Questions for a Highlander

by Angeline Fortin

  Less than a month later, she had married his best friend, Francis MacKintosh – a man who had claimed he would disdain women for the remainder of his life! – claiming to be madly in love.

  Unbelievable!

  Events of the past few weeks had warmed their relationship to a tentative friendship though, even now, their interactions were cordial at best. But despite that, he almost liked the lass and for the life-long companionship of his best friend, Jack still made random attempts to be friendly with her. So, when he had seen her in the park this morning, he had ridden over to make his greetings, only to discover the woman was not Evelyn at all. He racked his brain for a memory that might enlighten him, and picked out a moment when he had recently heard his sister and the countess discussing Evelyn’s wish to visit her sister.

  “Ahh, the sister, yes?” He snapped his fingers and gave her a nod.

  Through this all, while the man had been ruminating in his own thoughts, Kitty had been studying him in turn. The fellow is devastatingly handsome! she thought, though it was an inappropriate thought for a married woman to have. Her eyes swept over him much as his had her. Even atop his horse, she could tell he was extraordinarily tall and broad, his thighs bunching with muscle as they gripped his horse’s side. His hair was unfashionably uncovered, but the dark brown strands glistened with gold in the early morning sunlight. His face was craggy with roughly hewn features, as if the artist who had sculpted them had neglected to smooth them out; prominent cheekbones, the plains of his cheeks cut by a long slash that dissolved into long dimples when he smiled, white teeth flashing against his tanned skin. A hard chin, broad forehead and bumpy nose, but together the combination was ruggedly appealing. Not beautiful, but gorgeous nonetheless. And his eyes! Liquid, molten gold! Amazing. She could stare at them all day. The thought came to her that Frederick was a mere boy compared to this man. For a man he was, indeed!

  “Are you going to stare all day, lass?” The deeply amused voice was heavy with a Scottish brogue and sent shivers up her spine.

  “I am not staring.”

  “No?”

  “No, merely assessing.”

  “And what is your assessment?”

  “Found wanting!” Kitty returned, and blushed at his answering burst of laughter.

  “I’m afraid I cannot say the same of my earlier…assessment,” he drawled, and she colored even more. The blush was enchanting, and enhanced her cool beauty. Where the countess was all ice, this lady was fire indeed, as if the flaming tones of her habit had been reflected from her soul.

  “If you will not grace me with your name, may I at least introduce myself? Lord John Merrill, Earl of Haddington.” He bowed slightly from the saddle.

  Chapter 8

  I don’t know if I should care for a man

  who made life easy;

  I should want someone who made it interesting.

  - Edith Wharton

  “Katherine Hayes,” Kitty answered automatically before his words sunk in. “Earl of Haddington?” she squeaked out loud, as it finally registered to her just who this man was. “Lord John Merrill?”

  He bowed again from the waist. “At your service. Though my friends call me Jack.”

  “You are Abby’s brother?” she asked aghast. Kitty nearly choked on that piece of information. This was Abygail’s big brother? Gads, he was nothing like she had pictured him to be after all the sweet stories Abby had told. This was the man who had spoiled Abby through her childhood and had then protected her from teasing and abuse following the accident that had scarred her face so badly? This was the brother of kindness and compassion that her friend had spoken so fondly of? Abby had to be kidding! This man was no knight in shining armor! Those eyes were filled with arrogance and pride. He probably didn’t have a sensitive bone in his whole body!

  Clearly, he was a bit of a rogue as well with his hot, assessing looks and lazy eyes. “I’ll be damned! You are not at all how I pictured you, you know?”

  “How did you picture me?” he asked, amused and not at all offended by her unladylike language.

  “More like a knight in shining armor, given the stories Abby told about you.” She raised an eyebrow. “I was expecting some Galahad. Clearly her opinions are biased.”

  “Is it an American tendency that prompts all of you to be so honest?” the man queried with a tone that prompted Kitty to elevate both brows.

  “Well, you needn’t say ‘American’ in that way, as if you have muck on your boots or some such thing,” she reprimanded as coolly as Eve might.

  “Americans! Your sister holds no punches back and I found in my travels there that the land is essentially uncivilized, despite the growth of its population and the attempts at culture in the major cities.” The insult was evident in his voice.

  “‘The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops – no, but the kind of man the country turns out’,” she bit out, angry that he would disparage the land of her birth so vehemently.

  “What?”

  “What what?” Her steam receded as rapidly as it had inflated, at the comical look of confusion on his face.

  “Where did you get that?”

  “Ralph Waldo Emerson.”

  “Ahh, leave it to the American to quote an American.”

  “Fine then, ‘The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out’,” she fired back promptly.

  “Who on earth said that?”

  “Your own Baron Macauley” she answered, with a grin of delight at his disconcerted expression.

  “Baron…who?”

  “Thomas Babington Macauley, he was an English historian.”

  “My God, remind me never to get into a battle of rare quotes with you,” Jack laughed, showing off those long dimples and revealing pleasing laugh lines by his eyes as well. “So provide me your assurances, you are Lady MacKintosh’s sister then? I am not just imaging it? I believe Abby mentioned in her letters you both went to school with her.” He considered her for a long moment, looking her up and down once again, as another thought occurred to him. When he had initially met the widowed countess, he had assumed her wealth as her husband’s, only to discover too late that the larger portion of it would be derived from her father, a wealthy American of some note, though the name escaped him. If Evelyn possessed such wealth, surely her sister would as well. He stroked his lower lip thoughtfully.

  “You can stop that speculative assessment, Haddington.” The woman’s humor-filled voice cut into his thoughts.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, unashamed to be caught looking.

  “Eve and Abby have both written me all about how you’re looking for an heiress to marry.” It was all Kitty could do to restrain her laughter at the look of astonishment that flooded his handsome face.

  “They have?” he asked, taken aback. Damn! She was forthright.

  “Sure, I know all about how you chased after Evie before she married Glenrothes.” He had the good grace to flush just a bit. “You were – in her words, of course – like a burr she could not shake off.”

  “Of course, I was,” he agreed dryly, with a slight curl of his lip. Evelyn would say that.

  “Alas, but it never would have worked out between us anyway,” Kitty continued with a tragic sigh, raising the back of her hand to her brow.

  “Really, why is that?” he asked, enjoying her moment of theatrics. “Are you not an heiress then?”

  “Oh, I am an heiress all right,” she corrected, enjoying the leap of pleasure that expressed itself on his face.

  “What is the problem then?”

  “Unfortunately, I am already married,” she said sadly, before grinning up at him. “So you see, you will have to continue your pursuit somewhere else.”

  “That is too bad.” Merrill was surprised to feel disappointed beyond the mere loss of an heiress to court. Indeed, he was. The lass before him was vastly intriguing. This Katherine Hayes had all the
physical appeal of her sister, but the execution was completely different. Radiant. That’s what this lass was. Pure fire! It flashed from her eyes and shone in her dark blond hair. A true Yank. Impudent but playful. He found her brazen and humorous and it may have been, just maybe, that he actually found that appealing. Strange that he could never remember simply enjoying the repartee of any woman, besides those of his family, close friends like Moira, or Francis’ sister Fiona who, while very young, was a fair imp.

  “If you are going to consider finding a wife,” she continued with a note of seriousness in her voice as she waggled a finger in his direction, “it might behoove you to stop rudely looking over your prospects like meat at the market. If this is how you approach all the heiresses you have met, I am not surprised you haven’t found one to wed you yet.”

  “Oh, it’s not so simple,” he countered, finding honesty falling easily from his tongue where with anyone else he might have found witty sarcasm a better retort. “In truth, I could have probably made a match already, but these young lasses are so silly and featherheaded that even my most dire straits cannot compel me to offer.”

  “Bigger pill to swallow than you originally thought, hmm?”

  “Indeed, it is,” he confessed, finding this candid banter refreshing. “I am finding that marrying just anybody simply will not do, especially if I must have an heir from her at some point. I could not imagine bedding…er, well, I’m sure you get the point.”

  Kitty twisted her lips, responding wryly. “Yes, I have a very clear picture in my mind.”

  He could not repress the urge to laugh aloud. “You’re an impertinent lass, aren’t you? I cannot imagine that you and Evelyn are sisters, though your looks proclaim the truth.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, lass, in case you weren’t aware, you look enough alike to be twins.”

  Kitty laughed brightly at his sardonic jest. “No, not that! The other! Oh, you know what I meant!”

  Haddington joined her in laughter before answering her true question. “The countess is always so very reserved and haughty in company,” he told her, remembering how she had always responded to him when he was pursuing her.

  Eve, haughty? Kitty nearly laughed. Obviously, this man did not know the real Eve well after all, or at least the Eve of her youth. “I might surprise you to know then, that as children, Eve was always the one getting us into trouble.” She leaned in, confidentially lowering her voice, “I am the quiet one.”

  The man rolled his eyes in doubt as she laughed. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Did you ever consider that maybe, just maybe, Eve simply didn’t like you?” Kitty asked him with forthright honesty. Of course, she knew it was true. Eve had written several letters referring to Haddington and how he ‘courted’ her. Of course, if he hadn’t bollixed up their initial meetings, who knew what might have happened. He did seem more likable to her than Eve had let on.

  “Why should she not like me?” the nobleman asked without diffidence. “I am an earl, personable, humorous and handsome.”

  “And apparently just a bit conceited,” she added with a snort and more laughter, a sound Haddington was discovering he liked very much, for she didn’t titter like most women but laughed fully from the core. Her rich, warm laugh flowed over him.

  “Well,” he said straight-faced, with a shrug of immodesty, “my history and success with women in the past suggests it is all true.”

  “Good God, Haddington!” she exclaimed, holding her sides as she doubled up. “You will have me in stitches! Remind me not to recommend any of my friends to further your cause. There is simply no room in any house for a respectable woman and an ego such as yours!”

  “Do you have other wealthy friends?” he asked deadpan, pleased when she hooted merrily once more and he joined her.

  “Oh, Haddington!” she wiped her eyes as she continued to chuckle.

  “Please call me Jack,” he offered, surprising himself. “I feel we will become great friends, Katherine Hayes.” He bowed to Kitty and held out a hand to her, though she didn’t take it but only eyed it suspiciously. “May I have permission to call on you?

  “Why not?” she returned, shaking off the shadow that had crept over her. She had conversed with this man for almost ten minutes. She hadn’t felt threatened by him at all and he had made her laugh more than she had in years. It was a nice feeling. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to befriend him. “If I am to call you Jack, then please call me Kitty.”

  “Very well, Kitty. I must be going then. I have heiresses to hunt!” He winked roguishly. “I bid you good day then.” With that, he turned and rode away from her, leaving her staring after him.

  What a wonderfully humorous man! Certainly, he had far too much sense of self. Still, she could see now why Abby adored him so, but was at a loss to understand why Eve had so immediately disliked him. Why, a man like that, with his looks and witty humor, might easily have what might be lacking in his pocketbook overlooked by any woman with eyes in her head and an appreciation for his ability to make a girl feel like the fairest on earth! The fire in his eyes was enough to make her feel giddy and beautiful. Kitty was still inwardly contemplating her amusement at the developing situation when Eve broke through the trees and rejoined them on the path.

  “Where did you go?” Kitty asked as she met up with her on the path.

  “I went to get you something. A surprise.”

  “What is it?” Eve held out the small burlap sack to her sister. “Oh! Evie! Coffee!”

  “I thought you might be missing it.”

  They arrived back at the mews of the Glenrothes townhouse and dismounted near the waiting grooms. Evelyn led the way inside and offered a smile to Hobbes. “Can you see this prepared and have it brought to my sitting room, please?” she handed him the burlap sack of coffee beans.

  “Of course, my lady.”

  Arm in arm, Kitty and Evelyn climbed the stairs with their heads together, up to Evelyn’s private room where they relaxed against the sofa as they waited for the coffee to be brewed. “Can I ask you a question, Evie?”

  “You know you can.”

  Kitty toyed with the lace cover over the arm of the settee, frowning. “Have you ever regretted remarrying so quickly? After knowing William, I am surprised you succumbed again.”

  “No,” Eve responded in a moderate tone. “I do not regret it. Francis is nothing like William.”

  Eve’s first husband had been a horrible one. Shaftesbury had crushed her under his exacting demands regarding her appearance, behavior, deportment. “I knew very quickly Francis is nothing like William. He loves me just as I am. He doesn’t want to change me and he would never dream of harming me.”

  “But to remarry so quickly,” Kitty speculated.

  “Yes,” Evelyn said with twinkling eyes, “it wasn’t at all proper.”

  Kitty laughed, thinking that Eve had to be joking. “Do you always do what is proper now? That is not at all how I remember you.”

  “Always,” Evelyn nodded genuinely. “Mama always said reputation is everything and, frankly, William insisted on it. I am trying to branch out a bit, however, and Francis encourages it. He says my reputation was too good before I married him. Of course, I’ve told him an excellent reputation will bring his young sister Fiona out into society more successfully than a tarnished one.”

  A knock at the door announced the arrival of Hobbes who had come personally with the coffee tray. Kitty watched as Eve poured out the coffee and added the cream and sugar Kitty preferred.

  “Well, here’s to reputation,” Kitty toasted her with her cup.

  “To sisterhood,” Evelyn countered, eying her sister gravely.

  “Aye, to sisterhood.”

  Kitty sipped, and eased back with a contented hum. Evelyn sipped more cautiously and found herself, too, relaxing a bit. “My goodness, I’d nearly forgotten.”

  “It is the answer to life’s greatest questions,” Kitty confirmed. “Ever
ything seems brighter.”

  Eve decided to tentatively approach the question. “Would you like to answer my greatest question?”

  “Like why I am here?” Kitty’s voice sounded guarded and tense, as if she were unsure of Evelyn’s reaction.

  “Well, yes.”

  This isn’t going to be easy, is it? Kitty thought. To reveal her most personal humiliation even to her sister? But perhaps if she trusted, Eve would help her in turn. She looked again at her companion and realized that their lives had been very much alike and somehow Eve would understand. “Freddie was always so charming when we were growing up. Do you remember?”

  “Yes, I remember,” Evelyn told her, recalling him from her memory. “He idolized you, Kat. I thought that someday I would marry a man who adored me as openly as that.”

  “Yes,” Kitty sighed. “Be very glad you did not, Evie. Be very glad you did not. Freddie has not turned out to be the kindest of husbands, Eve.”

  “Meaning?”

  Here it was. The moment of truth, when she would admit out loud how bad it had all been. “He hurt me, Evie…often,” she whispered. Her voice was hoarse with the stain of the confession.

  “He never! Oh, Kat!” Eve cried out with dismay. “I’m so sorry! I did not know!”

  “There was no way you could have,” Kitty quickly reassured her. Oh, it felt good to say it aloud! It was good to have someone to talk to. Especially Eve, for they had spent so many years as friends as well as sisters. “He would love me one day and hate me the next. I hate to burden you with my troubles, especially now that you are finally happy.”

  “I would be happy to listen,” Eve replied, and Kitty knew she meant it.

  Kitty sighed in reflection. “Remember when we were little girls? Freddie Hayes, a gallant knight in shining armor! A brave warrior! Protector of the realm. He was so handsome and charming. All the young girls loved him. I miss what he was when we first married. As reluctant as I was, I allowed him to steal affections that first year of our marriage. I still expect to turn around and see him standing there with that devil-may-care grin. But he changed, Eve. He had always been jealous. When I would even talk to other men, he would become angry. At first, I thought it was because he just loved me so much. He always said so. But he was beyond jealous, he was possessive. And then he became so bitter when business went bad that he was not as successful…No!” She stopped herself. “I cannot try to justify what he did!”