Page 96 of Sinful Scottish Laird
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BELINDAHADPROVEDsurprisingly resourceful. Apparently, she’d instructed Rowley to send a portmanteau with some of Daisy’s things to Knox’s town house on Portland Street before she’d forced Daisy to come with her.
Daisy and Cailean retreated there after the wedding. It was best, Cailean suggested, since they had not posted banns or received special license, if they sealed their union with two or three days of conjugal bliss. “The marriage is done, aye? Our names signed on the parish register. But if the bishop has any notion of annulment, a few nights spent in the arms of your husband will make it difficult, will it no’?”
“Exceedingly,” she agreed. “But what of Ellis?”
Cailean smiled. “I trust you’ll no’ mind that I sent a note to the lad with Belinda. She’ll bring him round on the morrow.” He drew her into his embrace. “But as for today, Lady Mackenzie, you must attend your husband.”
“With great pleasure,” she said and kissed him.
“The pleasure,” he said as he swept her up in his arms, “will be mine,leannan.” He carried her up the stairs to the master suite and deposited her on the bed. He climbed on top of her and gazed down at her, eyes shining with love and clear desire. “I have missed you,leannan,” he said. “God, how I’ve missed you.”
“Show me how much,” she said, and she sighed with delight when he put his hand on her ankle and began to slide it up her leg.
EPILOGUE
One year later
THEREWASApainting that Belinda had done of the of the little parish church that graced the Chatwick Hall in Nottinghamshire, just next to the door of Daisy’s sitting room. It was the same church where Daisy and Cailean had said their first vows. The vows that Bishop Craig tried desperately to undo in the ensuing scandal created by the clandestine marriage of Lady Chatwick to a sinful Scottish laird, for which everyone said she showed absolutely no remorse.
Bishop Craig was a powerful man indeed, but he was no match for Cailean’s uncle Knox, who, as it happened, had very recently been on a hunt with the archbishop of Canterbury. The two men had enjoyed each other’s company immensely, apparently, so much so that the archbishop was persuaded to intervene.
Uncle Knox did insist, however, after the furor had died down, that Daisy and Cailean obtain a special license and take their vows again—from the archbishop himself. No one would question them then.
Daisy and Cailean were happy to do it, particularly as Ellis had not been present the first time. Ah, Ellis. If there was anyone happier about the marriage than Daisy, it was he. It seemed to his mother that the boy had shed an outer cocoon and had emerged a happy, joyful boy.
They’d retreated to the country and Chatwick Hall out of necessity. There was too much talk in London, too many who were vocally critical of Daisy’s sudden marriage to a Scotsman. Most notably among the critics was Robert Spivey, who made some public accusations against Cailean, all of them quite true. But it was the captain’s word against his, and Cailean and Daisy steadfastly denied it.
Nevertheless, Daisy and Cailean had feared that the authorities would come around at any moment to gather him up and try him for free trading. Daisy fretted so that she persuaded Cailean they ought to seek the advice of Lady Beckinsal’s cousin, a barrister.
Mr. Barnabus Wilkins was happy to call at Chatwick town house on Audley Street, where he explained to Cailean that in spite of the many accusations against him, there was simply no proof. Without any physical evidence—a ship, or even a bottle of wine that the excise man had missed—no one could prove his guilt. “I would suggest, sir, that you leave London and don’t come back,” he’d said, gathering his things on his way out.
“What of the captain, then?” Cailean asked. “What’s to keep him from making the same accusations?”
The man shrugged. “Nothing. I suppose he can make life quite difficult for you if he likes with his aspersions against you. But Captain Spivey may be preoccupied. I understand he’s been offered a position aboard theSt.Maria.”
Cailean looked at him blankly.
“She is a ship with the East India Company. I understand she sails frequently to India. He stands to make a great deal of money in the spice trade.” He glanced meaningfully at Cailean. “It would behoove you to stay off the seas for a time.”
“Aye,” Cailean agreed.
Daisy was eager to take the barrister’s advice and retreat to Chatwick Hall. Mr. Tuttle had developed a fondness for the boy, and had agreed to come along to the country and see after his studies until it was time for him to attend university.
They made plans to return to Scotland, perhaps the following spring. Cailean settled uneasily into Chatwick Hall with Daisy’s help, although it was clear he never felt entirely at ease in England and in Englishman’s clothing. And he confessed to her one night that he still waited for authorities to arrive on the doorstep one day to take him into custody.
“They would have come by now, darling,” Daisy tried to soothe him.
“Aye,” Cailean said. “But never turn your back on theSassenach, leannan,”he’d said gravely. In spite of their happy marriage, it was clear deeply rooted suspicions would never die away.
Daisy liked it better in the country for Ellis’s sake. Every day, Cailean spent time with him. They fished; they hunted. They talked at length about stalking red stags until Daisy could bear it no more. They built a small fort in a tree in the forest, and Cailean taught Ellis how to shoot.
Ellis’s appetite grew robust, and so did he. He never looked sickly now, and though he had suffered a fair number of bumps and bruises, Daisy had to agree with Cailean—she had coddled him, and now he was thriving.
So was she. She had never paid much attention to the gardens at Chatwick Hall, but they suddenly seemed wanting, and she was determined to create the most beautiful garden in Nottinghamshire. She insisted on doing the work herself, and no one thought to argue with her. Cailean once said he loved her best when she had twigs in her hair and dirt on her gown. Whether or not that was true, Daisy couldn’t say—he seemed to love her best no matter what she was wearing...or not wearing.
Belinda’s interest in painting had reached new heights, given that she had sold one at Balhaire. She had a reputation for fine art in the village, too, and one day, Mrs. Sudder asked if Belinda would be so kind as to instruct her daughter, as she had yet to show any great promise.
