Joan stood, ready to dismiss herself. “I thank ye for your kind words, my lady. E’en if things are not meant to happen, the hope of a dream is always something to cling to.” She curtsied. “I will return to get ye dressed for dinner this eve.”
Willamina stood and went to the window, not the one that overlooked the garden, but the one that overlooked the gravel drive.
One by one, she watched as her callers left Buckwood Manor, thankfully for the last time. Or at least the last time that they would be here to call on her. As long as her cousin accepted Lord Primrose’s request to marry her. She worried her lip between her teeth. What if Gil denied the request? She refused to believethat was a possibility. Lord Primrose was a very good match. Her cousin would see that and agree.
She could then leave this place. Would she be back in Inverness? Nay, but to be out from the watchful eye of Gil would be present enough. And he would no longer have any say about her assets. Something that made her happy. Because she had no doubt if she dragged her feet finding a husband, he would take control of everything that rightfully belonged to her and hide her away somewhere.
She couldn’t let that happen. She had no choice. Lord Primrose was truly her salvation.
After the things that life had forced onto her, she did not really believe in fate.
But bumping into Lord Finlay Primrose at the maze at the garden party of Sir Forthington could have been naught but fate.
So she would accept it as such and move on.
Now she just waited for Gil to come talk to her. Knowing that she would have to convince him that she was in love with Lord Primrose after only a few days. Especially after stating repeatedly that she did not want to marry. It was a large task, but she was certain she could make it believable.
After all, she had lied her way through her first marriage and everybody believed she and Gerard were a match.
Ofttimes, people only saw what they wanted to. And when it came to her and Gerard’s marriage, there were no better liars than she and her late husband. To the outside world, they were the happiest of couples.
But behind closed doors, it was naught but hell for Willamina. Gerard was happy as could be, of course. Everything played out exactly as he wanted it. As if the world was an orchestra and he was its maestro.
She looked around the room. A place that, if their plan worked, she would escape in the near future. Och, what shewould give to be able to listen to the conversation currently happening between Gil and Primrose.
Needing to escape the confines of her room and to get her mind off of whatever was happening in Gil’s study, Willamina made her way to the library. Not overly large, but the room was cozy, with two leather loungers that felt like clouds when you sat upon them. She scanned the shelves, letting her fingertips trail along the leather bindings, searching for something that would hold her interest.
Most of the included works were either military, scientific, or biology. Not her favorite subjects. A smaller case in the corner held books she found far more interesting. She had already readThe History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, but snagged it anyway. She enjoyed the story and it would hopefully get her mind off of whatever was happening down the hall.
Straining her ears, she tried to hear their voices, but no sound made its way to the library.
She had gotten so lost in her reading, that she didn’t hear the two men approach, and jumped when Finlay cleared his throat from the doorway.
“It has been settled. In two weeks’ time, ye will become Lady Primrose.” Finlay beamed at her after making the announcement.
Her heart jumped to her throat. She was thrilled at the thought that he and Gil had come to an agreement. This was the outcome she needed, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
“Gil and I have agreed that the ceremony will be held at Rosewood Manor.” He approached and took her hands in his, squeezing them gently as he pulled her to her feet. With strong arms he enveloped her in a warm hug, burying his face in her hair. “Ye’re going to make me the happiest man alive,” he whispered near her ear.
She shivered, despite the fact that she knew he was only saying it to convince Gil that their feelings were genuine.
He pulled away and she immediately felt a chill at his absence.
“I shall take my leave. Ye have a wedding to plan.” He winked at her and her stomach fluttered. “I mentioned it to Gil, but ye need to ken as well. I am giving ye an open-ended budget to plan whatever ye want for the wedding. Make it as extravagant as ye want. I shall see ye on the morrow.”
And with that he was gone, leaving Willamina to try to make heads or tails of all the different emotions she was feeling.
*
“I dinna believeye are getting married. Especially after showing no interest in doing so,” Fingal complained two days later.
Finlay listened as his brother ranted on and on. He had been whining about it ever since Finlay had told him the news.
“Brother, your obsession about my upcoming nuptials is fringing on unhealthy. Get a grip, man.”
His brother was stalking from one side of the room to the other. If he kept it up, Finlay fully expected to see a clear path being worn into the oriental rug that decorated the middle of the room.
“Ye are doing this just so ye can keep your title.”
