Page 68 of Deception and Desire
The chords of Amazing Grace echoed against the stone walls of the mill. Each employee stood tall, in respect to a man they had loved and trusted. All the clan members wore kilts, scarves, or plaids in their respective tartan. Passersby paused to acknowledge the procession and listen to the husky voice of Sorcha as she accompanied the bagpipe.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come.
T’was grace that brought us safe thus far
And grace will lead us home,
And grace will lead us home.
The last notes faded into silence. Colin snapped the reins and the pair of bays moved forward. Not a body moved until the wagon had turned the corner and was out of sight. Silently, the employees made their way back into the building. The workday resumed, though the air was heavy with grief.
*
That evening
Fenella sat inthe parlor, staring at the dark hearth. She’d told her grandmothermostof the details concerning Lachlan. “Grandmama, please help me, tell me what to do.” Guilt clawed at her chest, and she swiped at her wet cheeks. “How could I correct him when he was filled with such grief. When he said he loved me, I…”
“Afraid ye’d ruin yer chances?” Her grandmother shook her head in dismay. “I canna believe ye let them all think yer father was dead. It’s bad enough ye never told him that yer mother despises her own kinsmen.”
“I didn’t mean to mislead anyone. I meant to correct Ian right away, but then he began asking more questions and I just…. Then he went home, leaving Lachlan, and it never came up again.” She took an unsteady breath. Would he understand? Would it change the way he felt about her? “I’d forgotten the entire conversation until last night.”
“When he comes back, ye’ll just explain as ye did to me and hope he understands. I ken ye didna mean to lie, but the poor mon has been courting ye.” Aileen gasped. “That’s why he asked my permission. Why he said he couldna ask yer father. I thought he meant Sir Horace was too far away.”
A sob escaped her raw throat. “I’m so afraid. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose him.”
“If ye’d been honest to begin with, ye’d only have this one thing to explain. But now it looks as if ye’ve been deceitful all along.” She patted her granddaughter’s hand. “Do the right thing and clear yer conscience. It’s all ye can do, lass.”
*
The next daya letter arrived from her mother. Fenella broke the seal with unsteady hands. Though she and Evie had maintained steady communication, her mother had only added infrequent notes along with her daughter’s letters. This was the first time Lady Franklin had written to Fenella on her own.
My dear Fenella,
I would like to be the first to give you some wonderful news. While your sister wanted to write, I insisted this come from the matriarch of the family.
Lord Brecken has asked for Evelina’s hand! Your father has agreed, and they are betrothed. The bans are to be read at the end of August, and the wedding will take place in mid-September. I am sure you will want to be here for the ceremony. Enclosed is an invitation for your grandmother. Please make haste with travel arrangements. As you can imagine, your sister is anxious for you to be by her side during this time of great joy.
Your affectionate mother,
Lady Franklin
Before the week’s end, Evie had sent a letter in her own words, saying if Fenella could not leave Scotland, she would understand. Reading between the lines, Fenella knew her younger sister would be devastated.
“So, we’re to have a countess in the family. That works out well for several people, I’m thinking.”
“Grandmama, Iamhappy for Evie, and the fact I will no longer be pressured to marry. But the timing is dismal.”
“It canna be helped, my dear.”
“Lachlan may only be home a few days before we must leave. I’ll barely have time to tell him before going to London.”
“Some time apart after yer declaration may no’ be a bad thing,” her grandmother pointed out. “He’ll need time to think it through.”
“Or think the worst of me.”
“Be that as it may, ye’ll put on a smiling front for our Evelina.”
