Page 75 of Deception and Desire
Fenella nodded, blinking back the hot tears.
Aileen addressed Sir Horace. “What are the chances of my dear Agnes coming around?”
“On her own? Slim odds, I’m afraid,” he said.
“You’ll have to be stern with her and stand firm. She’ll be madder than a barefoot mon in a thistle patch, but it’s time she remembered where she came from.” Aileen took a sip of the brandy and wrinkled her nose. “Did ye no’ stock any good scotch for yer favorite mother-in-law?”
He chuckled. “As a matter of fact, I did. Let me exchange that for you.”
Aileen stood and poured her brandy into Horace’s glass and handed her empty one to him. “Thank ye, dear.”
“Excuse me, but both of you are talking as if I’m not even here,” Fenella huffed. “This is my problem, in case you’ve both forgotten.”
“And how have ye faired on yer own so far?” asked her grandmother.
“I’ll stay quiet,” conceded Fenella. “It’s a moot point, though, when the man no longer loves me.”
“Oh, he wants to,” said her grandmother as she accepted the scotch. “He just needs to be reminded.”
“His pride is hurt. A man draws a line when it comes to his dignity.” Her father studied Aileen. “What do you suggest I do with Agnes to bring her around?”
“Cut her off. No more funds and let her creditors know.”
Fenella gasped. “That’s horrible. She’ll be livid.”
“Of course she will,” agreed her grandmother. “Do you want her at your wedding or not?”
“You’re both forgetting I’m not betrothed.”
“Ye will be,” Aileen said with a grin. “But ye’ll have to swallow yer own pride. What I have in mind willna be easy.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Betrothal and Betrayal
End of September 1819
Glasgow
Lachlan read theletter again with a scowl. His mother requested his return to the Highlands. His aunt and English cousin had finally arrived to offer condolences. Gideon had never been to MacNaughton Castle, and his aunt had not been home in years. There would be a ceilidh in honor of the long-awaited guests. An opportune time to speak with his grandfather about staying at the mill. With the support of his cousin and aunt, he and Brodie might be able to persuade the stubborn old man without creating a break within the clan. Calum would be in a braw mood with both his daughters home and such a festive atmosphere.
“Dinna tell me ye’re leaving again.” Colin entered the library and stared down at him.
Lachlan tapped the paper against his knee and nodded. “I’m afraid so.” He handed Colin the letter and waited for him to finish reading it.
“Ye’ll miss Fenella’s return.”
“Dinna say her name in my presence,” he warned and then shrugged. “Doesna matter to me when or if she returns.”
“Ye canna avoid her forever.Sheworks for us.” Colin planted himself, wagging his finger as he matched Lachlan’s glare. “And ye canna fire her.”
“I can and I may,” Lachlan yelled up at his cousin. “I’ll pull rank, yehackitbehemoth.”
“Then I’ll quit.”
“Ye canna tell me what I can—” He stood up, fists clenched. Lachlan had been looking for a fight since Fenella’s admission. “Ye’d quit over a woman?”
“I’d quit over a stubborn mon licking his wounds.”
