Page 37 of A Scot on Duchess Square
Lord Lowery and his new son-in-law marched in as he finished his first cup, and they immediately hastened toward him. “Good morning, Lowery. Montrose.”
Montrose greeted him warmly. “My bride and her mother insisted on breakfast being brought up to our rooms.”
“Understandable,” Bram said, rising to acknowledge them. “This will allow them to dress and finish packing at their leisure.”
Montrose nodded. “The journey to London has been hard for them, and they are finding it harder and harder to rise each morning. But we’ll soon be on our way. The carriage is being brought around now. I hope you and the Lawson ladies in your party had a pleasant rest.”
“I did, and expect they did as well. I will call on them in an hour or so, if they do no’ make their appearance sooner,” Bram said with a nod. “I wish ye an easy journey.”
He said nothing about the impending storm because he wanted Gwenys’s family out of here for Miranda’s sake.
“We’ll need to speak further about your heir and my daughter,” Lowery said, looking uncomfortable because no doubt his wife had prodded him into saying something about Gwenys’s courtship. “You must understand that I cannot simply give her over to you.”
Was that witch hoping to undermine Gwenys’s happiness? Bram did not doubt that she wanted to pile misery on her stepdaughter, for such women always chose hurting others above any good result that she might accomplish for herself in securing a connection to a duke.
Bram had encountered bitter women like her. Wasn’t Lady Wharton such a one? Bile and envy controlled such people.
“We shall speak when the time is right,” Bram said.
Lord Lowery cleared his throat. “Then your heir is not really serious about my daughter? My wife was concerned about this.”
“Oh, he’s quite serious. But Miranda has been preparing Gwenys for her come-out and wishes her to experience the balls and musicales ye in thetonseem to enjoy so much. I think it is wise. Let yer daughter be certain of her affections for Douglas. As for him, he would marry her tomorrow if the choice were up to him.”
“Are you saying my daughter is fickle?”
Was this more bile his shrew of a wife had put into his head?
Bram tried not to get riled over it. “No’ at all, but she has looked forward to making her debut for months now. Why deprive her of the enjoyment? I’m sure she will have young men standing in a queue outside Miranda’s home.”
“Exactly my point. Will you not be outraged if she desires one of them over your heir?”
Bram took a sip of the coffee that a maid had just poured to replenish his cup, for he needed a moment to compose himself and not shout at the man. “I doubt yer daughter will have a change of heart. But if such a thing were to occur, then I am certain the man she chooses will be of the finest quality. Gwenys, as I am sure ye know, is no’ only beautiful and kind but also very intelligent. However, I am no’ concerned that she will ever change her mind. Her heart has spoken. Despite what yer wife whispered in yer ear last night—or was it this morning?—yer daughter is no’ in the least fickle. She is a gem and we Lanarks will be pleased to take her in as one of our own, hopefully before the year is out. Go report that to yer wife.”
Lowery blushed. “Now, see here…er, she’s my daughter and I need to look out for her.”
“Why now, Lowery? Ye were quite at ease leaving her in Lady Miranda’s care for all these years. She’s done an excellent job of raising yer daughter. And ye needn’t concern yerself about Gwenys, for she is under the protection of the Lanarks now, and we do no’ shirk our responsibilities.”
Blast.That was rude of him. He hadn’t meant to make an enemy of this man.
Sighing, he extended a hand. “Truce, Lowery. We may be kin someday soon. Let us get off to a friendly start.”
Gwenys’s father accepted his offered hand, as Bram knew he would, because the man was obviously one who avoided confrontation. “Yes, I would like that, Solway.”
“And tell yer wife to keep her nose out of our business. The matter of their marriage, which shall be discussed at the proper time, is up to us men and nobody else.”
Montrose stifled a grin. “I’ll make certain to advise Louisa similarly.”
“Thank ye. My best wishes to yer family, Montrose. I’m sure to see them in London.”
“Aye. My uncle will be particularly pleased to share a drink with you at White’s when you arrive in Town. Chatting with you is one of the few pleasures he has these days. He hasn’t been doing too well lately.”
“Sorry to hear it. I’ll make certain to call upon him soon.”
Bram next turned to Lord Lowery. “I wish ye a smooth journey.”
He now dismissed the pair, for he had no desire to have them seated at his table. He might have no choice if and when Douglas and Gwenys married, but he wanted his peace and quiet until then.
Those two had no sooner repaired to a table close to the breakfast salvers when Miranda walked in.
