Page 6 of Beware A Wallflower's Wrath
“Of course, we’ll be fine.” He hesitated, then plunged on, “Your grandfather would like for you to spend time with him this summer. Would you consider it?”
“Do you think I should?”
“I believe he could teach you a great deal about running an estate. You could be in the saddle every day, and I know how you enjoy riding. Perhaps he’ll invite your cousins.”
Anthony thought about this. “I would like to know my cousins. Mama spoke often of my uncle.”
“We’ll discuss it more once we’re home. Did you get enough to eat?”
“The cook is wonderful here. I even snuck into the kitchen like I do at home, and no one chased me out. Had a fresh biscuit, still warm.” The joy on his face reminded Robert how young Anthony still was, despite his adult speech.
He made his way down the corridor to his bedchamber. Once the door was locked, he stripped out of his coat, waistcoat, and cravat, and settled in front of the hearth with a bottle of brandy. The butler had been very cooperative.
He threw back the first glass in one gulp and poured the second, then waited. Within minutes, silent tears spilled down his cheeks. Images pierced his brain as the sadness, anger, and regret of fifteen years finally seethed to the top of the boiling kettle.
Caroline, a dark beauty who dared fate by loving the wrong man and paid the price.
Annis, her honey-brown hair and stormy-blue eyes shining with love, then darkening with pain. She, too, had paid the price for loving the wrong man.
An innocent boy whose happiness and security lay in Robert’s hands.
All pawns in the game of peers and politics.
But his thoughts returned again and again to Annis. It had been so long since he’d allowed himself to think of her, close his eyes and bring her image to mind, remember the feel and scent of her.
It made his heart hurt.
An odd sensation. It had been numb for so many years that the pain was almost welcome. Would searching for Annis bring more pain? Or the balm and happiness Caroline had wanted for him? He’d have to wait the proper mourning period of course.
With the bottle gone and his decision made, Robert stumbled to the bed and fell into it face first. A smile curved his mouth. “Scotland it is,” he mumbled into the pillow.
CHAPTER 2
Early May 1820
Glasgow, Scotland
“Och, lift with yer legs, lad, not yer back. Ye’ll be an old mon before yer twentieth year.” Colin picked up another sack of wool and demonstrated. “Ye should feel it, here, in yer thighs.”
Annis watched from the stairs as her cousin taught her son how to maneuver a heavy load on his shoulders. Finlay was growing into a man, and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
“That’s it, lad. Ye’ve got it now.” Colin slapped Fin on the back and almost sent the boy sprawling. They walked through the large doors facing the River Clyde, and each carried the last two bags left on the dock. The rhythmic sound of the water wheel outside faded as the pair closed the wide sliding panels, shutting out the churning river.
“Do ye think it’s time to ask yer mother?” Colin peered down at Fin. “Are ye sure ye’re ready to start working in the family business?”
“Aye, but she willna be happy. She still sees me as her wee bairn.” The late afternoon sun slanted through the dusty windows lining two walls, creating a halo around the boy’s dark-blond hair.
My angel, she thought with a nostalgic sigh. He was right. She was struggling to let go of her child, struggling to let the man he was becoming shine through. But he would turn fifteen this December, and it was time to cut the leading strings. Colin had been promoted and now ran the mill for the MacNaughtons. Lachlan MacNaughton, the clan chief’s grandson, preferred to deal with the clients, haggling over price and quality. Lachlan’s wife, Fenella, was in charge of the accounts. Colin tried to hide his pleasure at Fin’s interest in the clan business, but the boy was like a son to him. The giant man puffed with pride whenever he spoke of Fin.
“Ask me what, ye schemin’ coos?” she called, making her way down the steps and toward the stacked bags of wool and flax. “And just so ye ken, ye’ll always be mo luran, no matter how many years pass.”
“I’m no’ a pretty boy, Ma,” he whined as she kissed him on the cheek.
“What is it ye’re asking?” She ignored his complaint and placed a kiss on the other cheek. “Ye’re no’ working on any machinery.”
Fin rolled his blue eyes and shook his head. “No, Ma, Colin says I must start like the rest. Here on the dock, unloading and loading the barges. He thinks I’m strong enough.”
Annis bit her lip, not wanting the smile to escape as he raised his arm to show his muscle. But she was surprised at how much strength she saw there. Her cousin was right. If he wanted to work, she had no reason to deny him.
