Page 54 of Mending a Highland Heart

Lord Darling nodded but said. “Your father is a weak man who has not taught you how a woman is to behave! Good thing I have sent him off, so he will not be here to get in the way!”

Charlotte gasped, and at that moment, Angus opened the study door, and everyone in the room turned around to meet the noise. He looked tired as if the weight of the world rested upon him, but he was still curious as to what was going on outside of the door. The soldier stationed there tried to stop him from leaving. Charlotte felt her heart leap at the sight of him. At least he was still alive. She tried to catch his eyes, wishing that she could send a message to him.

She hated to see him like this, his strength waning, and the life and energy leaving him. It was as if he was ill again, but this time, she knew it was all her own fault. She had taken that life from him when she had wanted so desperately to give him all of herself.

“What the Hell are you doing out of there, MacLean?”

“The Campbells are here. Can we nae begin the trial? I’d prefer tae learn soon enough whether I can go free, or if taeday is my last day on God’s green Earth.” He leaned against the side of the door and crossed his arms. He did not look at her but merely stared at Lord Darling, daring him to act. Charlotte knew that he was attempting to appear calm and cool, but sadness and anger played across his features.

Lord Darling looked as though he was about to explode. She had never seen a man so enraged. All this to avenge the death of a brother who was not even a good man! He refused to see reason! He would willingly ruin the life of an innocent person just so that he could feel a sliver of satisfaction. Why were the Campbells lying? After what John did for Calum, she thought him a good man, but here he was now, not telling the truth. She would have to reveal him if he would not do so himself.

Just then, without saying anything. Lord Darling rushed to the soldier at the door and yanked his musket from him. He said, “Get out, soldier! Or you will receive the full wrath of the King. Do not allow anyone else to enter!”

The soldier, still a young boy, was trembling as he stood with newly empty arms, his eyes wide with surprise. He scurried off as quickly as he could and shut the door behind him. A silence fell over the crowd as they all waited for what Lord Darling would do next. He pointed the musket at Angus, the bayonet nearly touching the skin of his neck. “I have taught my soldiers to have their muskets filled, so they are at the ready whenever they need. That’s what you get when you train men properly, not like you, General,” Lord Darling practically snarled.

“Miss Andrews. I want you to give me those documents so that I can destroy them. If you do not, then I will kill your precious Angus MacLean right here and now.”

* * *

Lady Julia MacLean laid her head against her husband’s shoulder as they rode through the Scottish countryside. Their fingers were intertwined on his lap, and Calum stared out the window. “Calum, I cannot believe how good it feels to be going back. It was too long away. It feels like months, years even!”

Calum chuckled at his wife. He placed a kiss on her head. “I thought you were good with numbers, my love. ‘Twas only a few weeks! And I am happy, as well, to say that we are going home. Now, we can truly settle at Duart.”

Julia smiled and looked up at his face. “But remember, you did promise me we would travel sometimes. We cannot stay on an Isle forever and ever. There is so much I haven’t seen!”

Calum nodded. He took Julia’s face in his hands and said, “Aye, of course, but nae while yer in the state yer in. Ye will need tae take care of yerself until the bairn is born.” Julia placed her hand on her stomach.

She sighed. “Yes, I know. Of course. But children should not stop us from living the life that we dreamed of, Calum.” She leaned up and kissed him. Each day was better than the last with her wild Highlander. She never knew that she could be as happy as this.

Once she pulled away, Calum looked at her, his eyes dark with desire. “Ye will be able tae convince me of anything, lass if ye kiss me like that.” Julia giggled.

But then she felt her mind turn to what had happened in London. She felt a little grim at the memory. Her uncle, Andrew Bradford, was convicted of the murder of his brother and had been hanged. Julia refused to attend his execution, thinking of it as a morbid tradition, but unfortunately, she could still hear the cheers of the audience that echoed through the city.

She was happy that her uncle was dead, but it still hurt her. The last piece of her old life was now gone. She had created a new one with Calum, Charlotte, and Angus, but she still grieved for what could have been. What a life she could have had if her uncle had been a good man.

Calum noticed her change in attitude, and he said, “Julia, I am sorry for yer loss. Truly I am. Even if he was nae a good man, it still feels strange tae lose family.”

Julia nodded and laid her head back on his shoulder. “You understand me completely. Well, that means I must use the money I have now inherited and put it to good use. For the clan and for our children, of course.”

“And our travels,” Calum added. “Have ye forgotten so soon about them?”

Julia laughed. Calum always knew what to say when she was feeling down. “Let us think of happy things then, Calum. You know, I am very much excited to see how Angus and Charlotte have gotten on in our absence? Do you think it could have happened as we’d hoped? Do you think he would have made any sort of move towards her?”

“In affection?” He asked incredulously? “Or desire?” He chuckled then. “Nae sure. My brother can be quite stubborn when he wishes tae be. Even if something did happen, I wonder if he would even tell us. He wouldnae want tae look a fool in front of me, I can tell ye that.”

Julia grinned. “How romantic would it be if they fell in love, Calum? Then we would never have to part from them.”

“It seems ye’d get the better end of the deal there, having Charlotte around. I’d be stuck with my ever-growing stoic brother.” Calum made a face, and Julia pulled away from him and hit him lightly on the shoulder.

“Calum! You love your brother, and you know it. Come, tell me, would you not be happy for him if he found love?”

Calum grinned. “Of course, lass. I am happy for anyone who gets tae experience a love such as mine. Now come here. We can discuss all of this nonsense later. We’ll soon see Angus and Charlotte for ourselves within the hour. I want a little more time with ye afore we do.” He reached for Julia, who giggled as he pulled her close to him. Soon there was no more talk in the carriage, and the only sounds were the swishing of Julia’s dress and a few soft moans.

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