Page 117 of In Search of a Husband
Kate chuckled, peeling her attention away and mouthed “thank you” to Hugh, embarrassment burning her cheeks. Her parents’ behavior was…
“Girls, please allow us a few minutes to discuss things with Sir Martin and Lady Bancroft. Then I’ll need your help in the kitchen.”
“I dinna want to watch Mrs. Malcolm making haggis again,” Lorna whined.
“No, I’ve something much sweeter we can bake up.” Kate shooed them along, then turned back to her parents who were whispering to one another.
“You have disowned me once. It broke my heart. Mr. MacInnes is a great man who will provide well for me. He…” Her voice cracked. “He loves me, and I wish to remain here with him and be his wife. If you disagree and cannot support that decision, then I will help you return promptly to London.”
Her father stood, slamming the newsprint down on the table. “You are a blackguard, sir,” he said, turning to the marquess. “I am disappointed that you have now failed my family not once, but twice. Your father would be ashamed.”
Kate raised her hand to protest, but Gabriel tugged at her hand, nodding his head for her to wait a moment.
Hugh Nethercott, the Marquess of Brookhouse, slid that cool stare of his to her father and flashed an unaffected grin. “What I find curious is that your only daughter announced she is to be married, and instead of congratulations, you find fault with me, sir. Scotland suits Miss Bancroft. As for disappointment, I would have failed you and your family one way or another. That is what I am best at, is it not? Why not see Miss Bancroft married happily in Scotland instead of marrying me and festering with regret and contempt? Is that what you truly wish for her?”
“Your poor mother,” Lady Bancrofttsked, gathering her fan and her reticule and standing up beside Sir Martin. “You must break her heart every day.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“Mr. MacInnes, please see about having our carriage readied. My wife and I will be returning to London immediately… without the marquess.”
“Now, Father,” Kate pleaded, breaking free from Gabriel’s grasp. “It is hardly fair to take your anger out on the marquess because of my decision.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” he spat back. “Nor do I find myself in need of it any longer. If you wish to marry Mr. MacInnes, then doso, but it will not be with a blessing from your mother and me. I will never approve of a union between you andthisman.”
The morning room fell silent as tempers flared, and she thought she heard her mother sniffle. Kate would be angry another day. Today, she apparently was bidding her family farewell again. But unlike before, she wouldn’t give them the power to dictate her worth.
No, there was power in finding a family of one’s own, which she had here at Dunsmuir Castle. This wild, restless bunch who lived loudly and loved even louder.
“Verra well, Sir Martin. If that’s yer decision, then I pity ye.”
Her father tried to object, but Gabriel held up his hand and leaned both fists on the table, his voice low.
“Leave if ye must. But this woman here, yer daughter, will never ken heartbreak again at yer hand. I love her something fierce, and if ye wish no’ to care for her and respect her, then leave today and say goodbye. Ken that I will love her, that she has family here who love her, and will support her nae matter. She deserves that at the verra least. She is incredible and brave, and I will be the one drying her tears after you leave today. So go on if that’s yer decision.”
“Oh, I can’t!” Her mother turned and sobbed, clutching on to her husband. Sir Martin pushed the woman away, annoyed.
“Lord Brookhouse,” Kate said, clearing her throat. She glanced at Gabriel, her heart aching in her chest. “I will see about a separate carriage to convey you to London. That may be best. Come with me, please.” She paused, half out of the room, before spinning to address her parents one more time. “When I return, I wish for you both to be packed. Darling, see that they can leave quickly. I wouldn’t want to disappoint them any further. Goodbye, Mother and Father.”
She strode out of the room, ignoring the harsh whispers of her mother, pulling herself to stand tall for fear she might crumble at one more word from her father.
Kate wished only to appease them, but they would never be pleased because they had decided long ago that she was not to have a say in her life. In their eyes, she had failed them, and even with the happy news of her marrying Gabriel, it was not according to theirplan. Their daughter was never supposed to remain in Scotland and marry the owner of a whisky distillery.
“Miss Bancroft,” the marquess spoke behind her quietly.
She halted, spinning to rest her back against the wall. With a large gulp of air, she closed her eyes and stemmed the tears from falling.
“That is never easy.”
“What’s that?”
“Our parents are our heroes until one day we realize they are humans, not gods.”
“I never promised to worship my parents. I never idolized them.”
“No, but you lived for them certainly, doing as told. Well, until you didn’t…”
She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.
