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She thought for a moment. “His main problem is his jealousy.”
“What cause does he have to be jealous?” Fergus asked. “He has everything he wants in his life.”
“He is jealous of you, Fergus. Two years ago, I heard your father telling mine that he would prefer it if you were to inherit his legacy.” Grace’s voice was soft, but firm. “Think about it. You are better-looking, caring people like you, and you are strong enough to do all the fighting and sports that he cannot. You are respected. You are a man’s man. He might be rich in possessions, but he is weak in character, and that is why he will never truly get what he wants. You are everything he will never be, Fergus.”
“I never thought he would go to these lengths to try, though.” Fergus’s voice was bitter. He thought for a moment. “However, there may be a way out of this.”
Grace’s heart leapt. “Do you really think so?” She reached out to him and touched his arm, feeling his unyielding muscles under her fingers. “Really?”
Fergus was already beginning to regret his words. There was so much hope in her eyes. What if he could not fulfill her wish? He took a deep breath and began to explain.
“Hopefully,” he added the caveat carefully, not wishing to excite her too much. “But Grace, don’t pin your hopes on it. Robert has told your father of the change of plan, so we will have to change his mind and take our situation back to where it was before Robert interfered. Without your father’s permission, you can’t marry.
At the moment he thinks Robert is a reasonable, rational person, but that’s because my brother is always careful to put a friendly face on in public. We have to make him see that the true Robert is not the one he has met, but another man entirely. Now, I have to go on the hunt tomorrow, but after that, we can see your father and acquaint him with the facts. We will have to do it in the utmost secrecy, however.”
Grace nodded. “Of course,” she agreed. “But I must tell William. He will not betray us, and there might be some way he can throw Robert off the scent when he starts to look for us. You know he will.”
Robert nodded grimly. “I’ll make all the preparations tomorrow, Grace. Pack a traveling bag with only what you will need for an overnight stay because we will likely need to stay at the inn at Falburn.”
“Is that not the first place they’ll look for us?” Grace asked doubtfully, frowning.
“We’ll travel at night and make it worth the inn’s while to say nothing,” Fergus replied. “A little silver goes a long way. I am not happy about resorting to bribery but we are desperate.”
“And of course the story of a couple running away from an evil brother so that they can be together and live happily ever after is one that will touch the heart of any woman.” Grace was smiling as she said it, her eyes dreamy.
Fergus smiled fondly at her. He loved the way she smiled, the dimples that formed at the corners of her mouth, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners, the way her hair shone golden in the light of the lamp. He had seen many lovely noblewomen while growing up in his father’s rich and prosperous estate, and no doubt in many men’s eyes, Grace was not exceptional. However, to him, she was perfect. He looked down into her golden-green eyes and knew that he would do anything for her.
“Let’s hope there are many such ladies at the inn,” he said, laughing softly.
“There are many such ladies everywhere,” Grace answered. “I should know, I am one of them.”
17
The next morning, Grace tapped on William’s bedroom door just before it was time for breakfast. A few moments later he answered it with the tousled look of one who had just risen from bed. “Grace, good morning,” he greeted her, looking surprised. “You are not usually awake at this hour.”
“Good morning, Will,” she replied as she stepped into the room, kissing his cheek as she passed him. “Did you sleep well?” William was notorious in their family for being the heaviest sleeper anyone had ever met.
William yawned. “I always do,” he replied, stretching. Then he looked at her more closely. “You are looking very pleased with yourself,” he remarked, with a half-smile. “Would you like some tea?”
Tea was a new drink that had just been introduced to Scotland, and William had taken a liking to it the first time he drank it. Grace, however, had not yet acquired a taste for it, and doubted if she ever would. She scrunched up her nose in distaste. “No, thank you,” she replied. “I would rather drink seawater.”
William grinned and poured her a cup of ale instead. When he had poured tea for himself, he looked at his sister concerned.
“What is on your mind, Grace? I can tell that something is worrying you.”
“I have been thinking about my marriage,” she answered. “William, I cannot even stand the thought of marrying Robert. I don’t just dislike him; I loathe him, and I don’t think I can wait for my fate to be decided any longer. I am taking matters into my own hands. I’m going back to our father to beg him to get me out of this engagement.”
William sipped his tea silently and studied his sister intently. “And you’re sure this is what you want, Grace?” he asked at last. “You might be putting yourself in danger.”
“I am,” Grace answered, her voice firm. “I would rather be dead than married to that lout.”
“Don’t say things like that!” William answered reproachfully. “You should never wish for things like that, Grace!”
He looked so distressed that Grace moved over to put her arms around him. “I’m sorry, Will,” she whispered. “But Fergus and I have worked out a plan, and we may need your help.”
“Fergus is coming with you?” he asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
“Don’t look so surprised,” she said. “I came here to marry him, you know that. Will you help us or not?”
