Angus’s eyes suddenly widened and a smile lit his face. “I think you must be in love with Flora.” At his genuinely puzzled frown Angus added, “She was married for five years and had no offspring. Of course it could have been Iain’s problem, but it is a risk for a duke to marry a woman who has been wed for such a long time yet has failed to beget an heir. You must love her if you can overlook this fact.”
His gut clenched at the lie he was not abusing. It was precisely this reason he could risk marrying her, and could risk giving her his heart. She likely could not give him a child. He had come to terms with what that meant years ago when he’d made his decision to never marry. He had a large extended family with many cousins and he even liked some of them. And he had Connor. He did not care about the title. His father had taught him that the title meant more than a person’s life, and he could not live like that. He had plenty of time to train his cousin Derek to do his duty.
“So, you are not opposed to a betrothal between myself and Flora?”
“I already think of you as a brother. I would be honored to align our two families as it should have been many years ago.”
Relief flooded through him. Not once had Angus seemed concerned that Dougray’s first wife had died in childbirth, but then Angus was a large man and had several children. Tessa, his wife, was a largess woman. Flora was not as small as Connie, but she wasn’t as robust as Tessa. Thank goodness he’d never have to find out.
“I will treasure her and look out for her until my last breath.”
“I know you will. However, there is one wee fly in your ointment. I will not command her, or force her to wed you. She would not listen to me anyway.”
This time Dougray laughed. “Are you saying she will deny me?”
“Women don’t think like us. Flora is not a young starry-eyed girl. As a widow she knows what she wants out of her next marriage. You spurned her once, she will be wary. She was hurt and she does have her pride.”
“But I love her!”
“You’ve had a funny way of showing it. I doubt she’ll want to compete for your affections, and no lady likes to be made a fool of. Your recent affair with Lady Carissa is still fresh in everyone’s memory. You should have been celibate for months, then she might believe you love her.”
“I won’t dishonor her. I love her and once we are wed…Besides, I think I can persuade her.”
That made Angus really laugh. “Your charm won’t work on my sister. She knows you too well. Honesty. That’s what she will require.”
He wondered if Angus noticed him flinch. He could not afford honesty. If they learned why he chose Flora, Sir Walter Scott would see him married off to some other virginal young lady and Dougray would have no choice in his lifelong partner.
Angus finished his drink and stood. “Come. If you are serious then best you start wooing tonight. I’m going to find my wife in the ballroom. Flora is likely to be with her and Mary. It’s time to see what response your arrogance in leaving this so late, brings.”
CHAPTER 4
THE MOOD on this hot summer evening was festive as the excitement of the King’s visit built. The thronged ballroom swirled with Scotland’s elite, dressed in their finery and jewels. The warm evening saw the doors of the Palace ballroom opened to the terrace, with the impressive rose garden below, allowing the perfumed floral scents to drown out the smell of over heated bodies.
Unfortunately, Flora stood on the opposite side of the ballroom near the entrance to the card room where the heat and accompanying smells were stifling. She was standing here hoping to waylay Dougray when he finally exited—if he exited. She had her arm tucked through Lady Claire’s. She was hoping Dougray would appear from the card room like most of the other men had during the evening so she could manipulate an introduction. Lady Claire would make him a fine wife. She was one of the prettiest debutantes, clever, her father was a wealthy Earl, his estate was near Glasgow, and most of all she was kind.
Both Mary and her agreed, the woman who would become Dougray’s wife had to be kind, because they would want her to accept Connor. Since Connie was well in the past, and Dougray had recognized his son, both ladies hoped any wife would not see Connor as a threat.
Just then a servant arrived with a silver tray, offering them much needed refreshments. She let go of Claire’s arm and accepted a glass. She thanked the servant with a nod before turning her back on the card room to observe the rest of the ballroom.
Flora scanned the guests, not sure who she was looking for. While she kept her demeanor outwardly cheerful, her mood was anything but. It was as if she understood the rest of her life would now start her down a path that in some small part of her heart she’d hoped would be different.
