Seduction in the Highlands: By choosing him she loses her inheritance, by leaving him she brakes her heart...

by Kendrick, Kenna

  She decided to return to the stables and forget her hope of time alone with her thoughts in the presence of an awe-inspiring view. Brea had seen to that. Once she entered Duart again, smoothing her skirts and hair, Mrs. MacLean approached her.

  “Lady Darling, ye have had a letter.”

  Elizabeth froze, fearful of who it might be from. “Ah, I see. Thank you, Mrs. MacLean. And please do call me Elizabeth or at least lass, if you must.”

  The older woman placed the letter into her hands, her cheeks red with mirth. “Ye are a good lass, I can tell. I hope ye dinnae let anyone tell ye otherwise.”

  Touched, Elizabeth didn’t know what to say, and instead, she smiled weakly. She watched Mrs. MacLean leave the room, and then, she tore open the letter.

  Chapter Eleven

  John sat in his study, writing down a few things he wanted to remember from his meeting with Angus and Liam the previous day. They were planning on working together to create grazing land since Mull’s land was limited, and therefore, so were its profits. TheMacLeans could sell their wares and continue hunting on the mainland, but it would not be enough if they planned to prosper as they had many years before.

  John had jumped at the chance to help his new friends, and once he was returned to his study and settled inside, he thought about why that could be. Before, he and his brother Archibald had been all about control and advancement. That’s why they were happy to join with the English against other Scottish, especially weaker Scottish clans, for the English meant progress. He and Archibald wanted that for the Campbells since the old ways of Scotland were soon dying out, and they were determined not to die out with it.

  But an English general had deceived him and had even stolen money from him and many other clans! When the truth had come out, Angus, Calum, and the other MacLeans had shown their mettle when they’d helped him figure out the truth. He wanted to align with them forever for their loyalty. It was no trouble. Once he’d gotten to know them better, he found that he rather liked them, and he liked having friends. He did not want to betray them, and yet he knew that his clan would fight against his decision to align so fully with the MacLeans after his previous plans to overtake them and sell the land to the English. Hopefully, he could assuage his clan’s doubts and resistance with this new plan.

  Once he’d scribbled down the last of his notes, he placed down his pencil and thought of Elizabeth. He couldn’t help but not think of her. It had been a pleasure to see her twice in one day, so beautifully blushing and innocent in her speech and manners. All the women of his former acquaintance, including his lover Leyla, had been rough and unmannered, while Elizabeth was the epitome of grace and distinction.

  He would need a wife of distinction if he made something of his clan without his brother. But it wasn’t totally about that. It most certainly was not. He could tell in the way his heart raced when he saw her, and sweat covered his palms. He had a sneaking feeling that he would fall in love with the woman, but he didn’t really know how she felt about him. Was she partial to him? By her mannerisms, he could detect only a slight interest, but perhaps that was the way of genteel ladies. They did not need to wear their interest so openly, not like the other women he had known and loved in his time.

  Unfortunately, the memory of Liam’s resistance to him taking Elizabeth for a walk on the shoreline still nagged at him. Why had Liam been so cold to him, and why did he try to prevent John and Elizabeth from being alone together? Even the previous evening, when he and Liam were discussing business, there was a slight distance between them, but at least it was not as obvious as before. He seemed satisfied with something, and John wasn’t sure what. He remembered how Liam had spoken to Elizabeth in the Great Hall, and it irked him even more. What a philandering, flirtatious man he was!

  Certainly, Elizabeth will be able to see through that. Or so he hoped.

  “Laird!” Finlay had entered the room so abruptly that John needed a moment to ready himself and return to the present. He had plans to teach the men not to be so abrupt or rough in their manners, but his brother had been a bit of a wastrel and had no need or desire for proper governance. All of his attempts over the past years as second-in-command had not worked.

  “Aye, Finlay, what is it?” He hoped a scowl would be enough to show his disappointment and frustration.

  “The shepherd has told me he found a new shepherd boy tae assist him, as ye suggested.”

  “He is from our clan land, correct?”

  “Aye, aye. Marshall’s young lad.”

  “Good.” At least something was getting done. At least he could feel resolution in some manner while the rest of him was tortured by thoughts of a pair of blue eyes and alabaster skin.

  “Finlay, I will tell ye of my business yesterday.”

  Finlay sat down. John said, “I spoke tae the MacLeans. We will combine grazing lands and shepherds and farmers since they have nae much land of their own. If they remove all of their grazing areas, they can use their own space for crops.”

  He could sense frustration from his friend, even if the man said nothing.

  “What is it, lad? Speak up.” John spoke with confidence, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the answer from his new second-in-command.

  “Is it wise, laird, tae be so aligned with the MacLeans? They are weak, and the Campbells are strong. Do we really need tae assist them when we could be working tae advance ourselves? I know that is what yer brother would have wanted.” Finlay ended his question with a shrug of his shoulders as if his words had not struck John strongly with memories of a bullet plunging into his older brother’s flesh.

  John paused. It was a fair enough question, and yet, he couldn’t help but let emotions get in the way. He knew that his old self, so calculating and precise, would have disapproved greatly, but now, there was no way of getting around them. He cared for the MacLeans, and he cared for the connection to the Darling family even more.

  “Aye, I understand yer words. But remember how we were betrayed by the very people who we had hoped would advance us? I owe the MacLeans my loyalty, for they showed it tae me when it didnae benefit them as a whole. Besides, we are benefitting from this relationship, lad. They will pay us a small fee as well as a portion of their crop yield for adding their sheep and other grazing animals tae ours.”

  Finlay rubbed his chin but then nodded. “Aye, I suppose that is good. And what of the English? Will there be nae more deals with them, then? That General was nae a good man. Perhaps the new one installed at Fort William will have more ideas for money-making.”

  John felt frustrated at the Finlay’s constant thoughts of money. Was it all about gold and progress? John was not understanding, although he should have been, for he understood that thought process very well, and it was what had guided him to Duart in the first place, to take advantage of Calum and Angus when they were at their weakest financially.

  Now that Mull was prospering and only moving upwards, he felt a little satisfaction that he had been part of bringing it about. He wanted it to continue. In his heart of hearts, he realized that above advancement, he cared about the future of his friends. “I think we will keep our minds on this current business for now. I am apprehensive tae speak tae the English about any new matters such as yet.” He saw Finlay’s forlorn expression.

  Why was the man so adamant about money?

  John continued. “But I do know General Andrews, so I will speak tae him when next we meet.”

  Finlay’s expression brightened. At least for the moment, my clan could be saved. He frowned a little, worried that he was attempting to do what was right for everyone and thus would spread himself too thin. For now, he felt it necessary to ease Finlay’s worries, as he wanted to make himself appear a good and proper replacement for his brother. He did not want to worry the people of Clan Campbell unless they meant to remove him from his space as laird.

  Finlay stood. “’ Tis a good plan, laird. Ye will see. I am off tae see tae the new shepherd boy and tae ret
urn tae the training grounds.”

  John nodded. In his current lack of focus, he had forgotten about the training of the men. With other clans and the English so close at hand, and ever-present battles on their hand, he needed his men to stay healthy, fit, and trained with their bows and swords. He had even begun training with muskets when they could get their hands on them. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to train himself, and so lately, he had felt his muscles beginning to get just the littlest bit slack.

  He stood abruptly. “And I shall join ye, lad.”

  Finlay’s eyes widened, and he smiled. “Aye, laird, we were hoping ye would. Let us put swords taegether and see who comes out the victor.”

  Even though Finlay’s statement was made in jest, it made John think of Liam and his attempts to tempt Elizabeth to his bed. Aye, Liam MacLean, we shall see who comes out the victor.

  * * *

  Liam pulled at the wooden boat so that it slid easily onto the shore of the mainland. He stood up, breathing a little hard, and looked at the trees so close to the edge. To the west of him, Fort William stood out, stark and strong against the afternoon sun. Fergus picked up the weapons and stalked next to him, handing him a musket and a sack.

  “Let us go, lad, and see what the forests have for us taeday.”

  Liam took them wordlessly and followed his friend down their usual path. They would enter the woods deeply in all different directions, searching for game, but they would be careful not to encroach too far onto another clan’s land. It was still too early in the MacLean’s return to prosperity to engender the anger of another clan. Besides, Calum was already traveling to the other clans in the area to discuss new land ownership, money, and the English, and would not wish his clansmen to foolishly cause land wars in his absence.

  Liam always enjoyed hunting and leaving Mull for a few hours, if not a few days. He loved the island with his whole heart, and each morning when he saw the view from his cottage, it made him happy and brought back memories of his passed family, but it was not enough. Something had pulled at his heart for years and created an itch in his limbs. The island was too small. There was so much more in the world to be seen and experienced, and he wanted to get out there to do it.

  Perhaps that was why he sought entertainment in every corner of his own tiny space, to keep away the boredom and lack of fulfillment that chewed on the edges of his consciousness. Hunting was like its own adventure, and in that time, he would give himself up to it, becoming part of the bushes or the trees, straining his ears for any sound of a nearby animal. It kept him from remembering

  However, today, his mind was elsewhere, and he felt his heart hurt a little as their boat pushed away from Mull’s shores and out into the calm water of the Sound. He did not have to think long and hard about why his heart was in such a state. His mind was full of Elizabeth as his arms had been full of her the previous day before Fergus and Brea thought fit to catch him in the act and make himself and Elizabeth feel like utter fools.

  Why had she kissed him? Ever since it happened, that question scratched at his mind, and he’d found no peace or sleep at night. He was very happy that she did because he could not think of a more pleasurable experience, but he could not for the life of him think why she had done so. Was she not angry about his rudeness and his forwardness? Was she not too innocent and virginal for the likes of him?

  But at that moment on the hill, it appeared she had let go of all that had before constrained her, for she nearly leaped into his arms. Could it have been the words of his apology that had sent her into a paroxysm of desire? Before Angus had called him to dinner and a meeting, Liam had met with Mrs. MacLean to let her know that her orders had been duly followed and that she need not worry any longer about the state of Lady Elizabeth Darling.

  However, the woman had asked him how Elizabeth had received the apology, and when he blushed and struggled to get out the words, Mrs. MacLean came to her own conclusion and laughed and laughed. Liam had stewed under her laughter, but even her jokes thereafter could not have lessened the pride and satisfaction he had at having received a kiss from such a woman.

  Mrs. MacLean even told him that he was a lucky man and that he should not use Elizabeth Darling ill. He nodded, understanding fully. He knew that Mrs. MacLean had given him such advice in the past, and he had not heeded it. But this time, he wanted to. Why should he wish to use Elizabeth Darling for ill?

  Despite his attempts to avoid the subject, he knew what Mrs. MacLean referred to, and while the thought of bedding Elizabeth had filled his mind and consumed his body, he did not think that it would actually happen. Nor did he intend to push it on her unwillingly or try to charm it out of her. Well, the night of the wedding, he supposed that that was his exact intention.

  But now, things were different. He wanted to respect her, and she was a friend of Charlotte’s, after all. If she was willing, as she seemed to be the other night, perhaps he would agree to bed her. His thoughts twisted and turned in this direction, and he could feel blood speeding towards the one area it should not speed towards, especially not in front of Fergus while hunting in the woods.

  Suddenly, a musket firing burst into Liam’s consciousness. “Damn it!” Fergus yelled, and he turned a scowl to Liam.

  “I missed it, but it was closer tae ye. What in the bloody Hell are ye doin’, lad? We have got animals tae find and bring back! Ye look as if ye are a million miles away from here. I called yer name a few times but heard nothin’ back. I would have preferred tae come even with flighty-minded Fen if this is about as much use tae me as yer going tae be.”

  Fergus crossed his arms over his big chest and stared at Liam for a moment. The expression was comical, for Fergus never flew into a rage, and even if he did, it was never for very long. It was doubly comical since Fergus looked quite similar to Liam, and so Liam often had the odd feeling of looking into a mirror whenever he saw his friend.

  Liam did his best to apologize. “Och, sorry, lad. Ye are right. I was a million miles away. I will find the next one.”

  Just as Liam had predicted, Fergus’s face broke into a wry grin. He slung the musket over his shoulder, and they continued on their way through the woods. “I ken what ails yer mind, friend.” He sighed. “It seems tae be the lot of us MacLean men when Sassenachs come upon our shore.”

  Liam swallowed nervously, not wanting to discuss the kiss with Fergus and how he had been caught in such an intimate embrace. His anger towards his friend had cooled enough that he no longer wanted to punch him in the face. Instead, he felt acute embarrassment.

  Fergus continued unabashedly. “Ye think of that blonde angel, Lady Elizabeth Darling, and how ye had yer arms wrapped around her and were kissing her as if ye wanted tae eat her,” Liam said nothing. “Now, here is me thinking that this lass was one of the ones ye offended the night of the wedding.”

  Liam tried to open his mouth, but Fergus said, “It was the talk of the castle. I prefer tae think of it as the slap heard throughout the land. Why on earth would ye kiss the lass again, lad? She is a friend of Charlotte’s, ye ken? Ye ought tae be treading carefully.”

  Liam’s voice was stiff. “’Twas nae I who kissed her this time, Fergus. She kissed me.”

  With that, Fergus bellowed into laughter, throwing his head back to the sky. Liam’s frustration was growing by the minute. Even though it was a mystery to him why the woman kissed him, he still didn’t like the idea that Fergus found it so unbelievable that she should do so. Once Fergus’ laughter had calmed, he said, “Ye expect me tae believe that a lass as bonny as that, with an English title and wealth and a million prospects, would think tae kiss ye in the middle of Mull right out in the open when she comes tae visit her friend and naething more?” Fergus laughed again, not waiting for Liam’s reply.

  Liam’s fists clenched. Punching Fergus in the face suddenly became a great idea once more, and so, he swung.

  Chapter Twelve

  After reading her letter, Elizabeth stole to the library to rea
d it again, alone. It had been simple enough, and she was greatly relieved that it was not from her imprisoned father, but still, it set her mind to her future once again. It was from her Aunt Mildred.

  It read:

  Dear Elizabeth,

  I hope you will set your mind to your return. I have visited your father, and he is most anxious that you do so. He does not like you being away without chaperonage and has chastised me for not accompanying you.

  My brother does not understand the state of my health very well. Even so, I do wish you would return as soon as you can. Your father has set my mind to thinking about you and wondering what you could be doing once the wedding is complete.

  Remember, you must make a sensible match, if not for yourself, but for the respectability of your family! You are a good woman, Elizabeth. Do not let the brutish Scottish people tarnish your good and pure nature.