Page 70 of A Highland Lass for the English Duke

"Who?" questioned Trenton, watching him fully. Will found himself like a moth in the flame of his stare and did not like it.

"Lissie," said Will, looking at Trenton as if he were mad. He was now comfortably numb. Enough wine would do that, he observed miserably. Enough more, and he might even be able to inure himself against marriage.

But no amount of liquor would ever get him through the horror that would be his wedding night.

Will shuddered and was about to take another dram when he saw Trenton's frown.

"You mean Lettie?" he said cautiously. Trenton had that worried look that people wore when conversing with an escapee from the Lady of Bethlehem Hospital. "Lettie, not Lissie. You know the difference; the teeth, the hair, the horses…"

Will waved him down. "I know all too well, dear brother. Yes, Lettie. I am a man of my word, sir, and I said I would marry her, and so I damned well will. When I have finished this wee dram!"

"Well, you'd best go and hurry up because Mother is home right now preparing a feast for waiting, and so is she!"

For a moment, Will looked up, hopeful.

"Lissie?" he asked, his eyes shining. "She is coming?"

At this thought, Will's tired heart skipped a beat. Yes, Lissie still had the power to make him do that. But even as her name slipped from his lips, Will could not help wondering what it would be like being married to Lissie.

The thought stuck in his mind, playing over and again in various scenarios. He pictured them in Scotland, visiting her clan. Will's idea of what the Highlands were like was misted and vague, but it immediately became his favorite thought.

He and Lissie making love in some Highland heather...

But Trenton put paid to all that.

"She is not coming," Trenton confirmed. "She has already left town. She made her excuses and left already, Brother. If you want her, you are going to have to fight for her."

Trenton's face challenged him to do something. In stony silence, Will turned around.

"That is not a problem. It probably is for the best, in fact," said Will, trying his hardest not to wake up.

But is it? wailed a voice from inside. Trenton could not be sure his brother was serious.

"Not a problem," repeated his brother. "Well, your head needs to tell it to your face."

Will scowled, proving Trenton's point. Then Trenton sighed.

"You know, ten years is a long time...or even fifteen," he said. "And in the whole time you have been duke, have you ever once done something just for yourself?"

Will was just about to take a dram when an arm stopped him.

"Really," Trenton said conspiratorially. He looked at Will. "It does not feel like you have done anything except toil and sweat on behalf of others."

Will tried to murmur his disagreement; something pulled him up sharp. But then, he was stopped by a thought. The sunshine flooded into the room. In his mind, he was in another place. And Will slid back to the old days rather than when he was alone.

The hunting park, the footrace. She had done that, brought out the best in him. Slowly, he realized Lissie had made him laugh for the first time in his life.

Seeing his face, Trenton nodded grimly.

"So you see, dear brother, you are not the only one who cares. So for that reason, time is of the essence. Lissie rides today for Scotland. I don't think she should be going, and you alone are placed to stop her!"

Will's face contorted in disbelief. "I cannot," he said simply. Then, he cut away.

"You can," urged Trenton. "And what is more, you should!"

More silence.

Will battled with himself as the air in the tavern grew heated. The merriment of the crowds pressed in close, making it impossible to form a thought. Suddenly, Will needed some air.