Page 30 of To My Scot, With Love
And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye,
For me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond.”
Malcolm gathered the chains and stood before the stallion. Once they returned to the woods, he’d be able to trade the horse’s bridle out for a different one. But for now, he’d need to lead the horse with this torture device left on.
“Come now, bonnie boy. Walk with me, I won’t hurt ye.” He clucked softly, and the horse took a hesitant step forward. “That’s a good laddie.”
But he wasn’t fooled by the beast’s obedience. Once the bridle came off, he’d be dealing with an entirely different animal. They just had to make it to Sussex, and everything would be well.
Malcolm caught Wright’s eye and gave a quick nod. Wright slowly disappeared into the shadows, knowing another presence would only risk the stallion working into a frenzy. He resumed his soft lull, and the horse blessedly followed.
“‘Twas there that we parted in yon shady glen,
On the steep, steep side o’ Ben Lomond,
Where in purple hue the Highland hills we view,
And the moon comin’ out in the gloamin’.”
20
Lydia
TheJenningsfamilybutlerstepped into the library where Lydia and her three children were having a rare quiet moment.
He cleared his throat. “His Lordship has returned.”
A split second of silence followed. And then it was shattered by thumps and squeals erupting throughout the library. Three Jennings children barreled to the library door in a flurry of energy—cheers and hoots and a pounding of feet that would rival a stampede in their wake.
Their cries echoed down the hall, then Freddy’s booming greeting drifted back to Lydia. A grin split her face, and she hurried after her children. Oh, how she was excited to have Freddy back. To have her best friend to talk to about the whirlwind courtship that had come to be the past two weeks. It had been eating her alive, not having anyone to talk to. And a small part of her hoped—perhaps with Freddy home, she might be fortunate enough to spend an entire night with Malcolm. She’d feel so much better with the children having their father home.
The hurriedtapof her slippers echoed against the marble floor as she picked up her pace. Freddy was twirling Felicity around in endless circles, their laughter ringing around the entry. His gaze met hers just as he placed Felicity on the ground. He cocked his head at the slightest angle, and she could see the question in his eyes. She couldn’t stop herself. She ran up to him and launched herself straight into his arms. He caught her with anoomphand a laugh, giving her her own spin.
“Lydia, darling. What a greeting.”
She bit her lip, but it was a pitiful effort at stifling her smile, because her heart was beaming too brightly to be contained.
“I have missed you, Freddy. Much has come to pass this past fortnight.”
His right dimple popped, and she swore she saw the devil dancing in his whisky irises. “Oh, this I have to hear, love.” He turned to their brood. “Children, I must freshen up and get the stink of travel off my person. But as soon as I’m changed…who is up for a game of charades?”
Another chorus of whoops surrounded them, and Lydia winced, rubbing her ear. Her children were nothing if not exuberant.
“Come, Lyddie. You can fill me in on all the mischief these scamps have been up to while I’ve been away on business.”
And while she knew he wanted to know about those things as well, the glittering in his eyes gave away his curiosity. He wanted to know what the cause of her smile was.
The children, Mrs. Evans in their wake, were ushered back to the library, and Lydia made her way with Freddy to his chambers. Freddy stepped into his rooms, Giles, his valet, appearing as if out of nowhere, already assisting his master out of his coat.
“Out with it, Lyddie,” Freddy said around his valet.
Lydia curled up in an armchair by the blazing hearth, tucking her feet beneath her skirts. She glanced hesitantly at Giles, currently undoing Freddy’s cravat.
Freddy rolled his eyes. “Oh please, Lyddie. Giles comeswith meto Hannah’s. He is well aware of our arrangement. He’d never say a word.”
“Say a word about what, my lord?” Giles caught Lyddie’s eye and winked.
