A Question of Love (Questions For A Highlander Book 1)

by Angeline Fortin

  “What’s got in to him, do you think?” he heard his brother ask and growled at the butler’s response of, “I’m sure I have no idea, sir.”

  Mounting his horse, Francis kicked him into a gallop around the cobbled circle of Moray Place and down Heliot Street, toward the Queen’s Street Park, a likely destination for a lady riding. Still burning in frustration from her butler’s provoking attitude, he thought he’d have several things to say to Eve on that subject when he found her.

  Ten minutes later, he still had not located her on the normal paths the ladies used for riding. He was about to turn back when he saw her at last, near one of the many small ponds that dotted the park. A flood of emotion set his chest into a tight ache, washing away the frustration and anger that had been simmering inside him.

  God, but she was lovely! Despite the unrelenting black of the riding habit she wore, she took his breath away. He couldn’t wait to have her as his own. As he watched, she squatted down on her haunches, her head bowed. As Francis circled around the trees, he saw that she was with a young boy of perhaps five or six years. Their golden heads were nearly touching as they concentrated on something the boy was holding.

  “And look here, mummy,” he heard the boy’s voice, young and London aristocratic, now. “You can see the mouth if you look closely. You see it? Just there?”

  Her son! Eve had a son, maybe several! He recalled now that she had mentioned a baby but hadn’t considered it farther. Why had he not thought to ask? She had been married for six years; naturally she would have had children. He looked at the boy more closely and saw all of Eve in him. Her coloring, build and features.

  Eve removed her glove and reached out to take what appeared to be a very large earthworm. She held it up before her face. “Why yes, Laurie, I do believe you can see it.”

  Francis could not help but laugh aloud, drawing their attention to him. “Surely, you’re the only lady I have met who would even think of touching one of those!” He dismounted as he spoke.

  Eve rose to her feet and gave him a smile full of surprise and joy as she brushed off her hands with her handkerchief after handing the worm back to her son. “I had an interesting childhood, my lord. What on earth are you doing here?”

  “I came to surprise you,” he gave a nod to the boy. “And who is this with you here?”

  “This is my son, Lawrence, Earl Shaftesbury. Laurie, this is Earl Glenrothes, he is Lord Richard’s brother.” She put a hand proudly on Laurie’s shoulder as the boy made a formal bow in his direction.

  “My lord, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he piped solemnly.

  Francis returned the bow with all seriousness. “Mine as well, my lord,” he replied. “Are you enjoying your outing today?”

  “Oh, yes! Mummy and I ride out every day we can, my lord.” The boy replaced the worm on the ground. “She believes that there is more to learn than a mere classroom can teach you. So we ride, explore or play some sports each day.”

  “Your mum is a very smart lady,” Francis replied with a wink to Eve.

  “Indeed she is, my lord. She went to university as well,” he told Francis. “She is also currently teaching me to play golf.”

  “Aye, she told me she plays,” Francis raised a playful brow. “She has been reticent in accepting my challenge for a round. I believe she is afraid to face it.”

  “Oh, not my mum, my lord,” the boy responded in defense. “Mum isn’t afraid of anything. She will take you on, I am certain of it.”

  “I look forward to the challenge, my lord,” she agreed, with a gleam in her eyes. “Laurie, darling, why don’t you run along for a moment? I believe Lord Glenrothes would like a word.”

  “Yes, mummy,” he answered, and trotted back to the edge of the pond.

  “He seems to be a fine boy, Eden,” he commented looking after the lad with a feeling akin to longing. Glenrothes had always expected to sire an heir, but had wanted a son not only from his sense of duty but also from his sense of family. After his parents had died, he had fulfilled the role of father without hesitation for his ten younger siblings. Never had he resented the responsibility but rather had taken pleasure from it and looked forward to the day he might enjoy his own offspring. He had even fostered Vanessa’s daughter but longed for the fruit of his own loins to nurture. The last several years had forced him to accept Richard’s son, Tristram, as his future heir, but now… Francis felt a surge of anticipation that he might have a family of his own soon. Of course, he had yet to propose to their potential mother.

  “Yes, he is,” she told him proudly. “I’m sorry I did not have you meet him at Raven’s Craig.”

  “I guess I kept you very busy. Is he…” Francis faltered for a moment, “your only child?”

  “Yes.” Eve took Francis’ offered arm as they turned to walk back toward the horses not seeing the expression on his face. “One was enough for William. I believe he thought that pregnancy ruined the aesthetic I was supposed to provide him.” Her words were soft but Francis caught a hint of bitterness in them. “What are you doing in town, Francis?”

  “I couldn’t stay away. I’ve decided to convince you to stay a while longer.” It was the truth. He had much to contend with, but just seeing Eden’s smiling face was enough to bring him confidence that all would be well. “You look so lovely today,” he whispered into her ear, and brushed a kiss just below it, pleased to see her shiver in response. “I would like to kiss you senseless right here in the park.”

  Eve shivered at the thought and looked up at him almost hopefully. In truth, she was thrilled to see him. It had taken everything she had to walk away from Raven’s Craig without him, to accept that she would never see him again. She had felt his loss immediately and keenly, regretting within moments her decision to separate herself from the temptation he provided. In truth, spending some more time in his company before she returned to England would be just the thing for her. This way she might foster a lifetime’s worth of memories to fill the rest of her days with.

  He took her hand in his instead and held it to his lips disappointing them both. “May I escort you home? Or are you continuing on your ride?”

  “We were to continue on until it is time for Laurie’s lessons.” Eve glanced back at her son who was now regarding them with a serious expression. Aware of her proximity to Francis, Eve took a step back, withdrawing her hand with an apologetic smile. “You are, of course, welcome to join us if you’d like.”

  “I would like that, but people might talk when they see us together,” he warned.

  “It’s just a ride in the park with a capable chaperone,” she coaxed. “If anyone is aware of what is allowable and what is not, it is I. Truly, Francis, please try to lighten up a bit.”

  “As you will, my lady.” The earl bowed humbly enjoying her bit of humor. Perhaps there was a chance that Eve would find it within herself to ride out his scandal with him. If she loved him…. The thought brought Francis up short. She hadn’t mentioned any deeper feeling for him, he realized. They had spoken of their attraction, true, but not of the accompanying feelings. Only that she cared for him. He realized that he needed to do a more thorough job of courting to truly engage her heart lest she turn down his offer of marriage.

  He needed her to realize that she loved him as he did her… Francis shook his head in surprise. God, he was in love with her! He turned in the saddle and studied her as she trotted along with her young son. Not just a woman of a beautiful countenance but a woman with a beautiful soul. Caring, witty, and obviously a woman who valued family as much as he. There was nothing about her except perhaps her reticence that did not attract and enthrall him. Even that appealed to him in a way, challenged him to overcome it and to conquer. In love, just as he had been eight years before. More so, in fact, for he was more matured and experienced, as was she. Extraordinary, incredible love.

  “Your family is most delightful, Francis,” Eve told Francis when he joined her after dinner that night. While their
morning had been a pleasant one, Eve had been conscious of her son’s presence and managed to keep the conversation light and inclusive of Laurie. Francis had not minded since the boy was intelligent, despite his youth. He had found himself wishing that the lad were his own and wondered what the son they would someday create together might be like.

  Again through dinner, Eve managed to maintain that buffer of social politeness. Once more at an arm’s length, more than polite. Friendly, but not too friendly. Word must have gotten around his family regarding his intentions since the lot present seemed to glance studiously back and forth between Eve and him. It was rather like being the players in a game of lawn tennis. Waiting and watching. Hopefully, cheering him on.

  Instead of continuing to press her, Francis decided to let her lead the way in whatever relationship they would share, allowing her to go as far as she was comfortable. Unfortunately, it seemed she was choosing the path of non-confrontation as she seemed sure that she would be leaving Edinburgh soon. Silly lass.

  She went on as the tea cart was rolled over and she prepared cups for them both. “I had gotten to know James, Colin and Sean quite well, of course, these past two months, as we prepared their engagement. And Ilona and Coline are such sweet girls.”

  I cannot fathom that you have been so nearby for two months now and I was never aware, Francis lamented to himself. Such time wasted! If only he had known she was so close by all this time! Indeed, they might already be wed if he had known. Wed and able to confront Vanessa’s bothersome presence as a united front. “They are good lads, both,” he agreed, “but I will admit I do not know the Roper girls well. Their father has set a very nice dowry on them, however, and they are his only heirs.”

  “Indeed, but I don’t believe that is why the boys married them. James is quite a rogue, I gather,” Eve continued conversationally. “He is younger than Richard, I believe?”

  Francis nodded, watching James flirt with Moira. James had quite a way with married ladies and bar maids. He never settled on any woman who might be tempted to consider him marriage material. It was surprising to see him flirt with an eligible deb, even if it was just Moira. Francis’ history with his own wife had set most of his older brothers off the institution for a long while. He was not sure that James would ever overcome her influence. “He is a good man though.”

  “He does seem to be,” she readily agreed. “I will admit I haven’t had the opportunity to acquaint myself well with your other brothers yet. Tam, Ian, and Connor?” she asked pointing out into the room. “And Dorian? Am I right?”

  Francis nodded. “Just so. Dorian leaves tomorrow to return to Cambridge so you might not have the opportunity to get to know him well just yet.”

  Connor MacKintosh noticed them, and Eve’s gesture in his direction, and wandered over making a bow to Eve. “My pleasure, my lady.”

  “Very nicely done, Connor,” Eve returned as he favored her with a mischievous grin. “I was just asking Lord Glenrothes about all his siblings,” she explained, before an assumption could be made about their long conversation.

  Connor thanked her as she poured a cup of tea for him as well, indicating that he should join them. “The unruly mob, you mean?” he jested as he sat on a nearby bench, flicking his coat tails out with some flair. “Alas, I am one of the younger lads with only Dorian coming between myself and the wee Heather Blossom,” he admitted. Eve calculated that would make him around a score of years or just a bit more. Of all the MacKintosh brothers, Connor favored Francis the most. In fact, he looked so much like Francis had when she first met him that it made her heart skip a bit to even look at him.

  “I must admit my curiosity,” Eve inserted shaking the thought away, “why do you call Fiona ‘Heather Blossom’?”

  The two men chuckled and shared a look. Francis replied, “Because when she was a bairn and very temperamental, Father said once that she was as prickly as a new heather blossom before it bloomed. It stuck, I guess, as we all call her that. She can still be very prickly, as you may have gathered. In truth, she is quite spoiled.”

  Connor made a rude noise that indicated he thought it was an understatement. “I heard my name mentioned from across the room, Francis,” Fiona said as she skipped over and plopped unceremoniously down next to the younger MacKintosh brother. “What were you referring to?”

  “Simply what a prickly child you are,” Connor told her, tugging her ribbons.

  “I am not a child anymore, Connor!” she protested with a stamp of her foot, while her hands flew to her hair to contain the damage. “I am almost seventeen and Francis said I can make my debut next year.”

  Francis choked. “I said maybe!” he protested.

  Fiona crossed her arms and gave him a look that Eve thought would cow a lesser man. Perhaps she had been spending too much time with Abby of late, Eve thought with an inner smile, handing the girl a cup of tea as well.

  Francis made a quick recovery and changed the subject nicely before Fiona could exact an immediate response from him. “Heather Blossom, Lady Shaftesbury was bragging the other day about her skill on the links.”

  The girl was easily diverted by what was apparently a favorite subject. “Perhaps we should make up a foursome then!” Fiona offered. “We could take the train up one day this week and make a day of it.”

  “That sounds lovely.”

  “I should warn you though, my lady, I am quite good as is Francis. He’s a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrew’s, you know.”

  “I did not,” Eve glanced at Francis with all the appropriate awe that Fiona seemed to think that information required. His eyes returned the humorous sparkle.

  “What of me?” Connor asked offended.

  “Well,” Fiona reluctantly allowed, “Connor is not too bad either.”

  “You have me quite cowering in my boots, Lady Fiona,” Eve returned seriously, though her eyes twinkled to Francis.

  “You know, Lady Shaftesbury,” Fiona offered as she studied the countess. “You don’t seem to be at all like the stick I imaged you to be, given what I had heard.”

  “Fiona!” Francis choked on his own tea and stared at his sister in astonishment.

  “Well, she doesn’t,” his sister defended. She glanced over at Eve. “It is a compliment, you know.”

  “If that’s a compliment, you need to go back to school,” Francis growled.

  “Indeed,” Connor agreed, though his eyes were dancing.

  Fiona shrugged and turned her attention to Eve. “Truly though, you seem more approachable today than at the castle, perhaps it was just the pressure of planning the ball and all that. I haven’t seen you smile a single time before now, you know.”

  Eve opened her fan and waved it casually, staring back at Fiona. “No, I did not know. I’m sorry if I had offended.”

  “Offended me?” she laughed. “Never! I just like to be around people who are cheerful and happy. I can see I was wrong about you before. At least you are nothing like Francis’ damned wife.”

  “Fiona!” Both Connor and Francis chastised her now as she gazed innocently back at them.

  “Well, she’s not!” A look of guilt took over her features then, and she turned with concern back to Eve. “I’m sorry, my lady, did you not know Francis was once married? I am so sorry. Not many people remember, despite what he thinks. But he’s divorced from her now, so it’s alright.”

  “I knew,” Eve whispered, half in horror, while the other half was nearly hysterical with the blunt honesty of the girl. And she had thought herself to be forthright at that age! She’d had nothing on Fiona MacKintosh.

  Fiona waved her tea cup in the air before taking a sip. “Well, worry not, my lady. Nessa is the veriest bitch anyone has ever met. You needn’t worry how you compare.”

  Francis swallowed the rest of his tea in a single swallow and motioned to a footman for something stronger. A man could be driven to drunkenness when dealing with his sister, he thought, and soon there would be no stoppi
ng her! “Blossom, my dear, I am sure there must be another topic that would be more pleasant.”

  “I hardly think so,” Eve teased him. In truth, it was a relief to hear that no one thought well of Francis’ wife. It made it much easier to consider their situation with that knowledge at hand. The possibility of a tryst she once intended to avoid by a hasty retreat back to England. Now Francis’s return to Edinburgh carried her thoughts off again on a tangent of desire versus propriety.

  “Enough, you two,” Francis frowned fiercely, and received no grander response than raised eyebrows from the ladies.

  Fiona sighed and conceded. “Oh, very well! Tell me, my lady, have you ever played St. Andrews before?”

  “No, I haven’t,” Eve responded conversationally with a wink to Fiona. “Please tell me what one may expect.”

  “Well, they are still working on the New Course so it isn’t open yet, but the Old Course…” And off the girl rambled, filling the remainder of the evening with what was clearly a favorite topic.

  Chapter 25

  “I have been noticing these last several days how Francis looks at you,” Moira commented playfully, as she and Eve rocked Abby’s twins in the nursery a few mornings later. “All the hot looks and long, whispered conversations… Even when you were amid Connor and Fiona the other night, it was as if all you saw was each other.”

  Though Francis had elected to keep his distance, respecting her choice to maintain a more friendly relationship, he had Eve sent flowers each morning with a note requesting a ride through the park, which they did daily. He took her to the botanical gardens and on a tour of Edinburgh Castle. When he joined them for dinner each evening, he could not control the way his eyes followed her, nor could she stop watching him with equal intensity. When they went out to the theater or assembly, however, Francis managed to maintain a façade of polite courtesy as she had asked, but marked with enough interest that a casual observer might think that the earl was courting her. It seemed that others had noticed. “I don’t know what you mean…” Eve murmured dismissively.