by Jane Charles
This is what he had wanted. Since the last Season his plans had been centered on this week of balls. He was going to find his bride and have matters settled by Christmas, but none of the ladies appealed to him. Not that they weren’t attractive enough, because they were. Some were beautiful and could make a man forget his purpose. But not Lachlan. None of them had the perfect shade of blond hair, light green eyes or rose petal skin. None of them were Maddie.
Lachlan tried to block the lass from his mind and concentrate on the Scottish ladies before him. But Maddie continued to plague him and he found himself comparing each lady and miss to whom he gained an introduction to Maddie. None of them could begin to compare.
It wasn’t even midnight and he was ready to leave the MacFie’s annual Christmas ball. This was the place he was certain he would find his bride, but she wasn’t here and he knew it wasn’t simply because there was a crush and he hadn’t seen her yet. Lachlan knew his future bride was not in the ballroom.
Dougal followed him out, but neither said a word until they were settled into the carriage and it moved into traffic.
Lachlan beat is fist against the seat. “Why canna I find her?”
“Perhaps ye’re lookin’ too hard,” Dougal offered from the corner from the other side of the coach.
“It isna possible to look too hard.” Lachlan snorted. “I’ve met practically every available woman in Edinburgh but none of them will do.”
“Maybe it is because ye already met her and left her in England.”
Lachlan’s gut tightened. Each time a similar thought had crossed his mind he pushed it away. “She rejected me.”
“I doona understand why. I thought she was smitten with ye.”
Lachlan snorted again.
“Surely ye discussed yer mutual attraction, perhaps a fondness for the other.”
“Of course not.”
“Ah.”
Lachlan’s head snapped and he looked at his friend. “What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what did ye tell Lady Madeline when ye proposed?”
“I dinna ask for her hand because I thought it had already been decided.” He shrugged. “But I did tell her that I was resigned that we should marry.”
“Ye bloody arse!” Dougal berated. “No wonder she rejected ye after such a romantic proposal.”
Lachlan’s face heated. Thank goodness it was dark in the carriage. “I dinna ken what to say. Everythin’ was happenin’ so fast.”
“And now that ye’ve had time to think?”
“I’ve barely kent the lass three days. How can I make a decision about my future in such a short time?”
Dougal stared him in the eyes. “Ye were convinced ye would find a Scottish bride in almost as short amount of time.”
Lachlan turned to stare out the window. Dougal was right. He had planned on settling on a bride in no more than a week. But that was before he met Maddie, when everything was clear and he knew what he wanted.
Did he know her well enough to marry her? No. But he wanted her. Though innocent, she had responded with a passion he didn’t think was possible for a gently bred English lady. He had only kissed and caressed her breast and she was moaning. What would she do when he kissed her from lips to toes and took her? The thought had him shifting in his seat, his breeches unbearably uncomfortable.
She also knew her mind and what she wanted. So many misses would have allowed themselves to be forced into the marriage and they would be husband and wife now had she not determined her own fate. For that alone, he held much admiration for her. Especially given her situation. It was likely she might never marry, but she gave up what could very well be her one and only chance, and she knew it as well.
It wasn’t her fault she was born on the wrong side of the blanket. Nor did it make her mother any less a lady. They had both been deceived by the former Earl of Bentley. Lachlan had met the Dowager Countess several times and she was not a woman who would have entered into a union unless she was certain it was legal. But, she had been duped and Maddie would be the one to pay if anyone learned. And they would. Society always learned the ugly secretes, even if it took years to come out, they still learned and this would be hanging over Maddie’s head until the truth was known. Of course she couldn’t’ marry a lord, and lie to him as her father had done to the dowager.
He had to give her credit because it would be easy to make a match, secure her future and feign ignorance when the truth came to light.
Unless she married a gentleman who didn’t give a fig about society and what they thought.
Lachlan straightened. He didn’t care and it didn’t matter to him what side of the blanket she happened to be born on. If anyone could help her weather the brewing storm, it was him.
The restlessness and agitation he had been experiencing since he returned home began to ease only to be replaced with a new kind of anxiousness. Maddie is what he needed. She is what he missed. No matter where he was, if she was not with him, he would be plagued with these uncomfortable feelings and emptiness.
The carriage barely came to a halt before Lachlan jumped out. “Doona go anywhere,” he yelled up to Ceard, his driver.”
“At least let the man pack a bag,” Dougal said as he exited the carriage.
Lachlan stared at him. How did Dougal know his plans?
He shook his head. It didn’t matter. He turned back to the driver. “Ask Mrs. MacGinnis for food, and pack your belongings. We are returnin’ to England.”
“Tonight?”
“Aye, tonight.”
Lachlan turned and rushed up the steps to his door. Dougal hurried after him. “Should ye not at least wait until mornin’?”
“I doona have time.” Lachlan threw open the door and bounded up the stairs. “Pack my bags while I change clothes.”
“Will ye be needin’ yer nightshirts?” Dougal called with a laugh.
“Hopefully never again.”
Mrs. MacGinnis was standing in the foyer, basket in hand when Lachlan came back downstairs. “This should see you through a good portion of the trip. That way you willan have to waste precious time at postin’ inns.”
“Thank ye, Mrs. MacGinnis. I hope to be at Brachton Manor by the twenty-fourth.”
She frowned at him. “Why are you goin’ there?”
“I assumed ye kent. I am goin’ after Maddie.”
“But she is at Danby Castle.”
Lachlan was halfway out the door when the words reached him. He stopped and spun.
“She told me that she and her mother were goin’ to be leavin’ for Danby Castle on the twenty-third, to spend time with her other brother.”
Thank goodness he had spoken to Mrs. MacGinnis before he left or he would have wasted almost a full day traveling.
“Thank ye for tellin’ me.” He raced down the steps toward the carriage. His driver was already in his seat and his two sons stood by. He couldn’t have Ceard take him all the way to England and leave his family. Family was more important to him than anything, though he would be missing them this year, but it was for a good cause and they did have each other. But it was unfair to ask the same of others.
Ceard turned to look at him. “If you doona mind, Lord Brachton, I thought the boys could come along. They are old enough to help me drive. One can sit beside me and the other on the back.”
The two boys were Ceards only family as the man’s wife had passed on five years ago.
“I doona mind at all, but nobody is ridin’ in the back.” One of the sons rushed forward to open the door. “Whoever isna drivin’ can be in here with me and rest until it is their turn. With any luck, we will only need to stop long enough to change horses.”
Both sons grinned at him as did Ceard.
“We will all be at Brachton Manor in time for Christmas.”
“Wait one moment, Lord Brachton,” Mrs. MacGinnis called out
What could she need and why should he have to wait?
A moment later the cook rushed down t
he stairs carrying a small satchel and wearing her cloak. “All the fires are out,” she announced.
“What are ye doin’, Mrs. MacGinnis?” He hadn’t asked her to come along. It was unfair to ask that of anyone, especially so late at night. He only ordered Ceard because he needed him to drive the carriage.
She pulled open the door and stepped inside. “Who is goin to cook for all of you?” She sat down beside one of the boys. The seat could not hold another person. “I doona want to be sittin’ up here wonderin’ if the six of ye are starvin’ or not.”
“Six?” There would be only five of them, once he married Maddie.
“Dougal will be along in a moment. He wanted to get a note off to your mother.”
Lachlan hadn’t even thought to send word to his family. Maddie had muddled his mind, but as soon as they were married he would be able to think clearly again.
Madeline wandered the lower floors of Matt’s house. Nothing interested her and she could not sit still. She had no patience for needlework and none of the books in the library held her interest. She was anxious and despondent at the same time. What was wrong with her?
She tried to focus on the future and come up with some sort of plan, but she could not think beyond Christmas. Had Lachlan met is Scottish wife already? Was he married yet?
Pain knifed through her heart at the thought of him holding and kissing another woman. It was a good thing she would not be attending the Season this year, or ever again. She would not be able to stand by, watching him at balls with his undoubtedly beautiful wife.
Perhaps she should look for Adele and Julia. It would give her something to do and it was better than sitting around, waiting and wondering when they would make an appearance. And, it gave her something to concentrate on besides whether or not Lachlan had married yet.
Madeline stopped in the foyer and looked around. She had to get out of this house. There was not one room she could go into without running into a servant or family member and each one of them looked at her with sympathy. She hated it. She did not want to be pitied. She just wanted to move on with her life.
Rushing up the stairs she grabbed her cloak and put on her boots. A walk. That is all she needed, and then she could relax.
This time Madeline watched where she was going and paid attention to her surroundings. She didn’t want to end up in a lake again as she probably wouldn’t be as lucky this time. Right past the bend in the road was a drive and though she knew she shouldn’t trespass, Madeline walked up it anyway. This was Brachton Manor. How soon before Lachlan returned with his bride? Not until after the first of the year at least and possibly not until spring. Luckily, she would be gone by then but she would have to make sure to find out if he was in residence before she visited Matt and Grace again. She didn’t ever want to risk running into Lachlan. Not seeing him was difficult enough. Coming face to face with him would surely shatter her heart.
“This is where you have gone off to.”
Madeline whipped around to find Jordan coming up the drive.
“I just needed to get out and walk.”
“I suspected as much.” He offered his arm and the two of them walked back toward the road. “You have always walked when troubled.”
“Not that it does me much good,” she grumbled.
“Things will eventually look better, Madeline. On that you have my promise.”
Only if she managed to forget Lachlan.
Lachlan took a deep breath and knocked on the door of Danby Castle. He had never met the duke and was certain he had no right to call here, but he wasn’t leaving until he spoke with Maddie.
A footman opened the door. “May I help you?”
“I’ve come to call on Lady Madeline Trent.”
The servant frowned. “There is no one here by that name.”
Panic surged. Maddie had to be here. “What of Mr. John Trent and his wife?”
“I will see if they are at home.” The man stood back so that Lachlan could enter.
Lachlan took a deep breath and tried to gain control of his impatience. “Would ye please tell them that the Marquess of Brachton would like to speak with them?”
The man held out his hand.
Lachlan simply stared at it. What did he want? Blast. “I doona have any cards with me.”
He nodded and walked down the hall, leaving Lachlan to cool his heels by the door. Voices could be heard coming from the many rooms off the hall. Hopefully Mr. Trent and his wife were close.
A moment later, John Trent stepped into the foyer along with his wife. He smiled broadly. “Brachton, what are you doing here?”
“I am lookin’ for yer sister,” Lachlan answered.
“Madeline and her mother decided to remain with Matt.”
If he left now he still had time. Lachlan nodded his head. “Thank ye.”
“Why are you looking for Madeline,” John asked, a half-smile on his face and curiosity in his eyes.
“I promise to explain later.” He started for the door when an older, gruff voice stopped him.
“Wait just a moment.”
Lachlan didn’t have time for this. Slowly, he turned and came face to face with who he assumed could only be the Duke of Danby. Despite how much he wished to leave to reach Madeline, Lachlan would not insult the duke. He bowed.
“What is your interest in Lady Madeline?” His Grace demanded.
“I wish to marry her,” Lachlan stated after he straightened.
The humor in John’s face was replaced with shock and his wife gasped.
“You have more sense than I gave you credit for.”
Lachlan stiffened at the insult but held his tongue. “Take my carriage; it is quicker than the rig you drove up in.”
Lachlan stared at the man. Certainly he wasn’t giving him use of the ducal carriage.
“John and Elizabeth will go with you.”
His granddaughter and grandson-in-law whipped their heads around and stared at His Grace.
“If your sister is to be married, you shouldn’t be the only brother missing,” the duke clarified.
“I won’t be,” Mr. Trent pointed out.
“Yes, you will. I am certain Bentley is already on his way, if he has not arrived already.”
“But, how. . .” Trent began to ask and then closed his mouth, shaking his head.
“Go.” He shooed Mrs. Trent. “Arrange for your bags to be brought down. The carriage will be by the door in a moment.” He turned to Lachlan when the two left. “I understand you make an excellent whisky.”
Lachlan knew better than to question how His Grace knew of his secret and illegal business. He had heard rumors over the years that the man knew everything, and he had just seen proof of it. “Aye, I do.”
“Send me a crate.” With that His Grace turned and marched back down the hall, his cane thumping ahead of him.
While Lachlan waited on Mr. and Mrs. Trent, he went back out to the carriage that had brought him from Edinburgh. “She isna here.”
“But she said this was where she was comin’,” Mrs. MacGinnis protested.
“She and her mother remained with her brother in Grosmont.”
One of Ceard’s sons opened the door.
“Well, get in so we can be on our way.” Dougal insisted.
Lachlan grinned. “His Grace is givin’ me his carriage and Maddie’s brother and sister-in-law are comin’ along as well.”
Dougal’s eyebrows shot up, and a moment later a carriage with the Danby crest on the door pulled into the cobbled courtyard. The door opened and Mr. and Mrs. Trent emerged from the castle.
“Go to Brachton Manor. I will see ye there after I have convinced Maddie to marry me.”
“I doona think ye will need to do much convincin’,” Mrs. MacGinnis grinned.
“I hope ye’re right.” He shut the door and turned to Maddie’s brother and sister-in-law.
“Did you just call my sister, Maddie?” John Trent asked.
“Actually, I prefer
to call her Maddie lass.” He might as well tell this Mr. Trent everything as they would be related.
A footman opened the door of the ducal coach and Mr. Trent assisted his wife inside. Lachlan was the last to enter.
“As we have a journey ahead of us, why don’t you tell me how you met my sister?
Madeline always loved Christmas, especially the service on Christmas Eve. Tonight she couldn’t grasp the magical feeling of renewal. She had hoped the service and the hymns would be uplifting, but they weren’t. The only person who seemed to embrace any joyous spirit was Grace. She sang with such happiness it radiated from her. If only just to have a pinch of that for myself. Madeline sighed and took her seat.
Tomorrow was Christmas. Had Lachlan found his bride? Were they already married? Was he holding her now, curled around her in his bed, keeping her warm?
Madeline tried to banish the thoughts and not think of Lachlan but it was about as impossible as not breathing. Would a day go by when she didn’t hurt? Would she always wonder what kind of life they may have had if she would have agreed to the marriage? Would he have one day loved her?
She shouldn’t be feeling sorry for herself. There were people all over the world who were in much dire straits than she. Her blessings were abundant. Her mother still lived and was supportive and loving. She had four brothers who would do just about anything for her and do whatever was necessary to protect her. The three who had married had chosen well, and she now knew what it was like to have sisters.
Madeline glanced down the pew. Clayton, the eldest and earl, was seated with his wife, Eleanor and her sister and four younger brothers. They had arrived yesterday morning, surprising Mother. When he received Matt’s letter regarding her impending marriage, and that she and mother were aware of the situation with Adele and Julia, he had packed up his family and came north. Across the aisle sat Matt, Jordan, Mother and Grace. Tears sprang to her eyes when she realized how truly lucky she was. Everyone was here except for John and Elizabeth.