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

by Hunt, Brenda

  Colin nodded. Words were truly not necessary. Moments later, she heard his deep even breathing. She turned her head to gaze at him while he slept. She had hoped ------. What exactly was she hoping? No, she had no hope left. All she had left were these memories. She would not cry. There would be time for that later. For now, she would savor the feel of lying wrapped in his arms.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Lili was dreaming. She was back at Glendenning. The mist encircled everything. She could hear the twins laughing. When she looked to where the sound was coming from, she could see them running off into the mist and out of sight. She started to go after them but Colin called from the opposite direction. She turned to follow him but he disappeared into the mist as well. She could hear them, but it came from different directions. Both Colin and the twins were calling her. She needed to go to one of them.

  Lili’s lay with her back curled against Colin’s front in spoon fashion. His hand cupped her breast. Colin felt her jump. He had been lying there enjoying the feeling of Lili in his arms knowing this was but the beginning. When he felt her twitch and then heard her whimper, he knew she was dreaming. They had lessened at Glendenning. He had hoped they would eventually go away. But here they were back again.

  He gathered her close. “Sh, my sweet. You are safe in my arms.” He kissed her temple. His hand absently rubbed her breast.

  Lili woke slowly, not certain where she was, the dream still hazy in her mind but she could feel her body responding. She smiled when she realized Colin was making her feel again. His hand was teasing the nipple and she could feel flame igniting to a full blaze.

  He plied kisses at the back of her neck, nipping on her shoulder, now both hands holding her breasts, teasing the nipples with his fingers. She tried to turn toward him, instead he turned her over to her stomach so that he knelt between her opened legs.

  She could feel him just barely touching her, teasing her. As much as she pushed back against him he would not enter her. One hand left her breast to tease the nub below. She desperately wanted to touch him, but she couldn’t because she needed to rest on her arms for fear of falling flat on the bed and away from him. He tortured the nub of her womanhood till she whimpered in desperate need. He pulled her to him and thrust deep within her, filling her completely. She bit the pillow her head lay on to stop the scream of pleasure that escaped her. She felt him withdraw and thrust again and again. She rocked her hips meeting his every move. With every thrust the crescendo built until she felt him shudder and spill his seed deep within her sending her over the cliff falling, her screams of pleasure muffled by the pillow she still held in her teeth.

  Worth rolled to her side and brought her to lie against him as she had to begin with. His breathing was ragged and raspy. No one had ever made him feel this way, this contented afterwards. He turned her face to him and kissed her lips softly. “Ummm! So nice!”

  Lili lay in his arms and nodded softly. In moments, she heard his soft gentle breathing as he fell asleep. A lonely tear rolled down her cheek.

  Chapter 19

  With all my will, but against my heart,

  We two now part.

  A Farewell

  Coventry Patmore

  Colin bent down, kissed Lili lightly on her lips. She stirred slightly and buried her head in the pillow.

  “Come, my sweet. I need to get you back to your bed,” he whispered in her ear. She moaned softly in complaint. Colin smiled. He wrapped her in the bed sheet. He had done this before. It brought back memories of Glendenning. She snuggled in his arms. Quietly, he left his room, dressed in just his pants, barefoot, walked down the darkened halls to Lili’s room. Softly, he laid her down in the bed in the room he had chosen for her to use. How many times at the keep had he brought her back to her room just before the predawn hours? How much he had hated it? Soon he thought, she would rightly share his bed. Tonight, if all went as he planned.

  He bent down to brush her lips again. Lili pulled his head down and kissed him deeply. Colin thought, he would never tire of her kisses. He raised his head and stared into crystal blue eyes. The love he saw shining in her eyes brought joy to his heart.

  “I have something I need to tend to this morning. I was not able to accomplish it yesterday and it needs to be done. When I return, there is something I need to discuss with you, something very important. Hopefully, this will not take long. Until I return, my sweet, my house is yours.”

  Lili smiled into those gold flecked eyes she had come to love with all her heart. She stared memorizing every plane of his face. She nodded softly, not trusting her voice. Lightly with her fingers, she traced his face.

  He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her palm and touched the tip of his tongue to the center. She closed her eyes. That very intimate gesture always made her melt inside. It made her burn with desire. She could not watch him walk out of her room. This time, a part of her died when he kissed her palm. In everything he said, not once had he told her those three most precious words. Those words that would have changed everything, those words of I love you. Those were the only words she wanted to hear and yet, they were the ones, he would not say. The moment the door closed, her decision was made. The sound of the closing door broke her heart into thousand pieces. She wondered, if she would ever be whole again. She turned her head into her pillow and sobbed, till she fell into fitful sleep.

  Dreams of Edward and Colin were intertwined. None of them made any sense, what parts she did remember. They just left her feeling melancholy. Unable to lie abed any longer, Lili rose for the day. Her nightdress lay draped at the end of her bed where Colin had left it earlier. She took it and folded it. She smiled sadly.

  She went about her morning toilet quickly. She put on the light yellow muslin dress that hung in her closet. Marie had informed her Colin had sent out for some clothes. She had to accept them. She had nothing else to wear. Another thing, she would be indebted to Colin for.

  Lili sat at the small writing desk. She pulled out paper, quill and ink. Slowly, she began to write, thinking every sentence through. She informed Colin she was going home to Glendenning. She thanked him for all he had done but she belonged in Glendenning not London. The twins needed her. She kept it short. She signed her name hoping Colin would respect her wishes.

  She was folding her letter putting it on top of the desk, when Marie knocked and walked in with her breakfast.

  “Good morning, my lady. You are dressed,” stated Marie, surprised to see her ladyship up and dressed. She placed the breakfast tray on the table by the window.

  “Good morning, Marie. Would you please inquire if the Duchess is up for the day? If she is, would you see to it a message gets to her. It is imperative I speak with her as soon as possible.” She would need the Duchess’s help to accomplish her trip home. She could not do it on her own.

  Marie nodded. “Oui. Yes, I will see to it at once.”

  Lili watched her walk out of her room. She turned to the tray Marie had brought in. The thought of food turned her stomach. She poured herself a cup of chocolate. She took a sip and made a face. Even her chocolate did not sit well. She placed the cup back on the tray. She walked to the window and stared out. Her heart felt heavy.

  Moments later, Marie returned. “I spoke with Gina, the Duchess’s maid. She will give her grace your message.”

  Lili nodded.

  Marie looked at the untouched tray. “My lady you have not eaten. Would you like me to get you something special from the kitchens? I am certain Cook will fix something to your liking.” Marie liked her new mistress. But she looked so sad this morning. Marie thought the return of the Duke would have made Lady Lili very happy. But she wasn’t.

  Lili shook her head. “I’m not hungry this morning but thank you.” Lili was about to say more but a knock at her door interrupted her.

  Marie went to the door. Gina, the Duchess’s maid stood at the door.

  “My lady, her Grace says she will speak with you now. She is havi
ng breakfast in her sitting room. She wishes you to join her,” stated Gina.

  Lili turned to Marie. “Marie, would you please pack the few clothes that I have here.” She wished she could have left the clothes here but she needed them to get home. It was the only clothes she owned at the moment. She was glad it was but just a few. That much less she would be indebted to the Duke for.

  “But my lady?” questioned Marie in confusion.

  “Please, Marie, please do this for me,” pleaded Lili.

  Marie nodded. “Certainment.”

  “Thank you.” Lili turned and followed Gina out of her room to the Duchess’s room.

  The Duchess was sitting at a small table by the window. She wore a soft rose silk dressing gown and a small matching nightcap upon her gray head.

  “Please sit down, my dear.” She motioned for Lili to sit in the empty chair opposite her. She did not like the look of sadness in Lili’s eyes. The dark circles of those same eyes did not bode well of how she had spent the night. She watched Lili closely. Something was definitely amiss. What had her son done now, to upset this precious young lady of his?

  She had been informed her son had left a few hours earlier. She was afraid she was not going to like this meeting. She sighed with resignation. Why was her son out, when he should be here with Lili?

  “Have you eaten yet? Would you like to join me?” Hopefully, she was wrong about this meeting. But she had made the offer yesterday.

  Lili shook her head. “Thank you, your grace, but Marie brought my tray up earlier.” She did not say she had been unable to eat any of it.

  The Duchess nodded. “Very well, my dear. Shall we talk?”

  Lili bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. The tightness in her chest made breathing difficult. “I need to go home. You said yesterday, you would help get home.” She opened her eyes to meet the Duchess’s eyes pleading with her.

  “Can I ask why?”

  Lili bit her bottom lip again. It was the question, she had hoped, she would not have to answer. She took a deep shuddering breath and answered, “I can’t think here. So much has happened in the past fortnight. I just don’t know any more. I just don’t know. The twins, Elsbeth, Rab, they all must be so worried.”

  The duchess could see how upset Lili was. She also knew there was more to this wish to go home than what she was telling. She also knew, her son was at the heart of this matter. And, he was nowhere around.

  How could Lili explain to the duchess, when she herself did not understand? All Lili knew was, she desperately needed to go home. At home, she could think. Here she could not. Colin did not allow her to. With Colin, all she could do was feel. She needed to think, to think about what was best for the twins, what was best for her. A little voice kept telling her, Colin was what was best for her. But that other voice said, he had lied to her all this time. He had lied, he was a duke.

  “I can have my coach prepared. It will take a couple of hours. Are you certain you wish to leave now? From my understanding, you just spent several days getting here. To get back in a coach again-------.” The Duchess hoped to dissuade her. Perhaps, if she delayed long enough, Worth would return and put a stop to this.

  Lili just nodded. It didn’t matter. She felt she would ride to hell and back, if it meant getting home. No, riding to hell had been riding to London with Edward. She shivered with distaste remembering.

  “Very well, my dear. I will see to it. Though I have but known you since yesterday, I do believe you should stay and try to work this out with my son. I think you would be good for him. I do not understand your decision, but I will honor my promise to help you.”

  Lili looked at the Duchess. She too had grown to like the Duchess. She was nothing like what she had imagined a duchess to be like. “Thank you, your Grace.” She rose from her seat.

  The duchess rose and rang for Gina. “Well, my dear, let me get things moving. Do have much to pack?” She knew Lili did not. Worth had asked her to take Lili shopping in the next few days.

  “No, your grace. Just a couple of dresses Colin, I mean the Duke had waiting for me.” She had nothing of her own. Nothing. Her hand went to her throat as was her habit when she was stressed. Her fingers looked for her moonstone pendent, only to realize once again, it was not there. Edward had taken that too this time.

  She nearly fell apart. No! she screamed in her mind. She couldn’t. She would not allow herself that luxury. She felt like her emotions were as jumbled as the knots that so often plagued her hair. Too much had happened, much too fast.

  Gina entered the room.

  “Ah, Gina, have Meyers and Bennings come to me. I shall need their assistance in this.”

  Gina nodded. “Yes, of course, your grace. I shall see to it immediately.”

  The Duchess turned back to Lili. “Why don’t you wait in your room, while I see to all of the details. When all is done, I will send for you.” The duchess reached over and patted her hand. “I truly wish you would stay, but I think I understand your need to go home. My advice, my dear, is to give it time. Things have a way of working themselves out.”

  Lili nodded. She did not trust her voice.

  The duchess watched with grave misgivings as Lili left the room. It appeared her son had made a mess of it all.

  Moments later, Bennings and Meyers both entered her room.

  “Bennings, where’s my son this morning?” she demanded.

  Bennings was at a loss. “I have no idea, your grace. He was up and dressed when I came up to his room. He walked out without telling me a word.” He found it strange even for the duke.

  The Duchess turned to Meyers. “Did he tell you anything concerning his plans, Meyers?”

  “Yes, somewhat. He said he had a very important missive to see to this morning. I was to make certain, Lady McGowan was given whatever she needed. That he would return as soon as his missive was accomplished,” replied Meyers.

  “He did not explain what this missive was or where he was going?” she questioned further.

  “No, I have no idea, your grace. He did not say.”

  The Duchess nodded. “Send one of the footmen out and about to all the places Worth haunts. Also send someone to the Marquess’s home. Lynden may know something. We need to find him post haste. Lady McGowan is wishing to leave, to go home. I promised her yesterday, I would help her get home if she was still in mind to go today.”

  “But your grace,” interrupted Bennings, “the Duke is in love with my lady. He wishes to marry her. He has said as much.”

  The duchess nodded. “Yes, Bennings, I am very much aware of the fact. But I believe my son has not explained that fact to Lady McGowan. That is why we need to get the Duke back here to stop her. She is adamant about going home. She left behind her younger twin brother and sister. She is concerned about their welfare. They believe she had been kidnapped. I am trying to allay those fears.”

  “We could send the carriage for the children, your grace,” suggested Bennings.

  “I said as much. But she is afraid that would frighten the children more. She is adamant about going home. I am afraid, if I do not help her, she will try something on her own and we all know how disastrous that could be. Hopefully, my son can be found or returns before Lili leaves.”

  Certainly, she could order Lili to stay or simply postpone her departure as long as possible. But on the other hand, this may be the jolt her son needed.

  “You said my lady is most anxious to get home, your grace. You mentioned by carriage but that will take several days. By packet would be much faster. My nephew works aboard the Morning Star, one of the Worthingston’s packets. They sail twice a week for Edinburgh. I believe it sails on the afternoon tide. She could be in Edinburgh in less than two days, pick up the children, and come back,” suggested Meyers.

  The Duchess gazed at Meyers thoughtfully. She nodded slightly, thinking it through. “Yes, Meyers, that sounds much better than the carriage. Very good. See to it, Meyers. Book passage for Lady Lili and her mai
d Marie. Bennings, I think you should accompany them as well.”

  “Of course,” agreed Bennings. “But surely, his Grace will return shortly and convince my lady to stay.”

  “Perhaps, Bennings. I pray so.”

  “If he doesn’t, I will go. I’m certain he will follow and we will return soon,” replied Bennings.

  “My thoughts, exactly,” said the Duchess. “Good. Now, we have much to do this morning. Meyers, leave no stone unturned looking for my son.”

  “Certainly, your grace.”

  The duchess watched them leave. She turned to her maid. “Gina, we have a lot to do this morning.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Lili returned to her room. She sat at the window, pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She laid her head on her knees. She had thought the Duchess would try harder to convince her to stay. Maybe, she was just as anxious for her to be gone as she, Lili was anxious to be gone.

  She knew she could not stay. She needed to get to the twins. She needed to make certain they were all right. She knew they would be worried. So would be Elsbeth and Rab. Colin, no the Duke, she corrected herself, told her he had talked with them. It didn’t matter. She needed to see them for herself.

  She needed so desperately to think. To be able to make sense of what had happened. Be honest, she told herself. She was running away. She could have lived with Colin Wells knowing he knew and accepted her past. But the Duke of Worthingston was a completely different matter. No duke would ever be able to deal with damaged goods such as her. A duke deserved someone clean and pure, someone more in line with his status. Not, some unknown girl from Scotland.

  The tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. Why was she so emotional of late? She had never been the crying type, but now tears were always ready to fall at a moment’s notice. But then, she told herself, she had never been in love before. Somehow along the way, she had fallen in love with Colin. She had given him her heart.