Page 74 of Deception and Desire
“I may have wiped away a few myself when I saw the receipts for this wedding and the trousseau.” He put an arm around her and gave her a squeeze, kissing the top of her head. “Tell me your wedding will not cost me as much your sister’s.”
She shook her head, her throat swelling.Do not cry, she told herself. She needed to face this like an adult, not a child. “Papa, I met a man in Glasgow. I’ve been working for him.”
“Working? For wages?” he asked, his eyes narrowed. “If you needed more money, I’d have sent it to you. Is Aileen in financial difficulty?”
“No, nothing like that. I was bored and saw an advertisement in theHerald,” she began. “Sit down, Papa. It’s a long story.”
“Sounds ominous.” He settled next to her with a scowl, leaning back with his arms crossed. “From your expression, I don’t think I will enjoy this story very much.”
“I’m afraid it doesn’t show us in the best light.” Her toe traced the pattern of the rug, wishing she could hide beneath the plush wool as tears pricked her eyes. “I’ve made a bumble-bath of things.”
“It can’t be so terrible.” Sir Horace patted her hand. “I’m sure it’s nothing we cannot set to rights. Tell me what’s happened, and we’ll discuss it with calm logic. Tears only puff up the eyes and never solve a dilemma.”
Fenella looked into his kind eyes and sucked in a deep breath. His sympathy would be her undoing. “It all began with theGlasgow Heraldand an advertisement for an accountant.”
An hour later, her father paced the library. His heels made a soft rhythmicthunkas he stormed back and forth across the carpet. “I understand not wanting to tell him about your family right away. But when you realized you were falling in love with the man…” He stopped and glared at her. “What did you promise me before you left?”
“That I would never misrepresent myself again.” Fenella closed her eyes, embarrassment staining her cheeks. At least he was angry. She could withstand that easier than disappointment. “I didn’t mean to. It was just so hard to find the right time. Then Ian died, and I realized Lachlan thought you were dead.”
Sir Horace looked at the ceiling. “God, give me patience for the women in my life.”
“It doesn’t matter now, Papa. He hates me and says my name will never cross his lips again.”
“I can’t say that I blame him, but I thinkhatemay be a strong word.”
“You didn’t see him. He hates me.”
Her father gave a mirthless laugh. “I know from experience that hate and love are very strong emotions that often walk hand in hand. You must care for someone to have such strong emotions.”
“Mother would never accept him, even if he were a descendent of Bonnie Prince Charlie.”
“Especially if he were a descendant of Charlie,” said her grandmother from the doorway. “I see ye finally told Horace.”
Her father bent in acknowledgment of his mother-in-law and went to the sideboard. “I’m in desperate need of a drink. Aileen?” He held up a crystal decanter of brandy.
“I’ll take a wee nip.” She settled into a forest green brocade chair and smoothed her silk skirt. “Has she told you everything?”
“I certainly hope so.” He handed the older woman a glass. “If there’s more, I may put her over my knee and give her a sound beating.”
“Fenella, tell me what ye love about him.” Her grandmother fiddled with the locket that hung at her throat. “Besides the fact he’s a virile, handsome mon.”
“Why?” An unexpected demand.
“Surely ye’ve thought about it.”
Sir Horace looked up, interest gleaming in his eyes.
“Well, he’s loyal, the type of man who people depend on, and a man of his word.” Fenella chewed her bottom lip. “He cares about his clan, and the mill workers are more than just a profit to him.”
“What else?”
“His sense of humor, how he makes me laugh. His temper that flares and then dies in a moment. The way his blue eyes turn dark when he watches me or… he’s patient when he teaches me something new.”
Her grandmother smiled and nodded.
“He is gentle and appreciates my intelligence.” Her throat worked as she tried to swallow. “From the first, Lachlan made me feel beautiful and cherished and safe… just like my father.”
“So, his love is worth fighting for?”
