you ever seen such a fine example of a car?” he asked, looking at Tom.
“It’s very nice, sir,” Tom said, hanging back. But he wasn’t thinking about the car. He couldn’t shake a sense of anger over James’s insistence on referring to Elizabeth as my Lizzy. He had no right; she wasn’t a possession. She wasn’t his.
“Come closer,” James insisted, beckoning them both forward. “Take a look at the interior.”
Tom took a few hesitant steps as a wave crashed over the seawall and the sun dipped behind a heavy cloud. Even from a distance he could smell the warmth of the new leather. He couldn’t deny that the red seats and the slick black dashboard were beautiful. It was spotless, like nothing Tom had ever owned. Jealousy stirred, and it felt like sickness, a rousing disappointment that he knew he would never be able to offer Elizabeth such things.
“It’s a very fine car,” Tom said. Waves continued to strike the seawall. Was that sea spray or the first drops of rain? Elizabeth would be cold, and he thought to give her his coat, but he doubted it was appropriate.
“Yes, James. Really, it’s lovely.” Elizabeth had a quick nose in the car, then took a step back. James watched them both then, his gaze flickering one to the other.
“So, tell me. Where have you been?”
“Tom kindly agreed to show me the path that leads to Gwynver Beach. Margaret had told me that the view was quite spectacular, and I wanted to draw it.”
“Wonderful,” James said, taking a step toward her. She handed her book to him when he reached for it. “What happened to your walk to Land’s End?”
“Margaret couldn’t make it. Tom saw how disappointed I was and offered to cheer me up.”
“What a kind fellow you must be.” James gave Tom’s upper arm a slap. Cordial enough if you didn’t know the truth. “Keeping her entertained while I am otherwise engaged, saving lives. So, what have you been drawing?” The pages fluttered in the