Page 57 of Return to Wildsyde

It was a massive understatement, but Lyall saw Helena’s expression soften somewhat, something in the way he’d said it revealing the depth of his regret.

“It must have been a horrid shock,” she admitted. “And I suppose it is hard to trust again when one has been so ill-used. But Lyall, could you not have stopped to think before you threw accusations around?”

“Aye, but the Andersons are nae known for having even tempers. We’re quick to anger, but it did nae take me long to realise I’d made a mistake. I wish I had gone to her at once now, only it seemed wrong to go to her room in the middle of the night, especially as I’d had a skinful. I was afraid I’d say the wrong thing.”

Helena tsked, shaking her head. “What a pair you are, and her running away before you had the chance to make amends. Not that I blame her. I don’t think I could have stood remaining under your roof after such an accusation. Still, she does not need to marry anyone for money now, Lyall, so you can put such suspicions to bed once and for all. She’s a rather wealthy young woman. So, if she forgives you, you’ll know it’s for your own sake. Personally, I hope she makes you work for it.”

“What’s this?” Lyall asked in astonishment. “How does that come about?”

Helena shrugged. “Apparently, she inherited a scrubby bit of land from her father.”

“Aye, and it’s worthless,” Lyall said in confusion.

“Not anymore. It is the chosen site of Gabe’s railway bridge across the River Tweed. Not only did he pay her a small fortune for it, but she negotiated shares in his next venture. She’s set to be quite the heiress.”

Lyall met Helena’s cool gaze with one of his own. “She does nae care for such things,” he said grimly, though there was an anxious sensation squirming in his belly now alongside the other noxious emotions.

“Oh, don’t be a fool,” Helena said impatiently. “She’s not the least bit mercenary, no. Your mother gave me her opinion of Miss Fulbright some weeks ago and, even on my brief acquaintance with her, I see it is accurate. Your mother was ever an excellent judge of character, though. But every woman cares for financial security. Especially if the option is being at the mercy of a man, she cannot trust who throws her affection back in her face.”

“She can trust me!” Lyall retorted, stung.

Helena merely raised one elegant eyebrow.

“Aye, well. I suppose I shall have to prove that to her,” he grumbled, folding his arms.

“Aye,” she replied with a wry smile. “I suppose you shall.”

“Aunt Helena, ye will help me?” he asked, not entirely confident of her reply.

Helena snorted. “Of course I will help you. But only if you are entirely sincere. You’ve both been through a lot, and I don’t want you rushing in and—”

“It’s nae a rush,” Lyall said with a wry smile. “She’s been in my mind since the moment she arrived back in May. I dinnae know when she reached my heart, but she’s there now, and I reckon she intends to bide there. I’ve nae chance of shifting her now even if I wanted to. Which I don’t,” he added ruefully.

Helena gave a heartfelt sigh. “Oh, a happy ever after. I’m so glad.” She reached over and took Lyall’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “Come for dinner tonight. I’ll arrange things just so. It will be perfect.”

“Tonight?” Lyall objected, not wanting to wait that long.

“Tonight,” Helena said firmly, and so he had to be satisfied.

Chapter 19

Dearest Helena,

Thank the Lord! I was never more anxious than when Sheenagh wrote to tell me Luella had fled Wildsyde with no one any the wiser where she had gone. What an odd stroke of luck, and how fate does like to play games with us. I am so glad for Luella. She deserves some good fortune after all she has been through, and I thank Gabriel with all my heart for his generosity. I don’t doubt he could have bargained harder, but it is a weight of my mind to know she has options. I have thought for some time that she and Lyall would be an excellent match, but he is his father’s son, and he was bound to make a mess of it through sheer pig-headedness. One thing I can say about the Anderson males, however, they apologise very prettily.

―Excerpt of a letter from The Right Hon’ble Ruth Anderson, The Countess of Morven to The Lady Helena Knight.

12th August 1845, The Sons of Hades, Portman Square, London.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Leo remarked, pushing away from the windowsill he was leaning on and grinning as Lyall strode into the private rooms they kept at the club.

Larkin raised his head from the accounts book he’d been perusing and sat back, eyebrows raised. “Lyall! This is a surprise.”

“Well, then it’s ye lucky day, aye?” he remarked gruffly.

He didn’t want to be here, he wanted to speak to Luella now, but Helena had made it clear he would not do any such thing. Not having anything better to do, he supposed he ought to look in on the club and his old friends.

“The place looks very fine,” he admitted.