A Kiss for Lady Mary (22 page)

Surprisingly, Mary hadn’t thought about Gawain in several days. “I’m glad that appears to be over.”

What
was
bothering her was the thought that some female might manage to compromise Kit just as they seemed to becoming closer. She straightened her shoulders. Obviously it fell to her to protect him. Yet how to do that when they were both expected to dance and spend time with others?

 

Eunice held a cup of tea in her hands as she gazed at the handsome countenance of her husband. They had been married just over a week. “When do you wish to move into our own home?”

Brian looked up from his plate. “As soon as you have everything the way you want it.” His eyes sparkled wickedly. “It’s the bathing tub that’s calling to you, is it not?”

“Naturally, what else could it be? Although I believe a vessel that extravagant should have a grander name.”

His lips twitched. “Perhaps we should call it Venus’s pool.”

She met his smile with one of her own. “Seriously though, the staff has been hired, and all the changes we discussed are completed. I had thought to wait until my mother arrived, but we can easily have them directed to our home.”

That was wonderful to be able to say. The house she’d lived in with Roger had been part of his father’s estate, and not theirs. Yesterday she and Brian had visited the solicitor, and Brian had ensured that if he predeceased her, she would receive the house and a generous income for the rest of her life.

“To-morrow then?”

She nodded. “I’ll send word to-day and have most of our trunks taken over.”

“When,” he asked, “will the rest of your things arrive?”

“There is not that much, but I expect them in a week or so. I’ve received letters from my children. I imagine some of them will find an excuse to visit.”

“Ah yes. They’ll want to inspect me. We could always invite them.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m going to have too much fun listening to the reasons they come up with to visit.”

“You’re a wicked woman,” he said in a fond tone as he finished the last of his breakfast. He rose, then kissed her. “I must be off to the church. By the by, don’t forget you’re now in charge of the schedule for the altar flowers, and head of the Committee for the Betterment of the Poor of Our Community.”

And, she was sure, anything else that could be given to her as well. Strangely, she was looking forward to all of it. “I know. I put the meetings off until next week.”

He raised his brows. “Still hoping your mother will show up soon?”

“She is close. I can feel it in my bones. I just wish I knew what was going on with Kit and Mary.”

“Well, that makes two of us.” He kissed her again. This time instead of a peck on her cheek, he lifted her into his arms, tilted his head and plundered.

Her blood heated as his hand cupped her breast, and she wanted nothing more than to drag him back to bed. Suddenly, he broke the kiss. “There, that should keep you until this evening.”

“You . . . I can’t believe . . .” Before she could get out a coherent sentence, he patted her derrière and left the room, laughing.

Oooh, two could play at that game. He’d be very sorry he had left her wanting.

 

Later that day, as Eunice was changing for dinner and planning her revenge on her husband, the sounds of coaches and stamping horses drifted from the front of the house. “My love, we have company.”

He strode out from the dressing room he’d been using. “Sounds like
a
company, if not a battalion. You stay here. I’ll find out who it is.”

“I’ll come.” She fastened her earring. “It may be Mama. She is long overdue, and I’ve begun to worry a little.”

They reached the bottom of the main staircase as Simons opened the door. One footman in Bridgewater livery handed out the Dowager Lady Featherton, while another supported Mama.

Eunice hurried forward. “What took you so long?”

Her mother kissed her cheeks. “The ogre.”

Lady Featherton grinned. “We finally lost the blackguard. Now where are the children?”

“Gone with their friends to Edinburgh.” Eunice linked her arm with her mother, leading her into the drawing room, as Brian escorted Lady Featherton in and closed the door behind them. “I believe the thinking was that Mr. Featherton would have an easier time courting Mary there rather than here.”

“Oh my.” Lady Featherton pursed her lips. “I take it all did not go as planned.”

Eunice raised a brow. “If you mean, you thought she would give up all her fantasies about a Season, and being courted, and falling in love . . . No, it did not go as planned.” She glanced at the door. “Be careful what you say around the servants. They believe Kit and Mary are wed. I’ll ask Cook to hold back dinner for a half hour so that you can refresh yourselves.”

When they reached the top of the stairs, Mama looked at Brian as if she were just seeing him, and stopped. “And who might you be?”

He bowed. “Mr. Brian Doust, rector, Your Grace. I take it you’re my new mother-in-law.”

“Well, at least someone got married,” Mama groused. “I want to hear all about it over dinner.”

Simons looked at Eunice. “Which bedchambers, my lady?”

“The Blue Room and the Green Room. We’ve been keeping them ready. I’ll show them up. Please see to places for their servants.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Two hours later, she, Brian, Mama, and Lady Featherton sat in the drawing room sipping tea.

“There you have the whole story.” Eunice, eschewing tea for wine, took a sip. “Brian and I have been waiting for your arrival before moving to our new house.”

Lady Featherton slowly shook her head. “We made a mull of this one, Constance.”

“We’ll come about,” Mama said. “Though I believe we should stay here for two or three days before traveling to Edinburgh.”

“Perhaps you should wait until we receive word that Lady Mary and Mr. Featherton have wed,” Brian suggested. “I’m afraid neither of them is happy with you at the moment.”

“We shall take your advice, Mr. Doust,” Lady Featherton said. “Better to let them work it out from here. I don’t wish to distract them from each other.”

Mama frowned. “We’ll see. I’m concerned about Tolliver though. I’d like to make sure he’s nowhere around Mary.”

“I’ll write to Mary and ask how she is enjoying the Season,” Eunice suggested. With any luck at all, they would receive good news. “In the meantime, do not become too comfortable here. Brian and I are moving into our home to-morrow, and we’d like you to stay with us.”

He glanced at her, a look of longing in his eyes. Ah well, even if they were not able to be alone, at least they’d have the bathing tub.

M
orna awoke to the somewhat odd and very pleasant sensation of being cuddled next to Simon as he snored softly. This was only their second full night together, the last being their wedding night.

Yesterday evening they’d returned to the town house in mainly pensive moods. All except for Finella; she had been as happy as a grig. Morna wondered how the change would affect Cormac, yet she had the feeling Simon might know what to do better than she did. This morning was also the first time in years she’d felt completely happy. There would most likely be a scandal, but she didn’t care for herself, and it would all be over by the time Finella came out. Now that Simon was here, there was no reason to rush her daughter.

Simon brushed a kiss on her hair. “You’re awake?”

“I am.” She snaked an arm across his broad chest, holding him tightly to her. “Where do we start unraveling this mess my father caused?”

“I have an appointment with my brother-in-law’s solicitor to-day. He was to attend me in Charlotte Square, but instead I’ll go to his office. The first thing to do is end your father’s guardianship of the children.”

“Will it be difficult?” she asked, trying not to be distracted by the black curls covering his chest, and failing.

“No, I have proof of the marriage.” He rolled her on her side, snuggling up behind her, as if they were two spoons. “Your father tried to have the documents destroyed, but the innkeeper was a wily old man and hid the originals. I’ve also got a statement from the couple who witnessed our marriage.”

She wiggled her bottom against his growing erection. “I’ll leave it to you then.”

“All you need to think about is where you’d like to live. We’ll go to Hull in a day or two, but we won’t remain there. I’ve been considering Bristol.”

Morna only half listened. As long as her family was together, she didn’t care where they resided. Right now, she wanted Simon, and even her thoughts of moving, or committing patricide for Simon having been taken away from her, couldn’t stop her rising desire for him. Moaning, he slid into her, and Morna focused her attention on enjoying her husband.

An hour later, Simon, Cormac, and Finella kissed Morna farewell.

Simon held her for a few moments. “After Cormac and I take Finella to Theo, we’ll visit the docks, then the lawyer. You should start packing. We will depart in a day or two.”

“I shall. Will we remain here until then?”

“We can discuss that this afternoon.”

Morna kissed Simon one last time, and stood in the doorway as they hailed a hackney, trying not to remember the last time he and she had parted. There was no point in being maudlin. Everything would be fine now, and she had a great deal to do if they were to leave soon.

Later that morning, after having the trunks pulled down from the attic, and putting her lady’s maid and two of the other maids to packing, Morna was in the garden, enjoying a rare bit of sunshine, when the butler, Oliphant, whom she’d hired for the Season, came out on the terrace.

He bowed. “My lady, there is a Lord Freskin here to see you. He says he is your father.”

What the devil was he doing in Edinburgh? A cold breeze touched her spine. She debated denying him entry and making him come back after Simon had returned, then decided she’d hear the man out. There was nothing more he could do to hurt them. Still, she’d need to be canny. There was no point in giving him any information he wasn’t already in possession of. “I’ll meet with him out here. Please bring tea.”

A few moments later, her father, a large, barrel-chested man, stomped out onto the terrace. “You should have told that butler who your father is.”

She kept her eyes lowered. “I didn’t think to see you here.”

Tea arrived, and she poured, handing him a cup.

He scowled at the cup. “Woman’s drink. I’ll have a whisky.”

If he thought she’d give him strong sprits, he must believe she was either stupid or daft. A meaner drunk she’d never met. “Then you’ll have to go visit someone else. I don’t keep it in the house.”

“Don’t lie to me, lass.” He glared. “I’ll find it myself.”

Pretending a calm she didn’t feel, Morna sipped her tea. “And I’ll have you shown out.”

Her father settled back in the chair, but it was clear his temper was on a short tether. “Call Fee down. I’ve come about her, in any event.”

Morna stiffened.
Damn him to hell!
Thank God her daughter was with Lady Theo. “She is visiting a friend. Whatever you have to say, you will discuss it with me first. I am her mother.”

“And I’m her guardian. A fact you’d do well not to forget. I’m at the town house. I’ll expect the both of you there at four o’clock sharp to-morrow to drink tea with me. I’ve a gentleman I’ll have her meet. Now that I think of it, since I’m here I want you and the children to move in with me. I’ll have my servants pick up your trunks in the morning.”

Morna’s stomach clenched. Even though he had no power over her anymore, she bit her lip to keep from bursting out in tears. “I’ve paid the lease for the Season. We are perfectly content to remain here.”

“If you want to keep the girl with you until she’s wed, you’ll do as I say.” He stood and walked back into the house, bellowing for his hat.

Morna took a deep breath. Thank God Simon had arrived in time, but would it be enough? Her father was not a man who liked to be crossed.

 

Simon and Cormac sat in the solicitor’s office, waiting as Mr. Kennedy read over the marriage lines and the statement.

“It’s all in order. There is no doubt at all that you are legally married.” He rubbed the side of his jaw. “I’ll file to have Lord Freskin’s guardianship terminated, but you should know, he is a powerful man in Scotland.”

Simon’s hands closed into fists. “But I am my children’s legal father, and thus their guardian.”

“Aye, and eventually the court will have to decide for you.” The lawyer placed his elbows on his desk. “On the other hand, being as you, your wife, and your children are English citizens, his lordship would not have any luck at all trying to enforce the will appointing him guardian anywhere other than in Scotland.”

Simon sat back, stunned. Of course they were. Morna became an English citizen upon her marriage to him, and, because he was their father, Cormac and Finella were English as well. “What you’re telling me is that you’ll file the court case to clear the record here?”

“And also to keep his lordship busy. He has a certain reputation for being difficult.” Mr. Kennedy stood. “Might I suggest that you head south at your earliest convenience, or before your wife’s father gets wind of the case? I’m sure Lord Titus can handle matters for you here. If you’d like, I’ll send a power of attorney over to Charlotte Square for your signature.”

Simon and Cormac rose at the same time. Simon shook the lawyer’s hand. “Thank you for your advice. I had already made plans to go to England.”

They strolled back to Morna’s town house. Simon was disappointed that Freskin’s guardianship wouldn’t be immediately void, but he’d read law at Oxford and understood the legalities. It was a damn shame he hadn’t been able to study Scottish law; that would have done him more good.

Cormac had been quiet during the whole conversation with the lawyer. He glanced over now and asked, “Everyone in the world seems to know about Gretna Green. How was it you believed my grandfather when he said ye weren’t wed?”

Now older and much wiser, Simon had wondered himself how he could have been such a stupid fool. “I was seventeen when your mother and I met. We fell in love the first time we set eyes on each other. She knew her father was ready to betroth her to MacDiarmid, so I suggested we marry quickly, and we did. The following morning her father found us. He dragged her out of the inn, and I followed, certain that he’d have to recognize our marriage and allow me to take her back. Then he argued that as she was already engaged to MacDiarmid, and the marriage agreements had been signed, our marriage wasn’t valid. I went home to England and asked my father for help, but he maintained that I was probably not legally married. I went back to university. Before I left for America, I came here to visit my sister and met your mother again. We tried, but couldn’t stay away from one another.”

“That’s when Finella was conceived?”

“Yes, and when I taught you to tickle trout. Your mother knew within in a few weeks that she was carrying again. I sent a note asking her to come to America with me. I waited long past the hour the ship was to have sailed, but she didn’t arrive. I thought she’d decided to stay with MacDiarmid. I left the next day. I never should have done so. I missed years with you, Finella, and your mother. Time none of us can ever get back.”

Cormac shook his head. “I don’t know if you would have made it out of the house with me. I remember an old groom who was always with me whenever I went outside, even with my mother.” They walked together in silence. “I wonder what to do with myself now.”

“Have you finished university yet?”

“I didn’t go. Neither my grandfather or my—the old man thought it would be helpful.”

“If you wish to attend, I’ll do what’s necessary for you to be accepted.” Simon placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I have a majority stake in a shipping line. I was hoping you’d be interested in working with me someday.”

Cormac’s eyes brightened. “Would I get to travel?”

Simon grinned. Young men never changed. “If that is what you want.”

As quickly as his son had smiled, he frowned. “I wish I knew what will happen to the tenants and others dependent on the MacDiarmid holdings.”

Simon was pleased his son took his responsibilities to heart. It boded well for Cormac’s future. “I was under the impression there is a cousin.”

“Aye, but I think he was as old or older than MacDiarmid.”

“If he is dead with no heirs, and if you want it, I’ll see what I can do to have the title and estate granted to you.” For once Simon’s father might be able to help. He had Prinny’s ear.

“Can we wait until we know if there is an heir?” Cormac asked.

“Of course. We’d have to, in any event.” Another issue Simon would ask Titus to look into it on Cormac’s behalf.

When they reached the house, the butler opened the door and bowed. “My lord. Her ladyship would like you to attend her as soon as you returned. She is in the morning room.” The old servant appeared to think for a moment before continuing. “It is down the right corridor at the back of the house.”

“Thank you.” Simon wished he’d discovered the butler’s name before he left this morning. “Is anything wrong?”

“I believe it may have something to do with her ladyship’s father. He visited earlier.”

Simon held back the string of curses hovering on his tongue. “That old man could make a saint sin.”

The butler inclined his head. “Indeed, my lord.”

“Tell me your name,” Simon said.

“Oliphant, my lord.”

“You’re a good man, Oliphant.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Cormac led the way to the morning room.

When Simon entered, Morna rushed to him, grabbing his jacket. “My father wants me to bring Finella and move into his house. He has some man he’s picked out to marry her. Tell me he’s not her guardian anymore.”

“I wish I could, but that is not yet clear.” The blood drained from Morna’s face, and she swayed. Catching her around her waist, he drew her to him. “Whether he is for the moment or not, he will not marry her off. You have my word.”

“Will you fight him, Da?”

Simon’s chest puffed out a bit. He thought he’d have to wait much longer before Cormac called him
Da
. “He’ll have a fight, son, but not a physical one. Arguments and fisticuffs will not solve this. As Mr. Kennedy said, you, your sister, and mother are English citizens.” Why that legality had never occurred to Simon before the lawyer mentioned it, he didn’t know. “We are merely going to my father’s main estate.” He stepped to the desk, took out two sheets of pressed paper, and a pen that he was surprised to find sharp. He wrote a letter to his sister and Titus telling them to keep Finella at their house, and informing them he would be there with the rest of his family later that evening. The second missive was to the representative of his shipping company, telling the man that Simon was sending several trunks down to wait for the ship to arrive. He sealed the notes, then tugged the bell-pull. The butler entered the room. “Have this taken to Lord Titus’s house in Charlotte Square. Tell the footman to wait for an answer. The other goes to Cavendish and Partners Shipping at the port.”

The butler bowed. “Yes, my lord.”

“And do not, under any circumstances, allow Lord Freskin past the front door.”

“With pleasure, my lord.” His butler bowed, and turned sharply on his heel.

Simon kissed Morna lightly on her lips. “How close are you to being packed?”

“I think it’s almost done.”

“Good. Except for what we will require for the next few days, we shall send everything to wait on the ship.”

She shivered in his arms. “Where are we going?”

“For the time being, to my sister’s. She and Titus will not allow your father past the front door. As soon as the ship arrives, we’ll sail to my father’s.”

Cormac’s face split into a wide grin. “I’ve never been on a ship.”

Simon hoped his son loved sailing as he never did, but no matter; going by water would stymie Lord Freskin.

“Cormac, go out, if you would, and find a hackney. Have it pull around to the mews.”

“Yes, Da.”

Simon kissed Morna again. “Please make sure your maid has packed overnight bags for you and the children, then meet me behind the house.”

She reached up and touched her lips to his. “I’ll be as fast as a rabbit.”

He hoped his ship arrived soon. If not, he’d have to arrange passage on another one. If Freskin knew what Simon and Morna were about, he didn’t put it past the old man to abduct Finella.