AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Five
The funeral had been over for days, and Elizabeth was desperate to return to Scotland. But she could not bring herself to explain to her aunt, not while the grief over her brother was still too real. However, after almost a week of nearly bursting, Elizabeth decided to speak to her aunt at dinner.
“Aunt Mildred,” she began hesitantly.“I do not wish to distress you, but there is some business I must attend to back in Scotland.”
“Oh?” Her aunt’s soup spoon paused in mid-air.
“Yes. You see, I left in such haste that I could not say proper goodbyes to those that are there, those that mean a great deal to me.”
“Well, when do you mean to leave?” Mildred’s voice was calm, but Elizabeth could tell that she was not entirely pleased, for a tinge of concern was in her tone.
“I hope to leave tomorrow, if possible.”
“Oh? So soon?”
“Yes, Aunt. I do hate to leave you, but I hope you do not take it for lack of concern for your welfare. There are simply a few very important matters.” She could not bring herself to share with her aunt about her love and what she planned to do. Aunt Mildred would have never approved. It was lucky that now, Elizabeth did not need to seek her aunt’s approval, for she was in entire control of her future. Her heart filled with hope as she resolved to do her very best to make it just as she wished.
The day before, she had finally allowed herself to write to John, to warn him that there could be no engagement, not when there was not the proper attachment on her side. She hoped to go to Scotland to speak to him about it in person, as well, and see Liam if he would even wish to see her or speak to her.
“I see. When will you return?”
This was the part that Elizabeth had dreaded the most. She did not wish to return to England for a long time, but perhaps if things did not go as she hoped, then she would wish to. “I do not know, Aunt.”
“Oh, Elizabeth.” Her aunt’s voice broke. “I do not think I could bear this large house on my own. It is so dark and lonely, and without my rudder in the world, I am not sure how I can go on.”
Then, Elizabeth got an idea. “Dear Aunt, would you mind terribly if you rode with me to Scotland? I know many think that it is a brutish place, but it is really quite mesmerizing. It has saved my life, if you can believe it, despite the horrors that my father experienced there. You would not need to go to the castle where I need to go, but you could stay at the English fort under the protection of my friend’s father, General Andrews.”
“General Andrews?” Her aunt asked tremulously.
“Yes. He is a good and kind man, very friendly and welcoming. You will require nothing. However, if you do wish to accompany me across the water, you will also find a welcoming home there as well.”
Aunt Mildred placed the spoon back into her bowl and cast her eyes down to the table. There was a moment of silence where Elizabeth dreaded her next remark. Would Aunt Mildred endeavor to keep her in London for longer? Elizabeth did not know how to convince her just how much she needed to leave.
“I will go with you, my dear.” Aunt Mildred smiled weakly, and Elizabeth clasped her hand, nearly bubbling over with excitement.
“Oh, Aunt Mildred. You have made me so happy. That way, you will not need to be all alone in the house, and you can see just what has brought me so much happiness. We shall leave as soon as we are ready!”
It was as if they had both been revitalized with refreshing energy. They packed in merriment and excitement, even if Mildred was a little apprehensive at the thought of leaving England. She had barely left London in her lifetime, and so this was to be an adventure, indeed. Elizabeth hoped to make her as comfortable as possible. After losing her father, Elizabeth knew that she wanted to preserve the one last familial relation she had left.
Perhaps she could even help Aunt Mildred to become more joyous, less serious, and happy for the rest of her days. A few weeks amongst such delightful company as the MacLeans and General Andrews would do her well.
After days of travel, Elizabeth was finally back in Scotland. As she emerged from the carriage, arriving at the Fort on the shores of the Sound, her heart whispered,Home.
General Andrews had been surprised but delighted at her arrival, and Aunt Mildred, although slightly embarrassed at Elizabeth not having written to the man to tell him of her incumbent visit, agreed to stay on that side of the shore while Elizabeth was taken to Mull, to see to her business.
The general had sent her with a young cadet, who was either too shy or uninterested in her business, and so he had not pressed her to speak as he rowed her across. She was grateful for it, for her heart was racing so hard she could hear its beats in her ears. What would Liam say? What would John do? It was all so much. She knew that she had to speak to John, but her heart had ached for long enough about speaking to Liam. She had to see him.
As she approached the shore, her stomach sank as she noticed that she would have to speak to both of them that very moment, for they were embroiled in an argument on the shoreline.
* * *
Liam stepped back, still registering the information. “She has broken the engagement?” His voice was loud and hurried, as a rush of happiness filled him with the possibility of this turn of events. But he cleared his throat and crossed his arms again to hide his former excitement. Despite Elizabeth breaking the engagement to John, it did not mean that she loved him or wanted him. He had to remember that, but he was satisfied that John would not be marrying her.
“Aye, so she has. And I blame ye.” John pointed at him again, stepping a little closer. Fergus stood by with a stupid grin on his face, and Liam scowled in his friend’s direction.
“Why should ye blame me? How on earth do ye think I could have done anything? She is gone to England, and I am here?”
John grumbled, “I dinnae know, but why would she suddenly break an engagement with me?”
