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

Chapter Fourteen

L ucas washed up and then donned his clan tartan to ready himself for the parade. He and his brothers were to lead it, as they had done ever since he was old enough to toddle. They would all head straight to the church afterward for the wedding ceremony, the men still wearing their clan tartans and the ladies in their finery.

He tucked the sapphire ring he had purchased for Beatrix in the breast pocket of his jacket. He would surprise her with it during the ceremony.

“Lucas, are ye ready?”

He turned to see Cheyne at his door. “Aye, but let me fetch Beatrix before we head back into town.”

“She can follow later with the other ladies.” Cheyne frowned. “What’s troubling ye? Why is yer brow furrowed?”

He shook his head. “I dinna know exactly. Beatrix seemed a little on edge.”

“Afraid she is going to run off?” His brother clapped him on the back. “The lass is preoccupied with the wedding, no doubt. It is obvious she loves ye and is no’ having second thoughts.”

“Och, I know.”

“Perhaps she is thinking of her father.”

This made sense to Lucas, for the man had always been able to break her heart, and this was yet another instance of it. That he was not here for her wedding had to hurt her fiercely. “That must be it. All right, I’ll walk down with ye, but let me knock at her door first to tell her I am leaving. I’ll have to get Posy, too.”

Cheyne laughed and shook his head. “I think ye like that wee beastie almost as much as ye like the lass. I’ll fetch Matthew while ye talk to her.”

Beatrix’s door was open when he reached it, so he did not bother to knock. She was seated on a stool while Mairi fussed with her hair. Harriet and Lottie stood beside the young maid, the pair of them hovering over Beatrix as they issued comments. Posy was seated on Beatrix’s bed, perched atop it like a monarch on his throne. He leaped off and ran to Lucas as soon as he walked in.

He bent and placed one of his mother’s tartan ribbons around the pug’s neck, tying it in a neat bow before scooping him up in his arms. “We’ll have ye looking like a proper Scot yet.”

The ladies had not even noticed him, for they were still too busy fussing over Beatrix. He thought she looked beautiful with her hair exactly as it was, but he was merely the bridegroom, and his opinion would hold no sway.

“Softer curls,” Harriet suggested.

“Sweep her hair up higher,” Lottie suggested.

Beatrix seemed relieved when she noticed him. “Lucas, you look so handsome. Oh, my goodness,” she said with a soft laugh, “you’ve fashioned a tartan ribbon for Posy.”

He grinned. “Couldn’t resist. He has the soul of a highlander, dinna ye think?”

Her eyes glittered with merriment. Were they alone, he would be kissing her again. He loved the way she looked at him. “I’m heading down to the village green with my brothers. Do ye mind if I leave before ye?”

“No, it is important for you to be there. The ladies and I will follow shortly.”

He nodded. “Make sure ye stay with them, Beatrix. Dinna wander off even for a moment. Stonehaven is packed with strangers, and many of them have been drunk since daybreak. Will ye promise me, lass?”

She nodded. “I promise.”

He was reluctant to leave her, but perhaps he was making too much of things. “See ye at the parade.”

With Posy tucked under his arm, he strode out of the room to meet his brothers and go to town. They discussed the parade, but he contributed little to the conversation. His thoughts remained on Beatrix. He had not imagined that trace of worry on her beautiful features.

Was it something more than her father’s absence?

“What do ye think, Posy?” he muttered.

The little beastie merely licked his hand.

“Ye’re no help.” He had not forgotten how frightened she was when those two villains had tried to abduct her early in their travels.

Had someone accosted her?

Been rude to her and unsettled her?

It would have taken little to bring those fears rushing back. But how was it possible when he had hardly left her side since their arrival in Stonehaven?

He remained tense and distracted, wanting to rush back to her side, but the parade was now starting. He breathed a sigh of relief when they marched down the High Street, and he saw Beatrix, a vision of loveliness in pale blue silk, cheering and clapping beside the ladies.

Her smile was bright and seemingly untroubled.

Perhaps he had imagined the shadow in her eyes earlier.

As soon as the parade ended, he rushed back to the spot he had seen her. Jenny, Danielle, Harriet, and Lottie were still standing there.

His heart shot into his throat. “Where’s Beatrix?”

Harriet glanced around in surprise. “Why she was here a moment ago.”

Cheyne and Matthew now reached the ladies.

“What’s wrong?” Cheyne asked.

He raked a hand through his hair. “Beatrix is missing. I need to find her. Help me look for her.”

Fortunately, neither of his brothers tried to shrug off his concern. Instead, they immediately spread out to search for her. Cheyne headed toward the castle. Matthew took to the beach.

Lucas strode down the High Street, hoping to find her by the food stalls or in one of the shops. His lungs were ready to burst; he could hardly breathe. Although he had handed Posy back to Harriet before going in search of Beatrix, he heard a bark and saw the little fellow now scurrying after him.

He knelt to scoop him up. “Ye’re worried about her, too. Can ye find her for me? Do ye understand what I am asking, laddie?”

He barked.

“I sure hope so.” He set Posy down and was surprised when he immediately took off for Madame Pouissard’s tearoom. “Och, Posy! Wait!” He would murder the pup if he was running in there to grab a sausage treat. But it was as good a place as any to search, so he followed the pug in.

There was Beatrix talking to a gentleman whose back was turned to him. Well, it appeared she was scolding the man more than merely talking to him. Had the lout made an untoward advance?

Lucas was in murderous humor and would not hesitate to wring his bloody neck.

The only reason this stranger was not dead yet was that Beatrix, having now noticed him and Posy walk in, was smiling as she waved him over.

Posy was first to reach her side. The wee beastie began to bark at her in what sounded remarkably like an admonishment. Well, he was right. What was Beatrix doing away from the ladies and talking to this stranger?

But as he approached, the stranger turned to face him.

“Lord MacGlory?” Lucas stopped and simply gaped. “Mother in heaven. What are ye doing here?”

“Reclaiming my family,” he said, sounding not in the least contrite for the strain he had put them all through.

“Ye’re mistaken if ye think I’ll ever let ye take Beatrix from me.” Lucas curled his hands into fists. “As for ye, Beatrix…what were ye thinking to go off with him? He might have grabbed ye and stolen ye away with none of us the wiser.”

“No, it isn’t like that.” She placed a hand on his arm to calm him, for his blood was hot with rage. “I spotted him and gave chase. But I am so glad you’ve found us. I need your help. We have to make a stop before Lottie knows he is here.”

He was not ready to cool his anger. “How long have ye been in Stonehaven? Beatrix, is this what was troubling ye? Did ye sense someone watching ye? Lass, it could have been anyone. Why not tell me and allow me to protect ye?”

“I thought it was all in my head. But it did feel real. You know how sometimes a person has a sense about these things? I felt tingles run up my spine yesterday and again today. I am so relieved it was just my father. He has been watching Lottie and me since he arrived yesterday. But she has no idea.” She glanced at her father before continuing. “Papa does not want to take us away. He has been lurking here trying to work up the courage to apologize to us.”

The man looked haggard as he ran a hand along the nape of his neck. “It is all true. I think it took Lottie leaving me to realize what a monumentally destructive fool I have been. But I didn’t know how to approach my wife or daughter. How does one make things right in a minute after spending years ruining their happiness? I heard ye were marrying Beatrix today and had no intention of interfering. But she spotted me as the parade was breaking up and chased me through the crowd.”

“Lucas, he cannot simply walk up to Lottie and tell her he is sorry. It is not enough. I am taking him to Mr. Henkel’s shop so that he can pick out something meaningful as a gift for her. Something he will choose because he loves her and needs to atone for his stupid behavior. Do not frown at me, Papa. You were stupid and broke the heart of a wonderful woman.”

“I broke yer heart, too, child,” he said softly.

She nodded. “You did. But Lucas has gone a long way toward mending it. We are getting married within the hour, and you need to give him your blessing. You also need to give him back his position at the bank. And you need to tell me about my financial situation because I had to borrow funds from Lucas to purchase gifts, and frankly, it upset me. I do not know whether I am a pauper or an heiress or something in between.”

“All right,” her father said. “But we canno’ talk in the middle of this crowd. Nor is it something to be spoken of while we’re at the jeweler’s shop.”

“We can talk at the church, Papa. Besides, confession is good for the soul, and you have much to confess…well, to atone for. There is no better place to do it.”

Lucas was still angry but felt calmer knowing the man was not going to abscond with his daughter. “Beatrix, I need to let my brothers know I’ve found ye. Let me walk ye to Mr. Henkel’s shop, and then I’ll retrieve my brothers. There is much to discuss, and we will no’ get it all done before we marry. I dinna want to delay the ceremony. We can sort it all out later, once ye are my wife.”

She cast him that sparkling smile again, the one that reached her eyes and had the ability to pierce the walls of his heart.

Lord, the lass was going to stomp all over him in the marriage. All she had to do was smile at him, and he would give in to her every wish. “Ye’re to wait for me at the jeweler’s,” he said, not even able to sound stern. “I’ll come by to collect ye as soon as I’ve told my brothers.”

She readily agreed.

He left Posy with her and her father, somehow believing she would not disappear from his life while the wee pug was guarding her. It was an idiotic notion, but it made him feel better. After walking them over to Mr. Henkel, who was elated they were back, he went in search of his brothers.

He found Cheyne first and quickly explained what had happened. “Dinna let Lottie know he’s here. Just take the ladies to the church and tell them we’ll be along shortly.”

He then went down to the beach to find Matthew and once again explained the situation.

Matthew left to join the others.

Lucas then returned to the jeweler’s shop. Beatrix’s plan appeared to be working to her satisfaction because she was smiling again, and her father appeared resigned. Mr. Henkel could not contain his jubilation, which meant Beatrix had insisted her father purchase an expensive bauble.

He bit the inside of his cheek to suppress the grin aching to burst forth. It was about time Lord MacGlory received his comeuppance and even sweeter that it was coming from Beatrix.

“We chose the perfect gift for Lottie,” she told him, reaching up to buss his cheek. “Papa is ready to see her now. Will you take us to her?”

“All right, love.” He turned to Lord MacGlory. “Ye’ll have five minutes to make things right with yer wife. I’ll not delay our wedding ceremony a minute longer.”

He expected an eruption from the man and was surprised to receive a docile nod of agreement. They all walked off together, Posy nipping at their heels.

Beatrix broke into a run the moment the church came into view. “Lottie! Lottie! There’s someone here to see you.”

Lucas held her father back as they were about to enter. “Ye’re to be my father-in-law, so I owe ye respect, but it only goes so far. I will never allow ye to hurt Beatrix again.”

“Ye dinna need to warn me, Lucas. I am not a complete idiot. In fact, this trinket I purchased is not really what Lottie wants or needs. However, it was important to Beatrice that I select something, and I was not about to disappoint her again. As for my wife, I know what is truly needed to make things right between us.” He then told Lucas his plan.

Lucas arched an eyebrow in surprise. “Aye, that is a fine idea.”

They had no more chance to talk as Beatrix and Lottie hurried to the door to meet them. Lottie burst into tears and threw herself into Lord MacGlory’s arms the moment she spotted him.

Beatrix was smiling and crying.

The others rushed out to see what was happening.

Soon all the women were in tears, but these were good tears—ones of joy.

Cheyne clapped him on the shoulder, unable to stifle his laughter. “And here ye thought it was to be a quiet wedding ceremony…assuming we ever get around to it.”

“Are ye going to let him walk Beatrice down the aisle now that he’s here?” Matthew asked.

“I’ll leave it up to Beatrix. Look at the lass. She is glowing like a ray of sunshine. I have never seen her happier.” It brought an ache to his heart to see how much love she carried and how much it must have pained her to be denied by her father all these years.

He watched them hug each other fiercely and felt a swell of anger, for the man had deprived her of this for so many years. It troubled him that Beatrix was so forgiving of his behavior.

Well, that’s what made her Beatrix and not him.

She was not a thickheaded Scot ready to hold a grudge to her grave. “Beatrix, love. The minister is growing impatient.”

“And so are you, I think,” she said, her smile still radiant. “Give me a moment to wipe away my tears.”

“Here, use my handkerchief.” He took her aside and watched as she dabbed the moisture from her cheeks. “I suppose ye’ll be wanting yer father to walk ye down the aisle. Cheyne is ready to step aside if that is yer wish.”

To his surprise, she declined. “It means the world to me that he is here, and we are reconciling. But one day of reconciliation does not make up for fifteen years of shoving me away. It does not feel right that he should be the one to give me over to you. If anything, it should be Aunt Harriet. But I had quietly asked her before your brother offered.”

“She refused ye?” That surprised Lucas.

“She would have agreed had I prodded her, but she is quite traditional. She felt it should be a man giving me away.” Beatrix pursed her lips. “I think it is also that her legs are not as steady as they used to be, and she is worried that all eyes will be on her as she hobbles down the aisle instead of on me. Let the arrangement remain as it is.”

“All right, love.” He motioned to his brothers.

It did not take long for the small party to take their places, Posy for once seated on Harriet’s lap instead of leaping into his arms.

His heart swelled with pride as he watched Cheyne walk Beatrix to the altar where he was standing in wait for her.

The minister’s oration was but a drone in his ears, for nothing existed for him other than the vision of loveliness now beside him. She was smiling up at him, her gaze soft and her expression beaming.

“Lord Lyon,” the minister whispered, reminding Lucas it was his turn to speak his vows.

He took Beatrix’s hands in his. “I take thee, Beatrix MacGlory…” After repeating the traditional vows, he added something stupid and poetic, in effect, calling her the sunshine of his heart. He then continued with something just as stupid about love eternal and hearts entwined. He also said something about her being the missing part of him.

His brothers were never going to stop teasing him about this.

But Beatrix seemed to enjoy his stumbling speech and gasped with obvious surprise when he withdrew the sapphire ring from his breast pocket and placed it on her finger. “What I canno’ say with words, I hope to say with this bride token. Blue for yer eyes and diamonds for yer sparkling smile. Sapphire for love eternal. I promise to love ye forever.”

“You are the most wonderful man in existence,” she whispered, hugging him fiercely when they finished exchanging vows.

He kissed her with all the love and longing he felt in his heart.

The ceremony then ended, and their life as a married couple was about to begin.

“I shall love you always, Lucas. Thank you for not kicking me out of your London coach.”

“Despite all my bluster,” he said with a laughing groan, “I can assure ye, I was never going to kick ye out. One look at ye, and I knew I could never let ye go. Ye had my heart in palpitations the moment ye popped yer head into Bessie’s office, and I saw that sweet face of yers.”

Since the actual wedding festivities were not to happen until tomorrow, and since the Pagan Moon festivities would soon get too rowdy for them to consider dining in one of the finer establishments in town, the plan was for all of them to return to the castle.

Brogan had arranged for Cheyne’s coach to be brought to the church to transport Harriet and whoever else could not or did not wish to walk.

However, before they left the church, Beatrix’s father addressed them. “Beatrix. Lucas. I know this is yer day. But if ye will indulge a foolish old man a moment longer, there is something I need to do for Lottie.”

Lucas nodded, knowing what her father meant to do. “Go ahead, Lord MacGlory.”

“Lottie, my dear. Come stand with me before the altar.” He took his wife’s hands and led her to the spot where Lucas and Beatrix had just exchanged vows. “We are already married, but those vows were hollow when I said them all those years ago. So, I am saying them again now, no longer filled with grief and a closed heart. I say them to ye with all the love I feel for ye and foolishly never allowed myself to show ye. I love ye, Lottie. I promise from now on to be the husband ye have always deserved.” He then took out the silver heart locket he had purchased for her and clasped it around her neck. “This is my heart, and it belongs to ye.”

Lottie burst into joyful tears.

The other women were soon misty-eyed and sniffling.

Lucas felt his throat tighten, and his eyes may have grown a little watery, for Lottie deserved all this and more. But what gave him the greatest pleasure was seeing Beatrix so happy. She was squeezing his hand and hopping excitedly beside him, hardly able to believe this was happening. She had dreamed of this reconciliation all her life, not only for herself but for Lottie as well.

Lucas had bought her a magnificent sapphire ring to mark their wedding day, and it was now proudly resting on her finger. But for Beatrix, her father’s vow to Lottie was the best wedding gift of all.

He did not mind, for this is what he loved about Beatrix. She valued sentimentality over material possessions.

The elders now piled into the coach, along with Cheyne and Jenny, who had much to do back at the castle in preparation for tomorrow. Matthew took Danielle back into town for another hour before the rowdiness truly began.

This left him alone with Beatrix. “Love, I dinna think of it before, but this is yer day, and it feels like everything and everyone has taken it over…the town festival, yer father’s arrival and his pretty speech to Lottie. Ye’re the bride and had no more than a few minutes of attention before ye were left alone with me. Should there no’ be more fuss around ye? How can I make it up to ye?”

She shook her head emphatically. “This is finest wedding any girl could have. Better than I ever thought possible. Not only because my father and Lottie are now reconciled.” She laughed as Posy came running toward them, having leaped out of the coach as it was about to pull away.

Lucas waved them on with a jovial shrug. “We’ll keep Posy with us, Lady Rochester.”

Beatrix turned to him as they stood together in front of the church, Posy dancing at their feet. “I did not think a person could ever be as happy as I am now. This entire day has been simply perfect, from the sight of your bare bottom,” she said, casting him a saucy grin, “to the sight of you as you stand before me now, resplendent in your clan tartans. What melted my heart was how proud you looked marching beside your brothers.”

He nodded. “It was a good feeling for me. We were always close, and these silly rituals bring us back together, strengthening our bonds.”

“I can see that. It warmed my heart to watch you marching along the parade route. The three of you were all strut and swagger, still poking each other just as you must have done when you were little boys behaving like lions in the rough. Did you hear me cheering for you as you passed?”

“Aye, love. I did.”

“Stonehaven is lovely, and everyone is so welcoming. I suppose it is partly the ale they’ve been guzzling since sunup.”

He grinned. “There’ll be a lot of it flowing today.”

“I cannot wait to explore the area with you. I have never seen such natural splendor. Would you mind if we took Posy along with us? I doubt he will part from you anyway. Does he not look adorable in the tartan ribbon you’ve put on him? Look how proudly he wears it. This is why I am so happy. All these little wonders have gone into making this a perfect day. Most of all, I am now your wife, and you have pledged your heart to me as I have pledged mine to you.”

She turned away and dabbed at her eyes. “Oh, I am going to cry again. Lucas, my heart is so filled with joy.”

He took her in his arms and kissed her lightly parted lips. “Dinna cry yerself to exhaustion, Beatrix. Our wedding day isn’t over yet.”

She grinned impishly. “Ah, we’ll have the night as well, and you’ll be filling me with joy there, too.”

He cast her a wicked smile. “Och, lass. I’ll be filling ye with something, that’s for sure.”

Her cheeks turned bright pink. “Danielle told me a little about what is to happen. But I am curious…”

“About the coupling?” He worried that he should not have been teasing her, since she was innocent and did not know what to expect.

She nodded.

“What is it ye wish to know?”

“Is it different when performed under a pagan moon?”