Kilgannon (6 page)

Matthew was happy to talk. Alex was his father's first cousin, and the two had grown up together. Matthew's mother had been Mairi MacDonald from Skye, and his parents'
marriage had been very happy. Since Mairi's death, Matthew had been traveling with his father and Alex on their trading journeys and he enjoyed it, but he was always happy to go home. "Do you all live in Kilgannon?" I asked.

"It's the home of the MacGannons. Where else would I live?" "Of course." I laughed. "Where else?"

Matthew said that Alex's sons were lively and a lot of fun, but that they didn't travel with their father. I asked about Alex's brother, hoping I didn't sound like Rowena. Matthew, unperturbed, said that Alex's brother James and his sister Katrine were dead and that Malcolm lived at Kilgannon as well.

"Is he here in London with you?" I asked, but never got an answer, for Alex approached us then, his smile wide.

"Yer aunt would have a word with ye, Mary," Alex said as he drew to my side. I gave Louisa a nervous glance, and Alex laughed. "I've assured her I have only the most honorable intentions. We are dining here in two days, Angus and I, with ye and yer Robert Campbell." He nodded at my startled expression. "We ken each other. I must deal with Argyll, and Robert is often there as well." Alex grinned at me and gestured to Louisa. "Now, go and talk to yer aunt, lass, and then come back to me if ye would. I wish to be with ye today, not all yer kinsmen, and we've not had a moment."

I nodded and went to Louisa, who met me with a smile and a wave of her hand. "I will not fight the tide, Mary. You may see the man if you will. Did you know that Robert has returned?"

"No, I've not heard from him," I said, glancing back at Alex.

"Nor I, but he arrived last night. I sent him a note this morning. I'm not sure how pleased he'll be with you." "I am not bound to him, Louisa. If I were engaged to Robert, Alex would not be here this morning."

"I understand, but Robert may not approve." She looked at the men, who were laughing about something. "Alex MacGannon is a man who knows what he wants, and right now that seems to be you. Be careful, my Mary. We know who Robert is, but in many ways Alex is an unknown. Don't be taken in by his looks and charm."

"I'm not a fool, Louisa," I said. "And Alex is not an unknown. He is your cousin by marriage."

"You will find, my dear, that in Scotland everyone is related." She sighed. "Go talk with him, Mary. I can see you wish to. But for heaven's sake use your head."

Will and Angus joined Louisa as she walked away, and Matthew trailed along behind them. For just a moment I stood and watched Alex. The green canopy of the trees framed him against the white of the house. His gaze was somewhere in the distance and I savored the chance to study him unnoticed. Was I just swept away by the magnificence of the man? To be sure, few women would not be. He was a man who would cause many feminine hearts to race, but what of the man underneath? Somehow he didn't seem a stranger, and yet Louisa was right—that's what he was. I decided to be more considering, but then he looked at me, smiling a smile that lit his face, and I walked to meet him without any further thought.

We strolled in the gardens for the better part of an hour, and at Louisa's insistence they stayed for luncheon on the terrace.

Betty joined us for the meal, all traces of her headache gone. It was cool and fragrant in the shade and we chatted easily, even Louisa laughing often. I was seated between Alex and Matthew, and somehow it seemed natural to look across the table and share a smile with my aunt as we shared a meal with the MacGannons. Angus had effortlessly drawn her into a protracted discussion of the Lowlands versus the Highlands. Alex's cousin had the manners of a gentleman as he courteously assured Louisa that the Lowlands were no match for his home. But most of my attention was on Alex. He had been relaxed and lively, but now he watched the others talk, then leaned toward me, his voice quiet.

"Seems as though we've done this before, does it not, Mary? Seems strange to think a week ago I'd never seen ye."

"Three days ago I'd never seen you."

"Oh, aye, that's true. I was invisible at the Duchess's party."

"I truly did not see you, Alex. I would have remembered."

"Aye?"

"Yes. You are quite noticeable."

"Aye, well, so are ye, lass. I was watching all the pretty girls and there ye were, on the other side of the group." Our eyes met and he smiled. 'The most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. Ye were laughing and hugging the others, and I thought it was verra nice to see a beautiful woman who liked people, so I watched ye." I felt my cheeks flame. "And then a man came over, and ye and yer friend Rebecca left with him to go to another room."

"That must have been Lawrence."

"So I discovered. The Duchess was most informative."

"She's very fond of you. I think you've made a conquest."

"I hope so," he said, laughing. "Oh, do ye mean the Duchess? She's a verra nice person, but I dinna pay much attention to other men's wives." He smiled again, and I laughed.

Long before I was ready, Alex and his cousins were leaving and Louisa and I stood in the foyer wishing them farewell. When the bell rang we all turned to watch Bronson answer it. Robert stood in the doorway, his hat in one hand, flowers in the other. Next to me Alex stiffened, and Angus gave him a glance. I looked from Alex to Robert as he stepped into the foyer. He answered Louisa's greeting calmly, but his brown eyes kept flickering to the MacGannons.

"Welcome home, Lord Campbell," I said, echoing Louisa.

Robert handed me the flowers. "For you, Miss Lowell." He nodded at my thanks. Louisa began to introduce Robert to the MacGannons, but Alex stepped forward, extending his hand.

"We've met before, Louisa," Alex said, his tone cheerful. "How are ye, Lord Campbell? Just arrived from France?" "Yes." Robert shook Alex's hand. "And you, Kilgannon? What brings you here?" They both glanced at me and then at each other.

Alex laughed. "To London? My ship. Have ye met my cousins Angus and Matthew?" Angus stepped forward, offering Robert his hand; Robert shook it, then nodded to Matthew.

"We're just leaving, Campbell," Alex said, "so the field is yers for the now. But I'll return." He turned to my aunt. "Louisa, I thank ye again for yer hospitality and yer forbearance."

Louisa laughed at him. "Alex MacGannon, you do test me."

"Aye, Countess, and ye always pass." Alex grinned at her, his blue eyes sparkling, then turned to me. "Miss Lowell, farewell for a bit."

"Lord Kilgannon," I said, watching him bow over my hand.

"I'll see ye in two nights," he said for all to hear and then in a lower tone added, "I count the hours, Mary. Dinna let the Campbell carry ye off in my absence. Guard yer heart, lass."

He gave me a crooked smile and walked through the door Bronson held open. Angus and Matthew made their farewells and followed. I looked after them until Bronson closed the door, then turned to meet Robert's dark eyes, full of questions. I smiled.

Louisa led us to the drawing room, where we discussed Robert's trip. The war with France, it appeared, was truly almost over and treaty discussions were under way. Robert was pleased about that but concerned about the situation in Spain, and I watched him as he and Louisa talked. Tall and fit, he was a handsome man, his even features now, as usual, set in a pleasant expression. Many women would seek his company—and had. His hair was tied back simply and his clothes, fashionable without any affected ostentation, were impeccably tailored, chosen to complement his dark hair and deep-set brown eyes. He stretched a leg, clad in buff, before him, and I admired the lines of his body. And realized again how fond of him I was. Fond. Not struck breathless. With a meaningful glance at me, Louisa left us. For the first time in our relationship I was reluctant to be alone with Robert. We walked in the formal gardens together in awkward silence.

"How have you been, Mary?"

I turned to him with a fixed smile. "Fine, Robert. And you? It's lovely to have you back in London. Tell me of your trip. What was it you were doing in France if you were not in the field?"

"It would not interest you, Mary," he said dismissively.

I lifted my chin, thinking of Alex discussing Scottish politics the night we'd met. "I'll tell you if it bores me, Robert," I said lightly. "What did you do?"

He smiled. "Truly it would bore you." He spoke mildly, but his scrutiny belied his tone. "I am pleased to have returned but quite surprised to see you in the company of a man like Lord Kilgannon."

"I met Kilgannon at Louisa's party." I paused, watching his reaction. "I've never heard you mention him."

Robert shrugged. "There never seemed to be cause to before. We seldom travel in the same circles. He's rarely in London."

"Do you see him in Scotland?"

He laughed. "The MacGannons are an insignificant clan, but they are allied with the MacDonalds. I'm a Campbell. We are polite here in London when we must be, but in Scotland we are enemies."

Startled, I stared at him. "Surely it is not that strong."

"Scotland is not England, Mary. The hatreds have been there for centuries. They will not fade because Scotland is now part of Britain. The enmity lives on, especially in the Highlands, and in the papist Highlands most of all. And that brings us to the matter of religion. I can only assume that MacGannon is papist." He paused. "He's not what he appears in London."

"I see."

"No, you don't, Mary. The man may seem interesting to you, for he's unlike the men you are accustomed to meeting.

I'm certain he's behaving properly here, but at home he's very different. You have no idea what the Western Highlands are like. Illiterate heathens who can't even speak English.

They make war on anyone who doesn't have the same name. It's barbaric. And Kilgannon is their leader. He lives a life you cannot imagine, full of violence and ancient ways. He's not an Englishman and not your sort."

I resisted the angry defense of Alex that sprang to mind as I realized with a sudden insight what this first strong emotion I'd ever seen from Robert meant. He's jealous, I thought. Of Alex. Well. So he does have feelings for me he hasn't admitted "Robert," I said mildly, "you are Scottish. And a Highlander."

"I am," he said, raising his chin. "But I am a Campbell." "Which makes you superior."

To his credit he laughed. "Of course." I laughed with him.

"Enough, Robert. Tell me about your trip." I tried to listen to Robert tell me of French fashions as we walked, but I couldn't help but think of Alex. I must ask him about his home, I thought. It was impossible to believe that Alex MacGannon allowed his people to live in ignorance and poverty. Or was it? I had seen the man only twice. Perhaps Louisa was correct after all.

Robert stayed for two hours and might have stayed even longer if Louisa had not found us and reminded me that we were dining at the Duchess's. She extended her hand as she ended his visit and I bid Robert farewell, my thoughts in a muddle. After his one outburst Robert had retreated into the pleasant behavior I'd come to expect and we'd not discussed

Alex again, nor Robert's activities. Nor anything of any substance. As usual.

I trailed behind Louisa as she climbed the stairs to prepare for the evening. "It is lovely to have Robert home," she said, with a sharp glance at me. "And I'm pleased that he'll be joining us for dinner with the MacGannons." I agreed and she sighed. "Despite my best judgment, I like the MacGannons. God only knows what will come of this, but it's impossible not to like them."

"Louisa," I said, as though it had just occurred to me, "what did you and Alex talk about when you walked in the garden?"

Louisa laughed, not fooled for a moment. "You. He apologized again, and I chastised him for telling me he was not seeking a wife and then pursuing you for all London to chatter about. He quite disarmed me. Either he's an honest man or he's the most convincing liar I've ever seen. Time will tell." She waved my protest aside as we approached my room. "Wear the lavender tonight, dear," she said, and disappeared around the corner.

The talk that night was politics and gossip. The Duchess drew me aside, however, after the meal and told me how delighted she was that I'd met Alex. "He was here this afternoon, my dear," she beamed at me, "and with a little prodding admitted he'd seen you this morning. He's a special man and I am very fond of him. And indebted. If not for the Earl, my dear Duke would be dead. Lord Kilgannon saved his life, and I will be eternally grateful."

I blinked at her stupidly. "What do you mean, Your Grace?" "You don't know this story?" The Duchess settled in to tell the tale. "Well. The Duke was in Paris and one day, after negotiations with the French, on his way back to his lodgings, three men attacked him. His footmen immediately disappeared and my dear Duke thought he was lost. But from nowhere, Kilgannon arrived and fought the men off with him. The Earl saved the Duke's life, my dear. The Duke will always be in the Earl's debt, and I as well, which is why I am so fond of him. I cannot imagine life without my Duke." She smiled at her husband as he approached us, and I considered. I had heard the story many times but had never marked the rescuer's name. Alex, I thought now with a private smile. Alex.

"What's this, my dear?" asked Duke John. She extended her cheek for his kiss and he obliged her.