“I mustnot,” Harry replied. “I have done this before, Monty. I’ve had friends ask me to speak to their ladyloves for them and it has never ended well.”
“But I’m not justanyfriend.”
“That you aren’t,” Harry agreed, “which is all the more reason I should decline. I like you, Monty. Maclean’s widow will like you as well, in fact more so. Be yourself, be kind, be attentive, and she will be yours.”
“I’m tongue-tied around her,” Monty lamented. “You don’t have to do much. Just go to the dance with me. Be there for support.”
“Monty, I can’t stay here that long—”
“It’s infourdays—”
“My brother isdying. I can’t stay. My quest is for an end to this curse. Once I’ve found what I’m looking for, I’ll return to Glenfinnan and go to however many dances you wish and talk to any number of women. But right now, I can’t, sir, and I beg of you to understand.”
The general’s back stiffened. He would not meet Harry’s eye as he said, “Have it your way then. I shall wait. I’ve waited decades already.”
The pronouncement ended dinner. Harry’s appetite had left him. He did not like disappointing an old friend. Then again, he didn’t understand all this nonsense over a woman. He rose from the table. “I value our friendship,” he said. “I have always respected you when under your command. I apologize, Monty, but my brother’s life is a higher priority.” ’
“Of course it is,” Monty said. “I understand. I’m just—” He broke off as if words failed him. He attempted to smile. It was a pathetic thing.
“Do you know your Shakespeare, Monty? ‘Love is merely a madness, and I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do,’ ” Harry quoted.
“Yes, she makes me mad. But it is my own fear that disturbs me. I would rather face French cannon than make a fool of myself in front of her.”
“You can’t make a fool of yourself in front of a good woman,” Harry said. “They are the kindest of creatures and amazingly forgiving.”
“She’s all I’ve ever wanted, Chattan. I fear the risk of losing any contact with her.”
Harry studied his friend. The man appeared done up, and yet Harry could have sympathy only to a point. He rose from the table. “I shall return and help you, but I must go.”
However, before Harry could leave, a servant entered the room carrying a silver salver bearing a letter. “Colonel Chattan, we found this on the front step. It is addressed to you.”
“Left on the front step?” Monty said. “Did they knock on the door? The dogs didn’t make a sound.”
“They were all in here, sir,” the servant said. “You know how they are during the dinner hour. And we didn’t hear a sound from outside. It was by chance we looked outside and found the letter.”
Harry took the letter. It was addressed to “Chattan.” The stationery was thin and cheaply made.He broke the wax seal, unfolded the letter, and what he read changed everything:
Meet me at the Great Oak, tomorrow, midnight.
Fenella
Chapter Three
Becoming a witch was no easy trick.
Portia obviously couldn’t dress as herself. She would not want that scowling Englishman to know who she was. She also needed to convince him she was a witch—but how did a witch look?
She could wear rags like Crazy Lizzy did, but she decided she didn’t want to be that sort of witch. And she knew she would have to do something to hide her face.
After finishing her tasks around the house, she disappeared to her room to give proper consideration to her costume. She had excuses ready in case her mother or Minnie asked questions, but they weren’t necessary. Her mother had deemed today would be one of “those” days, which meant she would not come downstairs at all.
And Minnie was still mourning the loss of Mr.Tolliver. She had cared deeply for the man. Portia had tried to buoy her spirits the night before but her sister was disconsolate.
“You will see him at the Christmas Assembly,” Portia had said. The desired invitation had finally arrived the evening before and their mother had been very pleased after remarking on the poor form in delivering invitations at such a late date. Apparently, the kirk committee had a bit of a spat, so all the invitations had been late. Most in the valley assumed they would be invited, so for most the lateness didn’t matter.
Not so Lady Maclean.
However, now she was happy and insisting that Minnie would be the belle of the ball.
