Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) Page 24

  "I understand," Warrick answered, his voice devoid of feeling.

  "Did you or did you not force the Lady Arrian into a marriage that was not of her choosing?"

  "Why don't you ask me, Lord Thorndike?" a woman's voice spoke up. "I can tell you exactly what happened."

  All eyes turned to the doorway, where Arrian stood casually removing her gloves. The man behind her helped her out of her cape and draped it over a chair.

  Warrick watched Arrian move gracefully across the room, followed by the tall, aristocratic-looking man who could only be her father, the duke.

  Lord Thorndike scrambled to his feet. "Your Grace, I did not expect to see you here today."

  "Why not, Thorndike? This meeting involves my daughter," Raile said, his eyes falling for the first time on the man who had caused his daughter so much unhappiness.

  Raile and Warrick stared at each other until Lord Thorndike spoke up. "I don't know if the two of you are acquainted. Lord Warrick, may I present His Grace, the duke of Raven worth."

  Each man acknowledged the other with the slightest nod.

  Lord Thorndike offered Arrian a chair. "Is it your wish to bear witness here today, my lady?"

  Arrian had not yet looked at Warrick. "It is. I'm sorry if I have caused any inconvenience."

  "No, not at all, my lady."

  The duke sat beside Arrian, his presence overshadowing everyone else. "When my daughter makes up her mind about something, Lord Thorndike, she's like her mother. Arrian insisted on being here today and I agreed that she should be heard."

  The king's representative was puzzled as to what to do next. "How is Her Grace?"

  "She is well and sends her regards." Raile's eyes became hard. "I want you to know that this meeting was none of my doing. Had I heard about it in time, I would have put a stop to it." His eyes bore into Ian. "I will not have my daughter's good name tarnished in any way."

  Ian squirmed beneath the heated gaze of the duke.

  Lord Thorndike spoke up. "I'm glad you've come, Your Grace. Now we can get the problem solved in short order. When I received the complaint from Lord Ian, I took it right to His Majesty, and he instructed me to act upon it immediately. If I'd found you in residence when I called on you, the hearings would not have gone this far."

  "I would have preferred that William had consulted me before engaging you in this action," Raile said. The fact that he had called the king by his first name was lost on no one in the room. Again his eyes met Ian's. "I learned of the meeting only this morning when my daughter came to me."

  "What would you have me do?" Lord Thorndike asked.

  Raile gazed at his daughter and then at Lord Warrick. "I'm not pleased with either Lord Ian or Lord Warrick. And especially not Lord Warrick."

  Warrick had been staring at Arrian, and his gaze moved to the duke. "I care little about your goodwill, Your Grace."

  Now Raile's words were hard. "You should, because I'll deal personally with you later. But for now, will you and my daughter explain why you couldn't wait to be married until her mother and I arrived? Did it not occur to you that, as a father, I would want to attend my only daughter's wedding?"

  Warrick was struck dumb. He had come here expecting to see his world collapse about him. Until now, he'd hated all Englishmen. But this one, for reasons unknown to him, had just saved him from the English king's harsh judgment.

  Ian jumped to his feet. "Surely you aren't going to pretend that you approve of this marriage when we all know it to be a farce, Your Grace. I'll not have it!"

  Raile glared at Ian, but his words were for the king's mediator. "Lord Thorndike, I will never understand the young people of today. They are so impulsive. And as for young women," he gazed at Arrian, "they can never quite make up their minds whom they want to marry. It seems first she wants one and then marries another. It wasn't that way in our day, was it?"

  "No, it wasn't, Your Grace. We were all aware that Lady Arrian was coming to Scotland to marry Lord Ian."

  "And so she was. Can you explain the workings of a woman's heart? I certainly cannot."

  Lord Thorndike shook with laughter. "No, Your Grace, I can't either. I have five daughters of my own, and I never know what mischief they will get into next."

  Raile looked down at Arrian. "Thank the good Lord I have only one daughter."

  Ian was furious. "I will not stand here and listen to lies. We all know what happened and what that man did to Arrian. She belongs to me and I won't give her up!"

  "Ian, I would advise you to control yourself. I am going to assume that you are overwrought because my daughter chose Lord Warrick over you. It's understandable, and you will be forgiven for the insults you spoke."

  Ian shrank away from the dark look in Raile's eyes. "She still belongs to me, Your Grace." Ian turned to Warrick, who had not spoken a word. "We have not finished, Glencarin. We shall certainly meet again." He turned toward the door and stalked out, leaving Jamie to hurry after him.

  "I'm sorry you were inconvenienced, Lord Thorndike," Raile said, slapping the king's man on the back. "Lord Ian is suffering from rejection. I believe that after he's had time to reconsider, he'll come to realize his petition to you was a mistake."

  Arrian stared into Warrick's eyes and saw only confusion.

  Warrick stood up, his mind unable to grasp the significance of the moment. He watched Raile DeWinter and Lord Thorndike move across the room, deep in conversation.

  "I never expected you to be here today, Arrian."

  Her eyes were shining as she looked at him. He looked thinner and haggard, as if he had not been sleeping. "I had to come, Warrick."

  "But why? You owed me nothing."

  "No matter the reason, you are the father of my unborn child, and I don't want my baby to grow up knowing its father is in prison. My mother and father agreed that you should not be judged and punished by His Majesty or Lord Thorndike."

  "So it's true about the child." His eyes dropped to her stomach. She wore a full gown, so it was impossible to see if she was with child. "I haven't the words to tell you how I feel, Arrian."

  Uncertainty reflected in her eyes. "And there's the pity. Between us we created a life, Warrick, and still we have nothing to say to one another."

  He stared at the ceiling until he could bring his emotions under control. "I want to say so much." His voice came out in a raspy whisper. It seemed that at the most important moment of his life he had no words to express his true feelings.

  Arrian had hoped he would at least be happy about the baby, but apparently he was not. She wanted only to make a hasty departure, but first she had to close the door on this part of her life forever.

  "I'll say it for you, Warrick, and save you the trouble. What happened between us is over. Our lives touched for a brief moment in time. The only lasting effect is the new life we created."

  "I still don't understand why you came here today."

  "Surely you didn't think I would let our marriage be put aside and leave my child without a legitimate name."

  Warrick swallowed hard. "Yes, of course." His voice came out in an even tone. "That's why you did this. I can see the legitimacy of the child would be a great concern to you and your family."

  "Of course it is. Does it not matter to you, Warrick?"

  "I've thought of little else."

  There was a long, uncomfortable silence until Arrian spoke. "I must be leaving now."

  "Will you one day want to marry Ian?"

  "No. I have found we are not suited."

  Warrick let out his breath. "Arrian, I want to thank you for having my sister's body returned to me."

  She made a great show of working her fingers into her gloves. She wished her hands would stop trembling. "It was little enough to do, Warrick."

  "Will you be returning to Davinsham?"

  "No. My family and I sail tomorrow at first light for England. I'm going home."

  He took in every detail of her face, wanting to burn it into his memory. "You
will let me know about the child?"

  She wanted him to hold her and tell her he was happy about the baby, but of course he didn't. "I'll send you word when the child is born."

  There was concern in his eyes. "You are feeling well?"

  "My health is good."

  He reached out to her but then dropped his hand to his side. "I don't suppose you would agree to—no, you wouldn't."

  Her heart was thundering with excitement. Had he been trying to ask her to return to Ironworth with him? When he said nothing further, she held out her hand. "Good-bye, Warrick. I hope you will find peace in your life."

  He met her eyes, feeling very unsure of himself. "Are you happy about the child?"

  She could have told him that she was happy to have this child because it was a part of him that she would always have with her. But instead she said, "A child should be born from love, not through hate."

  He nodded and released her hand. "You have every reason to feel that way."

  "Yes, I do."

  "I believe a child should know its father."

  "I will tell the child about you, Warrick, omitting of course, many truths."

  He quickly masked his pain. "Will I ever see you again?"

  Her eyes were heavy with sadness. "I don't think so. But I wish you well, Warrick."

  He watched her leave, still unable to understand all that had happened in this room.

  Arrian and her father said good-bye to Lord Thorndike, and Warrick watched them leave before he moved to the window. The sun had just come out from behind a cloud to bathe the land with its golden light.

  Suddenly it came to him. Hate was what destroyed lives. God only knew it had destroyed his family.

  He had been given a child, a reason to turn away from darkness into the light.

  How could he allow Arrian to walk out of his life forever? He could not give her up without a fight. His jaw set in determination. He would go to her and ask her— no beg her, if he had to—to come home with him.

  Raile handed Arrian into the carriage, and the horses clipped along on the cobbled streets in the direction of the Nightingale.

  "This has been the most difficult day of my life, Father."

  "No, there will be others, Arrian. But you took the first step of ridding yourself of this cursed land."

  She turned to look out the window. "I long for Ravenworth," she said, slipping her hand into her father's and leaning her head against his shoulder. "Please take me home."

  27

  Lord Michael met Warrick as he stepped onto the deck of the Nightingale. "I thought you might come, but I expected you earlier, Lord Warrick."

  Warrick stared at Arrian's brother. There was no dislike in the boy's eyes, only humor and a searching look.

  "Is your sister aboard?"

  "She is, as are my mother and father. You see, my lord, no one but I expected you to come. I've been waiting for you for over two hours."

  He motioned Warrick to follow him. "The family is below. I must say, I admire your bravery in coming here. My mother and father will not welcome you."

  "And your sister?"

  "I'm not certain, but only because she doesn't yet know herself. For what it's worth, I'll advise you not to allow my father to intimidate you."

  "No one will make me leave until I know your sister's true feelings."

  "Then come with me, my lord. This will surely prove to be entertaining."

  Warrick would have thought Lord Michael's attitude flippant, were it not for the serious expression on the boy's face. They crossed the deck and went down a brightly lit companionway.

  Michael led Warrick into a roomy salon, complete with thick rugs and polished furnishings. Warrick had not expected such comforts on board a ship.

  He searched the room for Arrian but saw only the duke and duchess. From their grim expressions, he knew Lord Michael had been correct: He was not welcome.

  Kassidy was the first to speak. She stood and walked slowly toward him. "Lord Warrick, I had not anticipated your visit."

  "You should have known I'd come."

  Raile's face was stoic as he looked at the young lord. "I can't imagine why you thought you'd be welcome here," he said at last. "After I accompany my daughter home, I had every intention of returning to Scotland. You and I have something to settle between us."

  "Arrian and I had little chance to talk this morning, Your Grace," Warrick said. "I will not leave until I've seen her."

  "My daughter does not wish to see you. Don't you think you've already done enough to her?" There was no mercy in Raile's eyes. "I want you to know that when I helped you this morning, it was for Arrian's sake and not for yours."

  Warrick and Raile were of the same height and stood facing each other. "I realized that, Your Grace. I would not expect you to have any liking for me."

  "I care little what happens to you. If I had my way I'd throw you overboard right now and leave you for fish bait."

  Warrick didn't flinch. "If I were in your place I'd feel the same."

  "I only agreed to talk to Thorndike this morning because I couldn't fight both my wife and daughter when they asked me to intercede on your behalf.”

  "You and I both know there was another reason you helped me."

  Raile's eyes bored into Warrick's. "Yes, the child was also my concern. I do not want there to be any gossip about my daughter, and for that reason, I agreed that the marriage could not be set aside—not yet."

  "Whatever the reason, I'm grateful for what you did, Your Grace," Warrick said. "But I didn't ask for your help, and I didn't want it."

  Raile's voice was cold. "Humility isn't one of your strong points, is it, Lord Warrick? Nor, perhaps, is genuine gratitude."

  "I have never been accused of being humble. But I have thanked you, Your Grace."

  Raile nodded toward his son. "It seems you have a friend here to champion your cause. My son seems to endow you with characteristics you probably don't possess, such as loyalty and honor."

  Warrick's face whitened as he looked from father to son. "My honor has never been in question."

  "I would not have called you an honorable man. Not after what you've done to my daughter."

  "Your Grace, I care not about your opinion of me. I have come to take your daughter away with me, if she will come."

  "The devil you will!" Raile yelled, taking a threatening step closer to Warrick. "You will live the rest of your life without ever seeing my daughter again. And you will wish to God you had never heard of me."

  "Hello, Warrick."

  Everyone turned to Arrian, who stood in the doorway. The black mourning gown she still wore for her grandfather was most becoming. Her hair hung down her back in curls, making her look very young and vulnerable.

  Kassidy rushed to her daughter. "You don't have to be here if you'd rather not."

  "This concerns me." She took a hesitant step closer to Warrick. "I will hear what you have to say."

  Warrick's eyes swept her face. Only now, seeing her in these surroundings, could he understand the life to which she had been born. How could he expect this beautiful woman to give up everything and go with him? Still, he had to try. "I have come to ask you to return to Ironworth with me. I hope you will consider it."

  There was silence as they all waited for Arrian's answer. "Why would you want me to come with you, Warrick?"

  "Because you carry my child. If it is a son, he will one day be chief of the Drummonds. The child should be born at Ironworth."

  "By God!" Raile said, striding toward Warrick. "I'll break you with my bare hands."

  Kassidy came between her husband and Warrick. "For Arrian's sake, Raile, allow him to have his say."

  Raile's eyes burned with anger, but his wife had a calming effect on him. "I'll allow him to state his reasons before I toss him over the side."

  Warrick would have preferred to speak to Arrian in private so he could make his true feelings known, but her family would never allow that. He reached for her ha
nd, and she didn't pull away. "Arrian, come with me." He was good at masking his feelings, and he did so now. "I ask it of you for the child's sake."

  She searched his eyes for softness or some sign of love but she saw none. Even so, Arrian didn't hesitate in her answer. "I'll go with you, Warrick."

  She saw joy shining in his eyes. His grip tightened on her hand. "Your Grace, I'm taking your daughter with me. Don't attempt to stop me."

  Kassidy put a restraining hand on Raile's arm. "Arrian, are you certain this is what you want?" she asked.

  "Yes, Mother." She looked at her father. "Try to understand. I'm having Warrick's baby and the child should not be denied a father."

  There was anger and sadness in Raile's heart. "I wanted more than this for you, Arrian."

  "This is what I want, Father."

  Michael had been watching the confrontation with interest. Yes, it was clear to him now that Arrian loved Warrick. He wasn't so sure of Warrick's feelings, however.

  "Don't try to pretend," Raile said, "that you don't know my daughter is an heiress of considerable fortune. You can't deny you know nothing about the seventy thousand pounds I set aside for her."

  "You're the one that seems to be obsessed with money, Your Grace. I want nothing that doesn't belong to me. I didn't marry Arrian's money or her family. This is not England, but Scotland. You cannot bend me to your will as you did Lord Thorndike today."

  "Upstart," Raile mumbled.

  Kassidy caught her husband's hand. "Perhaps we should all take a deep breath and calm down. Raile and Warrick, you have both said many cruel things. We are Arrian's family and want only what is best for her. It is only right that we question your motives, Lord Warrick. "There was remorse in Warrick's eyes when he looked at Kassidy. "I do apologize, Your Grace. I did not come here to insult your family. I only came for Arrian."

  "You may as well cede, Father," Michael said. "Arrian is determined to return to Ironworth with Lord Warrick."

  Raile pulled Arrian to him, looking deeply into her eyes. "Are you certain this is what you want?"