A Lass to Love
Brides of Scotland
Tammy Andresen
Copyright © 2020 by Tammy Andresen
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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
A Highlander to Have and to Hold
About the Author
Other Titles by Tammy
Chapter One
Miss Fiona MacFarland stood on the dock in Greenoch and stared at her cousin Colin’s ship, butterflies dancing in her stomach. She covered the offending organ with her hands as she straightened her spine. Fear would not rule her life now.
But another voice argued back, saying this trip was far too scary and the butterflies beat all the harder. She’d never left Scotland before and certainly never been on a ship this large. Even more terrifying, she’d never been to England, and worst of all, she definitely never attempted to chase down a runaway fiancé.
She supposed he hadn’t actually run away. He’d always lived in England. At least since they’d been engaged. But she’d been promised to him for well over three years and he hadn’t even bothered to come meet her. What kind of cad did that?
He was an earl, she supposed. And as the Earl of Exmouth, he had a great many duties. Every one of his tenants sang his praises. Thanks to his business in London, they had food on their tables, and buyers for their crops. She knew he engaged in important work but still. Not one meeting?
What was more, he’d stopped responding to her letters. They weren’t much. What did one say to a man she’d never even met? But she tried.
She drew in a shaky breath.
“Ready?” Aunt Edna asked from her right, her cane thumping on the wood of the dock. “I’m not getting any younger and that ramp looks steep.”
“Apologies,” she murmured, linking her arm through her aunt’s. “I’ll assist ye.”
Her aunt harrumphed. “About time. What were ye standing there thinking for so long?”
“I was…” She paused, aware of how her aunt felt about this journey. Edna was convinced Fiona should have taken it years ago. She was also convinced that the Earl of Exmouth was the best man for her niece. “Wondering if I’d made the right choice.”
“Bah.” The old woman thumped her cane again. “That man deserves a good smack upside the head and I’ve got just the piece of wood to do it.” Then she waved her cane in the air, which nearly caused her to topple back.
“Aunty. Please.” Fiona gripped her aunt’s arm harder. Privately, Fiona was inclined to agree. The man’s behavior had caused her a great deal of worry and much public humiliation.
“Once we’ve taught him how to behave, I’m sure he’ll make an excellent groom. He did provide for us when we needed it most.” And that is where Fiona wasn’t certain that she agreed with her aunt.
In Exmouth’s defense, he hadn’t chosen her. She’d been engaged to his cousin, Earl of Exmouth the fifth. Upon the earl’s untimely death, the new earl had inherited the land, the castle, the duties, and the future wife.
The current Exmouth likely wanted her about as much as she wanted him. But Gavin, her actual fiancé, had been a wonderful man, and his mother, in a misguided attempt to protect Fiona, had strong-armed her nephew, the new Earl of Exmouth into proposing. What a mess. Just thinking about it made her head hurt and she’d lived through the terrible situation.
“Men of his class have the world at their fingertips. It’s natural that they’re a bit wild. He’ll tame.” Aunt Edna waved the cane again as they reached the top of the plank. “Ye just need to be firm with him.”
“Auntie,” Fiona cut the older woman off. She’d grown as salty as the sea in her old age. Fiona worried she was far too advanced for the journey but she had no one else to chaperone such a trip.
“Well, it’s the truth.” Aunt Edna stopped and stared at her. “What I still don’t understand is why exactly yer going. Do ye intend to collect him or break it off?”
Fiona pursed her lips. Her aunt didn’t know because she herself hadn’t rightly decided. Not that Aunt Edna hadn’t been peppering her with comments about making the marriage work. “I’m going to meet him and then make a decision.” In most of her fantasies, she told the man she’d sooner marry a goat than tie herself to him. But the truth of the matter was, she didn’t have that sort of luxury. Her dowry was inaccessible, and with her mother’s death, she’d moved into Edna’s small cottage. The cottage Exmouth had provided.
If he wasn’t her future, she’d better find a new one quickly. At three and twenty, she was fast approaching spinsterhood with no means to support herself. She needed to come up with a plan, and in her mind, that meant either accepting or dismissing the latest Lord Exmouth.
Colin approached with a smile and a wave. They’d been close since they were children and his successful shipping business made this journey far easier. But it also came with his opinions as well as her aunt’s.
As Colin regularly visited London, he received frequent updates on her fiancé and none of them were good. Yes, the people here in Scotland loved Exmouth, but the rumors in England spoke of a man who was involved in gambling, women, and generally rakish behavior. Colin had offered to support her himself rather than tie her to a man like the earl.
“Ye made it,” Colin called, waving his hand. “Aunt Edna, ye’ve never looked finer.”
“Bah.” Her aunt waved the cane again. “I’m too old fer yer charm and too young to believe yer lies.”
Colin grinned all the wider. “Fiona, yer looking beautiful as usual.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve half a mind to repeat what Aunt Edna said.” But she stepped up to Colin, placing a hand on his arm and leaning in to kiss his cheek. He was the brother she’d never had and she loved him dearly for it.
“Well, I see we’ve got to move ye to Greenoch. Living with Aunt Edna is wearing off on ye.”
Edna gave him a light tap on the chin with her cane. Fiona had wondered if her aunt actually needed the stick to walk or if she just liked to have it to hit people.
“Auntie,” she admonished. “We’ve talked about this.”
Edna frowned. “Ye’ve talked. I’m an old woman and I’ll hit who I please.”
Fiona sighed and then turned to thread her arm through Colin’s. Now that she’d stepped onto the ship, there was no turning back. Excitement tingled along her scalp. She was off to face her rogue fiancé but she could enjoy the trip from here to London.
As she spun about, a man caught her gaze. He was the sort of handsome devil who made a woman’s breath catch. Dark hair waving in the breeze as his white teeth flashed in the sun. Broad shoulders filled his coat as he waved up. “MacFarland, good to see you, old chap.”
“And ye as well.” Colin waved down. “Come meet my family.”
“Who’s that?” she asked, surprised by how breathy her voice sounded.
“Thomas Mayweather,” Colin replied. “One of the fine
st wool makers in all of London and one of my best customers.” Colin gave her a wink. “He’s also sinfully handsome and rather popular with the ladies. Try not to fall in love.”
She pished, her hand tapping his bicep. “I’ve got enough trouble with men as it is. I don’t need anymore.”
“Remember that when ye see him up close.” Colin started walking toward the plank.
Fiona made no reply. She was considered by many to be a great beauty and she doubted very much she’d have any problem. She’d meant what she’d said. She had her hands full enough with the Earl of Exmouth.
* * *
Thomas stood below looking up at Colin, who had a radiant redhead on his arm. Damn. His friend had already claimed the beauty. To be fair, he couldn’t see the particulars of her features but the generalities were just his taste. Lush thick hair and curvy figure always made for a good tup.
Making his way up the plank, he caught sight of her again as he reached the deck. Hell’s bells. She was even more stunning up close. Green eyes, the color of fresh grass, lovely pale skin, high cheekbones, and a set of full, lush lips met his gaze. “Colin,” he called, giving his most alluring grin, one multiple women had fallen for time and again. “You must introduce me to this beauty. Where did you find her?”
Whack. His shin exploded in pain.
“Mind yer tongue,” A sharp female voice hissed from next to him. Turning his head to the side, he met the crinkled green eyes of an aging woman. Holding a cane, surely the instrument that had just assaulted his shin, she waggled a finger in his face. “And mind the rest of ye too.”
“Tom, this is my aunt, Edna MacFarland.” Colin said, barely containing a laugh.
“Charmed,” he gritted through his teeth.
Colin did laugh then but the sound was joined with a feminine trill of giggles that pulsed straight through him like no sound he’d ever heard before. “And this is my cousin, Miss Fiona MacFarland.”
Her bright green eyes met his and held his gaze as she gave him a sweet smile. The sort that warmed a man from the inside out.
“Pleased to meet ye, Mr. Mayweather.”
He inclined his head. Being Colin’s cousin, this woman was not one to be trifled with. Tom, at nine and twenty, had little interest in marriage or a family. Having spent the last decade building a business, he enjoyed his life immensely. Now was the time to celebrate his accomplishments, not the moment to add more responsibility.
Still, she was beautiful. He scanned her again, drinking in every detail as his body tightened in awareness. Pity she was unavailable for a brief dalliance. “And you as well. Such a perfect day to begin a journey to England.”
Her smile widened. “I agree. It’s all very exciting.”
Colin gave Tom a subtle wink. “It’s Fiona’s first time out of the country.”
“First time…how exciting.” He shifted away from Aunt Edna, sure she could read his thoughts, which were decidedly considering another first for a woman like Fiona. Thankfully, the cane did not smack his shin again.
Fiona nodded, but her smile slipped. “I’m sure England will be wonderful.”
“Fiona is engaged to be married,” Edna added. “We’re going to meet her fiancé.”
Disappointment tightened Tom’s hand into a fist but he forced himself to relax. He didn’t want a woman like Fiona, despite her beauty. It was far better she was a betrothed woman. “Then I must congratulate you.”
Fiona didn’t answer, just gave another jerk of her chin. Edna however, stepped closer. “My niece will be a countess.” The cane gave a tap on the side of his leg. Just enough to keep him wondering what the old woman might do next.
“A countess?” He swallowed a bitter lump in his throat, glad he’d already determined he wasn’t interested in the woman. As a maker of fine fabric, he crossed his fair share of ladies. Many of them had wished to share his bed but afterward… “How fortunate for you.”
Fiona’s eyes cast down. “I’m sure,” she answered quietly.
One of his eyebrows quirked up. Whatever did that mean?
Chapter Two
Fiona tightened her grip on Colin’s arm. This conversation had gotten uncomfortable. She wasn’t about to share with a complete stranger that she would likely end her engagement. She didn’t even want to tell Edna.
Unfortunately, she had no plan beyond breaking the marriage commitment. She’d been engaged since she was sixteen, first to one Earl of Exmouth and then another. For the longest time, she hadn’t even considered a different fate.
Of course, she loved to sew, and she took pride in fashioning much of her own clothing but did she really dare to enter a trade? Perhaps.
Mayhap, she should take Colin up on his offer to live in his cottage. He travelled so much, she could keep the place occupied for him, and this busy town was a much better location for starting a business than the sleepy village her aunt resided in. Then again, who would care for Edna?
The older woman was terribly set in her ways but she was family. And under her rough exterior beat a heart of gold.
Which brought Fiona back full circle. The best thing for Edna was for her to marry the earl and move into the manor house. Edna’s cottage had been a gift from her first fiancé and was located on the Earl of Exmouth’s property.
“I should show all of ye to yer cabins.” Colin finally filled in the awkward silence that had settled over the group.
“That would be lovely,” Fiona answered. It was a beautiful spring day, the sun shining brightly and heating her skin. But between that and the conversation, she suddenly craved her likely dark and quiet room. Her thoughts had returned to her goals for this trip, or rather her lack thereof.
“Ye and Aunt Edna will be staying in my cabin.” Colin cleared his throat. “I didn’t want Auntie to have to travel up and down that shipman’s ladder.”
Edna’s cane swished in the air and Colin just managed to jump back before it hit his shin. “I’m fine to travel anywhere I please.”
Colin didn’t argue with his aging aunt. “Let me show ye the way.” Which was to say they walked ten steps across the deck to where he opened the door. “There’s only a single bed, but I had a hammock fashioned for ye, Fiona. It will take a bit of getting used to but they’re comfortable enough once ye do.
Fiona looked at her cousin, her eyes widening. A hammock? This would be an adventure.
Colin swept his hand toward the room, gesturing for them to enter. “We’ll be sailing in the next few hours.”
Edna made her way into the room and Fiona followed. The door snapped closed behind them and Fiona watched as Colin met his friend and the two of them disappeared down a hatch in the deck. She let out a sigh.
Colin needn’t have worried about her interest in Mr. Mayweather. Yes, the man was sinfully handsome, and she supposed she’d reacted to his physical beauty but the truth was, he was exactly how she pictured her fiancé. Roguish charm, flashing smile, naughty innuendo with every sweeping glance down her body. The last thing she needed was another male problem. She was full up.
Still, she couldn’t deny that he was the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. Dark hair that swept casually back in the wind, warm brown eyes, a strong jaw, and full sensuous lips. She’d once seen some of the earl’s farmhands stripped to the waist. They’d had broad shoulders and rippling muscles. The sort she’d dreamed about for weeks. In all honestly, Tom Mayweather had just that look about him. She couldn’t be certain, of course, with his shirt, cravat, vest, and jacket, but the narrowness of his waist and the breadth of his shoulders hinted at a statue-like physique. She pictured his face on one of the hand’s gleaming bodies and her cheeks began to warm again.
“Fiona,” Edna called. “Be a dear and help me with my coat, would ye? I fancy a rest.”
“Of course,” she answered, turning away from the small window that looked out onto the deck.
She ought to erase these thoughts as well. Tom Mayweather may look like an angel of a man but he was even
worse than Lord Exmouth. A man like Mayweather only held heartbreak and longing. She’d do better to stay far away from his sort.
* * *
Tom lay on his bunk, staring at the stack of ledgers to which he should be directing his attention. Only a beautiful red-head had dominated his thoughts.
He scrubbed his hands down his face. Why did he let women do this to him? Hadn’t he learned his lesson?
The last red-haired beauty he’d tangled with, the Baroness of Barnstable, had been as feisty as she was married. A normally ideal combination for Tom. They’d circled one another for near a month, the flirtation escalating to near maddening levels, in the best sort of fashion. Then one night, she’d ended up outside his door just after midnight. She’d smelled of wine and chocolate, a delicious combination, and he’d devoured her the way he knew she’d wanted him to.
And when it was done, she’d asked him to deliver a bath. He’d raised an eyebrow. “Sure love. I’ll get you a bath. Worried about your husband?”
She’d curled a lip. “My husband is away on business. I simply can’t stand the stench of Cheapside on my skin.”
Her message had been clear. He was beneath her and she’d use him for a bit but he needed to be immediately washed off her skin.
He scrubbed his face again. That had been nearly six months prior, but the memory still felt fresh and raw.
Rising, he tried to sit at the desk and begin his work. They’d set sail and a simple dinner had been delivered to his room. Night had fallen, and the ship had finally quieted as it began the charted course to the south. But his brain simply wouldn’t attend the numbers and after an hour of trying, he pushed the books aside. What he needed was a walk to clear his head. Stepping out into the hall, he noted there was just enough moonlight to light his way to the hatch and so he returned his candle, snuffing the light. Years on ships had taught him to never leave one burning.
A Lass to Love: Brides of Scotland Page 1