Seduction in the Highlands: By choosing him she loses her inheritance, by leaving him she brakes her heart...

by Kendrick, Kenna

  “The lass? The blonde one that took ye intae the hallway?”

  “Aye, the very one. I have desired her for a long time, and now she will be mine.”

  Finlay kept frowning. “A Sassenach for a Scottish Laird’s lady? But is that done?”

  John laughed. Even Finlay’s doubts could not get him down. “Of course, ‘tis done. We have Lady MacLean at this very party. She is from a distinguished English family, as is my soon-tae-be wife. Except for her father, of course. But the man is dying, and so we shall be free of him!”

  John tried his best not to smile at the mention of Lord Darling’s impending death. He did not want to disgrace his new fiancé. Finlay sighed. “If it is what ye desire, laird, then it is what we all shall desire. Now perhaps yer mind can become focused on other things related tae the clan, now that what has been distracting ye is completed.”

  John chuckled. “Come, Finlay, let us drink tae my success. And remember, keep it quiet.” Finlay agreed and then went to fill their cups. John was not going to let anything dissipate his good mood tonight. He knew Finlay doubted the success of this union, but he knew deep in his heart that he loved Elizabeth.

  If only he could get the same reassurance from her. She had always been shy, and he tried to comfort herself with the fact she was only low in spirits because of her father. Once she was back in Scotland and married to him, he hoped that her old, happy self would return.

  * * *

  As soon as Liam was on Mull’s shore, he entered the castle and walked down to the kitchens, searching for a bottle of strong whiskey. He had none at his own home, and he needed to drink tonight. It was late, and many of the servants had been sent to bed, but Mrs. MacLean remained in the kitchens, finishing a few of her tasks.

  Her brow furrowed when she looked up at him in the dim light of the kitchen fires. “What in the blazes are ye doing here, Liam MacLean? I thought there was a gathering of the English on the other side, and ye were grateful enough tae have received an invitation.”

  “Aye, so I was.” He went to one of the cabinets and pulled down a dark bottle and glass. Mrs. MacLean lifted an eyebrow but made no mention of the generous serving he gave himself, sitting down to sip it back with speed.

  She sighed, and putting down her mending, sat across from him. “What has happened, then? Ye only come tae drink alone when something is irking ye.”

  Liam watched the kind woman’s face. “Ye ken me well, Mrs. MacLean. But I also come for the comfort of yer company.”

  “Tell me what is it, then. A lass, I suspect.”

  Liam groaned and filled his glass again. “Ye suspect correct, only this time, it is I who have been thrown by the wayside when I didnae want tae be. Ye would have been proud of me, Mrs. MacLean, for I was about tae make an offer of marriage.”

  “Were ye now?” She smiled. “Yer mother would have loved tae have seen that day come. Tae whom?”

  “Lady Elizabeth Darling.”

  Mrs. MacLean opened her mouth for a moment and then chuckled in mirth. “See? I knew it well that ye had an affinity for the lass. But why have ye been thrown tae the wayside? She said nae?”

  “Nae quite. I was going tae propose, but then we were waylaid and meddled with by none other than that Brea from the other shore.”

  Mrs. MacLean scowled. “If only ye had stopped yer whoring days long ago, she would be gone and out of yer matters.”

  Liam shook his head. “It is all a mess now. Brea kissed me, and Elizabeth saw, and then I heard that Elizabeth kissed John, and now she has accepted him as her fiancé instead of me. I am at a loss, Mrs. MacLean. There is nae point tae anything anymore if she will nae have me.”

  Mrs. MacLean frowned. “Well, perhaps she loves John and wishes to marry him, and it is nae about seeing ye with Brea.”

  “Perhaps so, but there were times--” He did not want to reveal their love-making to his surrogate mother. “There were times when I thought that it was I she was thinking of. But she has gone now. Her father is ill, and she had to rush off. First, she engaged herself, and then she left. She didnae, even say goodbye.”

  Mrs. MacLean placed a light hand on the hand that gripped Liam’s whiskey glass. “I am sorry, lad. Ye are a good man, truly. Whoring and drinking and nonsense, but ye are kind and gentle. If ye cared enough for the lass tae offer yer hand, then I know ye were well in love, indeed.”

  Liam nodded, and staring off into the distance, he took a drink again. “What am I tae do now, Mrs. Maclean?”

  “Time will pass, and yer heart will mend. I promise. But until then, ye must keep yer chin high and return tae yer work. Find ways tae busy yerself. Dinnae keep idle. And I say ye should keep away from that house of fallen women. They will see ye trapped soon enough.”

  Liam felt a hole getting bigger in his heart. He had to learn to live without Elizabeth. And even though he was angry at her, he could not quell the love for her that just kept growing. It seemed he would never be rid of it! What kind of a life would this be now?

  But he did not make his concerns known. He simply nodded, and they sat in companionable silence for a time. Charlotte and Julia soon blundered into the kitchen, and Mrs. MacLean and Liam both stood up in surprise.

  “Lady MacLeans, ye have also returned so soon?”

  Charlotte said breathlessly, “Oh, I am sorry for that, Mrs. MacLean, but we had to return to tell Liam that we found a letter sent to Elizabeth as well.”

  “What?”

  Charlotte stretched her hand out to him, a folded letter between her fingertips. “Father found this after Elizabeth left. It seemed to have fallen out of her cloak. Liam read the letter quickly and then crumpled it in his fist.

  “So that is why she’d come to see me in the forest. Brea, again.”

  “I know! I was going to say that is not your handwriting. Elizabeth needs to know this!”

  “Why? What difference would it make? She is engaged to John now. It is done.”

  “But they are not married. And at the moment, she thinks that you lured her there with your letter to prove just how cruel you were and to show her that you might still be interested in continuing relations with Brea.”

  Liam said nothing, and Julia exclaimed, “Do you not wish to make amends? Perhaps there is hope? Perhaps her anger at your betrayal made her jump into the arms of another man?”

  Liam’s head was spinning. “What am I to do? She has gone to see her dying father! Am I to follow after and intrude upon such a private moment with her family?”

  Charlotte shook her head and scrunched her nose in thought. “No, no. I think that I shall write a letter to tell her that it was not you who wrote the letter and about Brea’s kiss and revelation to you. It might encourage her to return to us quickly.”

  “And what of the engagement?” he said sourly. “And what if she truly doesnae want me? What if she does love John after all?”

  Charlotte pushed Liam’s shoulder. “Liam MacLean, do not be such an idiot!” Her loud voice pulled him from his sulk. He crossed his arms. Charlotte said, “That woman loves you more than she could ever admit. I know it. She has now gone and thrown her life away because I think she felt you would not want her.” She waited a moment, watching his stiff demeanor before saying, “Do you not wish to see if there is a chance? A chance at happiness for you both? Or would you prefer to spend the rest of your life here, drinking too much whiskey and bemoaning your fate?”

  Liam sighed. “Go then. Write yer letter, lass. What am I tae do in the meantime?”

  “Wait. Like a good lover should.” Laughing, Charlotte and Julia rushed away to compose their letter, and Mrs. MacLean smiled at him.

  “Ye see? Perhaps ye will have a second chance then.”

  He shook his head. “I dinnae think so. John will nae give up his new fiancé so easily. And who knows if she even wanted me for a husband? I have naething to give her.”

  Mrs. MacLean moved to his side and placed a soft hand on his cheek. “Ye have love tae give her, la
d. That is all she’ll need. I expect she has had a lifetime without enough of it, with that horrible father of hers.”

  Mrs. MacLean left the room, leaving Liam alone with his whiskey, mulling everything over. Would love be enough to save them?

  * * *

  Aunt Mildred and Elizabeth had waited at the prison until men came and took her father’s body away, to keep it until it was time to find a place for his burial. He would be allowed to be buried in the family plot, even though he had been a prisoner, which seemed to soothe Aunt Mildred somewhat.

  They rode back together to the London house, and Aunt Mildred said, “I am the last of the family, then. I do not know what I shall do without him, my brother. He was always my guide. He always knew everything. I depended greatly on his discretion and help.”

  Elizabeth forgot that Mildred had been so attached to her father. He had always been so overwhelming in her own life that she neglected to think of the effect he might have had on others. Instead of using words, she simply held her aunt’s hand in comfort. Both of them were exhausted, and Elizabeth dreamed of heading right to her bed when they arrived back at the house, but once they did so, she said, “I suppose we must go to the solicitor’s.”

  Mildred nodded gravely. The woman had dark circles under her eyes, and she looked more haggard than normal. Elizabeth feared she looked the same. Mildred added, “Let us have tea and a change of clothes, and then I think we will be ready. We must begin proceedings this day. Once we return, we can go to bed. My dear, I am so thankful you have come all this way to do what your father wished you to do. I know that he was happy in his final moments. That is some comfort, at least.”

  Elizabeth nodded vaguely, her mind feeling hazy and unfocused. There were too many things to think about, and her body craved a bath and sleep, but tea would have to suffice. She left her aunt to go to a guest room upstairs to prepare her toilet.

  Two hours later, both of them felt refreshed by the hot tea and a quick change of clothing. It was not the same as hours in bed, but it would have to do. Elizabeth was eager to resolve everything and finally be done with the promise she had made. She could finally get some measure of peace that she had done both what her father and her mother would have wished.

  Elizabeth held tightly to her aunt’s tired and trembling arm as they ascended the steps to the solicitor’s office. J.R. Jordan hung out on the sign, and once she saw him upstairs, she remembered seeing him ever so often as a child, especially around the time of her mother’s death. But now, he was white-haired and whiskered, and thin spectacles hung on the tip of his nose in a delicate balance.

  When they arrived, he stood and bowed politely, pointing to the chairs in front of his desk. “Please, ladies, do sit.” He paused in the shuffling of papers. “I am very sorry for your loss. I knew that it was expected, but that never makes the loss any easier.” He smiled weakly, and Elizabeth suddenly felt a wave of affection for the man. Besides her aunt, it was the first word of condolence she had heard for her father, and it made tears beg to be released from her eyes once more.

  Fortunately, she was able to hold them back. “Thank you, Sir. We are grieved, indeed, but I know that my father instructed us to come and see you the very next day to make sure that all is done properly. You will assist us with the death certificate?”

  “Of course, my Lady. I received your father’s letter last evening, giving me his final word on the matters at hand.”

  “Final word?” Aunt Mildred asked, pale, with a handkerchief clutched in her hands.

  “Yes. He had mentioned to me that he wanted to see you first, Lady Darling, before making any changes to the will.”

  “I see.” Elizabeth frowned. “Well, please do go on.”

  Mr. Jordan pulled the will from its envelope and unfolded its thick pages. He began to read through the preliminary items, discussing money left for distant relatives and the handling of servants, and the placement of her father’s body. Elizabeth could feel eager to get to the end when she could be released at long last from the promise that had hung over her for so many years.

  He then said, “My sister Mildred will receive 2,000 pounds per annum after my death until her own death.” Mr. Jordan cleared his throat. “My daughter, Elizabeth, is to inherit the entirety of the rest of the estate, including all items belonging to her parents not previously given away in other bequests. The sum of the estate, both Mortimer Darling’s and his deceased wife, Lady Shelding, is equal to 40,000 pounds.”

  Elizabeth felt her heart sped up, and she breathed out the long sigh of final relief. She was surprised at her father’s generosity. She thought perhaps he would have given much more away to King and country or other members of his acquaintance. She did not think he would wish to give so much to her, knowing that she was but a mere woman, unused to dealing with large sums.

  Elizabeth then said, “Was there a mention of a promise, Mr. Jordan?”

  “Promise?” He watched her over the top of the document.

  “Yes, a promise.” She glanced at her aunt, feeling slightly embarrassed. “My father stated that in my mother’s will, she wished me to marry a man of wealth and status, or else her own money and belongings would be passed to another.”

  Mr. Jordan laid down the paper on the desk. “I know of no such promise. Your father never mentioned it to me.”

  Elizabeth went cold. “What do you mean? My father never spoke of my marriage as affecting the will?”

  “Not at all,” he smiled. “You were always to inherit the full estate since your father had no sons.”

  “And my mother’s belongings?”

  “Were always intended to come to you, as your father expressly mentioned.”

  Elizabeth glanced at Mildred again, who was looking at her with worried eyes. “What do you mean, dear?”

  “My father forced me into a promise, saying that if I did not marry a gentleman of wealth and status that he approved of, my mother’s belongings would not come to me. He told me it was her greatest wish and that I should disappoint her greatly if I did not follow these rules.”

  Mr. Jordan looked at her blankly. “I am sorry to have to tell you, Lady Darling, that this is the first I have heard of it.”

  Elizabeth suddenly felt like the room was spinning. Mr. Jordan stood up and poured her a glass of water, handing it to her shaking hands.

  I have now lost everything because my father is truly a bastard.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Elizabeth spent the next few days in bed. The legal matters were settled, and the bank was in the process of organizing her inheritance. It was now all hers. Upon return from the solicitor, Aunt Mildred bid the servants move Elizabeth into the main bedroom, and Elizabeth had been too fatigued and in shock to argue.

  She was so overwhelmed with what she had heard that she felt ill. Headaches, nausea, and cold sweats were produced, and she could only take tea and toast in her room and keep out the sunlight. Her stomach was in a constant state of knots. She did not want to return to Scotland, and she couldn’t decide if it was because she did not wish to see John’s happy face that she had returned to be his wife, or if it was because she couldn’t bear to see his disappointment when she told him that she could not marry him.

  Some days, her mind would prompt her to ask herself, why should she not marry John? Surely, he was kind, and Liam was lost to her anyway. But the more she would think of it, she knew it would not be right to marry a man she did not love and who loved her so deeply. Especially because she now had no need for marriage after learning of her great inheritance.

  Mildred had done her best to comfort her niece, but Elizabeth could tell her aunt was at an entire loss to understand her need to stay in bed after the news of the will. She thought that Elizabeth would be overjoyed to have been given such a sum, but instead, she had pulled away and would barely speak. It was more than grief. Something else had overtaken Elizabeth, and Mildred could not work it out. Therefore, she left her to herself.

 
In Elizabeth’s dreams, she would see the rolling hills of Mull and Liam’s laughing face. Sometimes the images and scenes even felt so real, she could smell the salty sea air and feel the caress of the sweet island breeze across her cheeks and hair.

  But she would wake and find herself back in the room of the London house, wondering what on earth she was going to do. After a few days in this state, after a night of fevered dreams, a servant roused her by knocking softly on the door. Elizabeth allowed them entry, and they came to hand her a letter along with a tray of tea.

  Once the servant left, Elizabeth took it in hand, thinking it as most likely something to do with preparations for her father’s funeral, which was to occur that evening. She had allowed Mildred to make the arrangements.