He cleared his throat, pausing to think about what he wanted to say. Ruth knew that inside he was raging, trying to say just the right words so that his daughters and new son-in-law would not throw him out on the street. Ruth would have, but Marianne would be harder to convince.
His expression was serious but not as stern as in the past. Before, he would have yelled and screamed at such an event. But he simply replied, albeit a bit sullenly, “What a wild young woman you’ve become, Ruth Browne.”
Ruth smiled behind her teacup, happy that her own new freedom was hurting the man who had taken such pains to keep her under lock and key.
He continued, “Keep in mind that if you want to make a marriage match, young woman, such behavior will be difficult to overlook by a man. He will not want such a wife who keeps late hours, attempting to improve her own mind.”
He had said the words kindly, but their content made Ruth seethe with anger. She glanced at Marianne. Surely, she could see that he was still the same man as before? Surely her sister would understand that he would only make their lives more and more miserable the longer he stayed?”
Ruth took a breath and replied, “Since I am no longer in London, Father, and I have no interest in making myself suitable for marriage, I suppose I do not need to give my behavior any thought.”
Ruth’s eyes flashed with anger at her father, and she was ready to fight back, as soon as he could come up with his next retort. But a servant entered just at that time to say that dinner was ready.
William helped Marianne to stand. “Come, lass, Lord Browne, let us eat the evening meal and retire.”
Ruth knew very well not to argue when William’s expression looked as it did. He was never one to get angry, but when he did, she knew it was something serious. She knew he was not happy about her father’s arrival, and he would be upset with Marianne for welcoming him into the home.
They ate in relative silence, with Marianne sharing a few things about their life in Scotland, and Lord Browne asking questions about the child and the people of the land. He offered a few slight remarks about those they had left behind in London and made small hints about his current life of penury.
After they ate, they all decided to retire to their bedrooms, Ruth rushing away to her own, and William and Marianne making their way upstairs to leave Lord Browne by the fire with a glass of wine.
He brooded over what had just occurred. He had arrived safely, using the last of his money to hire the carriage and stay at inns along the way. This was now his last resort. The documents were all prepared. Once Ruth went to London and married the old lord, he would receive a yearly annuity. Then he could retire in some dignity, continuing to live amongst the elite as he was used to.
But Ruth had grown wilder than he thought. Once he had Marianne alone, he would chide her for her lack of guidance to her younger sister. Ruth had no boundaries. Who knew what scrapes she had gotten into? And what disgrace she had brought upon herself?
He stood, sipping the last of the wine from his glass. He felt antsy and tense and needed to walk about a bit to release all the anger, frustration, and energy that had built up on his trip. He yelled for a servant. “Come, I need a lantern! Quickly!” His voice was harsh and rough. He had to wait a few moments. Marianne could have had better staff and more had she married Lord Hampshire… he thought grimly as a servant girl hurriedly brought him one, her eyes wide with terror. She was not used to being spoken to so harshly.
He grabbed the lantern without thanks, opened the door of the Fraser home, and left. A fresh breeze blew over him. He was not one for the countryside, unless he had access to a beautiful country estate, but this was a rather picturesque place. The last bit of sunlight still remained, but soon the night would be as black as tar, and if he wanted to walk, he would need light.
Lord Browne walked towards the light of the castle in the distance. He had seen it upon his arrival and was envious of Amelia Parker’s good fortune. Surely Lord Jonathon and Lady Henrietta were sitting pretty atop their new wealth acquired by the union of their daughter with a wealthy Scottish laird. He had heard whispers about Amelia becoming a published poetess and making her own money, and he tsked disapprovingly under his breath.
“Is the whole world going mad? Women working? Educating themselves? Thinking they know best how to run their own lives? They’d certainly all be whores if we allowed them such freedoms.”
He continued to speak to himself as he wandered along, chastising his daughters to the open air. He was nearing the castle when he saw a small flickering light closer to the ground and heard a heaving sound, as if someone was working hard at some physical pursuit.
He moved toward it slowly, curious as to who else could be out at this hour and what work they would be doing so late. He got nearer and nearer to the dim light and the sound but did not see anything, until with surprise, he felt himself tumble over something and head straight towards the ground.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lord Browne’s eyes opened wide with fear. He clutched at the open air, hoping for something, anything, that would break his fall. His lantern crashed to the ground and went out, and he followed soon after, the side of his face hitting hard against the broken soil, a grunt of pain emitting from his throat.
He paused for a moment, assessing his state. Suddenly, he heard a voice, still heaving with breath. “And who the bloody Hell are ye? Tripping over a man in the dark? Yer enough tae give me a heart attack. I heard yer voice a bloody mile away, chattering on tae yerself. How could ye not hear me?”
If he had been standing, Lord Browne would have grabbed the man by the collar. “Excuse me, peasant, but will you not assist your betters to their feet? You are the one who is out so late in the dark not making yourself known, putting others in danger!”
The man laughed but placed a rough hand down to help Lord Browne. With a sharp pull, Lord Browne was heaved to his feet, and he gave a loud grimace at the roughness of the assistance provided. He couldn’t see the face very well in the light of only one lantern, but he brushed himself down and inquired. “And what, may I ask, are you doing out here at night?” He looked around him. “And digging apparently? I have not come across a murder, have I?”
The dark man chuckled again. “Nae, but I dinnae know why I have tae share my business with ye. Ye look a toffish sort. Why are ye out in the hills at night, raging tae the heavens about women and the crimes of yer daughters?”
Lord Browne’s fists clenched at his side, and he colored with rage. “‘Tis no business of yours. I am a gentleman and can do as I please. I am a visitor to the area and am walking before I rest my head.”
The man moved to continue shoveling the dirt around the base of a thick tree. “A visitor? Tae yer daughters, I imagine. And who might they be?”
Lord Browne continued, feeling his curiosity piqued at such a situation. He also wanted to prove to this peasant that he was a gentleman and had daughters that were ladies to prove it. “I am the father of Lady Marianne and Lady Ruth. Lady Marianne has been lately married to your brutish William Fraser. “
The man laughed and paused his digging. “Fraser is not mine. I am not from these parts. I am a visitor as well, come tae seek my revenge. Lady Ruth is yer daughter, ye say?”
Lord Browne confirmed it with a grunt. He felt the man must be crazy. Revenge? “Come to seek your revenge?” Lord Browne scoffed at the idea. “You Highlanders are all savages.” He said with a smile.
The man nodded. “Aye, ye may be right. There is one paying attention tae yer daughter of late. Is that why ye’ve come? Tae save her from a Scotsman’s savagery?”
Lord Browne moved forward instinctively, anger filling his features, but he had noticed even in the soft lantern light that the man was young and large. He would not fare well in a fight against him. “What do you mean?”
The man faced him, his dark hair in the light casting more shadows upon his face. “There is a man, a Scottish man, here in these parts, paying court ta
e yer daughter. More than that, mind. He means tae soil her reputation.”
Lord Browne’s face twisted in rage. “How do ye know? Who is this man?” This man who would spoil all of his future hopes and security. The man Ruth was to marry had one condition. She must be virginal. Perhaps it was already too late?
“I have seen it with me own eyes and heard it from his lips. He is the man I’ve come tae take revenge upon.”
Lord Browne thought for a moment. “And who are you then? I wish to know the name of the man who gives me such upsetting information.”
“Dougal Menzies, yer Lordship.” Dougal bowed low and mockingly, but Lord Browne simply lifted his chin, not understanding the joke.
“Finally, some manners. And what is the name of the man?”
“Troy Ferguson. He is the minister as well.”
“The minister?” Lord Browne gasped, his face flushing anew with fiery anger. A minister attempting to soil his daughter? Let the Lord strike him down!
Dougal could see the effect of all of this news on his new acquaintance. He watched with glee, for it meant that perhaps there was one more chance for him to get what he needed from Troy. He had been frustrated, digging all evening at the base of the May Pole, but the cross was not here. That bastard had lied to him. But now, here was Lady Ruth’s father, who would be wanting to keep her away from Troy. That would not sit well with his old captain, would it?
He grinned and leaned on his shovel, a brilliant plan brewing in his mind.
“Ye know, me Lord. There may be a way we can assist each other.”
Lord Browne lifted a wary eyebrow and looked condescendingly down at Dougal. “And how could we possibly work together?”
“Ye need tae retrieve yer daughter from the clutches of the minister, and I need a very important item from the same man. Perhaps we could find a way tae combine our skills and achieve our goals?”
Lord Browne thought for a moment and then nodded his head sharply. “Tell me more.”
* * *
At home, tucked away safely in her bed, Ruth digested all that had occurred that evening. She had locked her door, fearful of the very presence of her father in the house. He was like a persistent fog, and she thought his poisonous aura could even sneak underneath doorways.
At that moment, Ruth wished so many things. She wished she had never had such a father. She wished for freedom. She wished that the world was a different place. She wished too, sometimes, that she could stay with Troy forever, and that he would love her.
She wanted to cry, but she knew that it wouldn’t solve anything. She still was no closer to finding her true path, and her father had come to wreck all of her plans. She had promised Marianne she would stay for a few days, but that was all. She could not bear it for too much longer. But, what about Troy? Would he care if she left? Perhaps they were just enjoying each other’s company for the time being, and he would be eager to move onto another woman or be left alone to pursue his life in the ministry.
She sighed. The beauty of last night in the library was totally ruined by her father’s arrival and his well-chosen words, still dripping with their usual poison. She tried to reimagine it though, the way that Troy’s lips felt against the skin of her neck, how beautifully wanton she had felt as she invited him underneath her skirts by lifting them slowly. She had loved every moment, and she feared that the more they did that act, the more her heart would become entangled. But she also feared that it already had.
* * *
Troy took a morning walk, eager to leave his bed and enjoy the fresh air. He had left the library last night feeling embarrassed, but also greatly satisfied. He did not fear William’s judgment of him for being a clergyman. Nor did he fear William taking revenge upon him for wanting to be with his sister in law, but he was concerned that Ruth would feel the embarrassment too strongly and wish to stay away.
At the announcement of her father’s arrival, Ruth had looked so pale and left so hurriedly. She did not seem very pleased about him coming, which added to the mystery of the situation. Would they be able to speak again? He wanted to leave his rooms for something else to do. Lately, he could not focus on any sort of pursuit. Physical movement was all that could contain him. Ruth Browne filled his mind every second of the day, and after last night, he knew, but would hardly admit, that there was no chance she would be leaving his mind any time soon.
As he walked along, he tried to conjure up the image again of her in his arms, breathing hard next to his ear as he’d held her to him, pumping into her as she sat on the desk. The second time had been even more pleasurable, for he could see her more clearly, and they had just spent an hour discussing and learning together. He wanted her again. It was like the more she satisfied him, the more he craved her. He wanted to hold her, speak to her, kiss her. Is this what love was? He was afraid. The idea that it was love made him feel sick because there were so many things about him that Ruth did not know. He was afraid she would not accept him. But the feeling also elated him, making his heart reach to the sky. Yes, he could say it. He could admit it, no matter the underlying pain that came with it. He was in love, desperately, passionately, ferociously in love with his wild Ruth.
* * *
Marianne sat with William at the breakfast table, twisting and untwisting a handkerchief in her hands. Neither Ruth nor her father had come downstairs yet, and her heart beat faster at the prospect of it. William reached out an arm to his wife.
“Lass, we may be rid of him now, if ye like. He has no place here. ‘Tis not his country, nor his home.”
Marianne looked like she was about to cry. “‘Twould not be Christian, William. ‘Twould not be correct. The Bible says to ‘honor thy Father and Mother.”
Does it say anything about if yer father is a bloody bastard? William thought, but he knew better than to argue with Marianne’s morals. That was what he loved about her, even if it put her into such states.
“Mayhap we can just pay him tae leave or set him up somewhere? I dinnae think ye want him in the house with us, filling ye with anxiety and fear.”
Marianne nodded. “That could work. That would not be kicking him out.”
William sighed. “Just remember. Ye dinnae owe the man a thing. He was going tae sell ye tae a friend of his!”
Marianne nodded once more, a tear falling down her cheek. “Normally, I would agree with you, my love, but I think with the baby coming, I just so wish he could be like a proper grandfather. I wish he would want to be a family again and leave behind all of his abuse.”
William kissed his wife’s hand. “Ye are the best, most beautiful, and kindest soul I have ever known. I understand. But even without him, ye will be a wonderful mother tae our bairn. All of the child’s goodness will come from ye.”
Marianne tried to smile. “And all the good looks will come from you.” William winked back, and she chuckled.
Soon, both Lord Browne and Ruth entered the hall prepared to eat, and Marianne and William greeted them. As soon as Lord Browne sat down, servants arrived to pour his tea warily. They already heard what type of man he was, as soon as he’d scared a young servant girl last night with his harsh call for a lantern.
Ruth gathered food from the table to place on her plate, buttering her bread silently. Lord Browne was looking well. Rested from his night and cheery as well. Ruth attempted not to notice anything that her father did, but Marianne thought it a bit strange.
“You have a lovely countryside here, my dears. I had the whim last evening of taking a bit of a stroll around it in the fading light, and even then, it was a sight to see. The castle, hills, trees. And your countrymen, Mr. Fraser. They are quite entertaining.”
William furrowed his brow. “What do ye mean?”
Lord Browne chuckled, his glee growing with each word. “I had the fortune of meeting one who was also out in the dark. Imagine such an occurrence!”
Marianne and Ruth exchanged looks, wondering what could have come over their father to have lightened
his mood to such a degree.
“And who was this countryman of mine?” William asked, attempting, for Marianne’s sake, not to have a scowl upon his face.
“His name is Dougal Menzies. He was quite the fellow.”
Marianne smiled. “Ah, yes, he has traveled to come and visit. I believe he had business with the minister, but that has now concluded. He participated in the sword fighting competition in the May Day festival.”
Capturing The Reluctant Highlander (Lasses 0f The Kinnaird Castle Book 3) Page 17
