“Someone will be along with wine momentarily.”
“I think I’d prefer whisky,” Arabella grumbled.
Gideon was quite certain she would, but he didn’t wish for her to become drunk before she could explain. On the other hand, in such a relaxed state, he might just get the truth for a change.
A moment later, supper was delivered with wine for the women. Tension filled the room and several times Mrs. Grant glanced at Arabella, who only picked at her food, and Mr. Grant sent questioning looks to his wife. Gideon, however, ate his fill then savored another ale, as he prepared himself for the confrontation to come.
One thing was certain, however, there was nothing Arabella could say that would convince him that they would continue to hold themselves out as husband and wife. The year and a day just ended and much sooner than either of them could have anticipated.
Did Gideon honestly believe that she was increasing?
Arabella couldn’t decide if she should be insulted or thrilled that her disguise worked so well.
If only he’d let her explain, then he wouldn’t be glaring at her right now.
But, what if it wasn’t just the babe the he believed she carried that had him so angry but something more?
Was it because they were smuggling whisky? He had been a Revenue Offer and he might not appreciate being put in the position of being with smugglers when it had been his duty to arrest such as she.
Was it because she’d left Anagburn without his knowledge?
Surely he hadn’t expected her to remain there for the duration of their marriage until he either returned or the allotted time had passed. Of course, it wasn’t as if she ever left the estate, but that didn’t mean she shouldn’t be allowed to do so if she wished.
He had been on his way to Bonnybridge, but for what purpose? She had assumed that it was for her, but maybe she’d been wrong. Had Gideon used the time away to come to the conclusion that they would not suit and he was coming to terminate whatever agreement they might have? It wasn’t as if the handfasting was real. The ceremony had only been performed in front of her family and probably wasn’t even done properly either since they’d gotten their instructions from an English gentleman’s journal.
Arabella had been famished when they arrived at the coaching inn, but the more he glared and remained silent, the more she lost her appetite. This wasn’t like when she was flustered, when they’d first met. No, it was entirely different and she was not looking forward to being alone with her husband.
As they climbed the wooden stairs, Arabella pulled Davina to her side. “Could you please assist me with…you ken.” She gestured to her belly.
“I’ll give my wife all the assistance she needs,” Gideon interrupted and Arabella’s stomach clenched.
Goodness, she wasn’t certain how to respond to this Gideon. The one she’d known before was kind, gentle, sweet. The one walking her to their room was cold and harsh.
Had something happened that she was not aware of? Had he taken the time to really think about what her uncle and brothers had done and become angry with them, and her?
Tears nearly flooded her eyes when he closed the door to their chamber and they were left very much alone.
“What kind of assistance did you need from Davina?”
Arabella’s face flamed. “With the gown and…” Goodness, if Gideon didn’t like that they had whisky in the coffin, he was going to be livid when he realized where else it was.
All she could do was hope that he was as lenient with her family as he had been when he worked along the Cornish coast.
“The whisky,” she finally said.
“What whisky?” he demanded.
“Hush, before yer heard.”
“What whisky?” Gideon ground out quietly.
With that, Arabella turned her back on him. “Please, undo my gown.” Honestly, she had no idea what to say. Shouldn’t Gideon know her better? Or, was this proof that they didn’t really know each other at all.
It was all rather disheartening.
“I wish you would have told me.”
“What?”
“That there had been another.”
“Is that so?” With each of his words, she became angrier and angrier. How dare he think she’d been intimate without the benefits of marriage!
“No wonder you panicked when your uncle tried to marry us. I’m certain MacGregor wasn’t yet aware, but you knew I’d learn soon enough. I completely understand your fear, but I wish you would have said something right away and we could have discussed what was to be done.”
Arabella snorted. If what he believed was true, he would have walked away without a backward glance. “What would ye have done?”
“I’m not certain. It would have depended on the circumstances. The father, the secrets you weren’t willing to share... I would have helped you Arabella. I’m not certain how, but I would have tried.”
The anger that was in his tone earlier had slipped away, and the warm and caring, nay, pain of betrayal laced his words now.
Could she really blame him? She’d dressed in this manner to see if they could fool the excisemen into letting her pass without their being searched for whisky. But, she’d also fooled Gideon, even when he should have known better.
Arabella was torn. Was she insulted because of what he believed of her, or did she feel bad because her disguise was so good that he’d believed that on some level she’d betrayed him.
Still, he deserved to suffer, at least a tiny bit for doubting her.
Chapter 36
Perhaps he’d been too hard on her. Yes, he felt betrayed and wished Arabella would have told him, but his anger was softened by the paleness of her skin and tears in her blue eyes. After all, Arabella had done everything in her power to avoid a betrothal and any type of marriage. She’d fought her family until they’d given her no choice and handfasted the two of them.
But, at least she was no longer denying the fact.
“I’ve picked a name,” she said quietly once the laces were loose, and she slipped the dress from her shoulders and turned to face Gideon.
What the blazes was she wearing? It appeared to be made of iron sheets.
“Meet baby barley.”
Baby barley? Not a baby. She wasn’t enceinte?
All he could do was stare at the metal cylinder resting against her flat stomach, held there by large straps over her shoulders.
But it looked so real when she was clothed. So natural…then it dawned on him. “Is that whisky?”
“Aye. It’s a belly canteen.” She rolled her shoulders. “And it’s gettin’ heavy.”
Once again Arabella turned her back to him and he untied the strings that tied this belly canteen to her body. He then reached forward to lift the straps from her shoulders, taking the belly canteen from her person. When the strip of her shift slipped, Gideon sucked in a breath at the red marks and indentations. “How long have you been wearing this?” It wasn’t so much to carry for a short bit, but for any length of time it would become heavy, especially in the manner Arabella had been carrying the whisky.
“Since we left Grant Manor.”
“That was hours ago.” Gideon set the whisky aside and slid the straps from both shoulders to examine for any injury.
“It wasna so bad when we were in the carriage since I used a pillow to lift the barrel up to keep it from pullin’.”
Except she’d been without support for over an hour between the discussion in the yard of the inn and then at supper.
Regret and shame engulfed him. He’d assumed the worst of Arabella. Not that he was happy that she was smuggling whisky on her person, but to jump to the conclusions he had, without asking… “I’m sorry.”
A smile pulled at her lips. “For thinkin’ I was a fallen woman?”
His face heated. “In my defense, your appearance was very believable.”
“We were hoping it was. This was the first time we’ve attempted the disguise.”
> He nearly choked as his panic rose. “What would have happened if you had been caught?”
“A fine. Arrest.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Women doona face the same punishment as men, usually.” Then she frowned. “Though, women arena usually caught.”
“And you will not be,” he insisted. “Because you will not do such a fool thing again.”
“It was necessary.”
“I don’t see how. There are brothers and cousins that could have made the delivery,” he argued.
“Aye, but nobody would have believed them to be increasin’.” Arabella grinned up at him, a twinkle in her blue eyes and Gideon wasn’t certain if he wanted to kiss her or smack her bottom for putting herself in danger and tricking him.
Except, she had tried to explain before they dined but he’d been too stubborn and angry to listen.
“Do your uncle, brothers and cousins know what you are about?” He couldn’t believe MacGregor would have allowed this.
“Niel does.”
Niel was supposed to be the reasonable MacGregor. Had he fallen victim to insanity as well? “Nobody else knows?”
“Nobody was home to ken and the delivery needed to be made. As the Grants had one as well, we combined our plans.”
A very real, pounding headache was coming on and Gideon rubbed the back of his neck. “Where?”
“In Ayr.”
He nodded. “The reason Cameron wanted us to avoid the town.”
A blush spread on her cheeks as she nodded.
“How often have you helped them smuggle whisky?” He needed to know how many times her family had let Arabella put herself in danger.
“This is the first time. For me and Davina, but there was really no choice.”
Bloody hell. There was always a choice. “The coffin. It is filled with whisky as well?”
“It’s the safest, most of the time. Nobody wishes to look inside.”
That he believed.
“I suppose it wouldn’t do any good to forbid you from this delivery?” He wanted to. He wanted to lock Arabella up and not allow her to put herself in danger.
“Well, as I arrived appearing to be in a certain condition, I must leave that way.”
She did have a point. The last thing he wanted was to raise suspicion.
“Ayr isna so far. And, my stomach will be much lighter when we return.”
She had the audacity to laugh, as if this was a grand adventure and not dangerous.
“You will not be returning home.”
What did he mean that she wouldn’t be returning home?
“Arabella, I came so that I could escort you back to Cornwall.”
Her heart began to pound. This was to be her punishment. Gideon wanted her far from her family so that there was no chance of her doing anything illegal again.
“Not to stay, but my family wishes to meet you, and Sophia will only be here through August. Then I intended to return to Scotland to settle.”
At his words, her heart settled a bit. “Ye are goin’ to settle here.” That was all she ever wanted, was to be near her family.
“Not at Anagburn.”
Arabella frowned. “But where?” Of course, anywhere was closer than Cornwall, though many places were just as far away.
“That is a surprise.” And for the first time since they’d seen one another, Gideon smiled and warmth spread through her. All of her fears and doubts melted away. He had come for her when she’d feared, no, believed, that she truly wouldn’t see him again. Except…“I canna go to Cornwall with ye,” she finally said.
“You are mine for a year and a day, remember,” he reminded.
“It isna that,” she quickly assured him. “My trunk only contains widow’s clothing. I willna be presented to yer family as such.”
Gideon laughed. “Is that all?”
“All!?” This was his family and she could not meet them looking as she had when she arrived at the coaching inn.
“I promise that you will have trunks of your clothing with you before we reach Cornwall.”
Arabella frowned at him. “How is that possible? We are here and ye are no’ takin’ me back to Anagburn.”
“Do you not trust me the least bit?”
His eyes bore into hers. “Aye. I trust ye with everything.”
It was the one truth that had always been in her heart and the only time she’d doubted it was tonight. Of course, Gideon had assumed she’d been hiding a terrible secret because of her costume, so could she really blame him? Any gentleman in his situation would have been upset.
“Ye were really coming to Anagburn for me?”
“Why else would I travel so far?” He questioned. “It wasn’t to visit with your family.”
She doubted they would ever be close, not that it mattered, as long as Gideon and her family didn’t hate one another.
“It’s just that, well, the way ye were at supper, and I dinna ken ye were comin’. I thought ye were goin’ to break the agreement.”
Warmth filled his eyes as a smile slowly formed. “Arabella. Breaking out agreement was the last thing I ever wanted to do. In fact, being away only convinced me that I don’t want just a year and a day, but a lifetime.”
Tears filled her eyes as her heart soared. “Are ye certain?”
“As certain as any man can be.” Then he kissed her, in the most gentle and sweetest manner before pulling away again and looking deep into her eyes. “I love you, Arabella MacGregor and I wish for you to be my wife, in truth and always.”
A tear slipped down her cheek and she moved to swipe it away, but Gideon caught it with the pad of his thumb.
“Can I hope that one day you might love me as well?”
“Oh, Gideon,” she cried. “I already do.” Then she kissed him, her longing and love pouring forth until he clutched her tight against him and soon the two were falling onto the bed and Arabella didn’t wish to be anywhere else but in his arms for the rest of her life.
Chapter 37
Gideon didn’t like this one bit, and if he had it his way, she’d remain in the carriage while Grant and his wife delivered the coffin. Actually, instead of coming to the docks, he would have left the coaching inn with Arabella and traveled directly to their new home, where she’d remove the belly canteen for good. But, she insisted on doing her part and seeing this through and he prayed that nobody discovered their deception.
Never again would he allow Arabella to put herself in danger. It wasn’t only for her safety, but Gideon was fairly certain that his heart could not withstand the tension. Even when he’d been mistakenly arrested in France, he hadn’t experienced this level of anxiety.
At least when they left here, they’d travel south to Dunure. Arabella didn’t know that yet, but he’d pulled Grant aside to explain. When the Grants returned to Bonnybridge, he assured Gideon that he’d go straight to Anagburn and see that all of Arabella’s belongings were packed and delivered to their new home. After they arrived, Gideon took Arabelle to Cornwall to meet his family. As they waited, they’d spend the time very much alone in their bedchamber. After last night, Gideon was fairly certain he’d never tire of his wife.
The carriage slowed to a stop and Gideon glanced out the window to note that they’d arrived. A small ship was anchored at the end of a small dock. He narrowed his eyes to study the detail and his stomach tightened again. It was familiar and he could only hope that it was a coincidence.
“Are you certain you wish to do this?” What if there were excisemen waiting to pounce on them?
“Aye. All will be well,” she assured him.
Gideon just wished he was as confident as she.
“Ian kens the captain and he’s shipped for us before.”
“Hasn’t suspicion been cast if your family is here too often? Or the Grants?”
“We ship feed grain and the Grants ship wool,” she explained. “This is the first time we are sending a coffin so I doubt anyone will question the use of this ship. Besides, this
isna the only ship. Often we ship from Edinburgh, as that is Lachlan and Donovan’s preference, but Ian and Cameron prefer Ayr.”
The more they talked, the more he realized just how embroiled Arabella was, even if this was the only time she’d ventured away from Anagburn to participate in the family business.
Gideon was far too cautious for this line of work and glad that this was the one and only time they’d need to participate.
At the knock on the carriage door, Gideon opened it to find Grant and his wife.
“Are ye ready?” he asked.
“Aye,” Arabella said and lowered her veil.
Gideon assisted as she exited the carriage, glad that she’d be without the belly canteen soon. Or, at least it would be empty, never to be used by his wife again.
“Bloody hell,” he ground out quietly when the captain emerged as they approached the ship.
“What’s the matter?” Arabella hissed.
“You are about to meet my younger brother.”
Harrison’s eyes widened slightly as Gideon approached, but the two did little else to confirm that they knew the other, let alone tell anyone they were related.
How long had Harrison been smuggling? Or, was he even aware that within the shipments of wool and grain there was also whisky?
Had he been taken advantage of? What if the shipments would have been searched? His brother could have been arrested when innocent of any wrongdoing.
Though, as much as Gideon would like to believe that Harrison wouldn’t commit a crime, he knew his brother too well and there was no way in hell Harrison didn’t know exactly what was in those shipments.
He was a known merchant captain, keeping within the waters around England, Scotland, and Ireland, and he traveled occasionally to France and the islands that lie between them. How the hell hadn’t he been caught before now?
This was where he’d gone when he left Trent Manor that morning, or was Harrison stopping at different ports gathering illegal cargo before he returned to Cornwall. He certainly didn’t take his cargo into Portsmouth. Those docks were too busy by far.
Kissing the Lass (Scot to the Heart #2) Page 24