Page 60 of To Wed a Wild Scot
Chapter Fifteen
Juliana didn’t say a word on the way from Inverness back to Castle Kinross, but Logan could see she was quietly panicking. Each time her face began to crumple or she bit her lip to hold back tears, his chest cracked open wider.
It was torture, watching her struggle with her grief.
She hadn’t shown him the letter she’d received from Lord Arthur, but it was plain the news from England wasn’t good. Logan didn’t know what to say to her, or how to comfort her. All he could do was stay close beside her as they rushed through the longest ride he’d ever taken.
When they arrived at the castle they found Fitz pacing the entryway, waiting for them. Logan was too distracted by Juliana to notice it, but later he’d wonder why he didn’t find this odd at the time. Fitz never waited unless he had a reason for it. Logan should have realized then something momentous was about to happen.
“Logan, Lina. I’m glad you’re both here. I need to speak…” Fitz trailed off when he caught sight of Juliana’s face. “Lina? What’s the matter? You’re as white as a ghost.”
“I’ve had a letter from Lord Arthur.” Juliana pulled the letter from her pocket and held it out to Fitz, her hand shaking.
Fitz took it, but he didn’t look at it. He kept his gaze on Juliana’s face. “Your father. Is he—”
“He’s had a turn for the worse. Lord Arthur writes to say he’s taken him back to Surrey. They’re likely there, even now.” Juliana grasped Fitz’s hand, her face going even whiter. “What if he…what if I’m too late, Fitzwilliam?”
“No. You’re not to think like that. Do you understand me, Lina?” Fitz’s voice was firm, but he gathered Juliana against him and gently stroked her back.
Logan stood there, his chest tight as he watched his brother offer Juliana the comforthelonged to give her. Even as he cursed his own selfishness, his jealousy was like a fist squeezing his heart.
Fitz held Juliana for long, quiet moments. When she raised her face from his chest, the tears she’d fought on the ride from Inverness were streaking her cheeks. “I’ll leave for England at once—tomorrow, if we can manage it.”
Fitz nodded. “I’ll see to everything. Go up to your bedchamber, Lina. I’ll send Emilia to you, and one of the maids to help you pack your things.”
“Thank you.” Juliana started for the stairs, but just when Logan was certain she’d disappear to her room without a word to him, she paused. “Mr. Blair?”
Logan practically leapt across the space between them. “Aye. What can I do?”
She’d dried her cheeks, but her green eyes were still swimming with tears. “You’ll speak to Fitzwilliam about…our plans? You’ll need to warn Stokes, as well, and tell him we’re leaving for Surrey as soon as we can.”
Logan ached to gather her close, but he only nodded. “Yes. I’ll make all the arrangements.”
To Logan’s surprise, she took his hand. “Thank you.” A grateful smile drifted across her trembling lips, then she turned for the stairs.
Logan and Fitz watched her until she reached the landing and went down the hallway toward her bedchamber. “Christ,” Logan murmured, once she was out of sight. “I hope it’s not too late.”
Fitz’s face was somber. “So do I.”
Logan drew in a deep breath. “I need to speak with you privately, brother.”
“What a coincidence. I need to speak to you as well. Shall we go to the library? I need a drink.”
Logan followed Fitz down the hallway to the library and closed the door firmly behind him. Fitz went straight to the sideboard, sloshed some whisky into two tumblers, then joined Logan, who was seated in a chair before the fireplace.
They didn’t speak until they’d both tossed back half the whisky in their glasses, then Logan placed his tumbler on the table in front of him, and met Fitz’s eyes. “Juliana won’t have to make the journey back to England alone.”
Fitz’s eyebrows rose. “No?”
“No. I’m going with her. I’m marrying her, Fitz.”
For a split second, Fitz’s face remained blank, but then his mouth twisted, and a chuckle escaped his lips. The chuckle deepened and swelled until Fitz gave into it, and threw his head back in a hearty laugh.
Logan’s mouth dropped open. He wasn’t sure what reaction he’d expected, but it wasn’tthis. “What the devil is so funny?”
“You, Logan. You’re what’s so funny.” Fitz wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. “Jesus. I’ve been waiting for days to hear you say that, and nowtoday, of all days, you tell me you’re marrying Lina.”
Logan stared at him. “What difference does it make what day it is? This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
