Page 113 of What a Highlander’s Got to Do

“Och, but there is,” Mother insisted. “We know how much you love Scotland. Both of you. And we want you to have this.”

With that, his father came forward and handed Nick the paper, with an amount of circumstance that made his stomach queasy.

He took it, and opened it slowly.

His heart stalled. He swallowed heavily.

“What is it?” Isobel asked.

He caught her gaze and smiled, but it was a wobbly effort. He was deeply moved by his parents’ generosity, their hope and trust, their open hearts.

“Well?” Susana prompted.

Mother, apparently, was too excited to wait for Nick to answer. “It’s the deed to Stirling Manor, our property in Scotland.”

Father put his arm around his wife. “Edward has always admired the stables there.”

“And of course, you will need a home in Scotland, for Isobel to be happy.”

Damn. Mother looked so pleased. Father, so proud.

He hated that this was all based on a lie.

But he couldn’t hurt them further by rejecting the gift. He stood and crossed to them, then pulled them both into a long hug.

“There’s no need to cry, son,” Mother said, wiping an errant tear from his eye.

“I’m not crying. I’m just . . .”

“What?” she asked softly.

“So humbled.”

To which, of course she laughed.

“What do you think, Isobel?” her mother asked, calling everyone’s attention to her.

She had paled and her fingers were trembling, but she smiled. Only Nick realized what a travesty it was. “That is verra thoughtful of you.” Dutifully, she rose, and hugged his parents as well.

“Now you’ll be able to spend time near your family,” Mother said, so pleased with herself it was nearly heartbreaking.

“I imagine you’ll only need to be in London when Parliament is in session,” his father added.

“That is perfect,” Susana said.

Andrew Lochlannach shook Father’s hand, then slapped him on the shoulder. Then hugged him. There might have been a suspicious glint in his eye as well. “Verra thoughtful, indeed. I was worried I would hardly ever see her once she wed.”

“Of course you will see her,” Mother responded. “And you’ll see us a bit more, too, I imagine.”

“Oh, how lovely,” Susana said on a sigh. “Absolutely lovely. Isn’t it lovely, Isobel?”

She met Nick’s gaze before she answered and he recognized that hint of guilt in her eyes. “Aye,” she said. “Perfectly lovely.”

But it was clear to him she wanted to sink into the ground and disappear.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Isobel?”