AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Three
Once John had been helped up by Finlay and cleaned his nose with a damp handkerchief, he couldn’t have been prouder. Normally, he would have felt ashamed to be bested by a MacLean in a fisticuff, but he had been ambushed, and it was for the reason that gave John no end of happiness.
Finlay frowned at his laird. “What is this about, Laird? Why would ye nae let me slice the man in two?”
“I told ye before, Finlay, we are aligned with the MacLeans now, especially in business matters. That, however, was a very personal matter, and although it may nae look it, it gave me great personal pleasure.”
“Will ye explain?”
John looked around. The crowd had returned to their merrymaking, if not a little subdued. He lowered his voice. “I know I am nae tae tell anyone, and neither should ye, but the lass has agreed tae marry me.”
“The lass? The blonde one that took ye intae the hallway?”
“Aye, the very one. I have desired her for a long time, and now she will be mine.”
Finlay kept frowning. “A Sassenach for a Scottish Laird’s lady? But is that done?”
John laughed. Even Finlay’s doubts could not get him down. “Of course, ‘tis done. We have Lady MacLean at this very party. She is from a distinguished English family, as is my soon-tae-be wife. Except for her father, of course. But the man is dying, and so we shall be free of him!”
John tried his best not to smile at the mention of Lord Darling’s impending death. He did not want to disgrace his new fiancé. Finlay sighed. “If it is what ye desire, laird, then it is what we all shall desire. Now perhaps yer mind can become focused on other things related tae the clan, now that what has been distracting ye is completed.”
John chuckled. “Come, Finlay, let us drink tae my success. And remember, keep it quiet.” Finlay agreed and then went to fill their cups. John was not going to let anything dissipate his good mood tonight. He knew Finlay doubted the success of this union, but he knew deep in his heart that he loved Elizabeth.
If only he could get the same reassurance from her. She had always been shy, and he tried to comfort herself with the fact she was only low in spirits because of her father. Once she was back in Scotland and married to him, he hoped that her old, happy self would return.
* * *
As soon as Liam was on Mull’s shore, he entered the castle and walked down to the kitchens, searching for a bottle of strong whiskey. He had none at his own home, and he needed to drink tonight. It was late, and many of the servants had been sent to bed, but Mrs. MacLean remained in the kitchens, finishing a few of her tasks.
Her brow furrowed when she looked up at him in the dim light of the kitchen fires. “What in the blazes are ye doing here, Liam MacLean? I thought there was a gathering of the English on the other side, and ye were grateful enough tae have received an invitation.”
“Aye, so I was.” He went to one of the cabinets and pulled down a dark bottle and glass. Mrs. MacLean lifted an eyebrow but made no mention of the generous serving he gave himself, sitting down to sip it back with speed.
She sighed, and putting down her mending, sat across from him. “What has happened, then? Ye only come tae drink alone when something is irking ye.”
Liam watched the kind woman’s face. “Ye ken me well, Mrs. MacLean. But I also come for the comfort of yer company.”
“Tell me what is it, then. A lass, I suspect.”
Liam groaned and filled his glass again. “Ye suspect correct, only this time, it is I who have been thrown by the wayside when I didnae want tae be. Ye would have been proud of me, Mrs. MacLean, for I was about tae make an offer of marriage.”
“Were ye now?” She smiled. “Yer mother would have loved tae have seen that day come. Tae whom?”
“Lady Elizabeth Darling.”
Mrs. MacLean opened her mouth for a moment and then chuckled in mirth. “See? I knew it well that ye had an affinity for the lass. But why have ye been thrown tae the wayside? She said nae?”
“Nae quite. I was going tae propose, but then we were waylaid and meddled with by none other than that Brea from the other shore.”
Mrs. MacLean scowled. “If only ye had stopped yer whoring days long ago, she would be gone and out of yer matters.”
Liam shook his head. “It is all a mess now. Brea kissed me, and Elizabeth saw, and then I heard that Elizabeth kissed John, and now she has accepted him as her fiancé instead of me. I am at a loss, Mrs. MacLean. There is nae point tae anything anymore if she will nae have me.”
Mrs. MacLean frowned. “Well, perhaps she loves John and wishes to marry him, and it is nae about seeing ye with Brea.”
“Perhaps so, but there were times--” He did not want to reveal their love-making to his surrogate mother. “There were times when I thought that it was I she was thinking of. But she has gone now. Her father is ill, and she had to rush off. First, she engaged herself, and then she left. She didnae, even say goodbye.”
Mrs. MacLean placed a light hand on the hand that gripped Liam’s whiskey glass. “I am sorry, lad. Ye are a good man, truly. Whoring and drinking and nonsense, but ye are kind and gentle. If ye cared enough for the lass tae offer yer hand, then I know ye were well in love, indeed.”
