Lord Sebastian and the Scottish Lass

by Christine Donovan

She did because when he slipped one finger inside her, her inside muscles clenched and pulsed around his finger. He kept it inside her but rose up and kissed the screams from escaping her mouth.

  Moments later, he pulled her pantaloons up, pushed her skirts down and righted her bodice, then pulled her into his arms and held her close to his heart.

  “Why don’t you rest? I’ll leave soon.”

  “Sebastian, what we did. Do ye think badly of me?”

  Her words and the way she expressed them eviscerated his heart.

  “My dear, Teagan.” He kissed the top of her head. “I could never think badly of you. Besides, do you honestly believe I would compromise you in my family’s home if I didn’t love you?”

  ***

  Teagan could hardly breathe. Sebastian loved her? He loved her. When he walked into her room behind her and shut the door she didn’t know what to expect. She knew he cared for her and had taken liberties before. But in her bedchamber?

  Did she stop him from making advances? No. Because she loved him. In many ways he reminded her of Lachlan. Honest, loyal, and kind to a fault. He’d shared confidences with her and she him. Secrets that only seemed natural to share.

  Being with him made her insides hum and throb. In an, ah am alive kind of way. Not in her wildest dreams did she think, when they escaped their father’s clutches, she would ever find happiness. Never mind love. And now she found herself curled up within the strong arms of the man who loved her and her him. And what they shared only moments ago would not make her ashamed. Not with the man she loved.

  Her hand rested on his heart, which beat a tad faster than normal. “I love you.”

  His chest rose and fell, which she presumed was relief on his part. She leaned up and kissed his mouth. “Ah’m going tae rest now if ‘tis fine with ye.”

  His arms tightened around her. “Sleep. I’ve got you. No one will ever hurt you again. Not with me and my family to keep you safe.”

  Feeling the rise and fall of Sebastian’s chest and hearing the steady beat of his heart lulled her to sleep.

  In her dreams her mother still lived and was healthy. She and Lachlan were about nine and running around the lush lawn chasing butterflies. Laughter and happiness surrounded them, but she knew it was rare to experience such happiness. Father was mean. Even to Mother, which to Teagan’s young mind, was hard to understand. Mother was beautiful and kind, how could Father be unkind to her? Even hateful at times. And why did he seem to love Ian but was short of temper around her and Lachlan?

  Today their father took Ian on a hunt, which displeased Mother. A hunt was no place for a boy of eight.

  Teagan was silently glad Ian was with Father. Her younger brother was pushy and mean. He hurt the stray kittens that lived in the stables. Enjoyed catching toads and pulling off their legs.

  Today she and Lachlan could catch butterflies without risking Ian tearing off their wings and killing them. Find toads and grasshoppers without risking their lives.

  “Maw, Teagan look what ah found.” Lachlan scooped up a large toad into his hands and ran over to show them.

  “Be gentle, my boy. “Tis one of God’s creatures and should be treated kindly.”

  “Ah wouldnae hurt him like Ian does.”

  “We will nae spoil our day thinking about yer brother. Today is our day,” Mother said as she ruffled Lachlan’s unruly hair. Then she gasped and looked almost frightened.

  Teagan followed her mother’s eyes and found a man close by on horseback watching them. He tipped his hat, smiled, but didn’t come any closer. Yet even from this distance Teagan could see the man appeared sad. His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

  “Maw, who is that?” Teagan placed her hand into her mothers who suddenly looked sad as well.

  “A gentlemon ah knew a longtime ago.”

  “Why are ye crying?”

  Her mother wiped her tears away. “Because ah miss him. We were once good friends. His wife passed many years ago and ah think he is lonely.”

  “Perhaps he could take tea with us?”

  “Nay. That would nae be proper with yer paw gone.”

  When Teagan looked again, the man had vanished as if he was never there at all, and she wondered why he didn’t speak to them.

  One night she heard loud voices coming from her mother’s chambers. Father was shouting about seeing him. And if he ever saw him on his property again, he would shoot him dead. Teagan didn’t have to wonder who he was. It was the man who watched them from afar. Sometimes she dreamed that he loved their mother and would take them all away from here, from Father.

  Their voices escalated. Mother screamed if he killed him, she would take Ian and he’d never see his son again. Hearing her mother’s words made Teagan afraid. If Mother left with Ian, would she leave her and Lachlan behind?

  Over the next several months Teagan saw the man on the edge of the forest watching. One day she approached the stranger and told him what her father had said.

  The man looked unhappy but proud sitting on top of his large mount. “Your paw will never kill me, young Teagan.”

  “Why do ye watch us?”

  “Because I need to know you, Lachlan, and your mother are safe.”

  “Why wouldnae we be?” Even as she asked the question, she knew with Paw’s temper they were not safe. Not if the way he backhanded Lachlan two days ago and gave him a split lip was any indication.

  “I knew your father many, many years ago.”

  “He is mean.”

  The stranger’s lips set in a grim line. “Yes, he is. If something ever happens to your mother, you and Lachlan must flee Murray Castle immediately. Travel to your grandfather and uncles. They will welcome you and keep you safe.”

  “Can we nae come tae ye?”

  “Sweet child. I wish that more than anything else in the world. But things being as they are, it will never happen. Be happy and safe my dear child. Know you are loved.”

  “Wait!” Teagan sat up, startled from her dream. How could she have forgotten about the mysterious stranger? Perhaps Lachlan telling her about him had her remembering. It all made sense to her now. She now believed the stranger to be her and Lachlan’s father. So where was he, and why didn’t he come for them when Mother died?

  “Teagan, you were dreaming. Crying out in your sleep,” Sebastian said with concern.

  She rested back down and sighed. She told Sebastian about her dream. Only it really wasn’t a dream, she was reliving times from her childhood.

  “Do you believe he is your real father?”

  “Aye. Only ah dinnae ken his name or where he’s from. Ah only know he is English. Ah never put that together until now. A titled gentlemon ah believe. Do ye think ah will ever learn the truth about him?”

  “Perhaps one day you will.”

  After Sebastian left her room, she summoned her maid to help her dress for the evening meal. On her way, she stopped by her brother’s room and quietly knocked on the door and waited.

  “Come in.”

  Teagan entered her brother’s bedchamber just as she heard the supper bell and found him struggling to tie his neck cloth. “Here, let me.” She shooed his hands aside and concentrated on tying a simple knot. One her mother taught her in case her future husband’s valet was ever indisposed and he needed her assistance. To Teagan’s way of thinking, teach the men to tie their own cravat and then they wouldn’t need help.

  “Dinnae Maw ever teach ye tae tie one of these? She taught me.”

  Lachlan laughed. “She tried, but ah’m all thumbs.”

  “There.” She stepped back and observed her twin. He stood quite a bit taller than she, he was lean and handsome, but they shared the same color hair and eyes. There was an innate gentleness about her brother. Yet she knew he could be fierce when need be. He’d proved it the night they ran for their lives.

  “Ah had a dream about the mon who used tae watch us from afar.”

  Lachlan turned serious. “Ah neglected tae tell ye about the d
ay ah handed him Maw’s note when she’d taken ill. Tae be honest, ah wasnae hospitable tae him. By then ah’d figured out he was our paw and ah was angry at him.”

  “Ye thought he was our paw then and never said anything tae me?”

  “Aye. Sorry. He dinnae confirm or deny it when ah asked. But ah could see it in his eyes. What ah still dinnae understand is why Maw dinnae just marry him?”

  “He was married,” Teagan said. “Ah remember Maw telling us, the first time we saw him, when we were around nine that his wife had recently passed.”

  “Poor Maw, tae have fallen in love with a married mon. No wonder she married Paw. She was ruined. But couldnae Grandpaw have picked someone nicer?” Lachlan said.

  “Ah believe Paw played everyone for a fool. He wanted Maw’s money. He’d do anything for it and he did. And Ah’m quite sure Grandpaw was pleased to have Maw marry a duke.

  “No wonder he hates us and wants Ian tae inherit.”

  “We need tae find him? Ah want tae ken who he is.” Not for the first time did she think about finding their real father and learning the truth of the past.

  “First, let’s deal with Paw...the duke, and Ian, then find him.”

  “Lachlan.” She had the overwhelming need to hug him close to her heart. “Please dinnae let anything happen tae ye. Ye’r all the family ah have left.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “Same here.”

  “There’s something else ah want tae tell ye.”

  “Aye.”

  “Ah’m in love with Sebastian.”

  “Ah ken.”

  She pulled back and looked at his smiling face. “How?”

  “One look at ye when he is in the room and anyone would be blind nae tae see the love shining from yer eyes.”

  “Oh, God, really?” Now she was mortified. Was she that obvious with her emotions?

  “Dinnae fret. He looks at ye the same.”

  “He does?” She could not help the smile that graced her lips.

  “Aye, sister, he does. He is a good mon and will make ye happy and a good husband.”

  “He will...that is if he asks,” she said with a sudden hope.”

  “He will. Trust me on this.”

  “We are getting ahead of ourselves. He hasnae asked me tae marry him. Besides, ah couldnae possibly marry anyone until things are settled with ye. Ah need tae ken ye are safe and happy. We need tae find ye a wife.”

  His chest shaking with laughter had her frowning at him.

  “Is the thought of ye married funny?” Teagan asked as laughter tried to overtake her frown.

  “Nay. Ah just dinnae see it happening anytime soon. Besides, ah must meet a young lady first, and our life hasnae exactly been conducive tae courting ladies.”

  “Perhaps now that we are in London, ye might find that special young lady who steals yer heart.”

  “Perhaps, but ah’m nae holding my breath. Ah’ll die if ah do. We must go before we are late for dinner.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The soirée held at the Northborough Estate was Teagan’s first experience with London Society. It may be considered the Little Season, but one would never know by the amount of guests attending. She barely managed to breathe with her heart pounding so heavily, crushing her lungs. She ascended the stairs and stood waiting in the receiving line to pay her respects to her hosts, Myles and Bella. As she waited, she noticed quite a few people looking her way. Perhaps they were looking at Sebastian since he escorted her. She smiled and bowed graciously to Myles and Bella and then Sebastian guided her into the magnificent gold ballroom. The flickering lights from the chandeliers cast shadows, making the large room appear cozy.

  “Would you care for some refreshments before the orchestra begins playing?” Sebastian said with a grin. “By the many glances you are receiving, I believe you will be hard pressed to find freedom between the sets. Which brings to mind, please pencil me in for the first waltz, so I don’t become jealous.”

  “Done.” She smiled, hoping she could contain her nervous excitement for the entire night. When she’d turned seventeen, her mother had begged her father to let her have a Season. Mother had wanted to bring both her and Lachlan to London so they could mingle with people of their own class. Father refused. He said he’d never set foot on London soil and if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for his children.

  Teagan had been devastated because she knew it meant she would marry some backwoods country gentleman. Or in reality, a Scottish Laird.

  “Ah dinnae feel like my usual self tonight,” she admitted.

  “Why? You look stunning and those gentlemen over in that corner keep looking over this way. If it keeps up, I’ll have to defend your honor.”

  She stifled a laugh with her hand. “Ah doubt it. But truly, please dinnae leave my side.” She turned her head this way and that. “Ah havenae seen my brother since we arrived. Do ye see him?”

  “Over there.” Sebastian pointed. “Talking to Lord Bradbury.”

  “Perhaps we could join him.”

  Lord Bradbury’s eyes followed her movements as she crossed the ballroom, making her nerves tingle and a face from her past flash before her eyes. The face of the mysterious stranger from the woods. The love of her mother’s life. How did he come to be here tonight of all nights? Yesterday she said she wanted to find him, but now that he was here, she was nervous and hesitant.

  “Teagan,” Lachlan said looking far too serious. “May ah present Lord Bradbury? Lord Bradbury, this is my sister, Lady Teagan.

  Bradbury took her hand and bowed deeply. “It is an honor to finally be formally introduced.”

  She curtsied. “The honor is all mine. Ah now have a name tae go with yer face.”

  Lachlan looked from her to Bradbury and back to her, then addressed Sebastian. “Do ye think Myles would mind if we commandeered a room for privacy. There is something Lord Bradbury would like tae discuss with Teagan and myself.”

  “Not at all. I know the estate well. I’ll see you to one of the small parlors on this level.”

  Once inside a lovely cream and gold room, Sebastian lit several oil lamps. Stirred the embers in the fireplace, causing a nice large flame to ignite, then left closing the doors quietly behind him.

  “Thank you for agreeing to speak with me,” Lord Bradbury said. “Please sit, this may take some time.”

  Teagan sat on a gold brocade settee while Lachlan and Bradbury took chairs facing her. She had the feeling this conversation would change her life forever. For the better she hoped with all her heart.

  “First I must apologize for meeting you under these circumstances. I had planned on calling upon Wentworth Manor on the morrow. But when I knew you both would be attending this evening, I could not wait. Yet I still find myself at a loss.”

  “For whatever reason, my lord?” Teagan asked although she knew.

  “Please keep an open mind with what I have to tell you both. I’m not asking for forgiveness, just understanding that what happened long ago was unavoidable and broke both your mother’s heart and mine.”

  Was Teagan finally ready to hear the facts pertaining to her mother and Lord Bradbury’s past? The honest answer could only be yes. She was beyond ready to learn the truth to all their pasts.

  “When your mother and I met many years ago, we fell in love. I had no business falling in love with her as I was affianced to another.”

  “Please, get tae the point,” Lachlan said quite angrily.

  “To my understanding, you never knew the man who raised you was anything but your real father until recently, according to Wentworth. What I want you both to know is I’m your real father.”

  “Oh,” was all Teagan could say to hearing the words spoken out loud. She leaned back against the settee and studied the man who just admitted to being her father.

  There were similarities to Lachlan and Bradbury. Their height and eyes mostly.

  “Please let me start from the beginning. I became Viscount Bradbury w
hen I was twenty. The very year I met your mother. Unfortunately, because of bad investments my father made, my family was broke. The only way I could support my mother and three younger sisters was to marry for money.” He paused and exhaled.

  “As much as it devastated both of us, your mother understood. She was an heiress herself, but we never discussed me breaking my betrothal. It wasn’t until after my marriage that your mother realized she was with child. By then it was too late.”

  Teagan sought out her brother and they exchanged wide-eyed looks.

  “Why did ye watch from the edge of the forest when we were young?” Teagan asked, although she knew the answer.

  “I tried to stay away, but you see, my wife died in childbirth as did my son. I wanted so desperately to acknowledge you both as mine, but I knew your father would kill you three before letting you go.”

  “He would have,” Lachlan said with a frown.

  “When your mother took ill, and you gave me the letter, Lachlan, I was devastated. When no word came for several months I traveled to Murray Castle and had words with your father. He threw me out. Said I would never see either of you again and that your mother had passed that very morning.

  I left, not knowing what else to do. I went back to London brokenhearted. I hired an investigator who later informed me you were both guests of the Duke of Wentworth. Which to my utter delight, gave me hope to call upon you there. I wanted to explain how very sorry I was for what I’d done and for the loss of your mother.”

  Ever since Teagan had found out the truth about her parentage, she’d wondered what her real father was like. She rather envisioned him as a modern day prince. Although not a prince, per say, Bradbury was handsome enough to be one. He seemed kind and gentle of heart, and she could understand why her mother fell in love with him.

  “Paw tried tae kill Lachlan, and he gave me tae a barbarian by the name of MacPherson tae marry.”

  “I am sorry. I should have been a better man where your mother was concerned.”

  “Did ye love her?” Teagan held her breath as she waited for his answer, praying he said yes.

  He didn’t hesitate. “Yes, very much. The love your mother and I shared is not a love that would ever die. I will love her until I join her.”