Donella regarded him with a slight arching of her elegant brows. “Because I thought it my duty to honor my father’s wishes. And your wishes as well, Uncle. Besides, I did express my reservations on at least one occasion.”
“You did?” Alec asked, clearly surprised.
Donella shrugged. “I tried to, but Uncle Callum dismissed them. He said I was simply suffering from maidenly nerves.”
“Your mother told me that any anxiety you might express on this issue was simply maidenly nerves,” the earl said, sounding defensive. “How was I supposed to know any different?”
Mrs. Haddon’s head popped up. “And that is all it was,” she spat out. “If Alasdair hadn’t brought that . . . that woman back with him, everything would have been fine.”
“No, Mamma,” Donella said. “I’m glad Alasdair brought Miss Whitney home with him. Now we’ve both been spared a marriage neither of us wanted.”
“Good Lord, what a mess,” sighed Mr. Gilbride. “I apologize for my role in causing you any unhappiness, my dear. I truly thought you wanted this.”
Donella smiled at him. “It’s not anyone’s fault but my own. Although I did not wish for this marriage, I knew what it meant to the clan and especially to my dear papa. I didn’t want to disappoint him.”
Edie’s mother gave Donella an approving nod. “Such feelings are entirely to your credit, Miss Haddon. Deathbed vows are not to be taken lightly. In your case, however, such a vow would have caused a great deal of harm.”
“What do you know of deathbed vows?” snarled Mrs. Haddon, half-rising from her chair.
“Please, Mamma,” Donella implored. “I believe Lady Reese is correct. As much as I revered my father and cherish his memory, it was wrong of him to ask me to make such a vow, especially since it went against my own wishes as a good Christian.”
The expression on Mrs. Haddon’s face suggested she was about to embark on another rant—or fall into an apoplectic fit.
“Which brings us to another point, Donella,” Mr. Gilbride hastily intervened. “There will be some degree of gossip resulting from this turn of events. The earl, of course, will do what he can to mitigate it, as will your good uncle I have no doubt. But you must be prepared for some unpleasantness, I’m afraid.” He glanced at Alec. “We all must.”
Donella nodded. “I understand, but I don’t expect to be around to hear much of it.”
Lord Riddick frowned. “Why not?”
His niece flashed him a smile that was almost blinding in its radiance. “Because, dear Uncle Callum, I will soon be taking my vows as a postulant with the Sisters of the Holy Cross at their abbey in St. Andrew’s.”
Fergus gaped at her, clearly flummoxed. “You mean you want to become a . . .” he trailed off, as if he couldn’t even say the word.
Donella nodded. “Yes. I’m going to become a nun.”
For the third time in twenty-four hours, pandemonium ensued.
“We’re not even Catholic,” Alec said. “No wonder Aunt Glenna fell into hysterics.”
“From what I’ve seen, she’s always falling into hysterics,” Edie replied.
He couldn’t help laughing—at all of it, including his cousin’s stunning announcement. For the first time in months, he felt free and truly happy, thanks to the bonny lass who rode by his side.
Edie looked dashing and entirely at ease in her trim-fitting habit as she handled her spirited mare. And since she was wearing her spectacles, he had no fear she’d come to any harm. For such a dab thing, Edie was a bruising rider, guiding her horse with competence as well as the zest for life that was so much a part of her.
That included a zest for lovemaking, if last night’s foray into that arena was any indication. Edie had been fairly nervous starting out, but Alec had managed to settle her nerves in a manner extremely pleasing for both of them.
They now had a future together, thanks to Donella’s courage in finally fighting for the life she wanted instead of the one everyone else had chosen for her. It had been heavy going for a while, but Alec was confident that he and Edie had surmounted all major obstacles to their union.
Well, that wasn’t quite accurate. Two possible problems still remained, which he intended to address today. That was why he’d taken Edie riding. They could speak frankly, without the possibility of interruption. She would no doubt have many questions and probably at least a few doubts. He needed privacy, and he needed time to make the proper explanations.
“Aunt Glenna was always prone to nervous excitement,” he explained. “But she seems to have gotten a great deal worse since I last saw her. No wonder Donella wants to enter a convent. I would, too, if it was the only way to escape from her mother.”
Edie laughed. “You’d make a terrible nun. And I’m sure they’d never be able to find a habit big enough to fit you.”
He grinned as he reined in his horse. Since the path had grown narrow down by the stream, he let Edie go before him. Once they cleared the path and entered an open glen, he moved Darius up and joined her.
“So none of you had any idea that Donella wanted to be a nun?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I mentioned to you that she was always very religious, but we had no sense that she wanted to convert, much less bury herself away in a convent. Still, even Grandfather can see how much she wants it, so I think he’ll eventually give Donella his blessing. And I’m sure that Father and I can talk him into making a substantial contribution to the order when she joins.”
Edie cast him a worried glance. “I do hope all the commotion hasn’t been too much of a strain on Lord Riddick. By the time everything finally calmed down, I thought he was looking very tired indeed.”
“He was, but he’s holding up much better than I thought.”
“I’m sure it’s because he’s genuinely happy that you’re home, despite the fact that you’ve stirred up so much trouble.”
He snorted. “That’s the pot calling the kettle black. You’ve been nothing but a pain in my arse since the moment we met.”
She flashed him a cheeky grin. “And you wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Very true, but it does take some getting used to, at least for the others.”
Her smile faded. “I don’t think Fergus has any intention of getting used to me. He was still livid when your grandfather instructed him to take his mother and sister home. I thought you two were going to come to blows again.”
It had gotten rather ugly for a few minutes, with Aunt Glenna alternating between sobbing hysterically and berating everyone and Fergus yelling that Alec’s betrayal was forcing his sister to slink away in shame to a convent. “Yes, it did get a tad medieval there for a few minutes, didn’t it? I rather thought the lad was going to pull one of the old dirks off the wall and run me through.”
Edie shuddered. “That’s an awful thought.”
“Love, I’m joking.”
“Well, don’t. I’m just grateful that Donella was able to intervene in so effective a fashion.”
Yes, his cousin was turning into something of a revelation. She’d shouted Fergus down, and then given her screaming mother a good shake. Unfortunately, that hadn’t really worked, so Lady Reese had tossed a glass of water into Aunt Glenna’s face.
That had cut off the hysterics in mid-shriek. Alec was beginning to like his future mother-in-law a great deal more than he ever thought he would.
“Still,” Edie continued, looking perturbed, “Fergus is clearly furious with you.”
Alec waved it off. “He’ll get over it.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
He wasn’t either, but he didn’t want her to worry. Fergus was his problem, not hers.
“Let’s not talk about it,” he said. “It’s a beautiful afternoon, we’re together, and I’m going to marry you, not my cousin. We should enjoy our moment of victory, at least until the next crisis strikes.”
She slid him a sideways glance—a sly, sensual one that sent heat rushing to his groi
n. He shifted, barely stifling a laugh at how quickly his body responded to her.
“Is that so, Captain?” she said in a light tone. “I do not believe I have yet received a formal proposal.”
“That’s very true, Miss Whitney, and I have every intention of redressing that grievous error in just a little bit.”
She dipped her head, looking at him from under the brim of her jaunty riding hat. “And why the wait?”
“I want you to see something first. And there are a few other things we need to clear up.”
She sighed. “Confound it. I knew it was too good to be true. Now what?”
He hesitated. “Nothing too serious, but I do need to ask you a question.”
“Then just spit it out,” she said. “After everything we’ve been through, surely it can’t be that bad.”
“I hope not. It’s just that I know you’re not very keen on the Highlands, or Scotland, for that matter. And while we’ll certainly be able to spend part of the year in London and Edinburgh, I do need to spend the bulk of my time here at Blairgal. Especially now that Grandfather’s health is poor. I trust that won’t make you too unhappy.”
Part of him steeled himself for her answer—that she intended to spend most of the year in London or at her family’s estate in Hampshire, whether he could accompany her or not. He’d take her any way he could get her, but he dreaded the thought of having a fashionable marriage where husband and wife rarely crossed paths. He’d fought too hard to win her, and he wanted Edie with him as much as possible.
“Good Lord, Alec. Where in God’s name did you get the inane idea that I don’t like the Highlands?” she demanded.
He was so surprised he dropped his hands, and Darius broke into a canter. He reined him quickly in so Edie could catch up. “I got it from you,” he said. “From all those cutting remarks about Scottish oafs, and all the jokes about the Highlands and my demented family.”
She winced. “Surely to God you didn’t take all that seriously.”
When he raised his eyebrows, she flapped a hand at him. “All right. From now on, don’t listen to me.”
“I’ll remember that the next time you scold me,” he said drily.
“Except for when I’m scolding you. And besides, I never called your family demented. That was Mamma.”
“I concede the point. But seriously, Edie—”
“Seriously, Alasdair Gilbride,” she cut in. “I think Scotland is beautiful, at least what little I’ve seen of it. And I’m very eager to learn more about your family and the history of Blairgal. Even the clan, now that I’m going to be part of it. I might act like a featherbrain on occasion, but I was rather good at history, and I’m looking forward to learning more about yours.”
He scoffed. “You are anything but a featherbrain, love. But are you sure you won’t be missing your sister too much? I know what that relationship means to you.”
She gave him a misty sort of smile. “And you’re a dear to think of it. I miss Evie dreadfully, but she and Wolf will be spending a great deal of time on the Continent now that he’s been assigned to the Foreign Office. We’ll simply have to schedule our visits to London to coincide with theirs. And they can also visit Blairgal—I’m sure they’d love it.”
“You truly don’t mind spending most of the year at Blairgal?” he said, still skeptical.
“It’s a castle, Alec! A beautiful, big castle. And you’re rich. Honestly, most of the girls in London would kill to be in my shoes.” Then she laughed. “I only wish I could see the look on their faces when they find out I’m going to marry you. Especially that dreary Calista Freemont.”
“Ah, so that was your evil plan. Use me to restore your shattered reputation and lord it over your former friends.”
“If it wasn’t my plan, it should have been. It’s an awfully good one, don’t you think?”
He laughed, loving the curve of her lush mouth and the humor in her beautiful eyes. She would no doubt lead him in a merry dance for the rest of his days, and he couldn’t wait.
“Yes, love, I do.”
“Splendid. Now, is there anything else?”
He nodded. This was the last hurdle to clear before they were home free. “Yes, just one more thing. It’s about Fergus, partly, and why my family was so insistent I marry Donella.”
Her eyebrows ticked up over the rim of her spectacles. “There’s more to it than clan and family loyalty?”
He nodded.
She looked thoughtful. “I suppose that makes sense. It did strike me as rather strange that they were all so insistent on it. Family honor and loyalty is one thing, but it seemed exaggerated.”
“Under normal circumstances, I would agree with you. But it’s more complicated than it appears.”
“And it concerns Fergus?” She flashed him a grin. “Is he the rightful heir to Blairgal Castle and all its estates, and are you an evil interloper who somehow managed to have him cast aside and deprived of his true place in the world?”
He let out a ghost of a laugh. Even though she was clearly joking, she’d hit it bang on the mark without even trying. “Yes, actually, I am.”
Her smile turned to one of puzzlement. “You are . . . what? An evil interloper? I don’t understand.”
He shook his head. “Not evil, but some might think me an interloper. Some, in fact, do think that.”
Her smile faded completely. “What are you talking about, Alec?”
He took the plunge. “You said once that Wolf and I were very close, almost like brothers. Well, you’re not far off. Wolf is my first cousin, through our fathers.”
When she drew her mare to a halt, he was forced to do the same. She stared at him then shook her head, clearly not understanding.
“Walter Gilbride is not my true father,” Alec said. “I’m the natural-born son of the Duke of Kent.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“That certainly explains a lot,” Edie said, after Alec had briefly outlined his complicated family history. It was so fascinating and surprising that she barely noticed their horses were presently meandering through a lovely stand of yew trees that lined the narrow road. “It was never really about Donella, was it? It was about Fergus.”
Alec nodded. “Yes, and in a way I can’t blame them, at least Aunt Glenna and Fergus. I think my grandfather simply feels guilty about it, especially since Fergus has been such a great support to him.”
Edie was silent for a few seconds as she tried to sort it out in her head. Alec’s stunning announcement had left her speechless, and her lack of response clearly unnerved him.
“It’s a lot to take in,” he said, still looking worried. “And you’re sure it doesn’t bother you?”
“That you’re the by-blow of a prince? Or that some members of your family think you’re the cuckoo in the nest?”
He let out a startled chuckle. “Both, I suppose. By the way, I suggest you refrain from using those terms when talking to your dear mamma about this.”
She shook her head. “Don’t worry about Mamma. After the last few weeks, I’m convinced she can manage just about anything. Besides, she already has one son-in-law who’s the illegitimate son of a prince. What’s one more?” She couldn’t help laughing at how ridiculous that sounded. “Good Lord, what are the odds?”
While Wolf was fairly close to his father, the Duke of York, Lord Riddick had objected to Alec forming a relationship with his natural father. Under the circumstances—the illicit seduction of a young, innocent woman who’d been married for only a few years—Edie didn’t blame him at all.
“Astronomical, I would imagine,” Alec replied. “Are you sure you don’t want me to explain it to her? I don’t want her fussing at you.”
Evelyn had told her some weeks ago that Alec was a soft touch, which Edie had found hard to believe. But these last few weeks had shown her just how gentle he was underneath his brash exterior, as well as protective of anyone under his care or responsibility.
“Trust me, she won’t,” sh
e said. “I am completely redeemed in her eyes, thanks to you. Funny how snagging a rich, titled husband will do that.”
His eyes gleamed with amusement. “I’m happy to be of service.”
Oh, Edie could think of all sorts of ways he could be of service, especially in the bedroom. She supposed it illustrated a true lack of modesty on her part, but after their intimate encounter last night, her wedding day couldn’t come soon enough.
When the laughter faded from his expression, she cocked an enquiring eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Fergus. I’m afraid he might not make it easy on you, at least at first. I’m not quite sure how Grandfather will handle things, either.”
“I’ll handle Fergus. As for your grandfather, don’t you think he’ll want you to be happy?”
He hesitated just a fraction too long. “Of course. But he’s very close to Fergus. My cousin held things together while I was gone, and that’s something that neither I nor my grandfather will ever forget.”
He gazed straight ahead, looking rather grim. “I owe Fergus a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.”
Edie mentally sighed. The puzzle pieces were finally falling into place, and she didn’t much like the image they presented. But she held her tongue, because at that moment they broke free of the woods.
A gracious old house rose before them. It was painted in a warm shade of yellow, with brick bays and a turreted roof. A small archway divided two neat wings, leading into a cobbled courtyard. In the center of the yard and just before the front door was a pretty stone fountain empty of water and looking a little worse for wear. But the yard was tidy and there was a general air of neatness about the place. Edie saw pretty lace curtains in the windows and smoke wafting up from the chimneys.
“And what’s this?” she asked as they clattered to a halt in the yard.
Alec swung down from his horse and came around to help her dismount. “It’s an old hunting lodge. When I was a boy, it used to get quite a lot of use, especially when guests were in residence. No one really uses it anymore, but Grandfather has kept it up.”
How to Marry a Royal Highlander Page 28
