In Pursuit of a Scottish Lady (Moonstone Magic Book 2)

by Hunt, Brenda

  Damn you Colin, she thought. She wanted to scream it to the heavens. She couldn’t sit still. She dressed just to have something to do.

  Chapter 16

  But love is blind, and lovers cannot see

  The petty follies that themselves commit,

  The Merchant of Venice

  William Shakespeare

  Lady Olivia Hallwell, the Duchess of Worthingston stood outside the door of the guest bedroom. She had arrived earlier to find the house in somewhat of a turmoil. Her first thought was her son had finally come back from his Scotland trip. That much had been true. Between Meyers and Bennings, she had pieced together what had been transpiring the past couple of days. Her son had truly outdone himself this time. It was time, she met this young woman that had captured her wayward son.

  The Duchess tapped lightly on the door and walked in. The young lady she had been informed of was pacing the room in front of the windows. The Duchess cleared her throat, “Ahem.”

  Lili turned to find a gray haired woman with eyes the color of Colin’s. There was an underlying warmth in her eyes that Colin’s often lacked.

  “Hello, my dear. I am the Duchess of Worthingston. I arrived a short time ago to be told you were our guest.” She walked over to stand in front of the young lady in question. She smiled. She could see how her son had become enthralled with this young woman as Bennings had apprised her of earlier.

  Lili took in a deep breath and immediately dropped to a curtsey. Her mother had taught her proper protocol at an early age. Another thing to berate Colin for. Lili looked down to the floor. “Your grace,” she said softly.

  Lady Olivia laughed softly. “Now, now, my dear. There is no need for such formality among family. I am led to believe we are to be family soon. You are Lilias McGowan?”

  Lili raised her eyes in surprise. What was the Duchess talking about? Family? “Forgive me, your grace. Yes, I am Lady Lilias McGowan of Glendenning.”

  Lady Olivia watched the startled look cross Lili’s face. So her son had not spoken to her about that either. For someone who was as worldly as he claimed to be, he had no clue on how to conduct a courtship. “I have sent for tea to be delivered to my sitting room. I would love for you to join me.”

  “Family? I don’t understand, your grace,” replied Lili, thoroughly confused.

  “Ah, it appears my son has been remiss with a great many things with both of us. Come, let us go to my sitting room and discuss this wayward son of mine.”

  Lili took the offered hand of the duchess and walked with her down the hall to her sitting room. Both in silence, deep within their own thoughts. Lili thinking of all the lies she had been told; the Duchess on how to salvage the mess her son had made.

  The sitting room was decorated in soft colors of pale blue and cream. Lili sat down in the light blue chintz winged chair across from the one the duchess occupied. The tea cart awaited them.

  “Sugar?” asked the Duchess as she poured two cups of tea.

  “Yes, please, your grace. Cream, too, please.” Lili took the offered cup and slipped it slowly.

  “Bennings tells me you are from Scotland, yet you speak English very well, with just a noticeable Scottish brogue.”

  “My mother was English. She would often correct my pronunciation as I was growing up,” explained Lili, remembering her mother with a smile.

  “Bennings also states you were brought here against your will by an uncle,” added the Duchess.

  Who was this Bennings she talked about? So many unknowns. “Yes, he is my mother’s step brother. My father was laird of Glendenning. It is just north of the border and south of Edinburgh. My father died two years ago. My younger brother Aiden is now the laird but he is only eight. I have been trying to keep Glendenning functioning, until Aiden can take his place as the laird.” She explained and turned serious, deeply concerned. “He and Alysa, his twin sister, must be so worried about me. When you came in, I was trying to decide how to get home. Can you please help me with that? I desperately need to get home.” Lili pleaded.

  “I can understand your wish to get home. A younger brother and sister. A great deal of responsibility.”

  Lili nodded. “Yes, he and Alysa can be a handful. Aiden is the leader and Ali, his devoted follower. I have never been away from them or gone for this long. They must be so frightened.” The more she talked about it, the more desperate she became.

  The duchess sympathized with Lili’s concern. She could see how deeply upset Lili was. She needed to delay this departure until Worth could talk to her. She knew her son had some explaining to do with this young woman, some very serious explaining.

  “It is too late to set out today, besides I think you and my son need to talk. Perhaps, we could send someone to bring the twins here.” She suggested.

  Lili shook her head. “No. I don’t want them anywhere near here, where Edward could possibly take them instead, since he no longer has me.”

  “My dear, you are safe here,” assured the Duchess. “No one would dare enter the Duke of Worthingston’s home with the intent of harming you.” The duchess could see how upset Lili was. “Is this Edward you speak of, the uncle who kidnapped you?” asked the Duchess. Maybe, if she got Lili talking, she could take her mind off trying to leave. Also, it would give her some more information, on exactly what had happened.

  Lili nodded. She was just so scared. What if Edward went back to Glendenning and kidnapped one or both of the twins. She rose from her chair and walked to the window. She could not sit still. There were so many emotions warring within her. Usually, she was very decisive but at the moment, she felt like her emotions were all a kilter. She blamed her emotions on the trip with Edward. Lili looked at the Duchess. Colin had not explained anything to her either.

  “I do promise you, if in the morning you still wish to go home I will see to it,” reassured the Duchess.

  Lili let out a sigh of relief. It appeared she was stuck here whether she liked it or not. No matter how desperately she wanted to leave, she would have to face Colin.

  The Duchess watched her young guest go to the window. She felt empathy for her, to be used so. Her son should have handled this differently.

  “You love him, don’t you?” It was more a statement than a question.

  Lili turned to face the Duchess, surprised. For a moment, she stared at the Duchess, startled the Duchess could see it so clearly. If she couldn’t keep the fact from the Duchess, how was she going to keep it from Colin?

  She blushed and turned away, unsure of how to answer her.

  “That’s alright, my dear. I understand.”

  Lili looked at the Duchess again, wondering, how did the Duchess understand, when Lili did not understand any of it.

  “I don’t know the Duke of Worthingston.”

  The Duchess smiled. “Then tell me of the Colin, you do know. How did you come to know him?”

  Lili smiled. “Aiden was fishing alone at the river where he had been forbidden to. Colin helped him catch fish for our supper. It snowed heavily for the next few days and he was trapped at the keep. He started tutoring the twins to pass the time. He helped Rab with some of the chores. He stayed. The days became weeks and the weeks became months,” Lili shrugged. She never understood why he stayed, though she had often wondered. “He was so over bearing at first.” She laughed nervously. “He still is. Always, telling everyone what to do.”

  The Duchess chuckled. “That sounds very much like my son. He has always been like that.”

  “Aiden looks up to him. He took Aiden with him to Edinburgh. Ali adores him. He’s even charmed Elsbeth.”

  The Duchess looked at her questioningly. “Elsbeth?”

  “She and her son Rab have been at the keep for as long as I can remember. I suppose you could say they are the only servants left, but they are so much more than that. They are as much my family as Aiden and Ali. Since my father died, it has only been us,” explained Lili again, realizing she needed to get back home, as soon as sh
e could. She missed them so much. She knew they missed her. She realized how home sick she was. She became angry with herself for being so emotional. She steeled herself and turned to face the Duchess.

  The Duchess nodded. “I can understand.”

  “We are not wealthy. We are in no way of the same social status as this,” explained Lili. There was no way she could be a duchess. Why was she even thinking along those lines? There had never been talk of marriage or even love.

  “Knowing my son as I do, wealth and social status do not mean much to him. He does take his responsibilities very seriously, more so since Carolyn’s death. You, my dear, have become a very dear responsibility.”

  Lili bristled. “I do not want to be one of his responsibilities. I have taken care of my family and I will continue to do so.” Here it was, Colin taking control of things again. No, not this time.

  The Duchess smiled. Lili was no easy miss that would cow down to Colin’s dictates. Her son, it appeared had not explained any of it to Lili. She could understand Lili’s irritation.

  “Colin takes care of his family, as well. I am certain Colin thought of all of you as family. I believe that is the reason, he has acted as he has.”

  Lili frowned. “Perhaps. I just----- .”

  “He should have told you who he was.”

  “Yes.” Lili bit her bottom lip. How did she come to terms with the fact he was a duke? All that time they spent together. Surely, he should have said something after she confessed to him and he showed her the ways of -------. She blushed realizing she had lain with a duke. She turned and looked away, afraid the Duchess could read what she was thinking.

  “I can see all of this, still troubles you greatly. I would just that ask you keep an open mind when you speak with Colin. Listen with your heart,” said the Duchess. She hoped Lili would listen to her advice.

  Lili tuned back to the Duchess. “You mentioned a Carolyn earlier.” Lili watched as pain cross the Duchess’s face. There was a deep sadness in her eyes. It made Lili regret having asked the question. Was Carolyn someone Colin was close to? Did he love her?

  “Carolyn was my daughter, Colin’s younger sister,” explained the Duchess softly. “She married Colin’s best friend, Grayson. They loved each other since they were children. She died in childbirth with her second child. The babe came too early. Grayson died in an accident shortly after. Sometimes I believe Colin blames himself for both their deaths. Even had he been here, there was nothing he could have done.” The Duchess smiled tenderly. “But as I said earlier, Colin takes his responsibilities very seriously.”

  “I am so sorry, your Grace,” whispered Lili. She now understood Colin a little better. Lili nodded. “I think I’ll go back to my room, now. I’m a little tired.”

  “Of course, my dear. I certain all of this has been very distressful. Colin will return shortly. You and he can talk this through.” The Duchess rose and when Lili walked by, she took Lili’s hands in hers. “Get some rest, my dear and try not to worry. It will all work out.”

  Lili could only nod. She didn’t trust her voice. She wasn’t as certain as the Duchess. Her feelings were more tangled than her hair often was. She left the Duchess and walked slowly to her room. So much to think about. It made her head hurt again. Maybe a short nap would help.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Worth walked in with Lynden at his side discussing their activity of the day. He removed his hat and gloves as did Lynden and handed them over to Meyers at the door. Meyers raised his eyebrows and looked to the staircase. Worth followed his direction. There halfway up stood, “Mother,” he said in complete surprise. She was the last person, he expected to see standing there. As glad as he was to see her in London, the timing could not be worse.

  Lynden turned with a smile, “Good evening, Duchess.” Now, this was about to get very interesting, thought Lynden.

  “Good evening, Lynden,” smiled the Duchess at Lynden. She turned a more serious face to her son. “Colin.”

  Even at his thirty years of age, he still often felt like a school boy in front of his mother, especially when she called him by his given name. This was definitely one of those times. The look on her face and he knew, she knew about Lili. Had they met, he wondered. But that look was a sure bet, they had.

  He walked up the steps to her side and kissed her on the cheek as he always did. “I am glad to see you, mother.” He was glad to see her here in London. It meant she was getting out again.

  “You, my son, and I have much to discuss.” She said shaking her head. She turned to Lynden. “How long have you been involved with this?’

  Lynden held up his hands in defense. “I only found out about this yesterday, your Grace.”

  “Good, then maybe you can help me knock some sense into this son of mine.” She turned and walked up the stairs never once turning to see if they both followed.

  Both men looked at each other and quietly followed her; Worth with grave acceptance of some sort of scolding from his mother even at his age, Lynden with delighted anticipation of seeing his best and dearest friend in hot water.

  Once in her room, the Duchess sat down, turned to her son and waited. When he said nothing, she said, “I have met and talked with your Lili.”

  Worth let out a small sigh of relief. “How is she?” He had worried about Lili all day but he had loose ends to tie up. He had hoped she had rested.

  “Confused, angry, bewildered, uncertain. How do you expect her to be after you have lied to her, lied to her for months?” admonished the Duchess.

  Worth passed a hand absently through his hair. “I had planned on explaining things to her when I returned from Edinburgh. Only she was gone.”

  The Duchess pursed her lips as she looked at him. “I do believe you were there for several months. Surely, during all that time, you could have brought up the subject.”

  Worth squirmed under his mother’s glare. She was the only one who could get under his skin. “I meant to.”

  “She loves you, Colin. She trusted you. Now, she does not know what to believe. You cannot play with a young woman’s feelings like that. I thought you were raised to be more honorable than that,” the Duchess admonished.

  When his mother put in that manner, he had acted like a blackguard. Lili deserved to be treated better than that.

  “While I was in Edinburgh, I was setting everything at Glendenning under my protection, so Lili would no longer have to worry about everyone there,” explained Worth attempting to excuse his bad behavior. But even to his own ears, it sounded lacking.

  “Does she know this?” she asked but from his look, she answered her own question. “I thought as much. From what she told me earlier, she has been taking care of everyone. You have come in and have taken over all of it. Yet, you have not once explained to her how or why. She is not like any of the young women you have met. She is furious with you and I stand by her.” The Duchess scowled at her son. He needed to be brought down a peg or two.

  Worth stared at his mother as though to argue with her, then looked away. She was right. “It is one of the things I love about her. She argues with me.” Worth smiled. How many times had she argued with him?

  The Duchess smiled. “Then you need to tell her so. Have you?”

  “No I was waiting------.”

  “And what has the waiting gotten you. Nearly loosing her.”

  Worth nodded. Mother was right. “I will go to her now.” He said as he rose from his chair.

  “Good,” stated the Duchess as she rose as well. She turned to Lynden. “Will you escort me down, Lynden while my wayward son makes amends with the Lady Lili? Hopefully he will succeed this time.”

  Worth gave her a disgruntled look.

  Lynden laughed and offered the Duchess his arm. “I am most anxious to watch this unfold, your grace.”

  The Duchess and Lynden walked with Worth down the hall on their way downstairs. They watched as Worth walked into Lili’s room. The sound of breaking glass against the door stopp
ed them from walking on.

  The Duchess looked at Lynden with a smile on her face. “You will be joining us for supper as well, will you not, Lynden?”

  Lynden grinned. “I would not miss this, for all the tea in China, your grace. I do believe, Worth has met his match.”

  The Duchess chuckled. “Shall we await them down stairs? I don’t care to witness my son’s demise.”

  Lynden laughed, offered his arm to the Duchess and escorted her downstairs to wait for Worth and Lili with great anticipation.

  Chapter 17

  You smiled, you spoke, and I believed

  By every word and smile deceived.

  Walter Savage Landon

  My tongue will tell the anger

  Of my heart, or else my heart

  Concealing it will break.

  The Taming of the Shrew

  William Shakespeare

  Worth tapped on the door and walked in without waiting for an answer. He closed the door behind him, leaving his mother and Lynden in the hall. He needed to talk to Lili alone. She was pacing in front of the windows. Though his mother had informed him, Lili had joined her for tea, to see her up and about made his heart glad. It had been long days of worry.

  Lili looked up when she heard the door close. Colin stood by the door. She fumed. She was so angry. She could barely contain the fury that assailed her at his sight. She held an empty glass in her hand. Instinctively, Lili sent it sailing towards Colin’s head.

  The glass went whizzing by the side of his head and shattered against the door behind him. He cocked an eyebrow up in amusement. Here was his fiery redhead. Her abduction had not dampened her fire. He smirked.

  Lili gritted her teeth in vexation. She wanted to wipe that smirk off his face.

  “Did I miss you, your grace? I’m sorry, your grace. Well, next time, I will have to make certain I hit you, your grace.” She said with deep scorn. She curtseyed but never looked down. She stared at him. She was so angry at him she was trembling. She had had all afternoon to stew on it. She had hoped throwing the glass at him would help. It had not. She was still angry. She wished she had a dozen more glasses at hand.