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Liam’s face looked relieved once Angus rushed up to him. “Mrs. MacLean gave ye my message? What do ye wish tae do, lad?”
“Go tae the Fort tae see if I can talk tae Charlotte afore she leaves, or better yet try tae stop her.” Liam grinned, and they climbed into the boat together.
After Liam got into a rhythm with his rowing, he said, “I confess I am happy for ye. I knew yer heart was lost tae her for a long time. I was jealous for a time, beautiful lass as she is, but I could tell she wanted ye too.” Angus smiled but could not answer. His nerves were wreaking havoc upon him. What if she said no? He comforted himself with the thought that if that was the case, then he would have no regrets about not trying.
He wanted Charlotte Andrews to become his wife, to be a family with him, and to make her life with him as they lived and worked together. He wanted her to work as a healer if she wished and gain all the knowledge she desired. He wanted to see her laugh. He wanted to make love to her for the rest of her life. His heart was swelling with love for her. He was almost overwhelmed. Now that he could see a chance, it was like a door had opened that hadn’t been open before.
* * *
The next morning, Charlotte felt that glimmer of hope still warming inside of her heart. She needed to find a way to send Angus a message because she was not going to give up without a fight. Angus MacLean was a stubborn ass, and she would have to try and set him straight. He loved her. She knew he did.
After she had spoken to her father, Charlotte spent the evening with Elizabeth before letting her friend drop off into a much-needed sleep. In the morning after breakfast, Charlotte and Elizabeth were in Elizabeth’s room, packing for her trip back to London. Elizabeth moved slowly as if she was stuck in a dream. “I am still so amazed that my father could do such a thing. I’m so ashamed. I hate to leave you, but I feel like I cannot show my face here any longer after what he has done. He has ruined everything. What will I do now?”
Tears were in her eyes, and Charlotte rubbed her arm kindly. “My friend, all will be well. You will go to stay with your aunt? I will miss you terribly. I am sorry about your father, as well. Despite all that has happened, I do hope the authorities will be kind to him. For your sake.”
Elizabeth nodded and closed the trunk. Charlotte said, “Will you come back and see us? I fear that I will be lost without you. So would Liam MacLean. You know you never did tell me how it went with him when he took you back across to the Fort.”
Elizabeth chuckled, a stray tear falling down her face. “I was just as embarrassing as usual, but I think he seems to find it rather entertaining.”
“You were perfectly charming, I’m sure.”
“I want to come back as soon as possible. Scotland has grown on me greatly with its peace and wild beauty. But where shall I go?”
Charlotte laughed. “Do you think this time has been peaceful? I’ve never had such crazed experiences in my life?” Elizabeth smiled. Charlotte continued, “My dear, you shall come and stay with us, whether it be with my Father and me or dare I say it, with Angus and me.”
Elizabeth clasped her friend’s hands. “So you will try to speak to him? Please say that you will.”
“Yes, of course! You know that I could never just let a man be a fool!” She tried to make her voice sound confident so that she could believe it herself. She hoped that Angus would accept her.
“You are right. And he will see the wisdom of your words. I wish you well, my friend. Will you write to me? Here is the address of my aunt’s.”
Charlotte took the paper in hand and hugged Elizabeth. “Of course I will. Come, let us go to the coach.”
Elizabeth nodded, and the two women left, their cloaks on, and walked to the carriages waiting outside. One was large and surrounded by soldiers on horseback. The other was smaller and without the menacing escort. Elizabeth sighed. “I know your father wishes to be kind, but I do not understand why my father and I cannot travel together. He would never wish to hurt me.”
Charlotte replied, “Of course not. But my father thought you might enjoy a bit of peace on your travels, away from his ravings.”
Elizabeth nodded in understanding, and Charlotte could feel her tense as her father, shackled at the wrists, was brought out by soldiers, General Andrews following behind. Lord Darling yelled out, “You bastard! We shall see what the King has to say about this. He will not care about the life of one useless Scotsman!” General Andrews replied, “I have already sent word to him and the other authorities, Mortimer. Despite his opinions on Scotsmen, the King does not wish to see his time and money being used to enact revenge. I’m afraid you will be spending much time behind bars, if not in the hangman’s noose.”
“Father!” Charlotte chided, and Elizabeth moved out of sight, behind her carriage to hide her tears. General Andrews colored, but then continued on his way to Lord Darling’s carriage. “Go. You are not worthy of your daughter.”
Lord Darling continued to yell as he was pushed into his carriage, and everyone was gifted in silence once the door was shut and locked.
General Andrews came to Elizabeth’s side. “I am sorry, my dear. You will be most welcome here, should you ever wish to return to visit Charlotte. But I’m afraid this may not be the place you want to come back to.”
Elizabeth bowed. “Thank you, Sir, for your constant kindness.” She entered the carriage with the help of a footman, and Charlotte held her hand outside of the window.
“Goodbye, my friend. I wish you well,” Charlotte said, and Elizabeth wiped a tear from her cheek.
“Goodbye, Charlotte, I hope and pray that love comes to you.”
Then the carriage began to take off, followed by the escort of Lord Darling’s carriage. General Andrews watched with pride as they left. “Good riddance, my dear, do you not think?”
Charlotte was just about to respond when she saw two men run up from the shore towards the carriages and yell out, “No! Charlotte!” It was Angus MacLean, and he began to run after the pair of swiftly moving coaches.
