Questions for a Highlander

by Angeline Fortin

  “Died, I believe,” James inserted sardonically.

  "The bitch! I won’t have her come back here now and ruin my life again! Her presence will resurrect all the old gossip. How am I supposed to ask Eve to marry me with that bitch lingering over my shoulder?” Francis ran his hands through his hair.

  “Marry you!” His brother dropped back into his chair, astounded by the admission. “My God, man, I thought you were just trying to seduce her! It never occurred to me that you might think of marrying her. You haven’t ask her yet? Well, there is that at least, perhaps the scandal will not come to her despite rumors of your flirtation from the engagement party. Nessa could rip a lass like the countess apart in moments.”

  Francis knew that was the truth. Vanessa Fane was a tough old bird. If she were in town when his marriage to Eve was announced, she’d raise all the hell she could and give Eve no mercy. No, he couldn't simply let Vanessa ruin everything now. But how to stop her? He voiced the question to his brother.

  “I don’t know, old man,” James admitted. “It doesn't seem that there is anything you can do. Except to find a way to keep Lady Shaftesbury from her.”

  “I’ll have to go to town right away and see how much it will take to get her to leave again,” Francis decided. “I must at least get her out of my house before anyone of import realizes she is in residence. Perhaps I can have her gone before anyone knows she is there.”

  “What if she won’t go?”

  “Then I will go,” the earl announced. “I will go with Eve back to England instead. Nessa be damned. I can’t lose Eve,” he mumbled to himself. “I can’t lose my paradise.”

  Agreeing to meet his brother within the hour for the ride back to Edinburgh, James pondered the situation. Any fool could see from how he carried on with the countess that Francis fancied the woman, but marriage! It was beyond comprehension. Lord only knew, after standing witness to the mockery Vanessa had made of the institution, James had no intention of ever going to the altar. The very idea that Francis would voluntarily bind himself to a woman again was simply unbelievable, regardless of whatever affection he held for the countess.

  Truly, James liked the countess, but still would rather see her become his brother’s mistress rather than his wife.

  And the scandal! Perhaps Francis had not considered it wasn’t just about him any longer. He had his family to consider and now he had Lady Shaftesbury to think of, as well. His paradise, Francis called her. The only place on earth where he had found perfect happiness, happiness that James and all their siblings knew he deserved. This week had shown a side of Francis that none of them had seen in years. Without cynicism. Happy.

  Francis’ heaven was about to become hell on earth.

  Chapter 24

  Townhouse of Lord & Lady Richard MacKintosh

  Moray Place

  Edinburgh, Scotland

  Francis jogged up the steps of Richard’s Edinburgh townhouse early the next morning nursing a vile temper. After arriving at his own townhouse late the previous evening, he had spent hours waiting for Vanessa to get back from whatever entertainments had occupied her evening. The arguing that had followed had been loud and raucous. It had taken additional time to get her and her belongings sent along to a hotel. Thus, he was working on only a couple of hours of sleep. His bad humor reflected it.

  He rapped briskly on the door. It was opened by a man he had never seen before. Francis leaned back to ascertain he was at the right house before, asking, “Who are you, man? You are not Richard’s man.”

  “Indeed not, sir. I am Hobbes.”

  “Where is Guthrie?” Francis asked as he shouldered his way in, holding his gloves and hat out to the butler though Hobbes did not reach out to relieve Francis of the items.

  “I am here, my lord,” a younger butler rushed into the hall, glaring at Hobbes as he did so.

  “Please let Lady Shaftesbury know I am here to see her,” Francis ordered.

  Guthrie snapped to attention. “Right away, my lord.” Turning to go, he was halted by Hobbes raised hand.

  “I am sorry, my lord, Lady Shaftesbury is not receiving at the moment,” Hobbes intoned in a manner that bordered on the blasé.

  “Who are you again?” Francis asked, insulted that any servant of his brother’s would dare to gainsay his wishes.

  “I am Hobbes, my lord,” came the uninformative reply. For a moment, Francis was sure that the man was laughing at him. On the inside, of course, since there had been no outward change of expression.

  “Hobbes is Lady Shaftesbury’s man, my lord,” Guthrie hastened to explain as he took Francis’ hat and gloves nervously. “Lady Shaftesbury brought her own household with her when she arrived, since we had been in England for Lady MacKintosh’s lying in. Now that Lord and Lady MacKintosh have returned, he should be leaving soon.” This last was added with a roll of the eyes that indicated Guthrie hoped this would happen very soon, indeed.

  Ahh. Domestic strife, Francis thought. Better to steer clear of all that.

  “Very well, Hobbes,” he turned to Eve’s butler, “please inform Lady Shaftesbury that I am here to see her.”

  “As I mentioned, Lady Shaftesbury is not receiving at this time.” The man’s stare was focused slightly above and beyond Francis’ left shoulder.

  “She’ll see me. Just let her know that I am here.” Annoyance began to creep into Glenrothes’ voice.

  “And you are?”

  “He’s the bloody earl, you dolt!” Guthrie interjected. “Just let him by!”

  “Have you a card, my lord?” Hobbes ignored the younger man and held out a silver salver in the earl’s direction.

  “A card?”

  “Yes, my lord, a calling card.” Hobbes’ voice and expression were still bland, but Francis was very sure the man was purposefully rousing his ire.

  He bit out, “I have no card, just tell Lady Shaftesbury that the Earl of Glenrothes is here to see her.” Francis did not normally bandy his title about for purposes of intimidation but his temper was getting up.

  “Am I sorry, my lord, but Lady Shaftesbury is not currently at home,” the butler replied smoothly.

  “I thought you had said she was not receiving, not that she wasn’t at home!”

  “She was not receiving when you arrived, my lord, and she has left the residence since that time,” Hobbes informed him.

  “So while you have been wasting my time here, she has left?” Francis’ astonishment was evident in his eyebrows that shot up.

  “That would seem to be the case, my lord.” The butler’s lips finally twitched just a bit and Francis felt like socking him.

  “And where would she have gone?”

  “I am not at liberty to say, my lord,” came the calm reply.

  Francis was just about to grab the man up by his shirtfront when Richard wandered out from his study.

  “Francis! I thought you wouldn’t be by until the end of the week?” he asked. “What brings you here?”

  “Been working on a little problem that I will need your help with later.” Francis shot a glare at the butler. “But I had thought to see Lady Shaftesbury first.”

  “Oh well,” Richard shrugged, “you just missed her. She went out for a ride in the park. Do you want to come in for breakfast until she gets back?”

  “No, but I’ll be back for dinner if you don’t mind,” Francis replied, snatching his hat and gloves from the fidgeting Guthrie’s hands and gave Hobbes one final frown. He left the house stomping in frustration not acknowledging Richard’s, “We’ll see you then.”

  “What’s got in to him, do you think?” he heard his brother ask and growled at the butler’s response of, “I’m sure I have no idea, sir.”

  Mounting his horse, Francis kicked him into a gallop around the cobbled circle of Moray Place and down Heliot Street, toward the Queen’s Street Park, a likely destination for a lady riding. Still burning in frustration from her butler’s provoking attitude, he thought he’d have several thing
s to say to Eve on that subject when he found her.

  Ten minutes later, he still had not located her on the normal paths the ladies used for riding. He was about to turn back when he saw her at last, near one of the many small ponds that dotted the park. A flood of emotion set his chest into a tight ache, washing away the frustration and anger that had been simmering inside him.

  God, but she was lovely! Despite the unrelenting black of the riding habit she wore, she took his breath away. He couldn’t wait to have her as his own. As he watched, she squatted down on her haunches, her head bowed. As Francis circled around the trees, he saw that she was with a young boy of perhaps five or six years. Their golden heads were nearly touching as they concentrated on something the boy was holding.

  “And look here, mummy,” he heard the boy’s voice, young and London aristocratic, now. “You can see the mouth if you look closely. You see it? Just there?”

  Her son! Eve had a son, maybe several! He recalled now that she had mentioned a baby but hadn’t considered it farther. Why had he not thought to ask? She had been married for six years; naturally she would have had children. He looked at the boy more closely and saw all of Eve in him. Her coloring, build and features.

  Eve removed her glove and reached out to take what appeared to be a very large earthworm. She held it up before her face. “Why yes, Laurie, I do believe you can see it.”

  Francis could not help but laugh aloud, drawing their attention to him. “Surely, you’re the only lady I have met who would even think of touching one of those!” He dismounted as he spoke.

  Eve rose to her feet and gave him a smile full of surprise and joy as she brushed off her hands with her handkerchief after handing the worm back to her son. “I had an interesting childhood, my lord. What on earth are you doing here?”

  “I came to surprise you,” he gave a nod to the boy. “And who is this with you here?”

  “This is my son, Lawrence, Earl Shaftesbury. Laurie, this is Earl Glenrothes, he is Lord Richard’s brother.” She put a hand proudly on Laurie’s shoulder as the boy made a formal bow in his direction.

  “My lord, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he piped solemnly.

  Francis returned the bow with all seriousness. “Mine as well, my lord,” he replied. “Are you enjoying your outing today?”

  “Oh, yes! Mummy and I ride out every day we can, my lord.” The boy replaced the worm on the ground. “She believes that there is more to learn than a mere classroom can teach you. So we ride, explore or play some sports each day.”

  “Your mum is a very smart lady,” Francis replied with a wink to Eve.

  “Indeed she is, my lord. She went to university as well,” he told Francis. “She is also currently teaching me to play golf.”

  “Aye, she told me she plays,” Francis raised a playful brow. “She has been reticent in accepting my challenge for a round. I believe she is afraid to face it.”

  “Oh, not my mum, my lord,” the boy responded in defense. “Mum isn’t afraid of anything. She will take you on, I am certain of it.”

  “I look forward to the challenge, my lord,” she agreed, with a gleam in her eyes. “Laurie, darling, why don’t you run along for a moment? I believe Lord Glenrothes would like a word.”

  “Yes, mummy,” he answered, and trotted back to the edge of the pond.

  “He seems to be a fine boy, Eden,” he commented looking after the lad with a feeling akin to longing. Glenrothes had always expected to sire an heir, but had wanted a son not only from his sense of duty but also from his sense of family. After his parents had died, he had fulfilled the role of father without hesitation for his ten younger siblings. Never had he resented the responsibility but rather had taken pleasure from it and looked forward to the day he might enjoy his own offspring. He had even fostered Vanessa’s daughter but longed for the fruit of his own loins to nurture. The last several years had forced him to accept Richard’s son, Tristram, as his future heir, but now… Francis felt a surge of anticipation that he might have a family of his own soon. Of course, he had yet to propose to their potential mother.

  “Yes, he is,” she told him proudly. “I’m sorry I did not have you meet him at Raven’s Craig.”

  “I guess I kept you very busy. Is he…” Francis faltered for a moment, “your only child?”

  “Yes.” Eve took Francis’ offered arm as they turned to walk back toward the horses not seeing the expression on his face. “One was enough for William. I believe he thought that pregnancy ruined the aesthetic I was supposed to provide him.” Her words were soft but Francis caught a hint of bitterness in them. “What are you doing in town, Francis?”

  “I couldn’t stay away. I’ve decided to convince you to stay a while longer.” It was the truth. He had much to contend with, but just seeing Eden’s smiling face was enough to bring him confidence that all would be well. “You look so lovely today,” he whispered into her ear, and brushed a kiss just below it, pleased to see her shiver in response. “I would like to kiss you senseless right here in the park.”

  Eve shivered at the thought and looked up at him almost hopefully. In truth, she was thrilled to see him. It had taken everything she had to walk away from Raven’s Craig without him, to accept that she would never see him again. She had felt his loss immediately and keenly, regretting within moments her decision to separate herself from the temptation he provided. In truth, spending some more time in his company before she returned to England would be just the thing for her. This way she might foster a lifetime’s worth of memories to fill the rest of her days with.

  He took her hand in his instead and held it to his lips disappointing them both. “May I escort you home? Or are you continuing on your ride?”

  “We were to continue on until it is time for Laurie’s lessons.” Eve glanced back at her son who was now regarding them with a serious expression. Aware of her proximity to Francis, Eve took a step back, withdrawing her hand with an apologetic smile. “You are, of course, welcome to join us if you’d like.”

  “I would like that, but people might talk when they see us together,” he warned.

  “It’s just a ride in the park with a capable chaperone,” she coaxed. “If anyone is aware of what is allowable and what is not, it is I. Truly, Francis, please try to lighten up a bit.”

  “As you will, my lady.” The earl bowed humbly enjoying her bit of humor. Perhaps there was a chance that Eve would find it within herself to ride out his scandal with him. If she loved him…. The thought brought Francis up short. She hadn’t mentioned any deeper feeling for him, he realized. They had spoken of their attraction, true, but not of the accompanying feelings. Only that she cared for him. He realized that he needed to do a more thorough job of courting to truly engage her heart lest she turn down his offer of marriage.

  He needed her to realize that she loved him as he did her… Francis shook his head in surprise. God, he was in love with her! He turned in the saddle and studied her as she trotted along with her young son. Not just a woman of a beautiful countenance but a woman with a beautiful soul. Caring, witty, and obviously a woman who valued family as much as he. There was nothing about her except perhaps her reticence that did not attract and enthrall him. Even that appealed to him in a way, challenged him to overcome it and to conquer. In love, just as he had been eight years before. More so, in fact, for he was more matured and experienced, as was she. Extraordinary, incredible love.

  “Your family is most delightful, Francis,” Eve told Francis when he joined her after dinner that night. While their morning had been a pleasant one, Eve had been conscious of her son’s presence and managed to keep the conversation light and inclusive of Laurie. Francis had not minded since the boy was intelligent, despite his youth. He had found himself wishing that the lad were his own and wondered what the son they would someday create together might be like.

  Again through dinner, Eve managed to maintain that buffer of social politeness. Once more at an arm’s length, mo
re than polite. Friendly, but not too friendly. Word must have gotten around his family regarding his intentions since the lot present seemed to glance studiously back and forth between Eve and him. It was rather like being the players in a game of lawn tennis. Waiting and watching. Hopefully, cheering him on.

  Instead of continuing to press her, Francis decided to let her lead the way in whatever relationship they would share, allowing her to go as far as she was comfortable. Unfortunately, it seemed she was choosing the path of non-confrontation as she seemed sure that she would be leaving Edinburgh soon. Silly lass.

  She went on as the tea cart was rolled over and she prepared cups for them both. “I had gotten to know James, Colin and Sean quite well, of course, these past two months, as we prepared their engagement. And Ilona and Coline are such sweet girls.”

  I cannot fathom that you have been so nearby for two months now and I was never aware, Francis lamented to himself. Such time wasted! If only he had known she was so close by all this time! Indeed, they might already be wed if he had known. Wed and able to confront Vanessa’s bothersome presence as a united front. “They are good lads, both,” he agreed, “but I will admit I do not know the Roper girls well. Their father has set a very nice dowry on them, however, and they are his only heirs.”

  “Indeed, but I don’t believe that is why the boys married them. James is quite a rogue, I gather,” Eve continued conversationally. “He is younger than Richard, I believe?”

  Francis nodded, watching James flirt with Moira. James had quite a way with married ladies and bar maids. He never settled on any woman who might be tempted to consider him marriage material. It was surprising to see him flirt with an eligible deb, even if it was just Moira. Francis’ history with his own wife had set most of his older brothers off the institution for a long while. He was not sure that James would ever overcome her influence. “He is a good man though.”