Page 3 of Highland Wishes And Dreams
Galina nodded as she watched Finn pour half the whisky in his glass down his throat. “It hit all of us hard. I had hoped Jake would help him through his grief.”
Galina wished she was sipping something other than tea. Something that would heat the cold deep inside. Before she could stop herself, she added, “He won’t see Jake.”
Finn sat up straight and she heard Lady Stuart gasp. Finn rose to his feet. And made for the door.
Galina jumped to hers. “Where are you going?” But she knew. “Don’t be too hard on him.”
Finn swung to face her. “Hard? He has responsibilities. He has a son to look after. A son that my sister died bringing into this world. The boy has lost one parent, he deserves a father.” With that Finn left the room.
“Oh, dear,” was all Lady Stuart said.
Galina fell back onto the settee. “Perhaps I should—”
“I wouldn’t, dear. Andrew needs someone to pull him out of his sorrow and remember he has much to live for.”
“What if he can’t,” Galina whispered softly. That’s what she was scared of. What if Andrew never recovered to his happy, generous self? The bitter, angry version was not someone she wanted to be around, nor did she want Andrew taking his anger out on Jake.
“Finn will help him. You’ll see.”
Galina sat silently chewing her bottom lip. She prayed Finn could work wonders because she had not been able to get through to her brother. She’d even taken Jake to his room once, but Andrew had merely roared at her to get the babe out. He’d frightened Jake and the babe had started screaming. She had not taken Jake to see his father since.
“I hope you are right.”
Chapter 3
With a heavy heart Finn made his way to the Earl’s bedchamber. He remembered hiding under the late Earl’s bed with Andrew when they were mere boys. Playing hide and seek with the girls, their sisters.
Galina had looked tired when he arrived. She had big black circles under her lovely hazel eyes, and her usually silken fair hair was not clipped upon her head emphasizing her slender neck. It was hanging limp around her face. She hadn’t even bothered to dress for visitors. Normally she took such pride in her appearance. She was a lovely Scottish lass, and he had thought a few times about courting her before some man stole her away. He loved her. How could he not? She was good, kind, with a happy soul, like her brother. So much like her brother. But he wasn’t sure if he was in love with her. Until he was sure he would not act. Now that he’d seen what could happen to women in childbirth, he wasn’t sure he wanted to be in love with her.
After Wen’s death he could not stomach the idea of taking a wife. What if Galina died in childbirth? He didn’t know if he could face the guilt. Which is why he was here to help his friend. Andrew… Andrew must be consumed with grief and guilt, yet it was not his fault. No. Finn blamed God.
He didn’t even knock when he reached the door to Andrew’s bedchamber, he pushed it wide open. The stench hit him immediately, as well as the darkness. All the curtains were drawn and empty whisky bottles littered the floor. He moved to the bed pushing aside the bottles with his feet, and pulled the bed curtains aside. Bottles littered the bed too.
Andrew lay on his front and didn’t even bother to open his eyes. “Whoever you are, get out.”
Finn ignored the barked command and moved to the windows drawing back the curtains and throwing the windows open. He put his head out the door and called for Andrews valet, Larry. “Get a hot bath drawn for his lordship. And tea.”
Larry was about to say something but merely nodded before fleeing.
When Finn reentered the room, Andrew had finally rolled onto his back. He was unshaven and his hair looked as if it had not been washed for weeks. “Who the bloody hell made you the lord here?” he roared at Finn.
He stood at the end of Andrew’s bed with his hands on his hips and sighed. “I’ve organized a bath. You will wash and get dressed and join us downstairs.”
“You can go to hell.”
“I will put you in that bath myself if I have to.”
“I’d love to see you try.”
Finn raised an eyebrow. “You’re hardly in any state to stop me. You’re drunk and all flab.” Andrew glanced away. “It’s time to get up and rejoin the world.”
“I don’t want to,” his words came out on a growl like a wounded animal.
“Not even for your son. For your andWen’sson.” Finn’s heart clenched as a tear rolled down Andrew’s cheek. “You know Wen would not want this for you. She would have been so proud of bearing you a son. She would want you to love him. To tell him stories of his mother that only you would know.”
“I can’t breathe for missing her. Trying to live is painful and I just want to be with her. Here in the dark it’s like she is still with me.”
Finn took a deep breath. He too hurt but this wasn’t about him. It was doing what was right for his friend and Wen’s son. “I’m sure she is with you. She’s probably trying to clip you round the ear for not looking after your son. You’re the only parent he has. Now how about you drink this tea and eat this scone while the bath is filling.”
