Page 16 of Harrowing Hall
“If only.” He poured whisky for them both and reorganized his desk. “The ball cannot pass quickly enough so that she and I might be alone again. And not just for the intimacy of it.”
“I understand.” Jacob considered him. “It is something to be so in love, is it not?”
Jacob would know as he had been fortunate enough to share great love with his late wife.
“It is more than I ever imagined.” He gestured that his friend sit while he wrote up a binding agreement for Jane’s father. “Yet first, I must bring together more love.”
“Do tell.”
He explained Jane and Hugh’s circumstances. “So now I must beg a favor?”
Jacob nodded in acquiesce. “Name it.”
“I need you to be a wingman of sorts when Finlay brings Lady Jane’s father in here.”
“It has been some time since either of us played such a role.” He grinned. “What do you intend to offer the old fool?”
“A one-time stipend.” He gave Jacob a look. “And access via my name to some of the more exclusive gambling dens until said stipend runs out.”
“With me, the Duke of Argyll, a prestigious witness over said agreement, I take it?”
“Indeed.” He winked. “With perhaps a word or two about his good sense and forward-thinking when it comes to allowing his daughter to marry such asuccessfulcommoner. You may even be so bold as to gesture my way, applauding that he would approve something like this on Lord MacLauchlin’s wedding day. A viscount who himself is marrying a commoner. Such approval would go a long way, coming from you.”
“I may be so bold as to gesture your way, to be sure.” Jacob tipped his glass at Blake. “Because I support your marriage to Miss Maude.” Amusement twinkled in his eyes. “And see clearly what you are doing here. For, while you want Lady Jane to be happy, this is all for your beloved, is it not?” His brows shot up. “I must say, though, it will take a bit of money to see it happen, if I am not mistaken? Not that you are lacking, of course.”
“We both know I am not.” Blake penned the last of his agreement. “And yes, this is for my Maude.” He hesitated and thought about it. “And for me.” Having a fresh appreciation for all Jacob had lost when his wife passed, he looked at his friend. “Because in a way I never thought possible, we are one.”
Jacob nodded. His gaze grew haunted for a moment. “It is something, is it not?”
“It is.” Blake signed the agreement and fanned the ink dry. “Not just that, but doing such is what brought us together, so it seems…fitting somehow to do it for others if that makes sense?”
“It does.” Jacob sipped his whisky. “Bringing Isaac and Clara together helped you and Maude find one another.” He smiled and toasted Blake for a job well done. “Now you hope to help others find the same happiness.” Amusement lit his eyes again. “Yet I get the feeling it does as much for you two as it does for others. That it brings you closer and closer still.”
“It does.” Blake folded the letter, poured a dollop of wax to keep it closed, then pressed his family seal into it. “If I am being honest, I like the way it makes me feel. Not just how Maude looks at me when we conspire to bring others together, but the gratification in seeing it all come to pass.”
“And do you think Lady Jane and her love will come to pass?”
“I can only hope.”
Right on time, Finlay rapped on the door again. Lady Jane’s father was here. Now begged the question, would he and his Maude successfully bring together another couple? Or were their matchmaking days over before they had barely begun?
Chapter Eleven
“Come, my newbut verra dear friend.” Jane wrapped arms with Maude and stayed with her after she reentered the great hall. “I shall remain with you as you brave this crowd, then we will make our way to the festivities outside.”
She was never more thankful for the company when too many to count greeted her along the way. Wanted to talk to her. Know her. Get a sense of the woman who would soon reign at Castle MacLauchlin. At first, she felt uncharacteristically shy, doubting how genuine their welcome, but soon enough, her doubt fell away, and she enjoyed conversation after conversation as she got to know everyone. As she came to understand the Scots she would, no,already, called her own.
“You are a natural at this, dearest,” Jane said when Maude finally paused between enjoying new friends. “They simply adore you.”
In all her years, Maude never thought she would be liked for her chatty ways, but it seemed all that had changed now. Not just the villagers but the titled women took to her. But then, she did know a great deal about happenings back in London, and as Blake had assured, her gossiping ways seemed a good fit. Not that she revealed anything indecent, naturally, but everything about anything she could think of. Because believe it or not, there was always a great deal to be gleaned from very little, which meant she shared a bit indeed. And truth told, if she spun things just right, perhaps others would see the good in rumors rather than potential scandal.
“Come.” Jane eventually steered her toward Finlay. “It is past time you enjoy the true heart of this gathering, for I do think you will like it a great deal.”
However happy Jane might seem, she knew her friend was nervous about how things would go between Blake and her father, so she agreed straight away.
“Here you are, Miss Maude.” Finlay helped her slip into a luxurious cream-colored fur cloak that felt like a thousand hugs from Blake. The butler smiled merrily. “A gift from Lord MacLauchlin, of course.”
“Of course,” she whispered, choking up at how beautiful it was. How thoughtful. “Thank you, Finlay. And naturally, many thanks to Blake…I mean Lord MacLauchlin.”
