Page 42 of The Lyon and the Unicorn
“I don’twanta London Season, Papa,” Clara said.
“Are you certain?”
“Perhaps we might permit Clara to choose her own fate, my love,” Mama said. “What guarantee do we have that a suitor in London would treat our daughter better than this man?”
“The Highlands is a long way to take my daughter,” Papa Harcourt said. “I must be assured she’ll be treated well.”
“I intend to take her home with me to meet my family before we marry,” Murdo said.
“IfI give my consent.”
“Aye,ifyou give it, sir. I also wish to seek my father’s consent.”
“Do you wish to marry in Scotland?”
“It’s what Clara wishes that matters to me,” Murdo said. “I believe she wants to be married from her own home. But I’d like her to see my home, and my family, before we marry.”
Papa Harcourt’s mouth twitched into a smile. “You want to give her the chance to reject you if she doesn’t like your family?”
Murdo lifted Clara’s hand to his lips. “I want her to be certain she’s making the right choice in leaving her family and entering mine. I don’t want her—orye, sir—to regret her choice.”
He bowed toward Clara’s mother. “If ye wish, ma’am, I’m sure Clara would wish ye to accompany us to Strathburn asher chaperone. I leave next week but can write ahead so we’re expected.”
“Yes, yes, I’m sure you’ve considered every arrangement, young man,” Papa Harcourt said. “But this is most improper.”
Murdo dipped his head. “Forgive the impetuousness of a man in love.”
Clara’s stepfather waved his hand in a gesture of impatience. “Come along, then.” He turned and strode across the hall, beckoning for Murdo to follow. Murdo released Clara’s hand and trotted after him.
“Will Papa Harcourt give his consent, Mama?” Clara asked, after they’d gone.
“He will if you love Mr. McTavish.”
“He looked angry. I know we shouldn’t have stayed out too long, but…”
“Mr. McTavish said he didn’t dishonor you. Did he speak the truth?”
“Do you think Papa Harcourt believed him?”
Mama laughed. “Of course!” she said. “Just as I know he’ll give his consent.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Had he doubted Mr. McTavish’s honor, he’d have cut his…manly parts off. Didn’t you see the knife in his pocket?” Mama linked her arm with Clara’s. “Come, my darling, we’ll await the men in the parlor, then we can toast your union.”
Shortly after they entered the parlor, the men arrived. Clara’s stomach twisted in apprehension, but the pride in her stepfather’s eyes and joy in Murdo’s told her that Papa Harcourt had given his consent.
She was, without doubt, the happiest creature in the world. Not because she’d beaten rival debutantes to the catch of the Season, but because she had found a man who loved her for herself.
Chapter Nine
There was nosight more uplifting than the first glimpse of Strathburn Castle, nestled in the foothills of Beinn Urraim. The carriage rounded a corner and Murdo’s heart sang as the turrets came into view, pale gray against the backdrop of fir trees.
“What do ye think?” he asked.
Clara leaned out of the window, and Murdo held his breath in anticipation. Then he spotted the duchess watching him with her sharp, intelligent eyes.
“It’s beautiful!” Clara exclaimed. “It looks like a fairytale castle. And the mountain stretches up into the sky!”
