Page 56 of Deception and Desire
Anxiety twisted Fenella’s stomach. Grandmama was right. If Lady Franklin hid the fact she came from Scotland, why would she welcome Lachlan into the family? She’d been fooling herself. While her father might allow her to stay here in Glasgow, her mother would put up a fight. Fenella knew how often Papa gave in to his wife. Her heart sank.
“If he’s yer destiny, he’ll fight for ye to remain with him. But the mon needs to ken what obstacles he’s facing.”
“I’ll tell him when he returns. I promise.”
*
Mid-July 1819
MacNaughton Castle
“We need tomake some changes so this doesna happen again,” grumbled Calum. “Any suggestions?”
“We’ve taken some measures,” agreed Lachlan. “Ian and I are now involved with the bookkeeping. Colin oversees the day-to-day operations, but I think he should become the general manager. I dinna think the previous one was complicit, but I’d feel more confident having my cousin in charge.”
“I’ll write to Gideon in England to be sure both families are in agreement. I dinna think he has the same reservations the late earl had about a Scottish manager. Nor does he worry about us having too much control.” His grandfather scratched his beard. “Would Colin be willing?”
“Aye, he’ll be honored to take on the responsibility for the clan. None of us want any more outsiders making decisions or being in a position to swindle us.” It still riled him—not the money, so much as the audacity to steal from an employer so blatantly. “He can train another to do his job and still repair machinery if need be. We canna take that from him.”
“This embezzlement is a dent in my pride, to be sure,” added Calum, his bushy black brows scrunched together. “So, we’re in agreement? Colin will take over the role ye and Ian have been filling, and we can get back to normal.”
“But we’ll continue to share the responsibility of the mill in Glasgow?”
“I suppose there’s no reason for ye not to.” Calum grunted. “Whatever happened to children accepting what their elders said without question?”
Lachlan snorted. “When did ye ever ken a Scot to do that?”
*
Late July
A gentle breezesent a ripple through the heather. Charlie snuffled at the summer grass, pulling on the reins to nibble at the tender green shoots. Lachlan sighed and handed the flask to Brodie.
“Weel, Grandda’s wavering, I think,” Brodie said cheerfully. “I ken he appreciates my cooperative nature and lack of complaining.”
“It would be best for us and the clan.” Lachlan patted the chestnut’s neck, then took an oatcake from his saddlebag. Brownie lay on the ground next to him, her yellow eyes tracking the food in his hand. He tossed her a chunk, and she raised her head and caught it mid-air, crunching and wagging her tail at the same time. “I’d like to take my hound with me.”
“I agree. The blethering dog whined for a week after ye left the last time. The weather’s better this time of year, and she’s a tough little beastie. She’ll be fine if ye travel a steady pace.” Brodie gave his brother a sidelong glance. “So, tell me about this Fenella.”
“She’s a fine accountant.”
“A Sassenach beauty, eh?” Brodie handed the flask back to his brother. “And a Long Meg from what Ian said.”
“Aye.”
Lachlan had not shared his feelings for Fenella with the rest of the family. There were too many unknown factors, too many decisions not yet made. Brodie would be the next chief, of that he was certain. Regardless of how his grandfather ranted, Lachlan would not give in. But Calum had final say on clan matters, including the family business. Hecouldrefuse to let Lachlan work at the mill. What would he do instead? If his grandfather insisted he work here and withdrew his consent to share responsibility with Ian, would Fenella live in the Highlands?
He loved her. That was the only certainty the future held for now. This separation had convinced him of that. Her face haunted his dreams. Those eyes, sparkling silver with humor or turning stormy with desire, teased him when he fell asleep each night. Aye, she’d stolen his heart, and he couldn’t wait to return to Glasgow.
“Lachlan!”
He jerked up at Brodie’s irritated tone. “What?”
“Did ye hear a word I said?”
“Aye, she’s bonnie and verra tall. An intelligent woman.”The perfect combination, he thought.
The younger Scot frowned, looking like a younger version of their grandfather.
