Eight Hunting Lyons (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Chapter Ten

L ucas had made the ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh in record time, determined not to miss Lady Fraser’s ball. He knew Beatrix’s father was going to demand an answer from her tonight, and he was not going to leave the lass to face the man’s wrath on her own.

He walked into Lady Fraser’s grand home, pressing his way through the crowd that had turned out in all their finery for this most anticipated event of the Edinburgh summer. Since those in attendance were the cream of Scottish society, he knew Beatrix would be here.

He had only to find her.

Lord, he had missed her something fierce in the week he had been away.

Gossip traveled fast, so he knew she had met Greenock. What did she think of the man?

Was she warming to the idea of becoming his marchioness?

He shook out of the thought as he made his way along the receiving line, his gaze continually scanning the crowd in search of her.

This ball was considered the last completely Scottish event of the season. Very few Sassenachs would be in attendance because it took place before grouse hunting season.

But come October, English lords and ladies would be swarming all over Auld Reekie, as Edinburgh was known. While the men traveled further north into the Grampian Mountains and beyond to Loch Ness to hunt their grouse, most of the ladies would remain in town and enjoy the social life offered here.

“Lucas, I am so pleased you could make it,” Lady Fraser said, greeting him warmly.

“I would no’ miss yer grand affair for the world.” He bowed over her hand, and after a few more friendly words exchanged, moved on into the ballroom.

Since he had only returned from Glasgow a few hours ago, just long enough to wash up and don his evening attire, he hadn’t the chance to send word to Beatrix. He did not know whether she would attend on Greenock’s arm. Nor did he know whether his brothers and their wives would be here.

Well, Cheyne’s wife, Jenny, would not since she had only recently given birth to their son. He could not wait to meet Fionn, the newest Lyon. The Pagan Moon celebrations were about to take place next week in Stonehaven, and he would have his chance then.

All the brothers, save John, who was traveling with his wife and son, would participate in the annual ritual. He wanted so badly for Beatrix to come with him, to spend time with Cheyne and Matthew and their wives. He also wanted to show her off with pride, not only to his family but to the townspeople as well.

He scanned the crowd once more and was disappointed not to find her. However, he caught sight of his brothers.

He smiled as he strode toward Cheyne and Matthew.

Cheyne gave him a hearty hug. “We dinna think ye’d make it back in time, Mouse.”

“Lord, dinna call me that, especially in front of…all these guests.” He was about to mention Beatrix but put it off for the moment until their greetings were out of the way.

Cheyne did not appear to notice the hitch in voice and kept talking. “Matthew says ye hardly arrived in Edinburgh before Lord MacGlory sent ye off to Glasgow. How did everything go?”

“In Glasgow? Smoothly. And what of you? How is Jennifer and yer new son?”

“Both perfect,” he said, his pride as a new father evident. “Ye’ll see them next week. Ye are coming to Stonehaven, are ye not?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Lucas next took a moment to buss Matthew’s wife, Danielle, on the cheek before clapping Matthew on the shoulder and drawing him into a brotherly embrace.

“Lady Marjorie was hoping ye would be here. She is eager to see ye,” he said.

Lucas raked a hand through his hair. “Och, I dinna want to see her.”

The comment surprised both of his brothers.

Matthew shook his head in apparent confusion. “Really? Lord MacGlory led us to believe ye had come to an understanding with her. Of course, we wondered why ye dinna say a word to us. But ye’re not a child and dinna need our approval for yer actions.”

“I dinna tell ye because there is nothing to tell…not about her.”

Danielle and Matthew exchanged glances. “Do you have feelings for someone else then?” Danielle asked.

He nodded, never intending to keep his feelings for Beatrix a secret from his family. “Lord MacGlory’s daughter, Beatrix. He is no’ too happy about it, but there is nothing he can do to keep us apart. He just does no’ know it yet. I escorted her and her aunt, Lady Rochester, up here from London at Aunt Bessie’s urging.”

Danielle’s eyes rounded in surprise. “You saw Bessie Dove-Lyon?”

He winced. “Saw her the morning I was to return home. I thought I could get away from her matchmaking plans if I waited until the last moment to pay her a visit. Needless to say, I was caught in her web.”

Cheyne laughed. “So the Black Widow of Whitehall got to ye?”

Matthew could not contain his chuckle. “Dinna resent her, Lucas. She did me a good turn. I have never been happier.”

Lucas shook his head. “Ye are both doting fools, although ye have good reason to be. Yer wives are lovely. So is Beatrix. I’ll admit it to ye because ye are my family, and I dinna wish to keep it from ye. Yes, I am madly in love with Beatrix. Ye’ll understand why the moment ye set eyes on her.”

Cheyne frowned. “Then ye haven’t heard yet? Lucas, she is betrothed to Greenock.”

He felt punched in the gut. “Do ye know this for certain? Have ye seen her with him?”

Matthew put an arm around his shoulder. “Not yet. I know he has been escorting her about town. But the rumors are abounding, and neither MacGlory nor Greenock have denied them. In fact, they have been acknowledging they are true. Although I suppose he would say that if he thought to dissuade you.”

Lucas turned to Danielle in dismay. “Do ye know if any of the ladies have heard it from Beatrix’s lips?”

She shook her head. “I don’t believe so, but I could not say for certain. I was not at Lady MacGlory’s on her receiving day. I wish I had known. I would have made it a point to pay her a visit.”

Cheyne groaned. “Does she love ye, Lucas?”

He nodded. “Aye.”

Matthew sighed. “Well, ye’d better make certain she does before ye abduct her.”

He frowned at his brother. “I am no’ abducting her. However, if she is amenable to eloping, then that is what we shall do. Cheyne, there will be hell to pay for it if we do.”

“Ye know ye’ll have my support.”

Matthew nodded. “Mine, too.”

He raked a hand through his hair again. “I am hoping it will not come to that.” Then his breath caught. “She’s here.”

He stared at the beauty descending the stairs arm in arm with Lady Rochester. Beatrix wore a gown of delicate, white silk that hugged the exquisite lines of her body. It was trimmed in an overlay of blue silk that matched the color of her eyes. Her hair was done up in a soft twist atop her head and showed off the elegant curve of her neck.

She moved with the grace of a swan gliding across a lake.

Lord and Lady MacGlory followed just behind them.

He let out a breath in relief. “No sign of Greenock with her.”

Cheyne tossed him a cautioning frown. “That does no’ mean anything. Be careful, Lucas. I dinna mean for ye to take care in not causing a scene. Ye know we’ll watch yer back if there’s to be a fight. I mean for ye to take care in guarding yer heart. The lass may not feel the same about ye. Even if she does, ye know how these things are often arranged. She may still choose Greenock over ye.”

“No, not Beatrix. She will never accept him if she does no’ love him.” But what if her father had gotten to her as Lady Rochester had warned he would do? She had called him a monster and feared he had the power to manipulate Beatrix.

He strode forward to find out.

“Lady Beatrix, are ye taken for this dance?”

Her entire face lit up when she saw him, her eyes taking on a beautiful sparkle and her dimpled smile, broad and sincere. “Lucas, I was hoping you—”

“Ye made quick time returning to Edinburgh,” her father said, immediately stepping between them and not at all pleased to see him here. “I am afraid my daughter canno’ dance with ye. That is Lord Greenock’s privilege.”

“Begging yer pardon, Lord MacGlory, I do not see him here.” He no longer cared about riling the man now that he had approached Beatrix and noted the joy in her eyes upon seeing him.

Her heart was his.

No one was going to keep them apart.

Her father curled his hands into fists, no doubt to stem his mounting anger. “He shall be along shortly. Beatrix is claimed for every dance. But I am certain Lady Marjorie will be happy to partner ye. Yer betrothal is imminent, is it not?”

“That again. Lord MacGlory, with all due respect, there has never been nor shall there ever be anything between me and Lady Marjorie. If ye have been spreading rumors otherwise, then stop at once. It is cruel of ye to mislead Marjorie and give her hope where there is none. It is also useless to try to place a wedge between me and yer daughter with these lies.”

Beatrix’s father growled low in his throat. “Come with me, Lucas. We need to talk.”

“With all due respect, my lord, no. If this is about business, it can wait until tomorrow. If this is about Lady Beatrix, then there is nothing ye can say to change my heart. So allow us to share this dance. The only one who can turn me away is Beatrix. If she does no’ love me, then I will bother her no more.”

He turned to her, hoping she understood the love he felt for her. “If ye are not certain and wish more time to sort out yer feelings, then I will give ye all the time ye need, Beatrix. I will respect yer decision once ye have chosen the man of yer heart.”

“Save yer breath, Lucas. My daughter has made her choice.”

“Is that so, Beatrix? What do ye think of Greenock? I heard ye were going about town with him.”

“I was.”

“Do ye like him, lass?”

She cast him the softest smile. “He is tolerable as an acquaintance. But as a husband? No. He does not stir my heart as you do.”

“Thank ye, lass. I love ye, too.”

“Beatrix, be quiet!” Her father still stood between them and now turned the full force of his anger on Lucas. “I could sack ye for yer impertinence.”

“Beggin’ yer pardon, my lord. It was not my intention to fight with ye in the middle of Lady Fraser’s party. But ye know ye canno’ be rid of me. My brother and the other investors will no’ allow it. I doubt Lord Liverpool will allow it, either. So dinna threaten me with ruination. Even if ye could ruin me, I would no’ care. It is yer daughter I care about most of all, and I will no’ allow ye to force her into an unhappy marriage. Her heart is too precious for that.”

Greenock chose that moment to appear. “Lyon,” he said with a disdainful nod, then immediately turned to Beatrix and held out his arm. “Shall we, my dear?”

Lucas was not going to put her in the middle of this tug of war, certainly not in the midst of the ball. It did not matter how many dances Greenock claimed, for the pompous lord would never be able to claim her heart.

“It is all right, Beatrix,” he said when she looked to him with uncertainty. “Yer father and I need to straighten out a few matters.”

He stepped aside and allowed the marquess to lead her onto the dance floor. “Lord MacGlory, perhaps ye are right. We ought to have our private talk now.” Lucas nodded toward the balcony where they would be out of earshot of the ladies and any snooping guests.

Her father scowled and grumbled but agreed.

“Ye are a fool, Lucas,” Lord MacGlory said the moment they stepped into the unusually warm evening air that carried the scents of the city and the brine off the Firth. The man looked tired, his face drawn and fragile as he stood looking outward toward Lady Fraser’s garden.

It was not quite dark yet, so they were surrounded in the amber glow of fading light. It was a harsh light that revealed the toll this man’s sadness had taken on him.

Lucas understood his desperation and could not hold resentment for his high-handed manner. Lord MacGlory thought he was fighting to protect his daughter from the bitter sadness he still felt all these years after his first wife’s death.

But the man was a stubborn old goat and looking at the situation all wrong. “Do ye no’ see, my lord? Beatrix cares nothing for Greenock. Why would ye force her into a life of misery?”

The man turned toward the ballroom to stare at his daughter as she twirled in Greenock’s arms. Lucas followed his gaze, and together they watched her go through the dance steps with precision but utter lack of enthusiasm. “Does yer daughter look happy?”

“Happiness,” he said with a snort, once more turning away to stare out over the garden. “Ye think ye are offering her that?”

“Aye, my lord. I am. Love. Happiness. Contentment. Fulfillment. She will have all I can give her and more.”

“Dinna be a fool, Lucas. Ye are setting her up for the agonizing pain of loss. Why will ye not understand? Joy is fleeting. It can be snatched from ye in the blink of an eye. One moment ye are on top of the world, and yer heart is full. In the next, ye have fallen into an abyss and can never climb out of it.”

“Och, Lord MacGlory. It will no’ be like that for—”

“What do ye know of such things? Losing the love of yer life is an unbearable misery. To wake up every morning remembering what ye had and knowing ye will never have it in yer grasp again. To live yer life with an ache that never diminishes. To hope ye will die soon so that ye may be reunited with yer one true love. This is what I wish to spare my daughter.”

“What of the current Lady MacGlory? Have ye not had a good life with her? I am not saying ye ought to be comparing yer two wives. If yer first wife was anything like Beatrix, I can see why ye lost yer heart to her. Then ye must understand how I feel about yer daughter. My heart canno’ be without her. It is that simple. I ached with emptiness this week we were apart.”

“Ye hardly know her, and already ye are so far gone?” He leaned his arms on the balustrade. “I have seen the way she looks at ye, as well. I hear the lightness in her voice when she speaks yer name. She told me you insisted she give Greenock a chance. He called on her every day while ye were gone, escorted her for the supper dance at Lord Finlay’s soiree, and even took her to tea at the King James Inn’s tearoom yesterday. Lady MacGlory and I were with them. She endured him for my sake.”

“Then why continue to encourage a match between her and Greenock? Have ye signed any betrothal papers?”

“Not yet.”

“Then dinna do it. She does no’ want the man. Allow me to offer for her. Set yer betrothal terms. I dinna need to know what she brings to the marriage, but she will want to know because she is proud and does not want to come to me ignorant of what she possesses. She deserves to be told what is hers. But as I said, I dinna care about her wealth or lack of it. All I want is Beatrix. Allow me the chance to give her fifty years of happiness.”

“Fifty years?” Her father laughed. “Who is to say when one of ye will be taken? Then ye will feel such excruciating pain, Lucas. Ye have no idea how badly I still ache.”

He tried not to lose patience with the man. “If I were taken young, I would not want Beatrix to dwell in loneliness and misery for the rest of her days. I would want her to move on and make a happy life with a good man. My brothers would always be there to protect her and guide her if she asked them. Do ye not think yer wife wanted the same for ye? Do ye not have happiness with the current Lady MacGlory?”

“It is obvious why I married her, is it not? She is a good woman and may resemble my first wife, but she and I will never have what I had with Beatrix’s mother. She will never replace my Jocelyn. She pales in comparison to—”

They both turned at the sound of an anguished cry.

Oh, hell.

How much had Lady MacGlory overheard?

The poor woman tipped her chin up proudly as tears formed in her eyes. “Have I mattered not a whit to you in all our years of marriage? Have I not been a good wife to you?”

“Bollocks,” Lord MacGlory muttered under his breath. “See what ye’ve done now, Lucas?”

“No, my lord. Do ye not see what ye’ve done? It is time ye pulled yerself out of the past and appreciated the treasures bestowed on ye. Yer wife. Yer daughter. They are alive and healthy and ready to fill yer heart with all the love they feel for ye. Let them do it. Stop destroying them because of a dream ye will never reclaim.”

“Ye impudent whelp. It is you who has destroyed them with yer wild ideas. Dinna bother to show up at the bank tomorrow. I shall have ye tossed out on yer ear if ye attempt it. And I promise ye, if my wife leaves me because of what she heard us say…ye will have to kill me before I ever allow ye near Beatrix again.”

He stormed off, leaving his wife behind in tears.

“Lady MacGlory…I never meant to hurt yer feelings. Och, I…” What could he say to this long-suffering woman who had lived under the shadow of a dead wife for all these years?

“It isn’t your fault, Lucas. It is mine and Lord MacGlory’s. I knew what I was getting into when I married him,” she said, taking a shaky breath as she tried to regain her composure. “But I thought our bond would strengthen over the years. It hasn’t. Not one bit. Beatrix’s mother has too strong a grip on his heart. I cannot even blame the dear woman. She wanted him to move on and be happy. She hoped his daughter would bring him joy because she resembled her so closely.”

He shook his head. “Instead, he pushed her away, too.”

“He could not bear to look upon her,” she said with a nod. “And now he thinks he is doing right by shoving Greenock at her. I will not allow him to do it. She deserves a chance at the happiness I now know I will never have.” She dabbed at another tear that fell upon her cheek. “I love him. I always will. It would be so much easier if I had it in me to discreetly take on a lover. But he is my one and only love.”

Lucas felt awful. “Tell me what to do, Lady MacGlory. I’ll do whatever I can to patch things up between the two of ye.”

“No, Lucas. This is something I must do for myself. But first, I think he needs to feel my absence.” She sighed as she shook her head. “I would have gone down to visit Lady Rochester, but she is here. I suppose there is a friend or two I could visit.”

“No, Lady MacGlory. Ye needn’t worry about making those plans. How long do ye wish to be away?”

She tipped her head and regarded him curiously. “I should think about a week or ten days will do. He ought to be quite frantic by then. Your eyes are aglow. Do ye have a plan in mind?”

He nodded. “I am inviting ye, Lady Rochester, and Lady Beatrix to Stonehaven. Ye’ll stay with us at Castle Lyon. I had planned to go there in a matter of days anyway. My brothers and Lady Danielle will be heading back tomorrow. We can all leave together. What do ye say?”

She laughed mirthlessly and nodded. “Yes, it is perfect. Will your brother mind us imposing on him?”

“No, my lady. He will be delighted to have ye with us. I also think he will enjoy giving yer husband a swift kick in the arse. It is high time someone did.”

“Then it is settled,” she said, managing a smile between her tears. “I will let Beatrix know of our plans.”

He stayed on the balcony with Lady MacGlory while she regained her composure.

Beatrix joined them as soon as the dance ended, her expression filled with worry. “Lottie, have you been crying?”

She frowned at Lucas, no doubt believing he was the cause.

“It isn’t Lord Lyon’s fault, Beatrix. Your father is to blame. Lord Lyon will explain it to you while I put myself together. I must look a mess.”

“No,” Beatrix said gently. “You are beautiful as always. Let me take you to the ladies retiring room.”

“My dear, your place is here with Lord Lyon. Where is Greenock?”

“Off to the card tables, I think.”

She patted Beatrix’s cheek. “Good. That will keep him busy for the night. You don’t like him very much, do you?”

Beatrix shook her head. “He is insufferable and condescending. What is going on?”

“A battle royal between your father and me. Let me go fix myself now.”

She hurried away, leaving the two of them alone on the balcony.

Lucas sighed. “I’m glad ye dinna like Greenock.”

“He has done his best to be courteous to me, but I cannot tolerate a man who steps on others simply because he can. He needs a woman smart enough to mold him into shape…or someone capable of spanking his bottom to make a better man of him. That will not be me. I don’t think he likes me well enough to care about anything I say. Nor do I like him enough to take on the bothersome chore.”

She cleared her throat. “I also learned from a friend of mine, Sally MacRaine, that he is deeply in debt to my father and will never give up his courtship of me while my father holds his notes. But Sally and I have contrived a plan we hope will work.”

He eyed her with some surprise. “Ye’ve been busy while I’ve been away. I thought ye might like Sally if ye ever met her. She’s a good lass. But what plan have the two of ye concocted? And are ye sure ye want to put it into place? I would rather have yer father angry at me than at you. Will ye no’ let me deal with him?”

“Lucas, let me try first. I want to fight for myself. After all, you are the one who taught me how.”

He caressed her cheek. “I could no’ bear it if ye were hurt.”

“I won’t be. I know how to defend myself. As you said, I am little, and my fists won’t do much damage. So, I have to use my wits instead. Well, Sally and I have put our heads together, and I think we have come up with a very good plan. It is so simple, really.”

He folded his arms over his chest and grinned. “I canno’ wait to hear it.”

So, she began to tell him. “Her father is a wealthy man.”

“Lass, I know. I am his banker.”

She laughed lightly. “Yes, of course. I should have realized. Well, my point is…Sally wishes to be a marchioness.”

He groaned. “Och, I see where this is going.”

“I thought you might. We have already discussed it with Sally’s father, and he is most amenable to the plan. He cannot think of anything more splendidly ironic than to have Lord Greenock married to his daughter. Of course, he does not see him as a bad man, just vain and self-absorbed. But salvageable. He would never give his daughter over to someone who would abuse her. He happens to think they could have a good marriage if Lord Greenock ever came down off his high horse.”

Lucas listened attentively and laughed once she had finished. “I am sorry I interfered with yer plans, Beatrix. I should no’ have come at yer father like a raging bull just now. I hope I dinna make things worse for ye. I know I hurt Lady MacGlory badly. I truly did not realize just how…obsessed, I think is the best word to describe this loss yer father still feels for yer mother.”

“It is an accurate description. This is how he has been for as long as I can remember.”

“I am so sorry, lass. Ye deserved so much better. I want to hate him for treating ye so abominably, but I canno’ make light of this pain that will no’ leave him. I understand it. I was apart from ye for a few days and missed ye so badly, Beatrix. I can see how it is an ache that can tear one’s soul apart. It does no’ go away.”

“I missed you just as desperately.” But she lightened the moment by smiling up at him. “So did Posy, I might add.”

“Och, that little dog.” He laughed, and a feeling of contentment swept over him now that she was beside him. “Lass, ye look so beautiful. I should have told ye from the first.”

“Thank you, Lucas. But will you now explain to me exactly what happened with my father? What was said to make him storm off and leave Lady MacGlory in tears?” She began to nibble her lip. “They were fighting over me, of course.”

“No, lass. Their fight is about them, between husband and wife.”

She nodded, looking so sad.

“He is the one in the wrong. Ye and Lady MacGlory are the innocent victims of his obsession. He pushed ye away so that ye hardly know the man. I know him better than you do, for I’ve worked side by side with him for several years. I have also seen how good Lady MacGlory is to him and, although he will never acknowledge it, how comforted he is by her.” He shook his head and sighed. “He may even love her, but he will no’ get out of his own way to ever see it.”

He caressed her cheek again. “Let them work it out between themselves. It is time yer father dragged his arse out of the past and appreciated what is in his present. He is hurting everyone who loves him, and Lady MacGlory is tired of putting up with it. As for ye, my sweet lass—”

“How can you still be so nice to me? I am sorry you were caught up in this MacGlory ugliness. I have been so worried about myself and poor Lottie that I did not think to ask about you. Things could not have been left well between you and my father. He threatened to discharge you. Has he taken it back?”

“No, I am still sacked but—”

“Oh, Lucas! No! What can I say to him to make it right? This is what I feared. See, despite your protestations, it clearly is all my fault.”

“Beatrix, stop beating yerself up. None of this is yer doing. I’ll have my position back in a matter of days, likely sooner. Anyway, I was scheduled to take time off to return to Stonehaven the day after tomorrow. Now I will be able to leave a day earlier than planned. Ye’ll all be coming with me. It is arranged.”

“Me and my aunt?”

“Aye. Lady MacGlory, too. Posy, of course. So, pack up his pink hair ribbons and satin pillows.”

She managed a chuckle, but it quickly faded. “You are so calm about everything. I wish I had your confidence. Are you not the littlest bit scared?”

“Of what?”

“My father is one of the most powerful men in Scotland.”

“Aye, lass. He is. But at this moment, so am I. No one else within the bank’s organization can handle the warship financing. Since most of the board of directors have their own investments sunk into the deal, they are not going to give him free rein on this matter.”

“And what about afterward? Will there be bad blood between you? What of your family? How will they feel to be—”

“To be given the chance to quarrel?” He did not care who was looking as he kissed her on the forehead. “Ye know we Scots enjoy a good battle. Even if I was in the wrong…which I am not…Cheyne and Matthew would stand up for me.”

“You are a strange lot.”

“No, lass. We simply live by an ingrained code of honor that all of us follow. It applies in a widening circle. Family first. Then clan. Then country. I stand by my brothers. If they are at odds with someone, then so am I. If it happens to be a feud between clans, then I stand with my clan. I am a Lyon of Mar, proud and strong.”

“What if your clan is in the wrong?”

“It canno’ be.”

“But–”

“It is our code. We stand by our clan. But feuds usually resolve whenever we must unite to fight a common enemy. The animosity immediately ceases as we march into battle together.”

“I see, such as the clans uniting against the English, as you have done for centuries.”

He laughed lightly. “Aye, we like those fights best. There is nothing more satisfying than taking on the Sassenach invader.”

“And once the war is over? I assume you start fighting among yourselves again.”

“Aye. Sometimes. I like to think we have more sense than to bash each other’s brains over a feud none of us can remember the reason for starting.”

“What about your wives? Where do they stand in your hierarchy of importance?”

“Och, sweet lass. Ye would always come first. Wife and children are to be protected above all. Which leads me to another question. I know ye’ve been seeing Lord Greenock and have decided ye dinna like him. But just to close the matter out entirely, have ye seen anyone else who holds yer interest?”

She nodded.

He tried to tamp down the surge of jealousy, for he had not expected her response. “Who?”

“You, of course.”

He let out a ragged breath of relief. “I meant someone other than me.”

“No, Lucas. There is no one else.”

“Then are ye sure about yer feelings?”

She nodded. “I am.”

“Good. I love ye, Beatrix. I love ye with all my heart and soul. Will ye marry me?”

Her eyes widened as though caught by surprise. “I love you, too. With all that I am. But what happens next?”

“Well, I could kiss ye. Indeed, I am going to kiss ye as soon as we are done talking. Ye’ve said ye love me, but does this mean ye’ll marry me?”

“My father will be so angry. He will likely disown me. I worry about what he will do to you. And where would we marry?”

He ran his thumb lightly along her fleshy lower lip. “In Stonehaven. No one would dare stop us there.”

“But what of my dowry? The betrothal contract?”

“Yer father will come around in time and give ye all ye properly deserve. I dinna care if and when he does. But it matters to ye, so I will pursue it if that is yer desire. As for me, yer heart is all I want. I’ll take ye whether ye come with a chest full of gold or not a shilling to yer name.”

He kissed her on the cheek.

“As to marriage,” he continued, “as I said, we can marry at Stonehaven during the Pagan Moon celebrations. Since I have already arranged to take ye, Lady Rochester, and Lady MacGlory with us, ye’ll have some family at our wedding. Are ye all right with the plan? We would leave tomorrow morning. Yer father can do as he likes. I will extend the invitation to him, but I am no’ putting off my plans to marry ye.”

She shook her head. “He won’t come along.”

“Perhaps not right away. But he will miss Lady MacGlory something awful, and I hope, for her sake, he eventually shows up at Castle Lyon to reclaim her.”

Beatrix nodded. “I hope so, too. It would be simply awful if he didn’t.”

“I know,” he muttered. “By the way, I’ve kept Holmes on, along with the hired coach, since I’ll be making a lot of trips across Scotland and back down to London over the next few months, now that this project is to move ahead.”

“Assuming you are still involved in it.”

He arched an eyebrow. “I will be, lass. Dinna fret. Yer father is angry, but he isn’t an idiot and will no’ risk bankrupting himself. Nor will the members of the board allow him to put their investments at risk. If this deal falters, it will turn most of them into paupers. They will get rid of yer father before they’ll get rid of me. I’ll come around to collect ye in the morning.”

“Are you certain your brother knows of your plans and does not mind that you will arrive with an entourage?”

“Quite certain. I’ll introduce ye to Cheyne now. He is here with Matthew and Danielle. Cheyne’s wife is at Castle Lyon with their new bairn, a strapping lad by the name of Fionn. Ye’ll meet them soon, too. Meanwhile, my brothers are probably staring at us right now and wondering what we are saying to each other. I’ll make it easy for them.”

“What do you mean?”

“They’ll understand what is happening once I kiss ye, as I am about to do now.”

“Wait.” Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Here? Everyone will see us.”

“That is entirely the point. There have been enough ugly rumors going around, and I would like to put a stop to them. Ye are the only woman I love or ever want. What better way to announce our betrothal? Are ye all right with it?”

She nodded and laughed lightly. “Yes, now that I’ve gotten all my fretting out of the way. My only wish is never to hurt you or have my father hurt you in his anger. But it seems he cannot. So, as long as you are certain…”

“Never a doubt.” He wrapped her in his arms. “Close yer eyes, Beatrix.”

She cast him an impertinent grin. “Is there a proper protocol for a betrothal kiss?”

“Aye, lass. I kiss ye till ye melt.” He closed his mouth over hers and gave her a scorchingly hot kiss designed to set the ballroom in an uproar.

Which is exactly what happened.

Greenock came charging out of the card room. “Lyon, ye bastard!”

He threw a wild punch at Lucas and missed.

He took another swing and missed again.

“Enough, Greenock. I will no’ hold back if ye try to hit me again. I’ll throw my own punch, and I assure ye, I will no’ miss.”

“She is my intended! I have every right to—”

“You don’t even like me,” Beatrix blurted. “I should think you would be relieved to have me off your hands.”

“Ye are MacGlory’s daughter. Do ye think I will allow ye to undermine the connection I’ve worked years to forge with yer father? Ye will marry me, and there’ll be no more argument about it.”

Beatrix tipped her chin up. “I refuse.”

“Where’s yer father? He has indulged yer nonsense long enough.”

“You have it backward. I have indulged his nonsense long enough, and I will not have him ruin my life with his sad choices. But if you will stop fuming and ranting, I will show you how we can all get what we want out of this situation. I assure you, Lord Greenock, you will come out ahead in this.”

He stared at Beatrix for the longest moment, then turned to Lucas. “What is she talking about?”

“Dinna look at me. It is Beatrix’s idea. But I suggest ye listen. After all, she is a MacGlory, and we all know there is no one smarter than a MacGlory.”

Beatrix smiled at him. “I knew you loved me for my brains.”

“I do, lass. Among other attributes.” He turned to Greenock. “Come into Lady Fraser’s study. We have a deal to discuss.”

Beatrix nodded. “I will join you as soon as I have fetched Sally and her father.”

Lord Greenock eyed her warily. “Sally, who?”