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

by Hunt, Brenda

  Its sails unfurled catching the full force of the wind, the Windward Hawk cut through the waves as it followed the southern English coast on its way to the West Indies. It had left London two days prior with a special cargo on board.

  Deep in the bowels of the ship a ladle of water was thrown on the face of the man that lay in the hammock in the far corner. He had been drugged when brought on board. He came to sputtering, wiping his face with his hands.

  “Up to it mate. Ye can’t be lyin’ about all day when there be work to be doin’.”

  Edward looked around. Where the hell was he? He remembered being held in this warehouse. Some lordly gentleman entered asking about Lili. Then everything went dark. He felt his jaw and moved it about. It hurt like hell.

  He looked at the big burly man who stood waiting. “Who are you and where the hell am I?” demanded Edward.

  The burly man laughed. “My name be Big John. I be the one tellin’ ye what to do from now on. Ye be on his lordship’s ship the Windward Hawk. We be heading for the West Indies. Ye be part of the crew.”

  Edward looked at the man unable to comprehend what he was saying. This could not be right.

  “His lordship tells me to tell you, ye not be welcome on English soil again.”

  Edward shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Who is this lordship you speak of? There has to be some mistake.”

  Big John shook his head and laughed. “Be no mistake. His lordship be the Duke of Worthingston. Told me to tell ye this be his wedding present to the new Duchess, the Lady Lili McGowan. Ye must have really made the Duke angry.”

  Edward turned a deathly shade of white as the realization of where he was and what his life had now become.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Three days later, Worth and the Duchess boarded the Morning Star. Lynden had sent word earlier, he would not be able to accompany them as he had hoped. His godmother, the Countess Danby had urgently requested his presence. He had sent his regrets and well wishes to Worth on his upcoming marriage. The crew was aware of the reason for the quick turn around trip. They were also aware of the bonus the Duke had promised them for a speedy return.

  Worth found Mr. Webb the first mate to be most accommodating.

  The Morning Star made it to Edinburgh in record time. Not long after they arrived, Worth and his mother were on their way to Glendenning. The crew of the Morning Star were happy to spend an extra day in Edinburgh with extra coin in their pockets.

  Chapter 22

  Home is where the heart’s tears can dry at their own pace.

  Vernon Baker

  The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are

  And not be questioned.

  Maya Angelou

  The coach came to a stop in the main yard of the keep much to Lili’s relief. She threw open the door and climbed down before Bennings or Marie could help. She drank in the sight of her beloved home. It was nowhere near as luxurious as Colin’s, no, the Duke’s, she kept reminding herself, but this was her home. This was where she belonged.

  She stood and watched as Aiden and Alysa came running out with Elsbeth quick behind them. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Rab and another young man coming out of the barn.

  Lili bent down and hugged the two most precious things in her life. She could not stop the tears that fell. She listened as they both talked at once.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you’re home, Lili,” stated Aiden.

  “I was so scared Lili,” cried Alysa as she hugged Lili tightly.

  “I am so glad to be home, Aiden. And I’m sorry Ali you were scared. That’s why I’ve come back,” reassured Lili as she held them tight.

  “Colin said he was going to bring you back,” stated Aiden as he let go of Lili and looked around. But all he saw was this strange man getting down from the top of the carriage and young girl with dark hair get out of the carriage. He did not see Colin anywhere. “Where’s Colin?” he asked confused. Colin promised he would bring Lili back himself. He promised. Lili was here but where was Colin?

  Lili looked at him and saw his confusion and concern. “Colin had to stay in London. He helped me get back, though.”

  Aiden looked at her through narrowed eyes. There was something Lili was not telling him. “He promised he would be coming back.”

  “He did Lili, he did,” added Alysa.

  “I know he did,” explained Lili. “But there are things that need his attention in London, so he had to stay.” How did she explain to them that the man they knew as Colin was a Duke? That all these months he had stayed here with them, he had lied to them about who he was.

  “But is he coming back?” demanded Aiden.

  Lili looked at him wishing she could reassure Aiden but she couldn’t. She looked up to catch Elsbeth staring at her with concern.

  Before Lili could answer, Bennings interrupted. “Of course, he is coming, my young man. When the Duke makes a promise, he keeps his word.”

  Lili closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She should have known, she would not be able to keep that a secret. Exactly what was she to tell them? Another thing to hold against Colin.

  “Who is this Lili and who is this duke?” asked Aiden looking from Bennings to Lili.

  Elsbeth came to the rescue. “Let’s talk in the keep. A’m certain yer sister is tired. She can answer all ye questions then. Come along,” as she guided the twins back to the keep.

  Aiden balked. “But who are these people, Lili?”

  Again, Bennings answered. “I am his grace’s valet and Marie is my lady’s maid. His grace sent us to escort your sister home.”

  Aiden shook his head. “Who’s the Duke?” he demanded.

  Lili looked at Bennings and Aiden. She knew she had to explain. “Aiden, Colin is the duke, Bennings is speaking about.”

  “Colin’s a duke? What does that mean?” asked Ali.

  Lili looked at Elsbeth, taken aback to see Elsbeth was not surprised. Elsbeth knew. When and how did Elsbeth know? So many secrets.

  “Means he’s very important,” explained Aiden. “Got a title, a big title, almost like a prince or king. I knew he was important when we was in Edinburgh.”

  “Oh, a prince,” said Ali with a big a smile. She liked the idea of a prince.

  “Not a prince, a duke,” corrected Aiden.

  “But you said,------- ”

  “Let’s not argue,” admonished Lili. How had she forgotten about their arguing?

  Bennings and Marie followed everyone inside. Marie carried the small satchel for Lili.

  Lili walked into the great room and sat in the rocker. Suddenly, she was tired, very tired. Here, she could finally relax and let her guard down. She had not realized how tight a hold she had on her control, until now.

  She looked at Elsbeth. “Bennings will need a room and so will Marie, just something till they return back to Edinburgh in the morning. Oh, and the driver, too”

  “But my lady, I am to stay with you until his Grace comes. So is Marie. I am under strict instructions from the Duchess,” disputed Bennings.

  “You see, Lili, even he says Colin is coming back,” stated Ali.

  “Yes,” agreed Aiden giving Lili that I told you so look.

  Lili sighed. There was no use arguing with them. Time would tell, but even if he did, there was no future for her with a duke. He would not be staying. Lili watched as Rab came in followed by a young man with brown shaggy hair, tall, thin. Lili raised an eyebrow in question and looked at Elsbeth.

  “Davis, tis be Lady Lilias McGowan. Lady Lili tis be Davis Reid. He came with Master Colin and Aiden when they come back from Edinburgh. Master Colin hired him to help Rab,” explained Elsbeth.

  Lili closed her eyes. He was making more changes. She could not afford help but Colin would not understand. He would send her some anyway. She opened her eyes to find Davis in front of her, his hat in his hand. He looked not much older than she was.

  “My lady, I know everyone here has
been worried and they be glad ye’re back.” He replied.

  Lili smiled. It was not Davis to blame for all of this. No, this was the work of Colin, the duke. “I am glad you are here.” She turned to Rab and asked, “I’m sure he has been a big help to you, Rab.”

  Rab smiled. “Aye, lass. Tis good to have ye back home. A’ve showed the driver where to put the coach and horse.”

  Lili nodded. She looked to Elsbeth. “Do we have enough food for everyone.?” She had worried about them having enough food to eat for so long, it was hard not to continue to worry. But she should have known better. Colin had made so many changes.

  “Of course, my lady,” replied Elsbeth. She did not want these newcomers from London to know how bad things had been here for Lili. “Why donna ye go upstairs to rest. A can take care of everythin’ down here.”

  Lili nodded. As much as she wanted to come home, she realized now, so much had changed. It was not her home as she remembered, all because of Colin’s high handedness.

  “Aiden, would you show Bennings, Colin’s, I mean the Duke’s room. Ali, would you show Marie my room. I have something to do in Papa’s study,” instructed Lili.

  Lili watched as Aiden and Ali took Bennings and Marie as she directed, chatting to them, especially Aiden asking Bennings all sorts of questions about Colin. Lili walked slowly to her father’s study. She sat in her father’s chair, laid her head back and sighed deeply. She was home, but it was all changing. And she had no control of it. She felt adrift in a sea of uncertainty. All this time, Colin was a duke. No wonder, he was so autocratic. He was used to being in control. He had slowly integrated himself here at Glendenning.

  But Glendenning was far removed from London. In London, he had power and prestige. She could not compete or become one of the ton. She was no one, a daughter of an unknown Scottish laird. She believed Colin cared. But he didn’t love her. Marriage was not an option. She was damaged goods. She was not worthy of a duke. She truly believed, she could never be more than his paramour. He had never said anything about love. Could she settle for that? Thankfully, she lived here and no one knew. She wondered if that was how Elsbeth felt with Rab’s father.

  Would Colin follow her? Part of her desperately wanted him to, but the reality of it was another thing. If he did, what then? All she could think about in London was getting back to Glendenning. To get away from Colin’s influence. But had she truly gotten away. It seemed he had made his influence known, never more so, than when he returned from Edinburgh. He had left his instructions when he had come after her. Instructions, they all seemed to listen to more than anything she said.

  Lili rose from the chair. She had hoped by sitting here, she would get some semblance or direction on where she needed to go. Usually, she felt her father’s presence in this room. Today, she felt nothing. It only felt empty.

  Lili walked into her room. She could tell Marie had been there. The clothes she had brought with her from London were hanging in her wardrobe. Lili looked at her old clothes. Maybe she would feel more like herself in her own clothes. Quickly, she changed into her light brown dress. She laced up her front and realized she needed to loosen it. Not by very much, not noticeable at least, not yet.

  As much as the thought of carrying Colin’s child thrilled her, she knew how much it complicated the situation. This child would be Colin’s, the dukes’ bastard child for she was certain they would never marry. She stood at her windows overlooking the yard to the stables. She was sad and happy, all at the same time. How could that be? Why was her mind and heart so muddled? No, it was just her mind. Her heart knew what it wanted. It wanted Colin’s love because it already loved Colin, duke and all.

  Lili watched Rab and Davis and the driver, Henry go into barn. It seemed everywhere she looked, she saw Colin’s influence. She should feel easier that at the moment, she did not have to worry about repairs for the keep and food on the table, but she didn’t. This made her feel like a kept woman. But wasn’t she, her mind argued.

  No longer able to stay in her room with the thoughts going round and round in her head, Lili went back downstairs. The great room was empty except for Elsbeth who was preparing the evening meal. Maybe, she and Elsbeth could talk.

  Elsbeth raised her eyes to meet Lili’s when she came near. “Ye’ve changed.”

  Lili nodded. “Yes, I’ve put on my own clothes.”

  “T’is not the clothes A be talkin’ ‘bout.”

  Lili looked at her confused.

  “T’is ye, yerself that has changed. A babe will do that.”

  Lili stared at her in disbelief. How did she and the first mate know?

  “Aye, lass. A know. A watched yer monthly time after that Edward come to make certain he had not gotten ye with child. Had to make sure the medicines A gave ye worked,” explained Elsbeth. “Then when Master Colin come, A could see how the two of ye felt. The lust between the two of ye------.”

  Lili eyes grew wide, overwhelmed, “Elsbeth!”

  Elsbeth chuckled. “He was good fer ye. He is good fer ye. He will take care of all the things so ye’ll not have to worry no more.”

  Lili sighed. “Perhaps, Elsbeth, but I don’t think so. He is a Duke, I am merely the lairds daughter. For all purposes, I am not much more than a commoner,” explained Lili.

  “Yer papa, the laird, he had a title, too,” stated Elsbeth.

  “Yes, I think, I remember papa saying something along those lines, but nothing worthy of a duke. He is a Duke,” stated Lili, as though that explained it all.

  “Ach, maybe, lass. He loves ye lass. That A do know. T’was a man possessed he was, when him and Aiden come back to find Edward had come and takin’ ye. A never seen a man so angry. There was blood in his eyes.”

  Lili nodded. She couldn’t imagine Colin at a loss. The Colin she knew was always in control. That was one of the things that annoyed her about him. He was always in control. She could not imagine him as Elsbeth described him. But Lord Lynden had said something similar that night at supper. She found it very difficult to believe, Colin acting in such a manner.

  “I have no idea what he did to Edward. All he would tell me was Edward would never do anything to me, ever again. Colin did say he did not kill him, only he will wish, Colin had. I’m not sure what he meant by that. He would never tell me.”

  Elsbeth nodded. “He would not.”

  Lili sighed deeply. Was she being unreasonable? “I thought, if I came back home, I could think, but I can’t here either. Now, I have a baby to think of, too.” Lili looked at Elsbeth. “How did you------?”

  Elsbeth sat down beside Lili. “T’was different for me. Rab’s father died ‘fore Rab was born. We were to be married, we were.”

  Lili looked at her seriously. “You’ve never spoke of him. You’ve never married.”

  Elsbeth looked at her. “Yer mother, yer father knew. They knew him. A had everythin’ A wanted with Rab. But ye donnae. Ye want Master Colin and he be wantin’ ye. Take what is given to ye. T’is a gift.”

  Lili sighed. Perhaps, Elsbeth was right. She just didn’t know anymore. She was so tired of all this emotional upheaval. Since Colin walked into her life, nothing had been the same. But did she want what was before, struggling just to put food on the table. Was she being selfish to all those under her care by not accepting Colin’s generosity? Her mind said yes, she was.

  “He shall follow ye.”

  “I don’t know.”

  Elsbeth smiled. “A do.”

  Before Lili could reply, Aiden followed by Rab, Davis and Henry all walked in. Elsbeth rose to tend to the men.

  Aiden sat down beside her. “When is Colin coming? Bennings said to ask you.”

  “I’m not certain, Aiden.” She answered. Ali slipped in to sit beside her, too. Where had Ali come from, wondered Lili.

  “It may take him a fortnight or so, if he decides to come. Remember, he has a great deal of responsibilities in London and he stayed with us for a long time. He may not be able to get away any time
soon. We will have to wait and see what happens,” explained Lili.

  Aiden shrugged like he wasn’t concerned at all. “Colin’s coming back. He’ll be back soon.”

  Ali chimed in. “Colin promised.”

  Lili sat there wondering how to make them understand, she had serious doubts about Colin returning to Glendenning. She truly did not want to destroy their hopes. She decided for the time being, she would let things happen. When the time came to make them understand Colin would not be returning, she would face that fact, as well. Until then, she would let them have their hope. Perhaps, she was letting herself have that hope, as well.

  Lili smiled sadly. “Yes, we shall see.”

  With all the new people at the keep, supper proved to be a boisterous affair. Lili sat at the head of the table and listened to all the talk about her. Rab and Elsbeth, the twins, all joined in the conversations as though they had all known each other for years. Lili felt like the outsider, the outsider in her own home.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The days at Glendenning took on a different routine for Lili. Elsbeth took over the running of the interior of the keep, while Rab handled repairs. Lili still made the twins continue on with their studies in the morning, but in the afternoon, left with time on her hand, Lili found a place where she felt at peace.

  She took a book and walked to the small glen where they had celebrated her birthday all those months ago. Every afternoon, she brought her book and a blanket. She sat under the yew tree. Every afternoon, she tried to read, but after the first few pages, she couldn’t recall any of what she read, she put her book aside.

  Lili sat back and leaned her head against the tree. Fall was in the air. Winter would soon be here. Colin stayed at the keep because of the snow. So many things now were associated with Colin.

  Four days turned to five days turned to six days. She knew it was much too soon to even consider Colin being able to return in that time span, but yet, she still looked for him. As the days began to add up, Lili began to doubt whether Colin would return. Every night when Lili read for everyone, then escorted the twins to their rooms, Aiden always said, “Colin will be home tomorrow.”