Page 38 of Lyon of Scotland
Perhaps dreams could come true even if one had made dreadful mistakes.
“Lord Strathburn,” she said, “what was the question you asked me?”
He looked puzzled, then smiled a little. “Miss Gordon, will you marry me?”
“I will,” she said in a rush of breath and hope, letting impulse lead. This time, she was making the right decision, and taking the wisest, happiest path she could find.
“Good, then.” He pulled her closer again, set his hands at her waist.
“Does this mean we can go home to Scotland?”
“It does.” He lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles. “What changed your mind?”
“I remembered a dream. You said very little to me in those days, but you were in my dreams.”
“Was I?”
“You still are.” It took a little courage to admit that to him.
He traced his fingers over her cheek. She sighed. “So we agree to do this?”
“We do,” she said, leaning toward him for another kiss, warm and quiet and deepened somehow by what they had said. “What do we need to do?”
“This morning we will be in a bit of a hurry, and I apologize for that. It cannot be helped… Scott went to find the minister of the Church of Scotland nearby to arrange a ceremony in an hour or so. Can you be ready soon?”
“An hour! I must dress, and pack my things.”
“That dark-blue gown is fine for a wedding.”
“Fine!” She laughed. “Hardly a good word for wedding attire.”
“Miss Gordon, marry me in that lovely blue gown.”
She caught her breath, smiled. “That is rather romantic, sir.”
“Good. There is something else. As soon as we are married, we must board a steamer for Scotland. I need to reach a port along the coast to try to meet another steamer before it sails to London.”
“Why is that?”
“The whisky shipment must be intercepted before Dove can lay claim to it. I will explain more later.”
“Aye, go, then, Strathburn. I must get ready for my wedding.”
He kissed her cheek, simply that, and she melted, then waved him toward the door. Moments later she heard voices in the hallway and Georgina rushed into the library.
“You are marrying Lord Lyon? Oh my dear, you never said—”
“It happened very fast. We knew each other in Edinburgh—”
“The doctor just told me. So exciting! We must find a dress and make plans!”
“There is no time, dear.” Hannah smiled, smoothing her blue woolen skirt. “This will do nicely. I must pack some things quickly, for we will leave on a steamship this morning. Do you think you could send the rest of my things north?”
“Of course. Anything you want. Oh, I will miss you so!” Georgina hugged her.
Laughing with her cousin, Hannah felt an anxious quaver. This impulsive step frightened her a little, yet she felt compelled to take this leap, beyond all the reasons, choices, and imminent threats facing her…and Strathburn, too.
Then she saw him walk past the doorway in conversation with Linhope. Suddenly, she knew in her bones, in her soul, that this time she was following her dreams. This time, she would find love—and perhaps, she already had.
