Page 60 of A Highland Lass for the English Duke

"Lettice," repeated his mother. She looked out to the garden beyond, yawning. "Well, congratulations. A true English rose," she quipped.

Will bit his lip as he attempted to smile at his mother.

"I only hope she will be as loyal as you are!"

His mother's words were serious, but she wore an enticing smile.

"Oh, she is!" he replied. Meanwhile, his thoughts returned to Lissie.

She would understand his support for the true king. He felt certain. Yet, that was not the reason she was in his mind. She was just in his mind, stuck there, on a never-ending loop. And instead of thinking about his engagement, he was thinking about Lissie.

Somehow, he could not quite picture her fitting into the stultified life in London, nor could he see her settling into polite society and bonding over cold caudle with Tilly or Lettie.

"Well! We must put the word out and announce this engagement to the world," his mother exclaimed.

She smiled excitedly. "We cannot wait! You must go and find her!"

This, Will was not expecting. The whole point in telling his mother what she wanted to hear was to buy him some time. Not this.

"Do not fret, Son, I know exactly where to find her," assured his mother, smiling.

Will's heart sank.

Of course, she does. Mother knows everything, thought Will glumly.

Somehow he had not only condemned himself to a loveless marriage, but now he was to be sent chasing down the cream of London society.

"I will aid you to find Lettie. Oh, Will, I am so happy. Finally, our family can prosper. A proper English lady!"

Will's heart sank like stone.

A proper English lady, he thought sullenly. Yes, apart from being Prussian-French, born in Poland and raised in Lithuania. Apart from that, completely English. But none of this mattered. His mother was in her element, rushing about, planning things, and organizing.

"Oh Will, finally, this will turn our fortunes around. Finally, Mary-Ann can marry. Come now to the Fortescue manor to announce the good news."

As his mother took charge of everything, Will sighed.

Marriage.

To Lettie.

The thought of it was too grim to dwell on. And now he was being sent to announce it. A sudden thought flashed through his mind. How would Lissie take it? He hardly dared think.

Then, as an afterthought, he wondered, And how will Lettie take it?

* * *

"Forsooth Will! I will gladly take your hand. I only wondered what had taken you so long."

Lady Lettice Fortescue beamed from the great hall. It was another nightly ball in another noble's manor. Or maybe their townhouse.

Sipping at his mead, Will was not sure. Another drink and he would not remember his betrothed's name. Any more, and he would not remember his. And that suited Will fine. Because right then, he did not want to remember. Looking around the tightly packed hall, he already could not remember which lord's patronage he was under. The night was so long and seemed to melt into any of the others in town that week.

Will stared down at his drink in despair and tried his hardest to grin.

"I, um, was waiting for the right time," announced a desperate Will. By now, half the hall was listening.

Well, he supposed they would have to hear sometime, although not like this—and preferably not at all.