Captain Pike has told me in his letter much about you and Kinmarloch. He says you are a woman of great fortitude and honor and you have the best interests of your people in your heart, at all times. These are qualities that speak to me, very deeply.
I feel I should be blunt with you, to spare you time and expense. Captain Pike hinted you might have expectations of a marriage with me. But I will not marry. I am purported to be a scoundrel, and I would never be a good husband. I would only disappoint, and I am sure you will find a man much more worthy of you.
Please answer this letter and know you can be open and honest with me. I like frankness. I assure you there is no need for politics or etiquette in your correspondence with me. You need not hide your wishes or motives. I am like you, in that I only wish for what is best for the Highlands.
Yrs. Sincerely,
John MacNaughton,
Duke of Dunmore
Helen read the letter many times. She went out and found a shop and bought paper and a pen and ink and pounce and sealing wax. She came back to the rooms and sat at the secretary in the drawing room and thought for a long time. Then she wrote her reply, carefully, in her poor, scratching script.
To the Duke of Dunmore.
My lord duke:
Thank you, Your Grace, for your letter. I hope you will forgive any errors that follow. My education is lacking in many things and I am not as well-read as I would like.
I thank you for your concern for my time and expense. I am sure you are much less of a scoundrel than you think you are but it is not my place to try to change your opinion of yourself. If you know you will be happy without a wife, then I am glad for you.
I will be pleased to undertake your education about the Highlands. The most pressing item is the need to stop the clearances. Captain Pike has already undertaken this in Dunmore, and I hope you will continue his practice. The issue is a difficult one. The people wish to stay on the land, but the land does not support them. However, I believe, with time and money and care, new livelihoods could be found that do not uproot the people from the land they have lived on for centuries and they should have the right to live on forever, as it is part of dùthchas, the ancient Scottish clan right.
I am happy you wish to hear about my grandfather and that you already care about the people of Dunmore.
Please write with any questions you might have. I hope this correspondence will be of use to you. I only wish to help you fulfill your own duty as the Duke of Dunmore. I am sure you will.
Yrs. Sincerely,
Helen Boyd,
Countess of Kinmarloch
She sent Duncan and Mags to their separate bedchambers when Jack came to the rooms at noon. She did not want the pair to hear what she had to say. But she wanted Mags and Duncan there, close by, to shore up her weakness, to remove temptation.
Before Jack could touch her or kiss her, she put her arm out in front of her, keeping him away, pressing the letter into his chest. He looked at the outside of the sealed letter before he tucked into a pocket inside his coat.
“He’s written to you?”
“Aye.”
“I hope it was an encouraging letter.”
“Nae. The duke dinnae plan to marry. But I thank ye for speaking so well of me. I think ye praised me too highly.”
“I didn’t. I couldn’t.” Then, “I’m sorry, Helen.”
“Jack.”
“Yes?”
“I . . .” He was as beautiful as ever. “I. Cannae. Be. Yer lover. Anymore. Jack. Pike.”
“Why is that? What changed between last night and today?”
Ye made me feel beautiful. And I’m in love with ye. And I know now that everything forward from those two things will only tear my heart out.
“I am going to see if I can find another man to marry me. As ye suggested.”
