Page 125 of The Devil of Clan Sinclair
Chapter 30
Brianag’s distinctive voice came through the door, followed by a maid’s laugh. Despite the housekeeper’s glower, laughter was a common sound at Drumvagen.
Virginia was in Macrath’s library, a room she’d visited every day since the arrival of the crate of broadsides. When she wasn’t in the nursery, she was here, at least as long as Macrath was occupied with his new ice machine.
When she questioned him about why he worked so hard, he smiled at her, reached over, kissed her, and said, “I’m creating an empire.”
She only nodded, remembering their conversations in London. He’d told her about Drumvagen then, but in her mind she’d seen it as a black fortress, a formidable stronghold. Instead, it was a palatial estate set in a storybook setting.
The last few days had been enchanted ones. She pretended she belonged at Drumvagen, that it was her home. Her son, as its heir, was cosseted, and she, his mother, treated almost the same. Even Brianag had stopped grumbling around her and sent her a gap-toothed grin from time to time.
Macrath was the most enchanted part of it all, a prince in this castle. He made her laugh, and brought her to tears with his tenderness. They slept close to each other, and when she woke in the middle of the night, he was there when she wanted to touch him.
At dawn he loved her until the sky grew pink and the seabirds started their morning squawk.
This morning she’d been visited by her monthlies, which meant she’d escaped the consequences of this hedonistic week. No doubt this time of the month was the reason she was also so tearful. She could weep at the mention of the weather, a smile from Mary, or a question from Brianag.
Hannah noted her mood, but except for a quick look from time to time, hadn’t questioned her.
After cutting the rope binding the next bundle of broadsides, she grabbed half the stack and returned to her chair. How much easier to forget about her own life and read about the terrible story of the midwife who confessed, on her deathbed, to killing a dozen babies. Or the song written about the murder of poor Bessie Smith.
She started to read, caught up in the story.
Come all false hearted young men and listen to my song.
It’s of a dreadful murder that lately has been done;
On the body of a damsel fair, the truth I will unfold,
The bare relation of this deed will make your blood run cold.
The poor girl had gone into service and been courted by a young gentleman. On discovering she was with child, he’d lured her to a grove and killed her despite her pleas of mercy for their unborn baby. The young gentleman had slit her throat and now awaited hanging for the crime.
Saddened for the girl, she placed the broadside facedown on the table.
What would Macrath have done if she’d written him while he was in Australia? If he’d discovered she was with child, he would have whisked her from London and installed her here in Drumvagen as his wife.
Yet he’d never once mentioned marriage to her in all the weeks she’d been here.
Did he still distrust her?
There was so much left unsaid between them. She had never once told him how much she loved him. He had never said the words to her.
They lived in thenowof their moments, afraid to recall the past, and with the future so uncertain neither mentioned it.
She lay her head against the back of the chair. Did it matter what he felt about her? Even if he confessed he adored her, what difference did it make?
Right or wrong, she’d created a birthright for Elliot. He was the eleventh Earl of Barrett, with all its attendant rights and honors. He could sit in the House of Lords. He would have her father’s fortune at his command.
Could she strip it from him?
He’s a Scot. Better a Scot than an earl.She could almost hear Macrath’s voice.
She smiled. How arrogant Macrath was. How certain he was right in all things. Yet he’d had to be hadn’t he? From the time he was a boy, he’d had to help support his family. He’d done that and more.
He wanted a clan, the Sinclair Clan, known throughout Scotland for their achievements.
Elliot was Macrath’s firstborn son. How could she take the child away from the man? Look how he was with Elliot. He consulted with her and Brianag about his diet, was concerned if Elliot sneezed, and delighted in his every smile.
