Love in the Highlands (8 page)

"Let us go into the library," the Marquis said to the other two.

With the doors safely closed behind them, he said,

"We have to decide on a plan of action."

"It's useless," the Earl moaned. "What can we do? Tomorrow he will refuse to leave without me."

"He can't do so if you've already left," the Marquis pointed out. "We told him that we were going to join your ship, and that's what we must do."

"But where will we sail?" Lavina asked.

"Where do you normally go?"

"The Mediterranean."

"But I don't think we should go there," the Earl said anxiously. "Too close to the Balkans."

"I agree," the Marquis said. "So perhaps we should head for Scotland? I believe I heard you mention that you have family there, near Ballater. It's a logical destination."

"But isn't Ballater near Balmoral?" Lavina reminded them. "And the Queen goes there in summer."

"But not for another month," the Earl said. "We can have left Scotland by then. It's the perfect solution, except – oh dear. My Captain will not be expecting us."

"Leave that to me," said the Marquis. "Then it's settled that we leave tomorrow, as early as possible."

Whatever the Marquis planned he carried out efficiently, or at least got Hunsbury to carry out for him.

The Earl found himself awakened at an early hour by Hunsbury wanting his "instructions for the telegram."

The Earl, who had not known that he was going to send a telegram, stared.

"The local Post Office will telegraph the Tilbury Post Office, who will take it to your Captain, so that he will know you are arriving."

"Oh my goodness!" the Earl exclaimed. "The wonders of modern science. Whatever will they think of next."

He and Lavina joined the Earl for a very early breakfast. Through the window they could see the trunks being loaded and the carriage brought round.

"I think we might depart now," said the Marquis, finishing his coffee.

"But what about Sir Richard," the Earl asked. "Surely I must speak to him before I leave?"

"Do you know, I think it might be better if you did not," the Marquis murmured. "I have left a letter to be delivered to him when he wakes, offering my apologies for whisking you away."

"In that case," the Earl said decidedly, "let us be gone immediately."

The carriage took them as far as the railway station where they boarded the train that would take them to Tilbury.

"I cannot believe that this is happening," said Lavina when the train was moving.

The Marquis had gone out into the corridor, leaving them alone to talk.

"It does seem incredible," the Earl agreed. "Two days ago we had no idea that any of this was possible. And now, here we are, headed for the coast. I do hope we have a calm sea for our voyage."

"I hope so, too. Although, on the whole, I think I'm a good sailor."

"You have been one ever since you were three years old, when I took you on the yacht, and you ran from cabin to cabin. Of course you were terribly spoilt by the crew, who thought you adorable."

"Which I was," Lavina answered with a smile.

"You certainly were, and you have been even more adorable ever since. I cannot think what I would do without you."

Lavina knew what was in his mind, by a sudden sadness in his voice.

"You are thinking of Mama," she said gently, "and how wretched you were when she died."

He nodded.

"I loved your mother from the first time I saw her, and she gradually fell in love with me. It took a little time and a little ingenuity to make her love me, but when she did so, it was with her whole heart and soul. We were very happy. Do you remember that?"

"Of course. That's why, when I was young, I was happy, too. The house never seemed quite the same after Mama died, and I still miss her very much, even though it is four years since she left us."

"I miss her too," the Earl said. "I will miss her even more when you leave me. How dark and lonely the house will be without you."

"But Papa, what are you saying? I'm not really getting married. Eventually this 'engagement' will end, and we will go on as before."

"I wonder if it will be so easy. Suppose the Queen cannot find another bride to take your place?"

"I hope she doesn't. Why should I wish on another woman the fate I don't want for myself? She will have to find some other way, that doesn't involve marrying some poor creature off like selling a head of cattle."

"You're right of course. I only mean that she may continue to apply pressure for some time, and that would make it hard for you to break the engagement. You might even have to go through with the marriage."

Lavina laughed.

"Have no fear, Papa. Lord Elswick would find that idea as horrifying as I should myself."

The train had slowed now so that there was much less noise and Lavina's voice carried clearly.

It carried to Lord Elswick standing outside in the corridor, and, since there was nobody to see him, he allowed himself a private smile.

Nothing surprised Lord Ringwood more than arriving at Tilbury to discover that the Captain of his vessel was ready for him, having received the telegram.

The boat, which despite being called a yacht was actually powered by steam engines, was looking exceedingly smart.

Lavina was delighted to see her father had had the inside decorated in a pale blue.

The Captain greeted them heartily, and told the Earl that he would be pleased with the crew, and with the refitted engines.

As guest of honour, the Marquis was given the Master Cabin. As soon as he was settled in and all the baggage was aboard the Captain gave the order to cast off.

As they moved slowly out of port, Lavina watched the shore recede. After a moment the Marquis came to stand beside her.

"Are you easier in your mind now?" he asked.

"Oh yes. They cannot catch us. How will they know where to look? Your butler will not tell anyone."

"I instructed him to say that we were going to the Mediterranean. On the other hand – "

He looked into the distance.

"Is that not a naval gunship I see pursuing us?"

"What?" she cried. "Oh no, please no – where?"

"Nowhere, you goose. I was joking."

Her hands flew to her mouth and she choked back a sob.

"That was unkind," she said. "You don't know how I dread – "

"Then forgive me. I did not mean to distress you. But aren't you forgetting that I have promised to protect you at all costs?"

"Yes, and I am sure you mean it, but – "

"But you still fear the Queen? Do not. You can back me to defeat her any day."

Then, as though seeming to feel that he had been kindly for long enough, he resumed his brusque manner and announced that he intended to join her father and the Captain on the bridge, and he would see her at dinner.

It was already late in the day so dinner would be the only meal before it was time to retire.

Over dinner the Marquis produced a surprise.

"The Times!" Lavina exclaimed. "However did you come by it, for I know we left too early to receive it at your home."

"I sent my valet out hunting for it as soon as we reached Tilbury," Lord Elswick said. "The announcement is in there, together with a short piece by Mr. Ferris. The telegraph wires must have been humming last night."

Lavina looked and saw, in bold type. The engagement is announced –

"By now I dare say the Queen will have seen it," the Marquis observed. "I cannot help feeling that we were wise to flee."

"By the time I have to see her again, she will be used to the idea," the Earl said, feeling brave now that he was at sea.

For the rest of dinner Lavina took very little part in the conversation, and was content to have it so. It pleased her to see that her father and the Marquis were talking pleasantly together.

By the time the meal was finished he was looking almost like an agreeable man.

He was also, she thought, much more handsome than when he was scowling and being aloof.

She bade the men goodnight, meaning to go to bed early. She knew her father would come to her cabin to kiss her goodnight.

He was, in fact, later than she expected. When he did come she said,

"Oh, Papa, I thought perhaps you had forgotten me."

"I was talking to our guest," her father replied. "You'll be surprised to learn that he is an expert on foreign countries. He was telling me of the strange places he has visited in the East."

"Yes, I am surprised at that."

"I think his mind is more wide-ranging than we gave him credit for. I certainly think he has wasted his life buttoned up in his castle, and treating women as if they were poison."

Lavina laughed.

"I only hope he does not push me overboard when I am least expecting it," she said.

"For shame to speak of him like that, when you owe him so much!" her father said with a smile. "Perhaps he'll become more human and enjoy life, as he should do, by the time this trip is over."

"I think, Papa, anyone who is with you, would be enjoying what they were doing. You have to admit that the yacht had never looked or moved so well as it is doing at the moment."

Her father smiled.

"You are right," he agreed, "and he admires The Mermaid very much."

"No wonder you suddenly find him more agreeable," Lavina laughed.

"Well, if his mood softens he may take a brighter view of life in general. Perhaps he'll find Scottish women attractive."

Lavina laughed.

"It's no use being optimistic, although, of course, I've always been told that the girls in the highlands are very attractive."

"No one is more attractive than you, my darling. If the Marquis is too stupid to realise that, we can only hope that he enjoys haggis instead.

"Mind you," he added, "I think he does realise it – "

"You are mistaken, Papa. That kiss was for show."

The Earl sighed.

"I only wanted to say how much I admired your endurance, my dear. And how much I pitied you."

"Pitied me, Papa?" Lavina was startled.

"You told me on the way here how averse you were to the idea that he might kiss you."

"Oh – oh yes, I did say that, didn't I?" she said, trying to remember it, and wondering what she had been thinking of.

"And when he did so, I thought your fortitude was much to be commended."

Lavina pulled herself together.

"We all have to make sacrifices, Papa."

"And you made yours nobly." He patted her hand. "But would you like me to have a quiet word with him, to make sure that he doesn't do such a thing again?"

"I don't think so, Papa dear," she said quickly. "It wouldn't be very polite, would it, when he is doing so much for us?"

"You're quite right," the Earl agreed solemnly. "And if it should happen again – well, you will just have to be brave about it."

"Whatever you say, Papa."

"Goodnight, my dear."

The Earl kissed her goodnight before leaving the cabin, closing the door quietly behind him.

Lavina cuddled down under the sheets, with a blissful feeling that the boat carrying her across the water was leaving all her problems behind.

She fell asleep with a smile on her lips.

Next day she spent much of her time looking over the ship's rail, knowing that they were moving ever closer to Aberdeen, the nearest port to Ballater, where her unknown Scottish relatives lived.

The Earl had shown Lavina the letter from his cousin, inviting them to arrive at any time. Even so, she wondered how they would feel at a visit with no warning.

That evening, as soon as dinner was over, she once more left her father and the Marquis to get to know each other, which they seemed to be doing really well.

But instead of going to her cabin she stood watching the distance lights from the shore, for now they were travelling close enough to the shore to see it most of the time.

Just a few yards away from this part of the boat was the Music Room. It was Lavina's mother who had insisted on putting a small piano in the saloon, for Lavina's sake.

The little girl had always loved the music her mother played for her. Her father used to hold her hands and make her dance to the tunes.

She smiled now thinking of those happy memories that would stay with her always.

Closing her eyes, she conjured up the sound of a piano in her mind, seeing her mother sitting there, dreamily playing a dance tune. It was called 'The Summer Waltz', and the child had loved it.

"Again, Mama, again!" she had cried, clapping her hands in glee.

And Mama had played it for her as often as she wanted.

As she grew older Lavina had learned to play the violin, and an instrument was kept on board for her. There had been such joy in playing with dear Mama. And then Mama had died, and the joy had died with her.

Suddenly Lavina opened her eyes. She was not dreaming. Somebody really was playing 'The Summer Waltz' on the piano, just as her mother had once done.

She crept along the corridor and quietly opened the door of the music room, wondering who could play so well. And there, to her astonishment, she saw the Marquis sitting at the piano.

His back was to the door, so that he had no idea that anyone was listening to him.

It had never, for one moment, occurred to her that this harsh man might be musical. But perhaps, she thought, the solitary life he had chosen had made him turn to music as a way of assuaging his loneliness.

For a moment she stood in the doorway hesitating.

Then she slipped across the carpet without making a sound and sat down in one of the chairs. For an hour she sat very still and silent, listening to him with deep pleasure as he played a large spectrum of pieces, sad, joyful, sweet and melancholy.

It seemed to Lavina that his soul was in every note. In this way he could communicate, but apparently in no other way, and she began to feel sad for him.

Then she realised that he had started to play 'The Summer Waltz' again. Moving as though she could not prevent herself, she reached into the low cupboard where her violin was kept, and quietly drew it out.