Beloved Lies, Book 2

by Marti Talbott

At last, she smiled. “And mine for you. Did you not know I would give my pledge to no lad but you?”

  He thought to mention seeing her with Tavis, but suddenly she was back in his arms, her lips were on his and all he could think about was the splendor of it all. If he died that very day, he would die happy. She was his – truly his.

  I, WILLIAM MACGREAGOR, end this missive with the following notation. Isabell gave Donnan another son before she passed. Cullen and Annella were soon married and Cullen became a well-known builder.

  In 1460, many of the MacGreagors were called to war including Cullen and his brother. Donnan was killed in the battle for Roxburgh Castle, in which King James II also died. Donnan is buried beside his wife in the MacGreagor graveyard. As you can see, Cullen survived, but not without a grievous injury to his arm that nearly did not heal. Like it or not, Cullen became laird while waiting for Jamie to grow up. Young Jamie became laird in his eighteenth year and found it not to be as glamorous as he once supposed.

  The Grahams never returned, for Moyra found a husband and Laird Graham found a wife in the last place they expected – among the Grahams.

  In spite of the king’s constant warnings, the MacGreagors, as well as many other clans, not only continued to play futeball, they added golf to their list of entertainments. And why not? The glen, the pastures and all the way around the loch offers more than sufficient challenges. I myself have found the sport most satisfactory.

  I, William MacGreagor, have built a new leather bound box and shall put this story in the hiding place where Lindsey’s story remains safe from harm.

  RMS MAURETANIA

  “Beneath the great hall,” Blair whispered. “Thank you, William.” She drew in a deep breath, closed the book, put it on the table, and finally snuggled down in her bed. “And still the first castle has not burned.” She was sorry to see the story end, and eagerly anticipated reading the next when she got home to Colorado. Soon, her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

  CHAPTER 9

  HE PAID PARTICULAR attention to being as quiet as possible as he opened and then silently closed the door behind him. In the dim deck light streaming through the porthole window, he could see just enough as he crept to the side of her bed.

  Suddenly, Blair felt a hand tightly clamped over her mouth. Her eyes shot wide open and with all her might, she tried to sit up. It was no use, for her hands were trapped under the blankets, his upper body lay across her, and he was much stronger than she.

  “I beg of you, do not scream,” said the viscount. “I shall not harm you.” He waited for her to calm a bit before he continued. “I have come to warn you. My faults are many, but I am not the worst aboard this ship.” His gentle tone seemed to calm her a little more, so he removed some of the pressure his body had on hers and let her bring her hands out from under the blankets. Even so, he dare not take his hand off her mouth just yet.

  Abruptly coming out of a sound sleep made it difficult to understand his words at first. Her terrified eyes still held fast to his, but it did not appear he was attempting to assault her. For that reason she was beginning to trust him.

  “You and Miss Robinson are about to fall into a trap carefully set by Mr. Dedrick and Lord O’Dell.” Again he paused. The fear had begun to leave her eyes and she had completely stopped struggling. “If I release you, do you promise not to expose me? I am in grave danger and fear for my life if I am discovered.”

  Blair was not certain why she should, but she nodded. When he took his hand away and sat up on the side of her bed, she drew in a deep breath. “What sort of trap?” she whispered.

  He reached for her extra pillow, fluffed it, put his arm around her shoulders, and then raised her up. He shoved the pillow behind her and then gently lay her back down. “They are half-brothers and on the brink of losing all they own.” They mean to marry one if not both of you, if at all possible.”

  “But Lord O’Dell...”

  “He is a heavy gambler who lost his entire inheritance in less than a year. Mr. Dedrick prefers gambling to any other sport as well. They sailed to America to avoid their creditors and now are desperate. Should they gain your inheritance or the dowry Miss Robinson is to receive, they would only squander it and leave you with nothing.”

  Blair lowered her eyes. “And break Robin’s heart.”

  “Not yours?”

  “Nay, I favor neither of them. Besides, I am in no danger. I am not set to inherit until I am thirty.”

  “So I heard. Unfortunately, a clever lawyer as Mr. Dedrick might well be, can find a way around Lord Bayington’s last wishes.”

  Blair blinked a couple of times. “I dinna think of that.”

  “Now you have, and you must be on your guard. My sister saw how they were charming you, and was concerned enough to alert me, thus I came to give fair warning.”

  “Thank you,” said Blair.

  At last, he got up, went to the door, and then turned to look back. “I wish you well, Miss MacGreagor. Very well indeed.” He silently opened the door, peeked out, and then he was gone.

  Blair’s heart was still beating wildly when she got up, went to the door, and moved a chair in front of it. Her first thought was that if anyone had seen him, there would be new rumors to face come morning. She set that fear aside however, slipped back in bed and pulled the covers up.

  “So, you have been hiding all this time,” she whispered. She wondered why his sister had not said something, but decided that to be an insignificant matter. What mattered was saving Robin from Lord O’Dell.

  Blair threw the covers back, slipped her legs over the side of the bed and sat up. There was no point in trying to sleep now, so she put on her robe, turned on a lamp, and curled up in one of the chairs. For the better part to two hours, she tried to decide on precisely the right recourse. She had to do something, “Something her brilliant Aunt Leesil would do – but what?”

  BLAIR SAID HARDLY A word while Lucy helped her get ready for the day and when she went to meet the Whitfields in the hallway, she started to walk with them toward the dining salon. As soon as Lucy was out of sight, she took hold of Claymore’s arm. “Might we eat breakfast in your room this morning? I have something I wish to discuss with the two of you.”

  “Of course,” Claymore answered. He happened to spot a steward, ordered omelets for the three of them, and then ushered his two most favorite women back inside their stateroom. It was a larger room than Blair’s, and decorated with the same velvet wallpaper with green upholstered furniture. Instead of just two easy chairs, their sitting area included a sofa, a table and two table chairs.

  “Now my dear, what is it?” Claymore asked as soon as they were all seated.

  “I have come into some dreadful information and I am in need of your advice.”

  “What kind of information,” Abigail asked.

  “Mr. Dedrick and Lord O’Dell are half-brothers who have squandered their inheritance and sailed to America to avoid their creditors.”

  Abigail was truly surprised. “Does Lady Forrestal know?”

  “Nay, and you must not tell her.”

  “Why not?” Claymore asked.

  “Because last night Lord O’Dell and Robin became engaged and Robin thinks herself in love. I am convinced that just exposing him would not sufficiently keep her from marrying him.”

  “You mean she would marry against her mother’s wishes?” Claymore asked.

  “I am certain of it,” Blair answered.

  “I agree,” said Abigail.

  “What do you propose we do to stop her,” Claymore asked.

  “Well,” said Blair, “it is a bit devious, but I think...”

  The three of them talked it over before, during and after breakfast – considering this alternative and then that. The more they talked, the more Blair was convinced her idea would work. It was worth a try, anyway.

  Claymore abruptly shook his head. “We have missed something. Suppose Mr. Dedrick steps in and tries to persuade Robin to marry him?�
�

  “I am expecting him to be desperate enough to do just that. Have you any suggestions in that regard?” Blair asked.

  Claymore paused to think of a solution. “I might, should my wife not object to my playing a round of poker or two.”

  “If it will save our dear Robin, then I have no objections,” said Abigail. “I might even care to watch.”

  “I fear you might distract me, my love.”

  “Very well,” Abigail sighed. “Blair, are you certain Lucy has no part in this? I thought it odd that she should ask me about your inheritance.”

  “What did she ask?”

  “She was quite taken with the news that you had to wait to inherit. In a roundabout way, I suppose, she was asking if it was true.”

  Blair sighed. “What did you tell her?”

  “I said I thought it more than prudent for a father to protect his daughter in that manner.”

  “Mr. Whitfield,” Blair asked, “could a lawyer think himself able to find a way around such a provision in a will?”

  “I suppose...yes, I suppose he could, but not without encountering great resistance. Lady Bayington would certainly protest, as would Cameron and your Uncle Hannish. A man who did that would certainly be biting off more than he could possibly chew.”

  “Thank you. I think I know what to do now.”

  “What?” Abigail asked.

  In hushed tones, Blair explained and when all was settled she hugged them both, and then went back to her room.

  When she opened the door, Lucy had already made her bed and was gone. “Lucy...” Blair muttered as she closed the door and went to sit in her chair. She reached for the candy dish, chose a chocolate, and put it in her mouth. She let the chocolate slowly melt while she tried to remember exactly how much Lucy knew. She swallowed and then muttered, “After I told Lucy I was not to inherit until I was thirty, Lord O’Dell...” She sat up just a little straighter. “Of course, our lovely Miss Lucy is Lord O’Dell’s spy!”

  BLAIR ONLY HAD A FEW more moments to herself before Robin came. This time, she did not even knock. “Darling Blair, I must tell you before I burst. He has asked me to marry him and I have said yes.”

  It was going to take every ounce of her courage, but Blair was determined not to show her true feelings. She quickly got up and went to hug her friend. “How very glorious. I am so happy for you!”

  “Did you not guess when you saw us come back inside? Mother was so delighted I feared she might actually dance on the table.”

  “I confess I did suspect, but I wanted you to tell me. What does your stepfather have to say about it?”

  “He did not seem as overjoyed as Mother, but then he considers me his little girl and says he regrets losing me.” Robin walked around the bed and looked out the window. “Lord O’Dell wants us to marry now, but I said we should wait. I want a proper wedding, for it shall be my only one.” She came away from the window and then sat on the edge of the bed. “Do you truly approve?”

  “I truly approve of your happiness.”

  “But not of him?”

  Blair walked to the bed and sat down beside her. “I think you most fortunate to have found him, and I think you shall live happily ever after in your castle with your prince.”

  Robin giggled, spotted the candy dish, and headed straight for it. “Well, he is not a prince to others, but he is to me.”

  “Will it interfere with your being presented?”

  “I do not see how it would. We shall not marry until after.”

  “Perfect.”

  “I am tempted, as you can well imagine,” Robin admitted. “Being married aboard ship is far more romantic.”

  “A big wedding sounds far more romantic to me. You shall ride in a carriage covered with flowers, have a glorious gown, and let him sweep you away to some exotic place for a month-long honeymoon.”

  “You are right. Waiting for all that shall be worth it.” Robin put the candy in her mouth and went to the door. “I must go. I promised to meet him and my parents for lunch, and I am late already.” She stopped at the door. “You are welcome to come with me.”

  “You can do without me for a time. I wish to finish my book, but I shall be along later.”

  Robin grinned once more. “I am so deliriously happy.” With that, she dashed away.

  Still seated on the bed, Blair bowed her head. For a time, she wondered why Lord O’Dell would consent to a wedding at a later date, until she realized just being engaged to Robin would probably convince his creditors to hold off, especially since she was Lord Forrestal’s stepdaughter.

  She sighed once and then a second time. What Blair was about to do was one of the hardest things she had ever contemplated doing in her life.

  WHILE BLAIR STAYED out of sight in her cabin, Claymore sat at an octagon table in the smoke filled game room, slowly picking up the hand he had just been dealt. Thoughtfully, he rearranged the cards, first one way and then another. Already the stakes were high and three of his adversaries had folded, leaving him to bet against Mr. Braxton Dedrick alone. Claymore’s expression was one of fatigue and twice during the long afternoon game, he complained of not getting enough sleep. Even so, he discarded two cards, and waited for the dealer to replace them. Meticulously, he examined each of the new cards and then closed his hand and set it face down on the table.

  It had been Mr. Dedrick’s lucky day, for he had already taken a considerable amount of money off the fumbling American. Men who had watched Claymore handily win in the past simply scratched their heads and watched with the others who by then had gathered around the table.

  Claymore hesitantly opened with a small conservative bet.

  With pocket aces, Mr. Dedrick also drew three cards. He studied his hand for a time, and then doubled Claymore’s bet.

  Claymore wrinkled his brow and took not one, but two deep breaths before he said, “I shall see your raise and double it.”

  Mr. Dedrick showed no emotion whatsoever. He paused for several seconds, studied the three aces and two jacks in his hand for a time more, and then said, “I shall see your raise and again double it.”

  “Four thousand pounds?” Claymore gasped. “I say, you do not have that much on the table. You are good for such a sum, are you not?”

  “I assure you I am,” Mr. Dedrick boasted.

  “You have it here – aboard this ship? I would not like traveling all over a country I am unfamiliar with to collect it.”

  “I do, and a considerable amount more. I shall write an IOU, if you like.”

  “I doubt that shall be necessary, there are plenty of witnesses. Shall we see which of us is the more daring? “I see your call – and triple it.”

  “Triple,” Mr. Dedrick said. “How sporting of you.” He pushed everything he had to the center of the table. “I call.” With a gleam in his eyes, he laid out one card at a time so all could see his full house.”

  “A full house?” Claymore asked. “Very nicely done, Mr. Dedrick.” As soon as Mr. Dedrick reached for the pile of chips, Claymore grabbed his wrist. “As I recall, four of a kind beats a full house.”

  The color began to drain out of Braxton Dedrick’s face. He slowly withdrew his hand and watched as the American just as dramatically laid four deuces and an eight on the table.

  Claymore folded his arms and grinned. “I believe you said you could pay me now?”

  Mr. Dedrick seemed at a complete loss for words.

  “Shall I accompany you back to your stateroom?” Claymore asked.

  “I...my funds are in the captain’s safe.”

  “Lead the way, then,” said Claymore as he scooted his chair back.

  “At this hour?” Mr. Dedrick gasped. “The captain is likely dressing for dinner.”

  “I am not,” the captain said as he moved through the crowd toward the table. Mr. Whitfield, I fear you have been lied to, for Mr. Dedrick has no funds in the ship’s safe.”

  Claymore slowly stood up, “You have no money at all, do you M
r. Dedrick?”

  “No money at all?” Robin’s mother asked.

  Claymore had not realized Robin’s parents were there, but he was glad they were. It would save him the trouble of telling them later. He intentionally turned to Lady Forrestal. “I would never let Blair marry such a scallywag.”

  “Nor shall I allow him near Miss Robinson,” her stepfather said.

  Thoroughly humiliated, Mr. Dedrick thought to reach for some of the money on the table, but with everyone watching, he thought better of it and stomped out of the room.

  That was the last anyone saw of Mr. Braxton Dedrick in public aboard the RMS Mauretania.

  WHILE CLAYMORE PUT an end to Mr. Dedrick’s attempts to exploit Blair and Robin, Blair got bored, left her cabin, and went to find Abigail. If she was very fortunate, she might not have to spend very much time with Robin and her fiancé. Abigail agreed that a game of chess would help them both wile away the hours until time to put the rest of their plan into action. As it turned out, Blair and Abigail saw nothing of Robin or Lady Forrestal all afternoon, and at last it was time to dress for dinner.

  “WHAT SHALL YOU WEAR this night?” Lucy asked after she opened both closet doors.

  Blair had already planned what to wear. “‘Tis our last night, so I shall wear the red gown. It is a bit low in the bodice, but I suppose I should get used to wearing such things.” She continued talking while Lucy unbuttoned the back of her day frock. “Father does not wish me to be too tempting, but he is not here, is he?”

  “You wish to tempt someone?” Lucy asked.

  “Not particularly. I simply wish to become accustomed to it. Lady Bayington says most of the gowns she has ordered for me are cut lower than I am accustomed to wearing.”

  “You are a young lady now. You should wear what pleases you.”

  Blair stepped out of her frock and let Lucy pick it up. “I cannae wait to see Lady Bayington again. I have not seen her since my father passed, and that was two years ago. How she shall laugh when I tell her our little device worked?”