“Ye are shocking my bride’s delicate sensibilities.” At that, Lachlan finally crossed the room to stand beside her. He even slipped an arm around her waist, but either did not see or chose to ignore the cautious curve of her lips. “Ye forget, Father, that the English are not nearly as bluntly spoken.”
“But she’s no longer an English rose, is she?” Handing Eara and Tavish off the nursemaid to be fed, Robert scratched under his chin. “Yer wife is a Campbell now, and pretty as a bouquet of wild heather.” He gave Brynne a wink. “Sorry, lass, if I offended ye. Having six sons, I tend tae forget tae curb my tongue in polite company.”
“That is quite all right,” she said, and she meant it.
The Marquess of Kintore was as different from the Marquess of Dorchester as the light of day was from the pitch of night, but she vastly preferred Robert’s–admittedly flawed–character to her father’s icy demeanor. It was obvious where Lachlan had gotten his charm from, and while she’d never want to be married to a man whose eye wandered as freely as Robert Campbell’s, she was of the opinion that he’d make a fine father-in-law.
Again, she invited him into the parlor, but he declined with a regretful shake of his head.
“Next time, lass. But I’m sure me boy is as eager tae get ye all tae himself as me wife is tae see the twins. She had a bad spell of it, after they were born.” Robert tapped the side of his skull. “Something went off, up here. Which is why I suggested she spend a few months in Bath. A change of scenery, and all that. It must have worked, for now she’s right as rain and eager tae begin mothering.”
Brynne had heard of new mothers who did not bond with their babies right away. A different sort of anxious mannerisms that had left her friend, Lady Wright, in bed for nearly half a year after the birth of her daughter. Thankfully, with time and patience and a good doctor (the first two had been fired after they suggested leeching), she’d made a full recovery and was due to welcome her second child any day, if she hadn’t already.
“I am glad to hear it.” Kneeling, Brynne gave each of Lachlan’s brothers and little Eara a farewell hug. Her chest tightened as she rose, and she averted her gaze as the corners of her eyes stung. She must have touched her face after squeezing the lemons for the lemonade. Or else she’d grown more attached to this rambunctious group of miscreants than she’d thought.
“They’ll be happy at Kintore Manor,” Lachlan said quietly as he joined her in the doorway to wave a final goodbye. “Spoiled rotten, I am sure, but Lady Heather will have a veritable brigade of governesses at her disposal tae keep them in line. We can visit once they’ve settled in.”
Brynne frowned. “Does she…that is to say, is your stepmotherawarethat your father–”
“Is a lecherous old goat who canna keep his pecker in his pants?” Lachlan said dryly.
Her cheeks suffused with color. “I don’t know if I’d put itthatway.”
“Why, when that’s the way it is? The way it’s always been. Robert Campbell is a man of few vices. He doesna drink tae excess–at least not so much anymore. He’s never raised a hand tae me or my brothers when it wasna needed. He honors his bets. But it has never been said that he is a faithful husband. Something Lady Heather well knew before she married him. Especially given that he was still married tae Blaine’s mother when they…met.”
“Then how–”
“If memory serves, me father claimed the marriage was never valid and paid a parishioner tae say the same. Blaine’s mother trotted off with a hefty sum for her troubles, and Lady Heather trotted in. Not tae say she hadna already been doing some trotting, if ye understand me meaning.”
“I–I see.” As her blush deepened, Brynne wondered if she could abide such an arrangement. Affairs were more common in thetonthan fidelity and if both parties were aware of their partner’s indiscretions, as was the case with Lachlan’s father and stepmother, then what was the harm? Except she didn’t think–in fact, sheknew–that she’d never want to share her husband with another. Justimagininghim doing to another woman what he’d done to her…it was impossible. It was intolerable. But it was also something she’d never have to worry about.
While Lachlan had spoken harshly to her yesterday, he’d never hurt her on purpose. Of that, she was certain. Shehadto be certain. Because if he did…if he did, it would take them to a place that they’d never recover from.
She was already clinging by her fingernails. Such a betrayal would wrench her hands free, and then there’d be nothing to do but fall.
Nibbling her bottom lip, she cast her attention to the drive. All of the children–with the exception of Blaine, who hadn’t been allowed to bring his snail collection into the carriage–were eager to set off to their new home, and they quickly found a seat in the enormous landau with the twins on Robert’s lap. A crack of the whip, and the team of four horses set off in a plume of stone dust.
“Do ye hear that?” Lachlan asked, cupping his ear.
“What?” she said.
“Silence.”
Itwassilent.
Almost eerily so.
But instead of finding respite in the quiet, the unease she’d been able to tamp down when Robert arrived resurfaced again. She didn’t like this divide between her and Lachlan. Thisdistance, even though they were standing side by side. They needed a bridge. Something to close the gap between her insecurities and his doubt. If she had to lay down the first plank, then so be it. Because she hadn’t learned how to trap a frog in a silk stocking just to give up now.
“Lachlan–” she began.
“Bry–” he started.
They stopped.
Stared at each other.
“Ye said there were refreshments?” he said gruffly.
