A Midsummer Bride (19 page)

Penelope held up a hand to stop him. “Fine, keep the book for the moment, but please stop trying to convince me before you break out into a rousing chorus of ‘God Save the King.’”

“I am an accomplished singer, you know.”

“I did not know. I would make a notation in your file, but I suppose you would like to cancel your request now.”

“Certainly not! I still need a bride. And you, Penelope Rose, are going to find me one.”

It was a lovely day for tea outside. The older members of the party sat on the provided chairs, while some of the younger members went a little wild and sat on large blankets stretched out on the ground. Harriet was accustomed to the idea of a picnic and felt herself more at home in the sunshine than in the formal drawing room. While most young ladies shielded their faces from the sun, Harriet turned to allow the sun to kiss her cheeks. It was warm and comfortable, and for once, she felt peaceful in the presence of society’s finest.

“What does she think she is doing?” came a whisper from behind her.

“She will burn herself putting her face in the sun like that.”

“I hope she does; maybe then she won’t make us suffer her presence.”

“If she had any sense, she would leave the house. How can she not understand she does not belong here?”

“Inferior blood. You can see it on her vacant expression and hear it in every single word she utters.”

“I have seen her talking to Lord Thornton, and it makes me so mad I could spit. Who does she think she is? He will never marry a chit like that. Besides, my parents have arranged a deal with his mother. We are practically engaged. All that is left to be done is sign the papers.”

“Is that so?” asked Thornton.

Harriet turned around. Behind her was the group of young ladies who had been tearing apart her character, and behind them stood Lord Thornton. He was somber in an olive-green coat and polished Hessians. He looked down disapprovingly at the group of ladies, with an air that had nothing to do with his considerable height.

“Lord Thornton, I did not mean… that is to say…” stammered Priscilla Crawley, who had boasted of her engagement.

“Yes, I quite understand ye did not intend for me to hear ye, but I am glad I did for it allows me the opportunity to clarify any misunderstanding. I am not privy to the machinations between my mother and yer parents, but let me make something quite clear. No state of engagement between us exists nor will there ever.” Miss Crawley could only gasp in indignation. “Miss Redgrave, there is a pleasant view yonder. I wonder if you might be persuaded to join me.”

“I would be delighted.” Harriet jumped up and strolled past Miss Crawley, who was glaring at her so hard that Harriet was surprised her own head didn’t spontaneously combust. Harriet could not resist a smile, but she did refrain from sticking out her tongue, even though she was sorely tempted.

“Thank you,” breathed Harriet when they were out of hearing from the rest of the party. “You are my knight in shining armor today, though I rather thought you were no longer speaking to me.”

“I ought not to if I had any sense. I heard what they said and it made my blood boil,” growled Thornton.

Harriet glanced at him to make sure it was the same Thornton. He appeared the same on the surface. She would not have guessed that he would abandon propriety and come to her passionate defense.

“I do apologize for their behavior,” said Thornton, his reserve returning.

“Oh no, do not offer any apology. Their behavior is entirely their own. They are not my dearest friends as you can see.”

“I hope I did not make things worse for ye.”

“I cannot imagine they could hate me any more than they do. I just hope they will let me be and move on to other targets. Is it true the Crawley family is trying to arrange an engagement with you?”

“Aye, ’tis true. I fear things are even worse financially than I thought.”

“Are things quite so bad?”

“Aye. But dinna tease yer head over it. I shall manage.”

A light breeze blew just enough to cool the warm sun into a very pleasant day. They walked aimlessly up to the castle and toward her laboratory. She had missed going that morning for several reasons, chiefly the man walking beside her.

“Ye did no’ work this morn,” said Thornton softly.

“I wanted to come this morning, but I decided to stay away so as not to see you,” began Harriet. She paused, realizing she should be more circumspect, less blunt in her communications. Yet Harriet longed to tell a friend how she was feeling. Since one was not readily available, Thornton would have to do. “You have been one of the few here who is kind to me. I hate the thought of losing our friendship, all because of… one kiss.” One wonderful, unbelievable kiss.

Thornton shook his head. “I dinna wish to hurt ye. I felt I needed to make very clear my intentions, which did not match my actions.”

“I understand it was simply a case of my perpetual lack of grace.”

“Nay.” Thornton stopped walking and took her by the hand. They had traveled out the back gate of the ruined castle and were well out of sight of the others. “I shall no’ have ye blame yerself. It was no mistake. I kissed ye, Harriet. The fault and the pleasure were all mine.”

Harriet could not think of anything to say. His eyes blazed, drawing her closer. He leaned toward her. She leaned toward him.

Suddenly he turned away and stepped back. “Sorry. I dinna ken what I am about. That is the trouble. Truth is the estate is in a bad way. Verra bad. I want to kiss ye, but how can I know if it is due to true affection or a desperate desire to use yer dowry to avoid losing Thornton Hall? I would never know if my interest was true or financially motivated, and ye are worth so much more than that.”

Harriet smiled shyly at him. All she heard was that he wanted to kiss her. “I should like to kiss you too,” she breathed, hardly making a sound.

“Truly?” His voice was raw.

Harriet nodded and gazed over the fields of heather. She could not meet his eye and feared her cheeks were burning. “Trouble is, I cannot offer my dowry. I do apologize, but I need to return to America and soon. I cannot think of leaving my mother and father.”

Thornton nodded slowly. “I understand. Actually it does help to know ye’re unavailable. It spares me the fear o’ misleading ye.”

“So we can be friends again?” asked Harriet.

“Aye.” Thornton gave her a rueful smile. “Perhaps if things go as badly as I fear, I will join ye on yer voyage back to America… as a cabin boy.”

“I fear you are too old for that occupation,” said Harriet honestly.

Thornton threw up his hands in mock surrender. “There goes my plan of a life at sea.”

Harriet smiled and surveyed the panorama before her—the gray stones of the castle, the purple flowing heather, the scraggly trees buffeted by wind and weather. “This is where you belong.”

“But I fear it will not be where I stay. Especially not after how I embarrassed Miss Crawley. Ought not to, I suppose, but I cannot, will not allow anyone to insult ye.”

Harriet had never been the subject of anyone’s passionate defense and had no immediate response except, “Shall we say hello to the horses?”

“Aye, ’tis a fine idea.”

They walked a bit further to the secret entrance to the keep, hidden by bushes. The passage was dark, and after they had stopped a few times, Thornton took her arm and led her to the main keep.

“How can you see?”

“I canna see a thing, but I’ve done it many a time and I know my way.”

Harriet held on to him and tried to ignore the heat coursing through her with every touch. They emerged from the tunnel into the dim light of the main keep-turned-stables. High above them, the wood ceiling had multiple cracks and holes, some intentional to let out the smoke from what used to be the central hearth, others created over hundreds of years of neglect. Pale light slanted down in beams, casting patches of sunlight on the ground. All was quiet in the stable and none of the stable lads or grooms could be found.

“Where is everyone?” asked Harriet.

“I warrant they have all been pulled to help with this outdoor tea as requested by the duchess.”

“So we have the place to ourselves.” In a flash, Harriet realized two things. First, she should not be alone with this man in a stable. Second, she was going to make the most of this opportunity. The stables themselves were neatly organized. The horses were lined up in an orderly fashion in their respective stalls, and a large pile of hay was kept in a corner of the stable.

“This reminds me of being at home with my brothers,” said Harriet. The large pile of golden hay was at least twenty feet wide and almost as tall as she was. Did she have the courage to do it?

“How so?” asked Thornton.

“We used to love the hay.”

Thornton looked at the hay and back at her, confusion on his face. “Why hay?”

“This! Hiiiyeee!” Harriet ran and jumped with abandon into the pile of hay. She landed with a floosh in a soft pile, hay strands falling on top of her.

“What are ye doing?” His face was confusion.

Harriet sat up. “Jumping in hay. Do not try to tell me you have never done it.”

“Nay. Never.” Thornton crossed his arms.

“No, please tell me your childhood has not been so neglected. Every person needs to jump in hay at least once.”

Thornton shook his head. “I suppose I have been neglected. My grandmother woud’na allow such behavior.”

Harriet paused. There was much she did not know about his background. “So what did you do for entertainment?”

Thornton’s face hardened. “I was not allowed amusements.”

“Come now, that cannot be possible. No one would raise a child in such a manner.”

“My parents’ marriage was a farce. Once the money changed hands, there was naught left for them but to loathe each other. My mother spent most o’ her time in London, my father hunting and gambling. I was raised by my paternal grandmother, who feared the inferior blood introduced by my mother’s merchant relations would cause me to go wild. Thus, I was not allowed any toys or amusements for fear it would ruin my character.”

“You had no toys?” Harriet was incredulous.

“None. When I was finally sent to Eton, it was like going on holiday.”

Harriet shook her head, having a difficult time believing anyone’s childhood could be so grim. “But your mother? Surely she gave you some amusements.”

“My mother and her mother-in-law did not get on. In truth, they could not abide to live under the same roof. My grandmother never approved of my mother and never let her forget it. Even on her wedding day, my grandmother refused to allow my mother to wear the traditional silver crown, called Maid Marion’s crown. It has been worn by generations of Maclachlan brides, but not my mother.” Thornton shrugged. “My mother stayed away and left the child rearing to my grandmother.”

“Unfathomable.” Harriet’s heart broke for him. Somewhere about his eyes she could see the small child he used to be, neglected and unloved. No wonder he was so stiff and reserved. It strengthened her resolve to show him some of the amusements he had been missing in his life.

“My grandmother did what she thought best.”

“Well, granny is not here now. So come on!” Harriet grabbed his arm to encourage the jumping to commence, but he held back.

“I will get hay on me.”

“Yes, and it brushes right off. Don’t be such a ninny. I dare you!”

“Dare? Ye impugn my honor by calling me a ninny and then issue a dare?” His words were harsh, but his eyes danced and he removed his jacket as he spoke. “Never let it be said that a Highlander did not respond to a dare.”

“Go on then. Jump!”

“Nay, if ye are going to instigate, ye are coming too.” He held her hand and grinned. “One, two, three!” They ran together and jumped in, rolling together in the soft pile of hay. Harriet started to laugh and Thornton joined in, an unusual sound for he laughed but rarely.

Harriet lay next to him and he rolled on his side to look at her, his arm naturally going around her. It felt so normal, so right, Harriet hardly recognized she was treading onto dangerous ground. She moved closer to him and wrapped her arm around his shoulder. It was wrong, but in the dim corner of the stable, she did not possess the will to stop. Indeed, the only thing she feared was that it would not continue.

“I suppose I should say we shoud’na do this and we should go back to the tea,” said Thornton with resignation.

“I am sure you are right. But I’d rather not hear that right now.”

“What do ye wish to hear?” he whispered.

“A kiss.” She was almost as surprised as he was at what she had said.

He raised an eyebrow. “Does a kiss make noise?”

“Let us do a scientific experiment and find out,” suggested Harriet.

“Well, normally I would say it would be inappropriate, but if it is for science…” He pressed his lips against hers and retreated. “No sound.”

“Not much of a kiss.”

“I concur. Let us try again.” He brought his lips to hers again and a warmth radiated through her everywhere he touched. She melted into him, holding him close as he deepened the kiss. It was strange and wet, and involved more than simply lips. It was even more than their previous encounter. So much more. She realized she had never known a kiss before this moment. When their lips finally parted, she was breathing hard and her heart was pounding.

“I cannot hear anything. Let us try again,” said Harriet without opening her eyes.

“I thought I heard some smacking sounds.”

“I’m not sure. The most important thing in science is to replicate results.”

“I must agree.” And so he rolled her onto her back and kissed her again. And then she rolled over and kissed him. Then they rolled back and kissed each other. The more they kissed, the more she felt a yearning, a tugging for something. She wanted something, needed something that only he could give her.

Suddenly, Thornton broke the kiss and laid back, his eyes closed. “I should stop. I need to stop now before I can no longer stop.”

“I don’t want you to stop,” said Harriet sulkily. He said nothing in response. “Lord Thornton… Duncan, I don’t want to stop. This is for science.”

“I must or I will no’ be able to.”

“So… what if we did not stop?”

“Wait… what? Not stop? There are consequences to such things.” Thornton propped himself up on his elbow, his silver eyes gleaming. He may appear restrained on the outside, but there was a fire inside.

Harriet’s heart pounded in her chest. She would risk anything just to keep him next to her. “This is our one chance. I know you cannot marry me, and you know I plan to return to America, so what we have between us isn’t about money or marriage, or trying to get something from the other. I am here for… for the science!”