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

by Angeline Fortin

  “Damn the bloody scandal, Eden!” Francis burst out and squatted before her, taking her hands in his. “I cannot care about scandal when we have much bigger problems. We need to keep him away from you, from Laurie, and from announcing to everyone who he is until we can find out legally where you stand, not because of the scandal but for your own safety. Are they even legally married anymore?” he questioned the room at large.

  No one knew.

  “You’re right,” Eve conceded, trying to set aside her concerns. “We need to focus on the bigger issue. What do we do?”

  “First, I’ll visit my solicitor first thing in the morning to figure out the legality of this whole mess.” Francis paced away, his steps as animalistic as a lion on the prowl, and turned to refill his own glass. “If you are still married – legally, that is – you can petition for the divorce as you had planned before.”

  “I say we just find him and dump him in the firth.” Jack raised his glass in a mock toast. “If no one knows who he really is, and the earl is already dead on record, then there should be nothing to it.” He tipped back the glass with a satisfied nod. “Not even a crime, really, as the fellow’s already dead.”

  “While Merrill’s idea does hold a certain appeal,” Francis snorted (since actually it held a lot of appeal given his current mood), “perhaps that shouldn’t be our first course of action.”

  “It does raise another question though.” Abby tapped her lips thoughtfully. “Where is he staying? Does he even have funds available to him at this point? I mean, he probably cannot draw on the Shaftesbury funds at any of the local banks, given most know Eve here.”

  “Good question,” Francis nodded. “We should check the hotels and find out where he has been staying and what kind of resources he has available here.”

  “There’s something else that is bothering me though,” Eve considered. “Does it not seem, upon reflection, as if he were trying to provoke you into creating a scene? As if he wanted you to attack him? He was set on dragging me out of the room, but once you reacted, he gave in calmly. Too easily.”

  “That’s true and an excellent point. I had noticed it myself. And Vanessa,” Abby added, “she knew who he was, didn’t she? Hadn’t we been thinking this week that she was up to something?”

  Nods of comprehension flowed through the room. “They’re planning something together,” Moira put in. “They are trying to ruin the two of you somehow!”

  “But to what purpose?” Eve asked. “William abhorred the thought of scandal beyond anything. What might he gain by bringing one upon us now? I would think that getting Laurie and I out of here quickly and quietly would be more to his benefit.”

  “So for some reason, they want the attention, the gossip.” Francis rubbed his bottom lip thoughtfully. “It gives us much to consider.”

  Chapter 39

  “A William Ashley-Cooper is here to see you, my lady,” Hobbes announced late the next morning. His voice was skeptical and filled with enough disdain to rouse the ire of the man who entered the parlor behind him.

  “Your job is in jeopardy, man. Learn quickly to respect your betters lest you find yourself on the street.”

  Hobbes bowed formally, saying only, “The streets may hold an alluring appeal in the weeks to come, sir.”

  William gaped at the butler. “That’s it! You are relieved of your duties. Leave!”

  “While one must appreciate your… fervency on the matter, sir,” Hobbes replied with his haughtiest intonation, “I fear that I care little for the words of one with so little… standing.”

  “Why you..!” Ashley-Cooper burst out, only to have Eve’s cool voice cut him off.

  “That will be all for now, Hobbes. You may go.” Eve caught the wink and near smile the butler cast at her before turning smartly.

  “Send the tea cart,” the once earl snapped.

  “Refreshments are reserved for guests, sir.” Hobbes rebutted in a low voice as he left the room and Eve pressed her lips together to stop the smile that threatened.

  Dear Hobbes! Eve had been waiting anxiously in the parlor for two hours now, anticipating William’s arrival. Her nerves were frazzled to near apoplexy by the time the door chime had rung. She must remember to express her thanks to Hobbes for relaxing those nerves so handily before she had to speak with her husband. She felt more powerful facing this dreaded interview knowing she had such staunch allies.

  “Will you sit, William?” she asked in her most cordial voice, determined to allow no trace of fear or nerves to show.

  “I want him dismissed,” he demanded with cool disdain.

  “I assure you, he will never head your household,” was all she offered.

  Ashley-Cooper paced for a moment before he visibly regained his calm and sat flipping the tails of his morning coat dramatically. “Well, wife, what have you to say?”

  Eve folded her hands perfectly in her lap and regarded him evenly. The past year had aged him quite a bit. Though he was in his middle forties, William had always looked much younger with his fair boyish looks, but now he seemed more haggard, his blond hair dulled, if not grayed. But he was colder as well. Evidently more erratic. The William she had known would never have shown anger as he had done with Hobbes. This man was unpredictable. That was enough to scare her. “I have a solicitor this morning examining the law to determine whether we remain legally wed.”

  “We are, of course,” he insisted. “You are my wife.”

  “As I said, that remains to be seen.” The countess took a deep breath. “Beyond that issue, what may I help you with? You said you had wanted to see me. Why?”

  “I have come to fetch you home.”

  “Beyond that issue, I said.”

  “I want to see Lawrence. Bring my son to me, now,” he ordered with an imperious hand that Eve studied even as her heart trembled in fear. William had always been like that. The king of his realm, his every whim to be granted. She had given into it for so long, her strength to rebel quashed by the force of his presence.

  “I fear Laurie is not here at present,” Eve offered, with just enough of a touch of false regret in her voice to bring a frown to his face.

  “You know I have always hated that common nickname,” he told her. “Fine. Where is he then?”

  “His tutor has taken him to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery to discuss the history and historical figures of the area.” It was a complete lie, of course. While they had made that trip the previous week, Laurie was currently in the nursery at his lessons with a bevy of footmen guarding him against any attempts by William to steal him away. “After that they will be spending the afternoon at the Central Library.

  “At least you have kept up his lessons,” William said snidely.

  “I thought you cared nothing for your only child, William,” Eve sniffed in disdain, though her insides were churning with fear and uncertainty with what was to come. “I believe you said last night that you could make another just like him.”

  “I was angry, of course,” the once earl brushed away the rebuke as if it had mattered not. “Your behavior these past weeks has quite raised my temper. All about town is abuzz with the gossip of your affair with a married man. The scandal is appalling.”

  “He is not married.”

  “His wife feels that he did her a serious wrong in forcing the divorce,” he said mildly. “Many influential people in town sympathize with her plight.”

  “She is a bitch and a liar!” Eve retorted, raising her voice just slightly.

  William tsked, shaking his head with mock sorrow. “You see? Listen to yourself. Is it my absence or the influence of these rustic Scots that has brought you to this? It seems my constant vigilance is needed to keep you in line.”

  “You don’t scare me anymore, William!” she yelled in a quavering voice, standing with her fists balled at her sides. But he did. He scared her to the core with his glacial eyes and tone that spoke of all the things he might do to control her. “I have friends now
, William. Not just the ones that you allowed me but real friends that will never let you hurt me or Laurie.”

  “Who?” he sneered. “That pitiful Scot and his low family?”

  “That pitiful Scot is twice your size and could beat you into the ground if he chose,” she told him with satisfaction.

  William sauntered closer to her and though she wanted to flee in terror, it was all Eve could do to stand her ground. But when he gripped her upper arms and shook her, Eve couldn’t stop the squeal of terror that escaped her. “Let me go!”

  “Let her go,” a deep voice repeated the order from the doorway and Eve sagged with relief that someone had come to help her, even if it wasn’t the certain someone she needed right now.

  “Who are you?” William scowled at the newcomer, not releasing Eve’s arms.

  “I am one of those friends she just warned you about.” Jack Merrill strolled into the room with his hands tucked casually into his pockets. He was the picture of casual nobility in his dark gray morning suit, his dark hair windblown while his golden eyes held nothing more than condescension.

  “Ha!” William spat out, taking in the unfamiliar intruder with a jaundiced eye, “another lover, more like.” He glared back down at Eve with a disgusted sneer. “Have you whored yourself for every rustic in the area then?” He shook her roughly again and shoved her away. Jack rushed forward to steady her before she fell.

  “Are you alright?” Jack whispered as he led her to a chair and eased her down.

  Eve looked up into Jack’s golden eyes and clearly saw concern and caring in eyes that had never done more than mocked or teased. “I’m fine. Thank you so much,” she said gratefully.

  Jack shrugged off her thanks and the arrogant light returned to his eyes as he turned and faced Ashley-Cooper with his full height and brawny Scots body, crowding out Eve’s view of her husband.

  Haddington was all earl as he glowered at the slighter man before him. “I can’t believe you married this scrawny aristocrat, Evie darlin’,” he drawled as he circled the other man slowly, a mocking grin curling his lips.

  William drew himself up, but then withdrew a bit in the face of Merrill’s unruffled arrogance and burly size. “I was having a discussion with my wife. You have no right to interfere.”

  Jack merely shook his head with a cluck of his tongue. “You know, last night my initial solution to your presence was merely to kill you and have done with it. In my mind, it is quite the quickest and easiest solution and, truly, what is another weighted body in the river? I do so hate wasting my time with such triviality as you represent.” His voice was uncaring, nonchalant, and William’s eyes widened slightly.

  “Heathens such as he are your friends now, Evelyn?” William sneered, though Eve could see some trepidation in his eyes. While Francis’ threat the previous evening had been one of angry aggression with a palpable potential for physical harm, Eve realized William had been prepared for what it entailed. Jack’s offhand threats, it seemed, presented an incalculable risk that left her husband with some apprehension, if not outright fear. It was a pleasure to see.

  Eve looked up at Jack with an amused half-smile twitching the corner of her mouth. “It would seem so.”

  Jack waved a bored hand. “Why don’t you leave now, before I decide to proceed with my first instincts? I do have a bit of spare time this morning. Then we can be done with this.”

  “Fine,” William’s voice grew low and cool. “I will go for now. Evelyn, I want you ready in two days to return to London. I am quite done with this backwoods place and have other business to take care of. Did you hear me?”

  Eve tilted her head to the side at his frosty tone and stared at him for a minute. “I did hear you, William.”

  “Then see that you obey as you vowed to do!” William turned on his heel and stomped out of the room, leaving Eve and Jack staring at each other.

  “Did that bastard hurt you?” Jack asked, his previous worry once again showing in his eyes.

  Holding her hands out before her, Eve could see that they had started to shake and a tiny sob escaped her, but it was enough for Jack to squat before her and take her hands in his. “Tell me you’re fine.”

  “I’m fine,” she parroted, but when his arms came around her, Eve accepted the comfort and leaned her cheek against his shoulder while tears of relief flowed from her eyes. “I was so scared when he grabbed me. I thought he was going to try and drag me out of here. He is so angry, Jack.”

  “He didn’t look too mad.”

  “The quieter and calmer William gets, the angrier he is,” she said into his shoulder. “He was quite livid.”

  “Good thing he left then.”

  Eve accepted his embrace for a couple more minutes before she drew back and met his eye as he remained on his haunches level with her. “Thank you, Jack,” she said simply. “That was most decent of you.”

  “I would rather have ripped his head from his shoulders,” he shrugged carelessly.

  “You know, you might, maybe, be just a little likeable.” She squeezed his big hand between her own small ones affectionately.

  Jack threw back his head and laughed, before raising her hands and pressing a kiss to them. “Does that mean you are ready to forsake Francis for me then?” he asked with a warm twinkle in his eye.

  “No,” she laughed, “but I might be more willing to tolerate your company from time to time.”

  They laughed, comfortable with each other for the first time. “I’m sorry I called you a swine,” Eve offered.

  Jack frowned in confusion. “When did you do that?”

  “The first time we met.”

  “Oh, I was so drunk after accepting my fate to wed!” he chuckled. “I hardly remember our first meeting at all.”

  “Well, if you don’t remember, I take it back,” she responded pertly and joined him in laughter again.

  “Am I interrupting something?” Francis asked from the doorway and as the misery of the last hour flooded Eve, she pushed Jack away and raced to Francis throwing herself into his arms.

  “I say!” Jack sputtered as he sprawled on his backside. “Some thanks this is!”

  “Thanks for what?” Francis asked as he held Eve against him. “I got a message from Hobbes while I was with my solicitor, but he merely said I was needed. What happened?”

  “That bastard Shaftesbury nearly assaulted Eve!” Jack exaggerated and Francis started pulling back from Eve to stare down at her in concern.

  “Are you alright? What happened?” He ran his hands up and down her arms as if to ensure that Eve was healthy and whole.

  “Jack exaggerates, as usual,” Eve rolled her eyes. “William came as we expected.” They had agreed the previous evening that Francis would not be present for this morning’s visit lest he and William come to blows and they lose the opportunity to discover the man’s motivations. Eve had insisted that he instead see his solicitor to inquire after the marriage legalities. “He made some subtle threats, and not so subtle demands, and grabbed my arms.”

  “He was shaking her like a ragdoll when I came in,” Jack corrected, brushing himself off as he stood. “Her head might have snapped right off.”

  “Jack really,” was her scold, but she admitted, “I was scared, it’s true, but thankful Jack was here to scare him off.”

  “Why weren’t you there earlier?” Francis growled at his friend. “I asked you to be here first thing this morning.”

  “Overslept,” Jack shrugged. “At least I was present when it mattered.”

  “He’s right, Francis, leave him be,” cautioned Eve when Francis looked ready to show his friend his fist. “He was here when it mattered and it is over with.”

  “For now.”

  “For now,” she allowed.

  “So what does he want?” Francis asked at length.

  “Just what he said last night. He wants Laurie and I back in London. I’m certain he wants his identity and wealth back as well and might need me there to accomplis
h that. He seems insistent that we leave very soon.” Eve crossed her arms. “He wants to punish me.”

  “He will not have that opportunity, I promise you,” Francis assured her softly, cupping her cheeks in his hands. His thumbs caressed in slow circles as he lowered his forehead to touch hers.

  “I know.” Eve sighed when he lowered his lips to hers, brushing them lightly.

  Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Jack interrupted the private moment. “Please! I haven’t eaten as yet. Come Francis! So what says the solicitor, married or not?”

  “He believes not, in the most basic generalities,” the earl told them, giving Eve one last kiss before stepping aside. “In normal situations, anyway. The formality of the investigation of his death by the crown and the legal transfer of his title should mean that William Ashley-Cooper does not exist and Eve is a widow, but he is uncertain whether the ruling might be overridden when he presents himself at court and all his properties are reinstated to him.” He cast a sidelong glance at Eve, who read the implications easily.

  “And I am one of those properties,” she said hollowly.

  “It would depend how the courts rule. He may just get the properties and the marriage would remain dissolved, especially if you had already remarried,” he hinted. “It behooves us to have it done quickly.”

  “If he is reinstated as earl, he will have legal right to Laurie,” was her dull reply. “He will take my son from me.”

  “We won’t allow that, Eve.”

  Eve stared up at him with pained eyes. “You won’t be able to stop him, Francis. It would be his right. And before you say it, a divorce won’t fix it either. He would still get custody of Laurie and where in the past he might have let me raise him just because he didn’t like or need him, he would keep him now simply to spite me. To cause me pain.”

  “Eve…”

  “No! You don’t understand! How can you understand? I won’t lose my son, Francis!” Eve cried and fled the room in tears. “I’ve been through too much!”