Scandal with a Sinful Scot(43)
In the two years since, the stables had fallen into disorder. The young man asked if he could make repairs, since it would give him something to do while they awaited word that Sutherhorne had been dealt with. Abbie approved it, along with the purchase of needed materials and oats and hay for the two horses. She would have to explain why a young man was staying with her. Lie? Claim he was a distant relative? She might, considering this was a small borough and people talked. Hated lying, but it would have to be done. Samuel had mentioned that he’d received curious looks in the village.
Perhaps she should head to the clinic and resume her volunteer duties—and her previous life. God, her heart ached with a lonely yearning. Even if Garrett rode up, claimed to love her, and vowed to place the curse behind him, how could she ever believe him? Should she even try? Yes, she would hear him out. Then she would have to decide if she were willing to take another chance on love. For Abbie did love him, she had never stopped. The trust was a more difficult hurdle, but one she was willing to make. If he met her terms.
Was Garrett recovering? Blast, she could not stop thinking about him. Worrying about him. Nor could she stop longing to be held in his arms once again. How impetuous of her to travel to Kent. Reckless even, for all those raw and hurtful memories ached afresh. There would be no packing them away now. Not ever.
Get well, my love, and please…come to me.
Chapter 20
Four days later, the men set off for London. Prince Albert had agreed to see the family the following day, February 4. After much discussion they’d agreed to bring Jonas, since he’d heard and seen Sutherhorne and could offer definitive proof to the prince.
Sitting in the carriage with Jonas, Garrett stared out the window at the overcast sky. Next to him, on the cushioned seat, Laddie slept peacefully. Garrett could not bear to be parted from him; man and dog had already formed a close bond. Absently, he scratched the puppy’s ears and Laddie whined with contentment.
Despite having Laddie with him, Garrett’s mood was as gray and cold as the weather. He was damned tempted to ride with all haste to Standon and beg Abbie to give him another chance. Forgive his insane mutterings. But his sluggish recovery hampered his plans. As it was, he could not ride his horse and had to travel in the carriage like a damned invalid. He was uncomfortable, still weak, and it merely fueled his sour mood. He tried to organize his thoughts and decide what he was going to say to Abbie when they did meet, but could not concentrate.
Giving his closely cropped beard a few strokes, he turned his attention to Riordan’s revelations of finding the ancient papers in the attic. For all his declarations and vows to Abbie to place the curse behind him, it had been there still, as always. Mocking him, maliciously sneering at him, denying him love and happiness.
It was damned sobering to discover that he was the one causing the impediments by using the curse as a protective shield to guard his emotions. All these years. Why? Well past time to accept the truth: he was terrified of being hurt and experiencing loss and heartache. The irony? He’d experienced them anyway, the day that he’d turned away from Abbie. Strange how childhood traumas played such an important role in how one is shaped into an adult. He had carried this fear since the age of ten.
And the curse? Through the years, Garrett had wondered if the hall itself was cursed. It had been originally owned by a baronet during the medieval period, the curse may have originated with him. When the seventeenth century Earl of Carnstone bought the crumbling hall, perhaps the curse transferred to the family. After all, part of the original building still stood, the timber framed front entrance and hall, with the Georgian and Gothic wings added years later.
Regardless, it no longer mattered how the curse could be broken. If only it hadn’t taken so long for him to comprehend it. Whether it was true love as rumored for decades, even centuries, or what the papers revealed: all the men living had to form a love bond during a twelve month period. Did. Not. Matter. Almost succumbing to his injury had put things in their proper perspective, along with the recent conversation with his father. Life was indeed too short. He had made enough mistakes.
How to persuade Abbie to trust him would be difficult enough. Convincing her that he would lay the curse aside would be even more daunting. Damn it, he had to try. He must. Lost in his thoughts, he had not heard Jonas. “Sorry?”
“How do I address the prince?” Jonas asked.
“‘Your Highness’ is appropriate, but speak only if he addresses you first.”
“Wait until I tell Meg I met Prince Albert,” Jonas beamed.
The young man truly loved Megan. Considering Jonas’s liabilities, most men would discourage the association. But he would not, for Garrett did not have the heart to deny what lay between them since he’d rejected the love between him and Abbie all those years ago. Young love—a first love—was not to be dismissed so cavalierly, a lesson hard earned.
“Jonas, you had mentioned an occupation, to provide for Megan when you marry. Would you be interested in learning about horse breeding? To train as a groom, to be more specific. I will pay you a salary. If you work hard and apply yourself, as I know that you are able, you may become head groom one day.”
Jonas’s eyes sparkled merrily. “When we marry, Garrett? Not if? Truly?”
“A few years from now, of course. If you and Megan feel the same, I will not stand in your way.”
“Then, yes, I would like to learn all about horses. I love animals.”
Garrett smiled. His gray mood lifted at the happy enthusiasm displayed by Jonas. “The exact reason I thought that this would be a good fit. We will begin next month and discuss salary once we return from London.”
“Thank you, Garrett.” Jonas reached under the seat and brought out a box. Opening it, he asked, “Bert packed me a lunch, would you like a sandwich? It’s my favorite, egg and ham.”
Garrett accepted the brown paper-wrapped object. “Thank you.”
As he slowly nibbled on the wedge, his thoughts turned to Abbie once again. He needed her. Ached for her. Loved her more than life. More than any damned curse. And Abbie needed to hear it, understand it, and ultimately…believe it.
Once they had arrived at the London townhouse, the servants saw them all properly settled. Garrett joined his father, brother, nephew, and Jonas for a hearty dinner before retiring to his room. Thankfully he’d slept, and was well rested when they gathered the next morning to depart for the palace.
One of Prince Albert’s many secretaries and two guards greeted them. They were shown into what appeared to be a library-study and instructed to sit at the table and await the prince. The dark wood walls were covered with bookcases stuffed with hundreds of books; an ornate walnut desk sat in the corner. More than thirty minutes had passed, and Garrett was losing his patience. He exchanged glances with his father, who had already warned him to hold his quick temper in check.
When the prince made his entrance, they all stood and bowed. George Edward Anson, private secretary to Prince Albert, made the introductions.
The prince sat at the head of the table and they took their seats. “Carnstone, what is this concerning?”
“It is a matter of delicacy, Your Highness, concerning Brendan Whiddon, Marquess of Sutherhorne.”
“Indeed?”
“Your Highness,” his father continued, “we have come seeking justice for multiple incidents directed at my family, including the injury incurred by my younger son, Garrett. A near fatal gunshot wound.”
The prince gave him a cursory glance, taking in his sling, his expression neutral. His father started his narrative, beginning with Sabrina being sold to Sutherhorne after she had been married to Riordan. His father stuck to the facts and refrained from embellishment. “I have Baron Durning’s signed statement corroborating the kidnapping.” He slid the paper to Anson, who glanced at it before passing it on to the prince. “I also have a written statement from Riordan’s wife.”
The room was silent as the prince read the papers. Baron Durning had made outrageous demands for his testimonial, but Julian had made it plain that the Wollstonecrafts would not be blackmailed. The baron had been offered full payment of his outstanding debt, along with the agreement never to contact Sabrina again. But this would only take place if Sutherhorne was banished. Julian had suggested Durning leave England, promising there might be a small stipend if he agrees. The baron had grudgingly agreed to consider it.
Prince Albert looked up from the papers. “This is most disturbing, my lord.”
“It is, Your Highness. There is more.” His father explained about the shooting and what Jonas had overheard and observed.
Prince Albert turned his penetrating gaze to Jonas. “Is this true, young man?”
Jonas was visibly nervous. “It is true, Your Highness. It was a thin, older man with a white beard; I would know him anywhere.”
“Anson, summon Sutherhorne at once. His presence is required immediately. I will brook no excuse for his absence.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Anson departed, and the prince frowned, the first show of emotion. “What is it you wish from me, my lord?”
“As I said, we require justice for these multiple incidents. To avoid public humiliation and censure, I thought it prudent to keep this private and not involve the law. In the past, peers have been banished for similar or even lesser offences. It may be best for all concerned, Your Highness, if Sutherhorne is expelled.”