Page 55 of His Highland Duchess
“She insisted that she be allowed ta da sa herself,” her mother sighed at the sight of Isobel scampering. “Honestly, the independence she has…” A sigh. “She reminds me of ye.”
“Isobel!” Margaret swept to her youngest sister, picking her up in her arms and holding her close. “Look how big ye have gotten!”
“I am!” Isobel agreed. “Did ye see me climb down? All on me own.”
“You are particularly a woman fully grown.”
They laughed together as she carried her sister toward her brother, mother, and father. Then she handed her off to her brother as she looked past them and indicated for Lysander to come and greet them, finally.
“Your Grace!” her father’s voice boomed. He stepped from his family and extended an arm. “It is a pleasure ta finally meet the man who stole me daughter away.”
“She came willingly, I swear it,” Lysander chuckled as he took her father’s arm. “And anything else she says is a lie.”
“Where is Catherine?” her mother asked. “Is she here yet?”
“She will be along shortly,” Margaret assured her.
“Until then, I have had a table set for us in the back garden…” Lysander stepped beside Margaret, put his arm around her again, and indicated for her family to follow. “If it pleases you.”
“It does, Your Grace,” her father agreed.
“After ye,” her mother said.
“Look at this house!” Graham opined and let forth a low whistle of appreciation. “I would ge’ lost in it, if it were me.”
“Let us hope you do,” their mother said under her breath. “Save us having to take you back with us.”
They all laughed, even Lysander. And as they walked, she made sure to meet his eyes to read his first impression. He smiled for her, and she sighed with relief. It was early still, but things were off to a good start.Let us hope they continue this way. Fingers crossed…
“Come then!” Margaret’s father boomed and clapped his hands together. “Let us hear it!”
“Hear what?”
“The story,” he said. “The tale! We might have missed the weddin’ but I would like ta know how a man of such esteem saw fit ta marry me daughter without me permission.” He raised a bushy eyebrow at Lysander, whose eyes widened in embarrassment. “Joking, Your Grace!” her father chuckled. “Just jokes.”
“Fergus…” Her mother shook her head. “Behave yerself.”
“Doin’ me best, dear. Doin’ me best.”
“He is right, however,” her mother continued. “Ye were gone for but two weeks when we were told of the marriage. And so rushed – we would have liked to have made it, had we been given enough notice.”
“I was goin’ ta ride down meself,” Graham interjected. “But mother would not let me.”
“Of course I would not,” she said rightly. “All that way on horseback. Alone! I would have been mad to have allowed it.”
“I am nae a boy, mother.”
Their father blew through his lips. “From where I am sitting, ye still are.”
“Your Grace…” Graham turned to Lysander. “Tell them. At fifteen, I am practically a man. Do ya nae agree?”
Lysander looked between Graham and Margaret’s parents as he decided what to say and how to say it. Margaret watched him closely, wondering too how he might tackle this little test.
“I am afraid I have to side with your parents,” Lysander said finally. Graham’s face dropped. “Do not take it personally,” Lysander chuckled. “But I am trying to win them over, and somehow I sense that going against them on this might not be the best way.”
“He’s smart,” Margaret’s father nodded.
“And rather easy on the eyes,” her mother said with a wink.
