Page 58 of Scandal with a Sinful Scot

His father’s relieved gaze turned to one of sadness, and trepidation rolled through Garrett. “I will fetch her directly. First, allow me to give you a brief summary of what has happened.” His father gave a stunning narrative, one Garrett struggled to keep up with. The consequence was that there was proof that Sutherhorne was behind the shooting. The despicable wretch. His father stated that they had a plan, but the details would wait until tomorrow.

Riordan patted Garrett’s leg. “Rest, Uncle. We’ll talk later.”

Riordan, Dr. Faraday, and his father departed. Julian stepped closer. “Listen to what Abbie has to say. Open your heart, Brother. This may be your last chance at happiness.”

What in hell did that mean? Damn it, he couldn’t get his throat to work to ask. The words Julian spoke were somber in tone. Garrett’s apprehension only increased when his father opened the door and Abbie walked through. The look on her face was determined, but guarded.

“I will leave you both,” his father stated, closing the door with a soft snick as he and Julian departed.

Abbie stood beside his bed, her hands clasped in front of her. The fact that she did not touch him filled him with dread. What was going on? Something must have happened, but what? He gazed at her questioningly, his heartbeat pounding in his ears.

“I’m glad the fever broke. During the worst of it, you said: ‘Get away from me, far away. I don’t want you near me, not ever again. The curse exists and will consume us all. I want you gone!’ Do you remember saying it?” Her voice was tight, the tone showing annoyance.

Damn it all to hell. He struggled to recall. It had been a dream, hadn’t it? He shook his head.

Abbie frowned. “I cannot put myself through this again. I thought that in coming here I had placed most of the past behind me, but it seems I have not.” A gasping sob left her throat. “I am torn. Completely miserable. You are the only man I have ever loved, and also the only one to break my heart.”

He tried to sit up, to open his mouth and vehemently deny everything, but all that came out was a dry croak.

“Allow me to finish. Megan and I are leaving later today. It was the original plan, and I will follow through on it. Under the circumstances, I believe it wise. Julian is making the arrangements. Samuel Jenkins will be accompanying us and staying with us in Standon until this situation with Sutherhorne is resolved. Recover, and think about what you want. For a choice is before you: me or the curse.” Abbie dashed away a lone tear. “I have done all I can with regards to this relationship. Years past, you hurled cruel words at me to hasten my departure, all because of this curse. It has happened again. If you decide the curse is more important than our love, then I never want to see you again.”

The declaration sliced him. He was stunned. Even if he could get his throat to work, he could not have found the words. He closed his eyes. The words she’d spoken on one of the nights she’d come to his room played in his mind: Not if you insist on placing the curse between us as a shield. If you cannot commit to me or love me with your entire heart and soul, then I do not want you at all. I won’t settle for any less. Elwyn taught me that much.

Both of them were vulnerable; this alliance had always stood on shaky ground. His blasted demon—the curse—reared its ugly head when he was most susceptible and Abbie had witnessed it.

“I will never deny you your daughter,” Abbie continued, her voice quaking with emotion. “If she wishes, she may visit you during the summers, as you did with your grandparents in Scotland.” She stepped closer and laid her hand on top of his. “Believe me when I say that I, too, need time to think. For I have not put the past behind me. That is clear to me now. And the fact that I do not fully trust you scares me witless.”

Garrett moved to place his hand on top of hers but she pulled it away, causing his heart to squeeze with sorrow. “Abbie. Don’t…leave me,” he croaked, his throat raw and scratchy.

She closed her eyes, and a couple of tears escaped from under her lids. “Goodbye, Garrett. Get well.” She turned and scurried from the room.

He lay dumbfounded, staring at the ceiling. Devastated. Alone. Her words reverberated in his heart and soul. Despite his desolation, a ray of hope emerged. Abbie had said: “You should do what you should have done years ago, but only if you can let the past go and reject the curse wholeheartedly.” Those words were as clear as glass, for she referred to what she had said one of the nights she’d visited his room: You didn’t love me enough to ride in and claim me. I cursed you, for how could you do such a thing to us? Deliver such a mortal blow to our love?

He would recover. And come to terms with this damned curse. He would have to declare his love and commitment to Abbie, swear he’d placed the curse behind him. It would right the wrong of years past, and also prove that he truly wanted a fresh start. Tears ran in steady rivulets from the corner of his eyes, dampening the pillow.

Or life would not be worth living.

Chapter 19

“Megan, please stop fussing. Gather your belongings. We will return to Alberta’s and pack the remainder of our personal effects. Julian has assured me the carriage will be ready to depart later this afternoon.” Julian had also related they would be making an overnight stop halfway through the journey, all arrangements made by the family. She could hardly refuse.

Megan glowered; her lips formed a pout. She would be next to impossible on the trip to Standon. “I do not understand, why the haste? There is something you are not telling me,” Megan demanded.

Abbie closed her eyes, striving to hold her temper. “Sit, Megan. Truly, my relationship with Garrett is private, but I’ll relate some of what has transpired. There is this curse—”

Megan sat on the edge of the bed. “Curse?”

“It is said that every man born through this particular bloodline of Wollstonecrafts suffers tragedies. Women in the family, either born or wedded into it, do not live long, no matter how many times the man remarried. You are aware that your grandfather lost three wives and a daughter. Your uncle lost his wife. This all happened when Garrett was a small boy. It had an impact on him.” Abbie’s brows furrowed in annoyance. “This curse has hovered over us like a dark, thunderous cloud from the moment Garrett and I met.”

Megan’s lips parted in shock. “Truly? A curse? He believes it? Do you?”

“Me? Of course not, but I cannot dismiss the impact it’s had. All the men believe in it, to a certain extent. Garrett more than any of them. He vowed never to love or marry.”

Understanding dawned on Megan’s face. “Ah. The cause of the hurtful words he spoke of when we were out riding.”

“Yes. Despite his recent oath to put the curse behind him, he hasn’t. At least, not fully. This shooting…”

“But why? We weren’t shot,” Megan said, her brows furrowed.