He pressed his hands to his heart. “Too cruel. From my sister as well.”

Mary blew him a kiss. “Oh, and can you tell that son of yours that if I see him bothering the serving girls again I shall put him over my knee in front of them.”

That stole his humor. Flora was right. It would seem Connor did need another talking to. He’d already told his son that this week was not the time or place for his usual antics, but boys becoming men tended to challenge their fathers. He should know. He’d challenged his and it cost Connor his mother’s life. His son would not make the mistakes he had.

He bowed. “I shall leave you lovely ladies to your organizing then.”

MARY STOOD LOOKING at her brother’s departing back. “Have you noticed that my brother has been acting very strange of late?”

Flora agreed. Since becoming a widow he had never flirted with her—not even once. But he was flirting today.

“Connor told me he has decided to take a wife. The King’s visit most likely spurred his decision.” She ignored the dagger of pain that slice through her heart at the words.

“I didn’t know how to tell you. I suspect Sir Walter has also been advising my brother to marry. A duke must have an heir. A legitimate heir.” She stopped polishing the candlestick and smacked her forehead. “So that is why Connor is out of sorts.”

Flora nodded. “He’s always had Dougray to himself and he is worried a wife might banish him.” She took a deep breath. “Who do you think he will chose?”

Mary looked at her sharply. “Oh, Flora. I’m so sorry. I know how you feel about Dougray.”

“That was a girlish fantasy. He did not want me before, why would he want me this time. I could never be his wife now anyway. I am likely barren. Every man in Scotland knows that.” The look of pity Mary threw her way made her want to curl up in a ball and cry. Mary had two beautiful children, a boy and a girl, with her husband, Stuart Carmichael, the Earl of Rowland. She covered her pain saying, “We were once such good friends. Let’s put our heads together and find him a young lady that would make him happy. That can’t be too hard can it?”

Mary gave her a hug. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Let’s go and have a cup of tea and make a list. We can see how the ladies on our list interact with Dougray at the ball tonight.” They left the room arm and arm heading for the small private drawing room on the floor above. “Plus, Lord Glengarry will be at the ball too.”

“Oh, he is only recently widowed. Surely he is not looking for a wife so soon?”

“He has three children under six plus an elder boy. I’d say he needs all the help he can get.”

How did she tell practical Mary that a man who would wed simply to get himself a new mother for his children was not the man for her? Not this time. While the idea of raising those children as her own was appealing, would the love from his children replace the emptiness she felt inside if her husband did not love her?

Mary read her face. “He’s always had a fondness for you but you were promised to another.”

“We shall see. My father is dead so at least I won’t have any man forcing me into a marriage I do not want. I won’t be rushed or pushed this time.”




CHAPTER 3




GOD GIVE him strength to get through this week, let alone this night. The King wasn’t even on Scottish soil yet, but Sir Walter Scott took the opportunity to bring the Scottish lord’s together in this evening’s glittering ball. Over cards the stuffed up peacock had lectured the men for almost an hour, insisting on what they could wear and what they could say in front of the King.

Well, Dougray wasn’t a child. He was a duke and he would bloody well wear what he liked and say what he liked—within reason. Like he said, he wasn’t stupid. Scott’s lecture was almost enough to make him risk walking back into the ballroom to face the hell of having to dance.

He was still in the card room, but he and Angus were sitting at the back near the fire in two large armchairs. He’d invited his friend to sit with him over a few glasses of fine whisky. Luckily they had gotten past the issue with Flora’s marriage some years back. Mainly because Flora had seemed happy in her marriage.

Dougray should have been pleased at that fact, but it tortured him every day to know she was happy with another man.

Tonight he needed to discuss Flora and he was worried about his friend’s reaction.

“Scott,” Angus spat out. “That bloody pompous cretin. I’m not sure a visit from the King is worth this.” Angus banged his empty whisky glass on the arm of his chair and called a servant for more of the fiery liquid.

“Do behave, Angus. Talk like that is likely to see Scotland truly embarrassed and you sent to Coventry, if you are not careful.”

Angus snorted. “Rubbish. You’ve met the King before. What do you think of him?”

“Actually, the last time I saw him he was still the Prince Regent. Don’t let the overweight and jolly image fool you. The King is not a stupid man. Although he does love his food, wine, and women far too much.”

“But is it in Scotland’s interest to form this closer alliance?”

“I believe it is. Both of our estates are flourishing now that we are working with the English. I intend to welcome them until they do something that is not in Scotland’s interest.”

“To Scotland,” Angus said. The two men clinked their glasses together.

“Speaking of the King. Scott mentioned the King is most concerned at my marital status. To be fair its more the ‘no heir’ that is of issue. It would appear the King, or his lapdog Scott, does not wish to see my cousin inherit.”

He waited for Angus’s chortle but it did not come.

“Aye, it is about time you married and beget an heir. This moping over your wee lass has gone on long enough. It’s not manly.”

Dougray’s fingers tightened around his glass. “Says the man who would not leave his wife’s side for two weeks when she was battling the lung fever.”

The two men eyed each other before Angus whispered, “Touché.”

He cleared his throat. “I’ve had a royal order to announce my engagement at the dinner in two nights time. The King believes it will give the Scottish people something else to celebrate.”

Angus almost choked on his drink. “Two days time? How long have you known of this command?”

“Since the Kings visit was first muted.”

“Hell, that was almost nine months ago. Have you already won a fair maiden’s hand?”

“No. I’ve been thinking through the issue.” Angus raised an eyebrow. “And I have come to the conclusion it could be a good idea.”

Angus laughed. “I know that face of yours sees most women drop their draws for you at a smile, and the title will definitely help with gaining a wife, but still, a woman does like to be wooed. Even you might find arranging an engagement in only two days a trial.” At his silence Angus sighed. “You have a lady in mind? Well, get on with it then man, you hardly need my help.”

“That is not exactly true.”

Angus’s eyes narrowed. “My daughters are way to young, and by the time they are of marriageable age you’ll be in your dotage. I’ll nay marry them to an old man.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, besides your eldest daughter has already told me she is marrying Connor when she is older.”

“At five years of age she should not be thinking about marriage, and I’ll be keeping boys like your Connor well away from any of my daughters.” At Dougray’s hurt look, Angus added, “It’s not his illegitimacy at issue. It’s simply he’s too much like you. A man who loves all women but loves none with his heart.”

“I have loved with my heart and it cost me more than you will ever know,” Dougray admitted softly. “Twice.”

“Well, if it is a brood mare you want as a wife, I’m sure we can find a match by tomorrow morning. But if I were you I’d look for a lass who stirs more than your cock. It’s infinitely more appealing to find a woman who engages all of you as you age. Looks don’t last forever and cold winter nights can drag with the wrong person by your side.”

“I actually have someone in mind. Someone I have loved for many years.”

Angus put down his glass. “Oh, no. Don’t you dare say her name.”

Dougray took a large gulp and moved his chair out of Angus’s reach. “Flora.” He waited ready to deflect a punch but none came. The silence was unnerving. So he said, “I have loved her for years. We have been good friends too. She’s funny, kind, she loves Connor, and she is so intelligent. I’ve known her all of my life. I’ve been thinking about her, but I wanted to talk with you to be sure. I did not want to damage our friendship again.”

Still the silence lengthened. He hated his lie. He had considered Flora a few months ago but crossed her off his list. Knowing how much he loved her he could not bear to think of her dying in childbirth. He’d never be able to face Angus again. But this morning, hearing her admit to Connor that she had never got with child, and was certain she was barren, that changed everything.

“My sister has been in love with you since she was a young girl. I would have welcomed a match with you, but Connie’s death changed you. Eight years ago I thought you loved her too, but you stood by and watched as my father married her to Iain. Iain was a good man but there was no love in their marriage, and I watched her month-by-month, year-by-year, wither inside. If you cannot give her your heart then I say no. I will not let you hurt her again.”

“There has always only been one women who could claim my heart and it’s her. It killed me to watch her marry another.”

They both took a drink.

“Then tell me why you let her marry Iain?”

“I,” he scrambled to find something that would make sense. “I wasn’t ready. Connie’s death gutted me, and then on top of that I had to search for Connor. I had no idea where father had sent the babe. I thought I had buried the guilt and pain but I hadn’t. But now I’m ready.”

Dougray’s father had gone crazy when told that Dougray, at eighteen, had got a serving girl with child. Dougray’s real crime was wanting to marry the girl. His father had his men kidnap Dougray and send him to Ireland where he was kept a virtual prisoner. When Connie’s time was due the Duke had her thrown out and forbade anyone to help her. Mary somehow got word to Angus. Angus found her, but she’d been in labor for almost two days and the babe was so big the midwife could not save her and the baby.

Angus’s eyes suddenly widened and a smile lit his face. “I think you must be in love with Flora.” At his genuinely puzzled frown Angus added, “She was married for five years and had no offspring. Of course it could have been Iain’s problem, but it is a risk for a duke to marry a woman who has been wed for such a long time yet has failed to beget an heir. You must love her if you can overlook this fact.”

His gut clenched at the lie he was not abusing. It was precisely this reason he could risk marrying her, and could risk giving her his heart. She likely could not give him a child. He had come to terms with what that meant years ago when he’d made his decision to never marry. He had a large extended family with many cousins and he even liked some of them. And he had Connor. He did not care about the title. His father had taught him that the title meant more than a person’s life, and he could not live like that. He had plenty of time to train his cousin Derek to do his duty.