After the servant took him to his room, he had paced inside for a quarter of an hour, feeling like something inside of him was desperate to get out. After tonight, Elizabeth would be gone back to Duart, surrounded by people, and then she would return here to the party, again surrounded by people. He might not get a chance again to speak to her while no one was aware they were alone in private conversation. He needed a chance while away from the crowd to get her alone. There was a small part of him that feared her negative reply to the question he wanted to ask her, but the rest of him pulsed with confidence. Surely a woman who had thrust herself upon him in the woods would welcome his admission of love? The offering of his heart?
And so, he could not bear it any longer. He left the room and dashed to find Elizabeth’s, finding a servant along the way to point him in the right direction. He knew that it was untoward. He knew that anyone could see them and think something of it, but there was nothing to change his mind. He was resolved. He had the fire of the Campbells in him, the light of battle in his heart, and he would not leave this Fort without trying his hand. If so, he would regret it forever.
Strongly and confidently, he knocked on her door. A slightly weary Elizabeth opened it, and he could see that her face was a little flushed. Surprise? Delight? He cleared his throat and tried to keep his body from going everywhere at once. “Elizabeth, I am sorry for coming at such a late hour, but I wondered if ye had a moment tae spare?”
Elizabeth looked from right to left, and no one was to be seen. “Here? In the hallway?”
“Aye, I think ‘twould be best, especially since I dinnae think ‘twould be wise tae have this discussion inside of yer bedroom.” Elizabeth blushed, and so did he. Her look of sweet innocence gave him the confidence to continue.
He cleared his throat again, his old resolve tingling with fear and nervousness. “The events of taeday have given me hope.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and she looked as if she was going to retort, but he stopped her.
“I hope ye dinnae feel embarrassed, lass,” he cooed, nearly dizzy with excitement. “I wanted tae speak tae ye about something, and I didnae think that it could wait another minute. There might nae be another time afore the party, or afore ye leave back tae yer aunt’s house in England.”
Elizabeth was silent, but he could tell by the way she swallowed that she was waiting with interest. He smiled. “Elizabeth, my dear Elizabeth, would ye consider making me the happiest of men and becoming my wife, Lady of the Campbell clan?”
His heart soared at the sight of her surprised face. Her mouth fell open, and her face paled. When she spoke, her voice was soft. “Your wife? Can you be in earnest?”
He laughed and took her hands in his. They were cold. “Of course! I would never deign tae speak tae a woman about marriage if I didnae mean it. Ye are my match, Elizabeth. I want tae spend my life with ye and bring ye tae my home tae live there for the rest of yer days if ye will have me.”
Elizabeth kept blinking at him, and it made his confidence falter a little. He had hoped that after their kiss, her answer to his proposal would be a resounding yes. But instead, there was silence. He didn’t know what else to say. The only thing to do was to wait for a reply. He folded his hands together behind his back and waited.
After a few moments of interminable duration, she said, “John, I am indeed flattered by your proposal. No one has ever made a proposal to me before. I find myself a little surprised, that is all.” His confidence returned, and he beamed. She continued, “But, I also find that I cannot yet answer. You see, my future is not entirely in my hands. I must seek counsel from my father.”
He knew that was the case with other women, but her father was a brute and had murdered his own brother in cold blood. Why should he be consulted about anything? But he swallowed back his retorts and said a little stiffly, “Of course.”
“I shall let you know my answer when I am prepared to give it.”
He nodded, feeling a little like the air had been sucked out of his lungs. However, it was not a full rejection. There was still a glimmer of hope on the horizon. “Aye, lass. I understand. ‘Tis a big decision. Ye must take yer time and think it over.”
She smiled weakly back at him, and he took one of her soft hands to his lips. “Know that I am eager for yer reply. I know that we would be happy taegether.”
She said nothing but watched him with her big blue eyes as he bade her good night and left the hallway, unsure of what to think.
* * *
The next morning, as she prepared herself to leave for Duart, Elizabeth still felt paralyzed with surprise. John’s proposal could not have come at a worse time. In the face of it the previous evening, she didn’t know what to say, and so she had tried to be as polite as possible when he’d appeared at her door, pouring his heart out. It was true what she’d said. Her father would have to approve, and even though she knew he would accept a wealthy laird as a son-in-law, she had to use an excuse to give herself more time.
First, she needed to speak to Charlotte and then to Liam. And then, she would need to sit with herself and think. Could she spend the rest of her life with John Campbell? As she descended the stairs for breakfast, she knew in her heart that she could not, not while things with Liam still lay unresolved, and when her heart was so clearly pointing her in another direction.
“Elizabeth!” General Andrews’ greeting was warm and friendly as usual. “Please come and sit and eat. Then, Lieutenant Stevens will be at your service and take you across the sea, as it were.”
Elizabeth sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. “Will John not be joining us this morning?”
“Oh, I am certain he shall, but he has not yet come down.” Elizabeth and General Andrews began their breakfast, and Elizabeth enjoyed the lulling comfort of General Andrews’ general chatter. “I know that Charlotte will be very excited to have a party with you before you go, my dear. I also wanted to get the opportunity to say that you are always welcome here, and even after you leave, I do hope you will visit again one day. Bring your aunt if you like!”
Elizabeth wanted to laugh out loud at the thought of Aunt Mildred braving the wilds of Scotland, but she did not do so. “Thank you, General. You have been so kind to me. After all that has happened,” surprisingly, tears welled in her throat, “Your kindness and your daughter’s friendship have both been of great solace to me. I shall endeavor to visit whenever I can. But first, we must look forward to the party, correct?”
General Andrews smiled broadly. “Yes, of course, my dear.”
Soon enough, she was on the shore of the Sound waiting patiently for Lieutenant Stevens. He had gone to find the whereabouts of John, and soon she heard his boots in the gravel as he walked towards her, his shoulders back, and his smile kind. She remembered how handsome she had thought him before and how nervous she had been to speak to him at first when she’d originally arrived in Scotland, but now he still seemed like a little boy to her.
“I am sorry, Lady Elizabeth, to make you wait, but we wanted to be absolutely sure that Laird Campbell was not in residence since he’d requested to ride across the Sound. His room was searched, and he was gone. But this was left for you.” He handed over a cream envelope with her name on it, and Elizabeth’s heart stopped.
Chapter Nineteen
“For me?” Elizabeth looked down at it, dreading that it might contain a renewal of his fevered words the previous evening.
Lieutenant Stevens nodded. “I shall ready the boat, my Lady, while you read your letter.”
“Thank you,” she said distractedly.
She pushed the envelope open with her thumb and read the words as quickly as she could.
My dear Elizabeth, my dearest love,
I thought it best to leave you to your decision without my presence. I do not wish to pressure you. I will leave you to visit Duart on your own. Angus and I can discuss business another time. I shall see you at the party.
John
“Are yo
u ready, my Lady?” Lieutenant Stevens called from the shoreline.
“Yes!” Elizabeth hurriedly called back and folded the letter and put it away in her small book.
The trip to Duart was uneventful. Lieutenant Stevens chatted away, and she focused only half a mind on his conversation. She knew it was rude of her, but she couldn’t help but think of John’s letter and the fact that she was about to see Liam again. She didn’t know what it would mean, but her palms were covered in sweat as her nerves rose. Her mind was dreaming up all sorts of things that Liam might say to her.
As the boat slid on Mull’s shore, Lieutenant Stevens helped her out of the boat, and Charlotte rushed down the shoreline and wrapped Elizabeth in a hug. “I know that you sent me a letter and that you were only gone for two days, but I missed you so! It prepared me for when you would leave for good, and I did not like to think of that.”
Elizabeth, too felt like she was coming home again, but she couldn’t let herself yet feel too comfortable. “I missed you too, Charlotte, but your father sends his good wishes! It was so nice to see him.”
“I had no idea that you were going to see him! I thought perhaps you would have wished me to go with you?”
Elizabeth felt a little embarrassed. It was true. She could have asked Charlotte, but she knew what her original task had been. Elizabeth linked her arm with Charlotte’s. “Come. If you have time, there is much to discuss. Thank you, Lieutenant Stevens, for your kind help.”
He bowed his head. “You are welcome, my Lady. Good day to you, Lady MacLean. I shall see you both at the gathering.”
They waved him off as he pushed out into the Sound, and soon they were left alone, walking towards the castle. At any moment, Elizabeth expected to see Liam come out of nowhere, and her heart kept pattering excitedly at the thought of red curls popping into view.
Charlotte giggled. “Oh, I cannot wait to hear what you have to say next. Elizabeth Darling, you are better than reading a novel! I will bring tea, and you, me, and Julia shall have a nice chat. If Julia is well enough, we shall take our discussion to the library. It is the safest, quietest, and most comfortable spot.”
Elizabeth grinned, feeling comforted by her friend’s open and kind manner. “Tea would be excellent, dear friend. Now, may I ask where Liam is today?”
Charlotte smirked. “Oh, how interesting that you should wish to know his whereabouts. It seems every time we see each other, you wish to know where the young man is.” Charlotte’s voice was teasing, but it was not hurt. “He is off assisting Angus with the building of our house near to the castle. It is almost done, and my excitement is bubbling over! I love Duart, to be sure, but how nice it will be to have a home of our own now that we are married.”
Elizabeth patted her friend’s hand, relieved that Liam would be gone for a long while. “That will be lovely, indeed. You can have a family and raise them in their own space.”
“Yes, and I shall feel ruler of my own domain.” Charlotte beamed.
“Will Angus have nothing to say about that?”
“Certainly not,” Charlotte said, her chin high, and Elizabeth laughed.
They wandered inside, and Elizabeth asked a servant to plan a bath for her that evening. Charlotte was off to ask Mrs. MacLean for tea and to speak to Julia while Elizabeth made her way to the library. In the quiet of that upstairs room, Elizabeth felt enveloped in warmth and protection. It was her safe place, so quiet and secluded. She loved the idea that libraries should always be quiet places, good for contemplation and reflection. It was what she so desperately needed.
After a few moments of pleasing silence, Charlotte and Julia bounced into the room, Charlotte grinning widely. “Julia is feeling very well, indeed!”
“Why, that is excellent news, Julia! I am happy for you.”
The dark-haired Lady MacLean grinned and said, “I suppose I am moving along in my time now, and the sickness will not be so bad. I hope so! I am ready to get back to my life!”
Charlotte sat down on the long couch by the fire and patted a seat next to her. “Come, cousin, we must hear Elizabeth’s tale.”
Julia clapped her hands and gathered her skirts to sit down. “Charlotte, we have not had this much excitement since all the drama with you and Angus! I cannot wait to hear what lies next! Sitting up in one’s room all day instead of outside in the world is a fate worse than death.”
Elizabeth loved the sight of their excited faces as they waited with impatience to hear her story. She still did not want to reveal everything, but she needed to know something important. “First, I must both ask you something. Would you say that you would do anything for love?”
Julia and Charlotte looked at each other. “Why, of course, there is nothing else in the world worth having,” Charlotte spoke matter-of-factly.
Julia nodded. “I say that I would. I agree.”
Elizabeth sighed with relief. “So, even if you felt it hurt someone else or broke a promise of some kind, you would still fight for love?”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? What has happened?”
Elizabeth swallowed. “So much has happened, my friends, that I do not know quite where to begin.” She took a few breaths.
Julia said softly, “I do believe the beginning is an excellent choice.”
“True. Well, I took your advice. I have…made my comparisons.”
“Have you?” Charlotte’s voice was high and excited, and Julia shushed her.
“We do not want the whole castle to know of it!” Her voice sounded stern, but she laughed as she said it.
Elizabeth nodded. She then explained to them the tale of how she went to the mainland to speak to the women at the house of ill-repute and how she’d come upon Liam instead and changed her plans.
The two women waited, small grins on their faces and their eyes glistening with interest as Elizabeth told them how she and Liam made love in the inn and how it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
“It is rather enjoyable, is it not?” Julia said, and Charlotte chuckled. “What? I was quite surprised at how all-consuming it is.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That is exactly the way I would describe it. I now understand why artists and poets wish to portray it so very often. It is a captivating experience. I shall never forget it for the rest of my life.”
“Continue, Elizabeth!”
She then explained how they fought the next day, and then she was off to the Fort to see Charlotte’s father. Unfortunately, John was there, she told them.
“He came to visit father?”
“Yes. There were some matters he wished to discuss with him. But he had been on his way to Duart to speak to Angus as well about the grazing lands.”
“I see.”
“Well, he and I walked together in the woods for a little while, and he kissed me.”
Charlotte sighed. “And? What do you have to say about it? Did you enjoy it?”
Elizabeth looked down, fearful she might offend either of them for what her heart was telling her. “Well, at that moment, I found that while the kiss was enjoyable, it did not light a fire in me as Liam had. There was not that same connection. It helped me to realize my affection for Liam.”
Both Charlotte and Julia cheered in unison. Elizabeth looked up in surprise. “You are not disappointed?”
“Why should we be? Liam is a fine choice! If you wish to take him, and how does he feel about you?”
“I must speak to him, the sooner, the better, for I know my aunt will not understand my excuses for long. But there is one other problem.” The women waited, their shoulders leaning forward. “John has asked me to marry him.”
As if they were puppets controlled by the same master, their mouths fell open in surprise. After a few moments of silence, Charlotte uttered, “What answer did you give?”
“I told him that I had to think about it. That my future was not entirely in my own hands. I needed time to think, to speak to Liam.”
Julia nodded. “
You are wise.” She shook her head. “John Campbell. I cannot believe it! I had no idea that he would be the type to take a wife and so quickly too!”
“Well, I do believe he felt rushed by my short duration in Scotland.”
Charlotte grinned. “Well, I think that you should talk to Liam just as soon as he returns. I am certain you will not be disappointed.”
“Disappointed about what, my love?” Elizabeth tensed as she saw the tall, handsome figure of Angus MacLean entering the library, looking as if he had just been hard at work.
Charlotte said, “Angus! You must not disturb a gathering of women. What things you might hear!”
Seduction in the Highlands: By choosing him she loses her inheritance, by leaving him she brakes her heart... Page 18