Mending a Highland Heart: Healing him was more scandalous than she ever imagined…

by Kendrick, Kenna

  Angus still prevaricated for a moment, but then he made his mind up quickly as he imagined Charlotte disappearing from his life forever without another look, another word, another embrace. He could not let that happen. If the engagement was off, then he would put his suit to her to see if there was still a chance.

  He rushed past Mrs. MacLean and out towards Liam at the boats. Calum turned to Julia. “Do ye think she’d really leave for London? Without even saying goodbye tae us?”

  Julia shook her head and laughed.

  “Not a chance. But we needed some way to get him out of here and over to the Fort!” Calum sighed.

  “My little minx.”

  * * *

  Liam’s face looked relieved once Angus rushed up to him. “Mrs. MacLean gave ye my message? What do ye wish tae do, lad?”

  “Go tae the Fort tae see if I can talk tae Charlotte afore she leaves, or better yet try tae stop her.” Liam grinned, and they climbed into the boat together.

  After Liam got into a rhythm with his rowing, he said, “I confess I am happy for ye. I knew yer heart was lost tae her for a long time. I was jealous for a time, beautiful lass as she is, but I could tell she wanted ye too.” Angus smiled but could not answer. His nerves were wreaking havoc upon him. What if she said no? He comforted himself with the thought that if that was the case, then he would have no regrets about not trying.

  He wanted Charlotte Andrews to become his wife, to be a family with him, and to make her life with him as they lived and worked together. He wanted her to work as a healer if she wished and gain all the knowledge she desired. He wanted to see her laugh. He wanted to make love to her for the rest of her life. His heart was swelling with love for her. He was almost overwhelmed. Now that he could see a chance, it was like a door had opened that hadn’t been open before.

  * * *

  The next morning, Charlotte felt that glimmer of hope still warming inside of her heart. She needed to find a way to send Angus a message because she was not going to give up without a fight. Angus MacLean was a stubborn ass, and she would have to try and set him straight. He loved her. She knew he did.

  After she had spoken to her father, Charlotte spent the evening with Elizabeth before letting her friend drop off into a much-needed sleep. In the morning after breakfast, Charlotte and Elizabeth were in Elizabeth’s room, packing for her trip back to London. Elizabeth moved slowly as if she was stuck in a dream. “I am still so amazed that my father could do such a thing. I’m so ashamed. I hate to leave you, but I feel like I cannot show my face here any longer after what he has done. He has ruined everything. What will I do now?”

  Tears were in her eyes, and Charlotte rubbed her arm kindly. “My friend, all will be well. You will go to stay with your aunt? I will miss you terribly. I am sorry about your father, as well. Despite all that has happened, I do hope the authorities will be kind to him. For your sake.”

  Elizabeth nodded and closed the trunk. Charlotte said, “Will you come back and see us? I fear that I will be lost without you. So would Liam MacLean. You know you never did tell me how it went with him when he took you back across to the Fort.”

  Elizabeth chuckled, a stray tear falling down her face. “I was just as embarrassing as usual, but I think he seems to find it rather entertaining.”

  “You were perfectly charming, I’m sure.”

  “I want to come back as soon as possible. Scotland has grown on me greatly with its peace and wild beauty. But where shall I go?”

  Charlotte laughed. “Do you think this time has been peaceful? I’ve never had such crazed experiences in my life?” Elizabeth smiled. Charlotte continued, “My dear, you shall come and stay with us, whether it be with my Father and me or dare I say it, with Angus and me.”

  Elizabeth clasped her friend’s hands. “So you will try to speak to him? Please say that you will.”

  “Yes, of course! You know that I could never just let a man be a fool!” She tried to make her voice sound confident so that she could believe it herself. She hoped that Angus would accept her.

  “You are right. And he will see the wisdom of your words. I wish you well, my friend. Will you write to me? Here is the address of my aunt’s.”

  Charlotte took the paper in hand and hugged Elizabeth. “Of course I will. Come, let us go to the coach.”

  Elizabeth nodded, and the two women left, their cloaks on, and walked to the carriages waiting outside. One was large and surrounded by soldiers on horseback. The other was smaller and without the menacing escort. Elizabeth sighed. “I know your father wishes to be kind, but I do not understand why my father and I cannot travel together. He would never wish to hurt me.”

  Charlotte replied, “Of course not. But my father thought you might enjoy a bit of peace on your travels, away from his ravings.”

  Elizabeth nodded in understanding, and Charlotte could feel her tense as her father, shackled at the wrists, was brought out by soldiers, General Andrews following behind. Lord Darling yelled out, “You bastard! We shall see what the King has to say about this. He will not care about the life of one useless Scotsman!” General Andrews replied, “I have already sent word to him and the other authorities, Mortimer. Despite his opinions on Scotsmen, the King does not wish to see his time and money being used to enact revenge. I’m afraid you will be spending much time behind bars, if not in the hangman’s noose.”

  “Father!” Charlotte chided, and Elizabeth moved out of sight, behind her carriage to hide her tears. General Andrews colored, but then continued on his way to Lord Darling’s carriage. “Go. You are not worthy of your daughter.”

  Lord Darling continued to yell as he was pushed into his carriage, and everyone was gifted in silence once the door was shut and locked.

  General Andrews came to Elizabeth’s side. “I am sorry, my dear. You will be most welcome here, should you ever wish to return to visit Charlotte. But I’m afraid this may not be the place you want to come back to.”

  Elizabeth bowed. “Thank you, Sir, for your constant kindness.” She entered the carriage with the help of a footman, and Charlotte held her hand outside of the window.

  “Goodbye, my friend. I wish you well,” Charlotte said, and Elizabeth wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “Goodbye, Charlotte, I hope and pray that love comes to you.”

  Then the carriage began to take off, followed by the escort of Lord Darling’s carriage. General Andrews watched with pride as they left. “Good riddance, my dear, do you not think?”

  Charlotte was just about to respond when she saw two men run up from the shore towards the carriages and yell out, “No! Charlotte!” It was Angus MacLean, and he began to run after the pair of swiftly moving coaches.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Charlotte watched in amazement as her truest love, in angry, desperate movements, chased after the carriages. But he was not yet fully recovered, and he had to stop to catch his breath. He returned to Liam, and Liam was laughing.

  General Andrews smirked, “Persistent gentleman. I like that. I shall leave you, my dear. I’m assuming Angus MacLean wishes an audience with you and not an old man.” He kissed her on the cheek and wandered back to the Fort, his hands behind his back.

  Charlotte couldn’t respond. She crossed her arms and just watched. Her heart was beginning to beat quickly. She hoped that he would see her. She didn’t dream that Angus would come after her. She thought she needed to convince him.

  Liam continued laughing, and Angus was growling angrily at him. After a few minutes, Liam touched Angus on the shoulder and pointed towards Charlotte. Angus looked her way, and his anger melted away. He began to walk towards her, and Charlotte dropped her arms as she felt her heart beating out of her chest.

  Then Angus stood in front of her, his eyes locked to hers. Some of Charlotte’s hair fell loose and began to whip around the front of her face. Wordlessly, Angus took a finger and pushed a strand back behind her ear. Charlotte’s breath caught in her chest. “You came back.”


  He smiled. “Aye, lass. I needed tae stop being an idiot sometime, did I nae? I thought ye had left for London. Liam told me so.”

  Charlotte laughed lightly. “Well, I’m glad he was mistaken then. But I was planning on coming to Duart to tell you about your idiocy myself.”

  “Och, were ye?” He moved ever so slightly closer, and Charlotte could feel his fingertips on her elbows. It made goosebumps rise on her skin. “See, that’s just what I was hoping tae hear. Ye are nae engaged then?”

  “No, Angus, I am not. I did not even want to be engaged. I was going to be forced into it, and so I was afraid to tell you because I did not know yet how you felt about me-” Charlotte’s hurried speech was cut short by Angus’ lips as they found their way to hers. He put his arms around her and drew her towards him, and Charlotte melted into his embrace as he opened his mouth to her own, letting all the emotion he felt flow between them. Charlotte felt weak as she gave herself up to it, and when he pulled away, she kept her eyes closed for a little.

  She was taken from her reverie by Angus’ soft voice against her mouth and his thumb pushing away the tear that had surprisingly fallen from her eye. “Does that show ye how I feel? Marry me, lass. I know I am nae an Englishman and that I have many faults. Most of which ye already know. But I do know that I am better with ye. I am a broken man when ye are gone.”

  Charlotte could not help the swell of happiness that filled her heart. She watched as Angus smiled at her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the feel of his skin underneath her palms. She grinned. “I am very grateful that you are not an Englishman. For they would certainly not be as good in bed as you, Angus MacLean. They certainly do not kiss like you do.” Angus laughed and pulled her tighter against him, his hands around her waist.

  Charlotte continued as she watched his expectant eyes. “I would be very happy to marry you, Angus. You have fought me, protected me, and changed me. But you must understand that if there are any faults you do not yet know about, I will be sure to tell you.”

  Angus smiled widely, and he picked Charlotte up, spinning her around before he bent low to kiss her again. “I wouldnae expect anything less from a highbrow Sassenach. Oh, by the way, when are ye going tae return that book ye took from our library?”

  Their lips met once more, stifling Charlotte’s laugh. Charlotte felt as light as air, her dreams finally coming true; she was finally and completely whole.

  Epilogue

  “You look absolutely beautiful, Charlotte,” Julia sighed as she stepped away from her. Charlotte was dressed in beautiful cream lace, and in her hands were freshly picked flowers. The MacLean tartan was draped around her shoulders. Mrs. MacLean smiled next to her as all three of them gazed into the looking-glass.

  “Aye, that ye do, Mistress. I confess the pair of ye are the two bonniest brides I’ve ever seen.”

  Julia laughed. “I think Charlotte far outshines me, Mrs. MacLean.” Charlotte grinned at herself. It was just as she’d hoped in her heart, but never in her dreams had she known that she would be marrying a man who filled her so completely and who she loved so desperately. She clutched onto Julia’s arm.

  “Will we be able to survive marriage? And make it through?”

  Julia smiled. “I cannot say that I am a marriage expert, myself, only having been married a few months, but yes. You will make it through. I know that you will argue, but that does not mean the love isn’t there.”

  Charlotte sighed with contentment. She knew it, but she needed to hear it said. The pair of them had tempers to match, she and Angus, but they were always able to sort their differences.

  Mrs. MacLean said, “We must hurry tae the church, lass. I am so glad ye waited for the villagers tae get well. They were very happy tae hear they were invited.”

  “Of course! They have had to suffer long enough.” The three women exited the room and met General Andrews at the backdoor of the castle, ready and waiting. He touched his hand to his chest as he saw his daughter.

  “You are beautiful, my dear. Angus is a lucky man.” She took his arm, and the four of them climbed into an open carriage to head to the church. Charlotte clutched on to her father. It had been a few weeks since they could get everything arranged for the wedding, and she had been waiting anxiously for it all to be finished. Now that it was happening, she was afraid she would faint to the ground with nerves.

  General Andrews patted her hands. “I was just as nervous on my wedding day, my dear. You have made a good choice. All will be well.” Charlotte felt slightly calmer, and they made their way over the island to the beautiful church.

  * * *

  Angus stood with Calum at the front of the church, the priest behind him. He was dressed in a gray woolen waistcoat and jacket, a MacLean kilt, and a sword at his side. He had his brown hair tied back at the nape of his neck, and his beard was cut close. He could hear the villagers and the clansmen outside, waiting to greet the bride at her arrival. He shifted, feeling nervous that everyone would see him declare his love. Calum put a hand on his shoulder. “Ye have done well, lad. Charlotte is a good woman. Dinnae fear.”

  Angus smiled. “I dinnae fear her. I simply fear the openness of a ceremony like this. Ye know I am nae one tae share my feelings.”

  Calum chuckled. “Aye, ‘tis true. But once ye see her, all will be well. Calm will come over yer mind, as it did for me. And then ye will only see her, and the ceremony will be over soon. Then, ‘tis time for the celebration.”

  Angus comforted himself with that thought. It would be over soon, and then he would be married to the love of his life, a love he never thought that he would ever find. He was surprised to have found it in a woman who so confounded, irritated, and amazed him. But with each passing day, he felt happier and happier. He was anxious that they’d had to wait for the villagers to be well for their ceremony, but he was touched by Charlotte’s kind gesture.

  He heard the crunch of wheels outside, and his heart began to beat rapidly as he also heard the cry of welcome from those waiting at the door. Soon, the doors opened, and Angus froze, watching as the crowd entered, filling in the seats with smiles on their sun-touched faces. He put his hands behind his back and looked down and waited.

  Then, Calum tapped him on the shoulder, and silence fell over the crowd. He looked up and saw the sunlight streaming into the church, Charlotte Andrews, at the center of the light. She was wearing a light cream dress, fringes of lace at her wrists and throat. The MacLean colors were draped over her, and her golden-red hair was piled high in curls atop her head. She smiled at him, and Angus’ heart flipped.

  This was the woman he was going to marry. He could not believe it. She began to walk towards him, her father’s arm holding tightly to hers. Everyone watched with amazement at this beautiful bride. Angus could feel his head swimming, so much so that when she was close enough for their hands to clasp, he couldn’t even hear the priest as he began the ceremony.

  He was in a daze as he followed the motions, his eyes on Charlotte’s smiling face, and when he was told he could kiss her, he drew her to him with all of the impatience of a young boy awaiting his first time with a woman. The crowd laughed and cheered. Angus kept his arm around her, and they turned towards the crowd, smiling. They began to walk down the aisle to head back to the Fort when Angus whispered in her ear, “Ye havenae made the next few hours easy, my love, with the way that ye look. Ye are killing me, making me wait tae take ye in my arms until the evening.”

  Charlotte chuckled. “I’m certain we could find a way around that.”

  * * *

  At the gathering, Angus and Charlotte sat at the front of the Hall with Calum and Julia, their bodies warm with wine and good food. Music was playing, the hearths were crackling, and the villagers began to dance in time to the music. Charlotte was amazed at the merriment. She had seen them at gatherings before, but now was her day, and she was so happy.

  Angus was the most handsome he had ever been. He had fully recovered from his illness
. He was well and truly restored, as was the rest of the clan after their years of loss, and now that he and Charlotte were together, she could see the happiness in his eyes. Today he looked strong and beautiful, his jawline sharp underneath his thin beard, and his body muscled underneath the waistcoat.

  They had plans to hide away for a time once they got to Duart castle, for her fingers itched to touch him, and her mouth wished to continue the dreamy kiss they shared at the Church. Her father had asked that she stay at the fort until the marriage, and so she and Angus had seen little of each other. Even now, under the table, their hands were desperate to touch and feel every inch of each other. Every so often, Angus would gaze at her heatedly, and she would blush under his eyes as she felt the throbbing of desire within her grow and grow.