“Maclean?” The name sounded familiar.
“Do you not remember Black Jack Maclean?” Monty said to prod Harry’s memory.
Harry pushed away from the table. “That sorry rascal! He was married? I pity the woman he took for a wife.”
“I do as well,” Monty said. “Her life has not been easy.”
“Does she know he had at least two families on the Peninsula?” Harry asked. “The man was a scoundrel. He wasn’t even a good officer. He spent most of his time as far behind the lines as possible.”
“He was a coward,” Monty agreed. “But he was an even worse husband.”
“Toallhis wives,” Harry had to quip. Everyone in the regiment knew Maclean lived with different women as man and wife. He wasn’t the only one to do so. Many soldiers did—but the practice had never set well with Harry.
“Aye, he was bad ... and I hate what he did to Ariana.” Now it was Monty leaning across thetable. “Harry, you should meet her. She’s the loveliest female that has ever graced this earth. Since first we met, there hasn’t been a day of my life when I haven’t thought of her. Not a day that has passed when I haven’t wanted her.”
“Why, Monty, you are in love.”
“Yes. Yes, yes, a hundred times yes. I love Ariana Williams.”
“That was her maiden name?”
“Her family lived not far from mine. I was first introduced to her when I was fourteen and she twelve.”
“And you have loved her all this time?”
Monty sadly nodded yes.
Harry studied his friend in a new light. He was no fan of love. One couldn’t be given his family history. His parents had both been cold people, until his mother died and his father had gone mad over an opera dancer whom he had made his second countess. And then the curse had claimed him. His father had died soon after the marriage.
Now Love was claiming the life of his brother.
But Monty’s declaration was a complete puzzlement. “If you were so enamored, why didn’t you speak up before she married Black Jack?” Harry asked.
“I tried, or I wished to do so. I’m not good with words.”
“You are speaking clearly right now.”
“But I can’t speak toher. And then she chose Maclean over me. I tried to warn her but ended discussing the weather instead, and I had a hard time doing that.”
“She made a poor choice. Being shot in a duel by an angry husband is not an honorable death.”
“Yes, the Portuguese are not as reserved about adultery as we British are,” Monty agreed. “The worst is that he had resigned his commission.” One of the dogs put his paws on the table to catch his master’s attention. “Down, Jasper,” Monty said, pushing him away and then offering a crust of bread.
“So the family has nothing?” Harry shifted in his chair. “Well, it is the rare man who can afford three families.”
“I don’t know if Ariana is aware of what a scoundrel her husband was. They say the reason Ariana moved her family to Scotland was because it is less expensive to live here. I love her, Chattan. I love her completely and honestly and secretively. I want to change that. I want her to know. I could do so much to help her family, if she would let me.”
“Then speak to her,” Harry advised.
Monty raised tortured eyes to Harry’s and said, “No. I’m afraid to even call on her.”
“Why? What are you waiting for?” Harry demanded. “She needs a man to support her and you are one of the best. You have position, you have fortune, and she has your heart. What woman could resist such a man? None that I know. Call on her tomorrow. Make a declaration. Neither of you is growing any younger.”
Monty gripped the edge of the table. “I can’t face her alone. When I think about it, I’m petrified. I can’t talk, I can’t think, I can’t move.” He raised a pleading gaze to Harry. “But Icouldface her at the dance if you would speak for me.”
“Oh no,” Harry said. He held up a hand warding the suggestion away.
“Youmust.”
