Page 47

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.

Later that evening, Kit joined Huntley against one wall of the open room that had been given over to dancing. He snagged a glass of wine from a footman. “Where’s Caro?”

His friend motioned with his head to a grouping of sofas and chairs where several ladies were involved in a comfortable coze. “I thought you’d be dancing.”

“I managed to avoid this set.” Kit blew out a breath. “I’m getting damned tired of being Mr. Perfect.”

“I commend you for keeping it up for this long.” The set ended. Huntley tossed off the rest of his drink and straightened. “I’m off to reclaim my wife. ”

Kit glanced around. Mary’s partner was escorting her to Caro as Lady Theo was absent this evening. “I’ll come with you.”

“When are you going to ask her to marry you?”

“When I’m sure she’ll accept.” Kit didn’t know what he would do if she rejected him. What he did know was that he didn’t like the looks of Mary’s latest dance partner. “Who is the man she was dancing with?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps Lady Theo introduced them at one of the entertainments,” Huntley said as they maneuvered their way through the crowd. “Munro, I think.”

“I didn’t see you during the last set.” Mary smiled as Kit joined her.

“No.” He slid in next to her, placing her hand on his arm.

“The only lady I wished to dance with was already taken.” If they were engaged, he could stand up with her more than twice.

In fact, he could monopolize her all evening.

That thought brought on others, of her in his arms and in his bed, golden hair spread out on the pillow.

Her eyes turning silver as he pleasured her.

Blast and damn! Huntley was right. Kit needed to ask her soon.

“Really.” She raised one perfectly arched brow. “Who was that?”

He took a glass of lemonade from a passing footman, handing it to her. “You.”

Mary regarded him over the rim of her glass. “Thank you. I greatly enjoy when we dance together.”

Still, that didn’t tell him if she liked standing up with other gentlemen as well. One in particular seemed to be trying to make a push in her direction. He led her out for the last waltz of the evening. “Would you mind if we leave after supper?”

She curtseyed as he bowed and placed his hand on her waist. “No, not at all. Truth be told, I’m a little tired.”

Soon Mary was in his arms again, but it wasn’t enough. He forced himself not to close the distance between them during the turn. It was taking all the self-control he had to keep from grabbing her hand, pulling her outside, and kissing her senseless.

Thus creating exactly the type of scandal his long-dead half-brother had caused. Kit couldn’t do it. Somehow he had to find a way to keep his vow and convince her to become his wife.

An hour later, Mary and Kit arrived home to find Huntley’s aunt and uncle still up and in conversation with Lord Simon and the woman she had met during morning visits the other day. A young man she’d been introduced to the previous evening was there as well.

“Do you know who the young lady and gentleman are?” Kit whispered.

“I do.” She turned so that her back was to the rest of the company. “They are the ones I told you about. See how the younger man resembles Lord Simon?”

“Please join us.” Lord Titus hailed them. “Help yourself to wine, brandy, or whisky. The others are in the nursery with the babes. Apparently the poor things are fussy.”

Kit handed her a glass of sherry and remained by her side as they approached the group.

“Lady Mary,” Lady Theo said, “you have met Morna. It turns out she and Simon are married after all.” When the tale was finished it seemed to resemble something out of a romance novel rather than real life.

Including them sneaking out of their town house and arriving here after Morna’s father tried to gain entrance to the house.

“They will be staying here,” Lady Theo continued, “until passage can be arranged to England. I must ask you not to mention that fact to anyone.”

“No indeed,” Mary promised.

Next to her Kit squeezed her hand. “I’m sure none of us will say a word.”

She couldn’t imagine being married to someone old enough to be her grandfather or anyone she didn’t love.

A shiver slithered down her spine. Yet that was exactly what would have happened if she hadn’t had the support of her family and been able to escape her cousin.

Her heart went out to Lord Simon’s family for all they’d suffered due to the selfishness of others.

She tightened her fingers around Kit’s much larger hand.

He was always either with her or waiting for her.

They’d had so much fun sightseeing to-day, and no one waltzed better than he did.

He wasn’t as romantic as the heroes in the novels, but he was strong and steady.

Although she would like a bit more romance, Mary could not imagine spending her life with another man.

Kit was the gentleman she wanted to marry.

If only he’d ask her.

The next morning, Caro sat with Phoebe, Anna, and Theo around the breakfast table. Phoebe’s and Anna’s eyes were heavy as they sipped their tea.

“Where is Mary?” Phoebe asked. “I thought she’d be down by now.”

“Down, eaten, and gone.” Caro grinned. Mary’s bedchamber was up the corridor from hers, and Caro had heard Mary leave. “She and Kit are taking in more of the sights.”

Anna raised her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head. “Why is it taking so long for them to come to a decision?”

Phoebe pulled a face. “Sometimes it’s not easy.”

Dropping her head in her hands, Anna said, “I’m sorry, but you had a reason to be concerned. Kit, on the other hand, has never done anything even questionable.”

Caro swallowed her bannock. “You must remember, Mary has not known Kit for as long as the two of you have.”

“They are also both afraid of being rejected,” Phoebe added. “If only we could think of something to show them they want to marry each other.”

“You’re both right,” Anna said. “Ignore me. I’m just tired.”

Theo poured another cup of tea, a knowing expression on her countenance. “You might be interested to know, I have put a scheme in play. Give it another day or so, and I believe we’ll have a betrothal.”

And then, Caro prayed, a quick wedding. According to the letter she’d received from her mother, there was a great deal of talk and speculation about Kit leaving Town during the Season.