They passed a hill and the farm came into view: Dry stone walls demarcating their land. A gate and a sandy path leading up to an old sandstone house with a red tiled roof and an adjoining barn. Around a little yard in front, some sheds, coops and the stables. Behind the house, more buildings, behind them the fields, and behind those, the still purple moors. To Tobias it had always been a delightful sight when he came home on holiday from school, and he had always felt his heart ache whenever he had been forced to leave it again. The moors even more than the home perhaps, but all of it was more home than school or the city had or could ever be to him.

His sister was of an age where many women got married. But she had some time. She seemed to enjoy her life as a teacher, and from what he had understood when he was in Whitby, they appreciated her at the school, so it seemed a good arrangement for all. Bess was a pretty girl, and smart, and hardworking. He was certain there were men who had tried to court her in Castleton as well as Whitby. But she was right to hold out for the right person.

Some part of him wished...

No, there was no point in waiting. Things would only get messier. He didn't wish that.

"We're not sure how much time he has... The doctor said much will depend on the weather the coming months and to what extent he's able to take rest - you know what he's like. I've told him I can handle the farm. And I've taken on two of the Cook boys outside of school hours. They've been great. But he still wants to do everything... Anyway, sorry. We'll get married in five weeks time. Saturday __ of October. We'll have the banns read this Sunday." As for his brother, he purposely forgot to answer that. If he had time to show up for it, good. If not, also fine. Nate was living his own life. Why trouble him? "We want to keep it modest, you know... given the circumstances."