Page 26 of Christmas in the Scot's Arms
Chapter Seven
“Lord MacLeod,” Cecelia’s mother said the next afternoon, not bothering to hide her discontent at his arrival at her home, “I’m sorry to inform you that Cecelia is riding in the park with the Duke of Blackmore.”
Liam doubted the woman was at all sorry to tell him that, and her next words confirmed it. “Do not bother calling again,” she said in a hard tone. “Cecelia has gone riding with His Grace every day for a week.”
Damnation. Liam clenched his teeth. Blackmore had no doubt known Liam was with Aldridge in the country, had seen his chance to pursue Cecelia, and had taken it, not that Liam blamed the man.
“What time do ye think she might return?” he asked.
“I hardly know,” Lady Thornberry snapped. “But as I said, I think you are wasting your time. As you are not from here and hardly know my daughter, I’m sure you are not aware that Blackmore courted Cecelia very actively before he went off to fight Napoleon. I’m certain he never lost his fondness for her. I’d not doubt if he offered for her today.”
Liam wouldn’t doubt it, either. What he didn’t know was how Cecelia would respond.
“Cecelia is anxiously waiting for this to happen,” her mother continued. “Shewillaccept him, Lord MacLeod.”
Blocking out the doubt that tried to speak in his head, he nodded to Lady Thornberry. “Thank ye for making everything so clear to me.”
For a moment, the lady looked truly sorry, but then it was as if she hardened herself against the emotion. Her shoulders went back, and her chin jutted up. “Good day to you.”
“Whatever are ye doing back so soon?” Aila inquired as Liam strode into the drawing room at the Rochburns’ home a short time later.
He fell into the chair opposite his sister. “She was not there. Her mother informed me that she was riding in the park with the Duke of Blackmore, as she apparently has done every day since I departed. Lady Thornberry also made sure to tell me that Cecelia would accept an offer of marriage from Blackmore, if one was forthcoming. And the woman was quite certain one would be. It seems Blackmore was courting Cecelia before he went off to fight Napoleon.”
“Oh, Liam!” Aila cried. “I am sorry. Why do ye not tell her the truth about yer situation now?”
“Ye know why,” he growled.
Aila nibbled on her lip while reaching for her drink, which was sitting on the table. As she did so, she knocked something to the floor. “I almost forgot! A note came for ye!” she exclaimed, reaching for it.
Liam took the note his sister held out to him, broke the seal, and quickly read its contents.
Lord MacLeod,
If you’d be so kind as to call on me at 1:00 p.m. sharp today, I would appreciate it.
All the best,
Elizabeth Burton
He lowered the note and found Aila watching him curiously. “Well?” she demanded, blunt as usual.
“I’ve an invitation to call upon a dear friend of Cecelia’s.”
Aila arched her eyebrows. “And will ye?”
“Of course,” he said with a wink. “Cecelia might be there.”
“Tell me of your ride with the Duke of Blackmore,” Elizabeth said to Cecelia.
Cecelia stared into the crackling fire for a moment. “It was pleasant. He’s changed a great deal in his time away. He’s much more serious now, but in a good way. Yet—” she quirked her mouth in thought “—there are things about him that are the same. He still holds disdain for thetonand the rules they demand be followed. And he is still unapologetic for going against the ton’s dictates, except he has begged my forgiveness a hundred times for the part he believes he played in my social demise. I told him that I’d made my own choices.”
“So you did,” Elizabeth said.
A slight sharpness in her tone drew Cecelia’s attention to her friend. “Are you cross with me?”
“No, my dear! I am worried about you. I see what is happening. You are allowing your mother’s wishes to dictate the choices you make. You don’t brighten at all when you speak of Blackmore, but the one time you spoke of Lord MacLeod, you positively glowed.”
Despair filled Cecelia. Liam had made her feel things she had never felt—strange, wonderful things. She had been unable to put him out of her mind, despite trying, but he had apparently had no problem putting her out of his mind. He’d not come to see her since they had shared their kiss. She told herself it was for the best, but that did not make it hurt less.
