Page 28 of The Beast

Ella burst into laughter. “Ye are a delight, Beatrice. I would very much love to travel with ye. There is nothing holding me here, if I am to be honest. A season away would be nice.”

Lady Mariel frowned, turning from Ella to Beatrice. “The idea has merit. Although I hate to keep anything away from yer mother,” she said pinning Beatrice with a pointed look.

“If ye do not come with us, then any blame will lay with me for not informing her,” Ella said. “Mother, we cannot force either Beatrice or Stuart to marry because of a weather mishap.”

“I will speak to Darach. If he agrees then ye both can travel immediately.” Lady Mariel let out a sigh and gave Beatrice a warm look. “If Duncan could marry, ye would be a perfect match for him.”

Her chest constricted at the thought of marriage to Duncan. He was so very perfect in every way. In her opinion at least.

“I would not protest to marrying him,” Beatrice replied.

An astonished expression crossed both Lady Mariel and Ella’s faces. Ella recovered first. “Ye really do care for him. That is so very endearing.”

“He will be here tomorrow. Ye can inform him of yer departure,” Lady Mariel told her with a warm smile. “I am sure he would like to know.”

Last meal was as expected. The great hall was filled with village people who came to see their laird and lady, and to partake of the feast. Musicians played lively tunes and people danced after they’d ate their fill.

Beatrice and Ella sat at a table with a visiting landowner and his wife. Despite her situation, Beatrice was enjoying the evening. More than anything, she loved seeing her sister seated at the high board stealing glances at her handsome husband.

The laird did the same, ever so often touching Isobel’s hand or leaning into her ear to whisper. Her heart ached when considering she wanted the same—a love match.

However, it seemed it would not be her lot in life. Instead, she hoped to learn to care for the man her parents matched her with.

“Look,” Ella whispered into her ear. “Duncan is here.”

Across the room, Duncan walked along the perimeter of the room and sat at a table in a corner. A moment later, Stuart and Gideon joined him.

“I wonder why my brother returned so soon. He just left earlier.”

Beatrice shrugged. “Perhaps he forgot something.”

“It could be,” Ella studied her brothers for a moment. “I have to know.” She stood and hurried over to where her brothers were.

“I hear North Uist is beautiful this time of year,” the woman at the table, whose name she’d forgotten, said.

Beatrice smiled. “It is. However, not as warm as it is here.” She slid another look at the corner. The siblings continued talking, but it seemed not to be anything serious.

Finally, Ella returned. “He got word of a shipment and will be traveling north in two days. I informed him that ye and I wish to go.”

“Oh,” Beatrice looked back to where Duncan sat, “do ye think that is a good idea?”

“He will not be going to yer home. We will be traveling there alone with an escort of course.”

Hopefully, it would not turn into yet another complication. Beatrice nodded and looked to her sister. “I must speak to Isobel.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Duncan slip out a doorway. Without a word, she stood and pretending interest in the dancers, slowly made her way out the same door.

Duncan stood with his back to the house. He peered up at the sky, his stance relaxed.

“I must speak to ye,” Beatrice whispered and walked closer until she stood beside him.

“What about?” Duncan replied, not looking at her.

“I-I am not sure how to express my regret for all of this.”

When he turned to face her, she felt small and insignificant. He was so beautiful under the moonlight. The dark waves of his loosed hair framed his strong face and his two-toned eyes flashed with something that she could not identify.

He took a step closer, and Beatrice considered if she should turn and flee. It was not what she wanted to do, she wished to stand her ground and be closer to him.