"Rush? Ha!" His father raised a dark brow. "I've ne'er seen such a procrastinator."
Damnation.Rebbie wanted to pull his own hair out, but he allowed his father to see none of his frustration. "I don't want to be like you, marrying four times. I but want to marry one time."
His father shrugged, obviously trying to pretendRebbie'scomment hadn't bothered him. "Well, if you decide to marry that one, you'll not gain any dowry."
"I'm well aware."
"And if you do break the contract with Barclay, you must pay whatever he asks. He's a friend and I'll not make an enemy of him."
Rebbie glared. "Although you should be the one paying him in recompense, since you signed the damned contract, I will do it.'Tisa matter of honor to me."
His father narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying I'm not honorable?"
"You didn't keep your word to me. I didn't realize we'd need a signed contract between us saying I would choose my own bride."
"Robert." He sighed. "I've indulged you the whole of your life, giving you anything you wished. I was at my wit's end.'Tisa father's responsibility to find spouses for their children. For years, I've searched for the most advantageous match for you. You rejected two dukes' daughters. At least a half dozen earls' daughters. All you want to do is gallivant across kingdom and continent."
He hated that his father saw him as little more than a wastrel. "I value my freedom.'Tisnot a crime."
"Nay, but I lie awake nights, worrying," his father said in a tired voice. "What if you get killed in some senseless skirmish with your friends? What if I die? What if you never sire a son? We are the last two males in a direct line to the firstMarquessofKilverntay. Four hundred years ofMacInnishistory is entwined with Scotland's history and 'tis important to me. I would like to think our ancestors would be proud of what we've accomplished, what we've added to the titles and estates. Sometimes I get the feeling you don't care one whit about any of that."
Damnation, he detested when his father talked this way, as if Rebbie didn't deserve a life outside of his duty or his title. And he well knew his father had hoped to sire more sons, but Henrietta had given him four daughters instead. "I do. I value our history."
His father threw up his hands. "So you say, but I've seen no evidence of it."
"I care about it, but 'tis not the most important thing on earth to me."
"Of course! You care far more about traveling to the ends of the earth with your friends, seducing the lasses, and gambling, than about our proud heritage."
Rebbie didn't see it that way at all. His father made him sound like a frivolous gallant. But he'd had good reason for traveling with his friends. They'd needed his help and he was glad to provide it. He valued those friendships highly. "Lachlan and Dirk are like brothers to me, and they needed my help.'Twaswhy I traveled with them. Mayhap you cannot understand that. And if not, I'm sorry I've been a disappointment to you.'Twasnever my intention."
Studying him, his father drew his mouth into a thin line. "Not a disappointment, son. I'm proud of you.'Tisonly… I wish so much more for you. I want only the best of everything for you. That is why I've searched out the highest-ranking, most beautiful bride for you."
"I thank you and I know you meant well, but 'tis not always the best way to find a bride."
His father's brows drew together. "How would you know how to find a bride?"
"I've watched my friends. Lachlan, Dirk, Keegan… they're happy with their wives. Some people suit well, and others don't."
"So, you want to fall in love, do you? I didn't realize you're a romantic," his father said dryly.
Rebbie shrugged. He only knew marriage should be a joy, not a burden.
His father inhaled deeply and studied him. "You're already in love with her," he said in a calm voice. Lifting a brow, he waited. "Are you not?'Twasobvious, the way you rode out hell-bent last night."
Rebbie would never admit such a thing to his father. Besides, he didn't know as of yet.'Twastrue he could not get enough of her. Most likely, he was smitten, but did that mean he loved her? He didn't comprehend his own feelings. "I care about her. People have mistreated her and she deserves so much better."
His father looked annoyed and exhausted. "And what does that mean?"
"I intend to keep protecting her from that bastard, Claybourne! Her husband owed a huge debt to the man and was unable to pay it before he passed. Claybourne now wants to take Lady Stanbury hostage and… you can guess the rest, given how beautiful she is."
His father nodded and grimaced.
"I'll kill him if he comes near her again."
"Is he a powerful man?"
"He's a wealthy merchant and an untitled laird, simply because he owns land. I know very little about him."
