“All you need to think about is where you’d like to live. We’ll go to Hull in a day or two, but we won’t remain there. I’ve been considering Bristol.”
Morna only half listened. As long as her family was together, she didn’t care where they resided. Right now, she wanted Simon, and even her thoughts of moving, or committing patricide for Simon having been taken away from her, couldn’t stop her rising desire for him. Moaning, he slid into her, and Morna focused her attention on enjoying her husband.
An hour later, Simon, Cormac, and Finella kissed Morna farewell.
Simon held her for a few moments. “After Cormac and I take Finella to Theo, we’ll visit the docks, then the lawyer. You should start packing. We will depart in a day or two.”
“I shall. Will we remain here until then?”
“We can discuss that this afternoon.”
Morna kissed Simon one last time, and stood in the doorway as they hailed a hackney, trying not to remember the last time he and she had parted. There was no point in being maudlin. Everything would be fine now, and she had a great deal to do if they were to leave soon.
Later that morning, after having the trunks pulled down from the attic, and putting her lady’s maid and two of the other maids to packing, Morna was in the garden, enjoying a rare bit of sunshine, when the butler, Oliphant, whom she’d hired for the Season, came out on the terrace.
He bowed. “My lady, there is a Lord Freskin here to see you. He says he is your father.”
What the devil was he doing in Edinburgh? A cold breeze touched her spine. She debated denying him entry and making him come back after Simon had returned, then decided she’d hear the man out. There was nothing more he could do to hurt them. Still, she’d need to be canny. There was no point in giving him any information he wasn’t already in possession of. “I’ll meet with him out here. Please bring tea.”
A few moments later, her father, a large, barrel-chested man, stomped out onto the terrace. “You should have told that butler who your father is.”
She kept her eyes lowered. “I didn’t think to see you here.”
Tea arrived, and she poured, handing him a cup.
He scowled at the cup. “Woman’s drink. I’ll have a whisky.”
If he thought she’d give him strong sprits, he must believe she was either stupid or daft. A meaner drunk she’d never met. “Then you’ll have to go visit someone else. I don’t keep it in the house.”
“Don’t lie to me, lass.” He glared. “I’ll find it myself.”
Pretending a calm she didn’t feel, Morna sipped her tea. “And I’ll have you shown out.”
Her father settled back in the chair, but it was clear his temper was on a short tether. “Call Fee down. I’ve come about her, in any event.”
Morna stiffened.Damn him to hell!Thank God her daughter was with Lady Theo. “She is visiting a friend. Whatever you have to say, you will discuss it with me first. I am her mother.”
“And I’m her guardian. A fact you’d do well not to forget. I’m at the town house. I’ll expect the both of you there at four o’clock sharp to-morrow to drink tea with me. I’ve a gentleman I’ll have her meet. Now that I think of it, since I’m here I want you and the children to move in with me. I’ll have my servants pick up your trunks in the morning.”
Morna’s stomach clenched. Even though he had no power over her anymore, she bit her lip to keep from bursting out in tears. “I’ve paid the lease for the Season. We are perfectly content to remain here.”
“If you want to keep the girl with you until she’s wed, you’ll do as I say.” He stood and walked back into the house, bellowing for his hat.
Morna took a deep breath. Thank God Simon had arrived in time, but would it be enough? Her father was not a man who liked to be crossed.
Simon and Cormac sat in the solicitor’s office, waiting as Mr. Kennedy read over the marriage lines and the statement.
“It’s all in order. There is no doubt at all that you are legally married.” He rubbed the side of his jaw. “I’ll file to have Lord Freskin’s guardianship terminated, but you should know, he is a powerful man in Scotland.”
Simon’s hands closed into fists. “But I am my children’s legal father, and thus their guardian.”
“Aye, and eventually the court will have to decide for you.” The lawyer placed his elbows on his desk. “On the other hand, being as you, your wife, and your children are English citizens, his lordshipwould not have any luck at all trying to enforce the will appointing him guardian anywhere other than in Scotland.”
Simon sat back, stunned. Of course they were. Morna became an English citizen upon her marriage to him, and, because he was their father, Cormac and Finella were English as well. “What you’re telling me is that you’ll file the court case to clear the record here?”
“And also to keep his lordship busy. He has a certain reputation for being difficult.” Mr. Kennedy stood. “Might I suggest that you head south at your earliest convenience, or before your wife’s father gets wind of the case? I’m sure Lord Titus can handle matters for you here. If you’d like, I’ll send a power of attorney over to Charlotte Square for your signature.”
Simon and Cormac rose at the same time. Simon shook the lawyer’s hand. “Thank you for your advice. I had already made plans to go to England.”
