“Darling Moira, I have missed you beyond words. You cannot understand how much it means to me to be here with you now. I feared that by the time I arrived, some young man would have claimed you for his own.”
“No, never! I have thought of no other but you since the day we first met. But circumstances conspired against us.”
Stuart looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“Darling, I am afraid I fail to understand what you mean.”
Moira cast her eyes away. She could not tell Stuart of her family’s misfortunes.
“It is nothing, a mere trifle,” she murmured, squeezing his hand so tightly.
“When I arrived here this evening and saw you again, I realised that we were meant to be together,” Stuart declared. “I almost did not dare to hope that you would still be unbetrothed.”
“My dearest, there has never been any other – ”
Stuart sighed and pulled her closer. She sank into his arms, her heart bursting with happiness.
“Darling, before this unfortunate series of events that led to me inheriting the Brampton fortune, I did not dare ask you. I am now a man of substantial means and I am certain that your father would not object to my suit, so please will you marry me?”
Moira was overjoyed.
“Oh, but I have longed for nothing less,” she cried. “My answer is yes, Stuart, I will be your wife.”
“Darling,” he murmured, closing his eyes, his lips drawing close to hers.
Holding her close in the moonlight, he kissed her.
Moira had never known such ecstasy.
She melted into his embrace and felt the world spinning.
Quite dizzy, she composed herself. Stuart was smiling down at her, his firm, strong arms holding her tightly.
“Darling, I know that you are young, but there is no time to waste. I cannot be a Duke without a wife. Let us return to Scotland immediately and I shall seek your father’s permission for us to marry at once. We can leave tomorrow – the Victorious lies waiting at Tilbury, if only you would say yes.”
Moira thought for a second.
She had promised Ewen that they would stay for Christmas so that he might woo Emily. But if she now had a chance to save Lednock, surely he could not object to her leaving early?
‘With Stuart at my side, we shall overcome all our difficulties,’ she sighed to herself, as once more he pulled her close and kissed her.
With the moon still shining brightly overhead and the stars twinkling, Moira felt that this is just what Heaven must be like.
Lost in the richness of love, she could not wait to tell Ewen that their troubles were now over –
CHAPTER TEN
The rest of the evening was a heady blur for Moira.
She felt as if she was walking on air as she and Stuart returned to the drawing room. Ewen was utterly absorbed with Emily and Moira could see that things were going very well indeed.
Emily smiled shyly at her as she walked towards them. Her eyes were shining and Moira could tell by the looks that she cast at Ewen that she was already very much in love with him.
‘I could not wish for a better evening,” she thought happily, as her brother turned round to greet her.
“Sister. There you are. Emily is about to leave and wants to say goodbye.”
“Yes, indeed. I do so hope that we can become friends, Moira,” said Emily quietly.
“I would like to very much,” replied Moira.
“Ah, Stuart,” trumpeted Ewen, noticing him standing nearby, “I haven’t had the opportunity to talk with you, but perhaps we can meet tomorrow?”
“I am afraid that will not be possible, Ewen, for I am forced to return home to Perth tomorrow. There are some urgent matters that require my attention. Now, if you will excuse me? Lady Moira – ”
He kissed Moira’s hand and gave her a meaningful look. He had promised her that he would call on her at Curzon Street the next day to make plans for their journey North.
Ewen tarried over his goodbyes to Emily, whilst Moira sat in the carriage, impatient to tell him her news while he dilly-dallied by Emily’s carriage, kissing her hand a hundred times and promising to call on her.
Eventually, he tore himself away and sat down next to Moira.
“I did not think I could fall in love so hard,” he exclaimed, as he stretched out on the seat. “I feel as if I have wings! Do you not think that Emily is the most beautiful and delightful girl in the whole of London?”
“Of course she is, brother, she is your love,” said Moira smiling, “now if you will hush for a while, I have something important to tell you.”
“You have? Has my wee sister met someone? Och, that will teach me for taking no notice of you all night.”
“Ewen, please listen. Yes, it is true, I have met someone and what is more, you know him.”
“I do?” Ewen was leaning forward, his face full of curiosity.
“Yes, it is Stuart Weston. The new Duke of Brampton. Furthermore, he has asked me to marry him. Ewen, our troubles are all over. We leave for Scotland tomorrow on the Victorious so that he may ask father for my hand.”
Ewen looked startled rather than delighted by her wonderful news.
“But Moira, you cannot go without a chaperone, it would not be right. Think of the scandal.”
“I do not care for scandal and gossip and since when have you stood on ceremony? Stuart is the perfect gentleman and there will no impropriety. In any case, who is going to be onboard to spy on us and tittle-tattle?”
Ewen fell silent.
Moira could see that something was troubling him. Was there something about Stuart that he needed to tell her and was trying to find a way to break the news gently?
Moira could stand it no longer.
“Ewen, for Heaven’s sake, if Stuart has some dark secret in his past, will you please tell me at once. I cannot bear this.”
“Oh, sister, pardon my reticence,” he began, “but if you are intending to leave tomorrow for Scotland, then I am sorry but I cannot go with you. I wish to stay longer and woo Emily. Would you mind if you went alone? I am sure one of the servants could chaperone you if necessary.”
“Is that all that is ailing you? Of course I will not mind if you stay and firm your suit with Emily. I am sure that Sarah will be delighted that at least one of us is staying and I expect that Emily will be invited over for tea with her?
“I do not think that we should make your engagement public, Moira not even to Sarah. At least, not until father has given his consent. Aye, I worry for what you might find when you return home.”
It was now Moira’s turn to fall silent. In all her excitement, she had not considered whether or not her father would even be fit enough to receive Stuart.
‘What if father does not want to see him?’ she pondered. ‘We do not have any time to lose and any delay could result in us being evicted from Lednock.’
She did not mention her fears to Ewen. A solution to their problems was so near, yet so far. Instead, she retired as soon as they returned to Curzon Street.
Moira was tired, yet she could not sleep. Her mind was whirling as she tried to imagine what would happen when she brought Stuart back, but this time as her intended.
‘Mother will be delighted and she will remember him from the hunting party we held when Larry Harwood was staying. But when shall I break the news to Stuart of my family’s awful predicament?’
It was this thought more than any other that kept her awake for many hours. It seemed that no sooner had she fallen asleep than the maid was knocking on her door.
‘I must look my best for Stuart,’ she said to herself, dressing hastily. Her reflection in the dressing table mirror did not please her. She looked almost as wan as May Tennant!
Pinching her cheeks furiously, Moira put on her plaid dress and went downstairs.
Lady Cunningham smiled as she walked into the dining room.
“Good morning, my dear. I trust you had a good evening?”
“Yes, I enjoyed myself immensely. Although I declare that the company Lord Kinross keeps is colourful to say the least. However, I did have the pleasure of meeting your sister-in-law, Agnes.”
“Ah, Agnes. I do hope that she did not talk you to death. Agnes is rather voluble and she even talked all the way through my and Laurence’s wedding!”
They both laughed and Moira took her seat at the table.
“Sarah, a friend of the family will be calling this morning. I do hope it will not inconvenience you in any way. It is urgent business.”
“I shall make myself scarce. Is it a handsome young man by any chance?”
“A friend of my brother.”
Lady Cunningham was discreet enough not to push Moira for more details, but she could tell by her expression that there was more to this ‘visitor’ than met the eye.
“And your brother – how did he fare with Miss Tennant?”
“Very well, but there is something I need to tell you. Sarah, I have had such a wonderful time in London but I will not now be staying for Christmas. Something has come up that requires my attention and while Ewen will remain behind, I must travel North this very evening.”
“My dear, I am sorry to hear this news. You have become a true friend and I will miss your company. However, I understand the pull of family ties and will have Berbridge make the carriage ready for you.”
“Thank you, but there will be no necessity, Sarah,” said Moira, reddening with embarrassment, “I have already made my own arrangements.”
There was an awkward silence as Lady Cunningham stirred her tea.
Moira felt guilty – she had confided so much in her, yet until her engagement to Stuart had been formally announced, she could not tell her more.
The timely entrance of Berbridge, who formally announced that the Duke of Brampton had arrived to see Lady Moira, broke the awkwardness of the situation.
Moira excused herself and almost ran from the dining room.
“Darling,” she cried, running into Stuart’s arms.
They kissed tenderly and then pulled apart.
“I could barely sleep a wink last night, I was so excited.”
Stuart kissed her forehead, and clasped her hands.
“It was the same for me, my angel. So I packed my bags instead and brought them with me. I thought that we could leave as soon as you are ready.”
Moira was breathless with elation. If this was a foretaste of what was to come as Stuart’s wife, she would surely never become bored.
“Oh, darling. This is such a surprise. But we cannot leave before I have seen Ewen – and I must also make sure that I thank Lady Cunningham for her hospitality.”
“Then let us go for a walk and discuss our plans together,” suggested Stuart, as practical as ever. “Have the maid pack your trunks and together we will see Lady Cunningham after our walk to explain everything to her. There is a very good flower stall in Bond Street where we can pick up a bouquet for her.”
Moira flew upstairs to put on her cloak and boots.
Downstairs, Stuart was waiting for her in the hall. Stepping outside, she felt so proud by his side. She felt sure that passers-by would think him as handsome as she did.
“You realise that we will have to delay the wedding until after Christmas,” said Stuart slowly. “I had quite forgotten that a decent period of mourning needs to be observed before our ceremony can take place.”
Moira almost stopped short in her tracks. This would not do at all. The family affairs would not wait so long as the creditors were practically at the door already.
‘Oh, this cannot be,’ she thought. ‘How can I save Lednock if there is such a delay? There is nothing for it – I shall have to tell Stuart about our predicament.’
“Darling, is there something troubling you?” enquired Stuart, as they crossed Berkeley Square, “you have not said a word for five minutes. You are upset that the wedding has to be delayed, naturally – ”
“Stuart, there is something that you need know. I did not want to tell you but this latest piece of news has forced my hand. My situation is not as rosy as you would perceive it to be. What you witnessed at Lednock earlier in the year was but a sham, put on for Larry Harwood’s benefit.
“The truth of the matter is that father travelled to America with him and lost everything. The castle, the estate, our money, our inheritance.”
“I knew that Lednock was not as wealthy as it once was, but I had no idea that things were so bad. How could this be?”
Moira sat down on a bench and began to cry.
She dabbed at her eyes, trying to regain her composure. How it distressed her to have to admit to their downfall.
“Harwood promised father that he could treble his money if he invested in some mines near New York. He did not realise that Harwood was a crook who would cheat him out of his lands and home.”
Stuart took a deep breath and looked at her in disbelief.
“But this is extortion! Have you informed the police? I am sure that the Earl would not have been the only person to have been fooled by him.”
“No, no, that would only make things worse and the scandal would kill father. He is already ill and has taken to his bed. Mother is beside herself with worry. Ewen and I thought that if we came to London and found ourselves rich spouses, perhaps we could buy off Larry Harwood’s creditors.”
Moira looked nervously at Stuart.
She felt so vulnerable now that she had told him everything.
‘I do hope that he will not think that I have feigned love for him in order to get at his new fortune,’ she thought, then hurriedly dismissed it. She was confident that hers and Stuart’s love was strong enough to overcome any hurdle.
“You must not tell a soul, Stuart, please.”
“But Moira. We should alert the authorities.”
“Stuart, we cannot. The creditors for the American Bank are due to start dismantling the estate any time now. It is too late – ”
Stuart shook his head in dismay.
“If only you had told me sooner, Moira. I could have helped out, even though I do not have the Brampton fortune yet, it is only days away from being mine. I would happily bail out your father.
“Moira looked up at him gratefully. How she loved him!
“Darling, we must concentrate on returning to Lednock as soon as possible. The news of our engagement may well provide a boost to father’s well-being. We cannot leave soon enough.”
“Then we shall leave this very afternoon. Now, we shall visit the florist and then make haste back to Curzon Street. We can be on our way to Tilbury by lunchtime.”
There were a few tears when Moira told Lady Cunningham that her departure had been hastened by Stuart’s arrival.
Ewen hugged Moira as the footman loaded up the carriage.
“Darling sister,” he murmured, “I will write to you as soon as I have any news. I intend to propose to Emily during the shoot after Christmas, if not sooner. I have a mind to ask her this afternoon!”
Lady Cunningham was delighted with her flowers, but declared that they were no substitute for Moira’s fine company.
Ewen came up to the carriage and kissed his sister affectionately
“Be sure to look after her, Stuart,” he urged. “Sister, I will see you presently.”
The driver cracked his whip over the team of horses and the carriage wheeled away from the Cunninghams’ residence.
Moira began to weep quietly, much to her surprise. She had become firm friends with Lady Cunningham and had been touched at how upset she was to see her depart.
In spite of her trepidation, Moira was looking forward to returning to Lednock.
‘I do hope that the worst has not befallen mother and father,’ she thought as the motion of the carriage lulled her senses. ‘I do hope we that we arrive in time.’
*
The Victorious was moored at Tilbury Docks awaiting their arrival. Moira shivered as she stepped down from th
e carriage and stood on the quayside.
The crew were running hither and thither, loading huge parcels into the hold.
“We are carrying a cargo of rice, salt and spices,” explained Stuart. “Much of it is destined for local shops. It is their winter stock and just in time for Christmas.”
It was then that Moira realised that Christmas was but a few days away. They were due to arrive home at Lednock on Christmas Eve and she hoped that her return would be a good present for her parents.
“You will be staying in the same cabin as on the voyage out and I hope that will be acceptable,” Stuart said as he helped her up the gangway. “The wind is getting up and I fear that the journey may be rough, so I want you to be as comfortable as possible.”
It was true, the wind was whipping Moira’s cloak around her and she had difficulty in keeping her hat from blowing away.
“I am sure I will be fine,” she muttered, trying to convince herself.
As she descended into the bowels of the ship, she was pleased to find herself untroubled by memories of the awful MacKinnon. He now seemed so utterly unimportant.
Entering the cabin, she thought how different things now were. True, the problem of saving Lednock was still in front of them, but this time there was Stuart at her side.
‘I feel as if I could do anything as long as he is with me.’
*
The journey North was terribly difficult.
As Stuart had predicted, the weather worsened and a storm soon blew up.
Moira found that she could not control her seasickness and was forced to remain in her cabin, being tended to by Stuart when he could spare time away from the bridge.
As a result, when they finally docked in Dundee, she felt too ill to take the carriage on to Lednock.
Stuart suggested a decent lodging house, completely unlike Mrs. McRae’s establishment and he journeyed on to Perth to open up his house, while the amiable Mrs. MacKenzie tended Moira.
The next day dawned bright and cold and Moira awoke feeling so much better. Although her legs were a trifle wobbly, she easily climbed into Stuart’s carriage when it arrived to pick her up after breakfast.
“Sir will be waiting for you at his house in Perth,” the driver informed her.
The Richness of Love Page 13