Chapter Two #4
But Monty’s declaration was a complete puzzlement. “If you were so enamored, why didn’t you speak up before she married Black Jack?” Harry asked.
“I tried, or I wished to do so. I’m not good with words.”
“You are speaking clearly right now.”
“But I can’t speak to her. And then she chose Maclean over me. I tried to warn her but ended discussing the weather instead, and I had a hard time doing that.”
“She made a poor choice. Being shot in a duel by an angry husband is not an honorable death.”
“Yes, the Portuguese are not as reserved about adultery as we British are,” Monty agreed. “The worst is that he had resigned his commission.” One of the dogs put his paws on the table to catch his master’s attention. “Down, Jasper,” Monty said, pushing him away and then offering a crust of bread.
“So the family has nothing?” Harry shifted in his chair. “Well, it is the rare man who can afford three families.”
“I don’t know if Ariana is aware of what a scoundrel her husband was.
They say the reason Ariana moved her family to Scotland was because it is less expensive to live here.
I love her, Chattan. I love her completely and honestly and secretively.
I want to change that. I want her to know.
I could do so much to help her family, if she would let me. ”
“Then speak to her,” Harry advised.
Monty raised tortured eyes to Harry’s and said, “No. I’m afraid to even call on her.”
“Why? What are you waiting for?” Harry demanded.
“She needs a man to support her and you are one of the best. You have position, you have fortune, and she has your heart. What woman could resist such a man? None that I know. Call on her tomorrow. Make a declaration. Neither of you is growing any younger.”
Monty gripped the edge of the table. “I can’t face her alone. When I think about it, I’m petrified. I can’t talk, I can’t think, I can’t move.” He raised a pleading gaze to Harry. “But I could face her at the dance if you would speak for me.”
“Oh no,” Harry said. He held up a hand warding the suggestion away.
“You must.”
“I must not,” Harry replied. “I have done this before, Monty. I’ve had friends ask me to speak to their ladyloves for them and it has never ended well.”
“But I’m not just any friend.”
“That you aren’t,” Harry agreed, “which is all the more reason I should decline. I like you, Monty. Maclean’s widow will like you as well, in fact more so. Be yourself, be kind, be attentive, and she will be yours.”
“I’m tongue-tied around her,” Monty lamented. “You don’t have to do much. Just go to the dance with me. Be there for support.”
“Monty, I can’t stay here that long—”
“It’s in four days—”
“My brother is dying. I can’t stay. My quest is for an end to this curse. Once I’ve found what I’m looking for, I’ll return to Glenfinnan and go to however many dances you wish and talk to any number of women. But right now, I can’t, sir, and I beg of you to understand.”
The general’s back stiffened. He would not meet Harry’s eye as he said, “Have it your way then. I shall wait. I’ve waited decades already.”
The pronouncement ended dinner. Harry’s appetite had left him.
He did not like disappointing an old friend.
Then again, he didn’t understand all this nonsense over a woman.
He rose from the table. “I value our friendship,” he said.
“I have always respected you when under your command. I apologize, Monty, but my brother’s life is a higher priority. ” ’
“Of course it is,” Monty said. “I understand. I’m just—” He broke off as if words failed him. He attempted to smile. It was a pathetic thing.
“Do you know your Shakespeare, Monty? ‘Love is merely a madness, and I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do,’ ” Harry quoted.
“Yes, she makes me mad. But it is my own fear that disturbs me. I would rather face French cannon than make a fool of myself in front of her.”
“You can’t make a fool of yourself in front of a good woman,” Harry said. “They are the kindest of creatures and amazingly forgiving.”
“She’s all I’ve ever wanted, Chattan. I fear the risk of losing any contact with her.”
Harry studied his friend. The man appeared done up, and yet Harry could have sympathy only to a point. He rose from the table. “I shall return and help you, but I must go.”
However, before Harry could leave, a servant entered the room carrying a silver salver bearing a letter. “Colonel Chattan, we found this on the front step. It is addressed to you.”
“Left on the front step?” Monty said. “Did they knock on the door? The dogs didn’t make a sound.”
“They were all in here, sir,” the servant said. “You know how they are during the dinner hour. And we didn’t hear a sound from outside. It was by chance we looked outside and found the letter.”
Harry took the letter. It was addressed to “Chattan.” The stationery was thin and cheaply made. He broke the wax seal, unfolded the letter, and what he read changed everything:
Meet me at the Great Oak, tomorrow, midnight.
Fenella