Teach Me Under the Mistletoe (17 page)

“He didn’t pummel Papa. He struck him once.”
Hard. In the face.
Her heart leapt at the recollection of how he’d defended her against even her own father’s accusations and slights.

“Interesting that you haven’t denied your groom’s love.” Ellie raised one eyebrow. “Does that mean you love… him?”

Kitty peered into the full-length mirror, and pictured Hugh’s face as he’d reminded her she had done nothing wrong. Something about the look in his eyes… “I… I think I do.” She sniffed and slipped her head through the neck of her nightdress. “I know I do. But it matters not since he’s no longer—”

Ellie snatched the garment from Kitty’s hands and whipped it back over her head. “You don’t need this. Put on a traveling dress.”

“Beg pardon?” Kitty stared at her sister, who was frantically searching through the wardrobe, pulling out several day dresses and laying them over the dressing chair.

“Ah!” Ellie withdrew a canvas traveling bag from the bottom of the armoire. She held it you, shaking her head. “Hurry! The green velvet and tweed. It looks stunning on you and it’s warm. Move!” she added when Kitty simply stared.

“Where am I going?”

Ellie leaned in close. “
Not
with Lord Strathern. Come on. Once Papa gets a course in his mind, it’s incredibly hard to battle him. Unless you want to find yourself an unwilling bride, get dressed!” She pushed Kitty’s clothing into the bag, pausing once to look up. “It’s not too late. Despite what you think, it’s not too late. Not if you really love him.”

With her heart in her throat and butterflies swirling in her stomach, Kitty donned the traveling gown. She hadn’t a notion how she would get out of the house. If her father was worried she’d leave, he’d have warned the servants not to let her go. But she didn’t care. How ever slim the chance of escape might be, if there was any possibility she might spend her life with Hugh…

Ellie laced the bag shut and drew a velvet bag in Egyptian blue from her bosom. “I’ve saved a few coins. It’s not much, mind, but it will help.” She held out the bag. “‘Twill be a different life you’re undertaking if you do this.”

“I know.”

* * * *

Under Dougal’s watchful eye, Hugh tossed what few belongings he had into his old satchel. “I’m sorry. I know my actions were rash. I know this will hurt ye also.”

Dougal subjected him to a hard stare but then turned away. “I can’t be mad at ye. I’ve no doubt I’d’ve done the same.” He sighed and pulled his own traveling satchel from beneath his bed. “Where shall we go now? No ships will be sailin’ for the Americas before spring.”

Hugh stopped filling his bag and stared at his brother. “I’ve a mind to go home. At least until spring. Then mayhap I can make my way to the coast, find work on a ship that’s America-bound.”

“Home to the girls? A contented smile settled on Dougal’s lips. “Aye. It’s past time we visit with Fiona and Jean. Particularly if we plan to cross the ocean come spring.”

The scuffle of feet outside the door called Hugh’s attention. Had they come for him? Decided he should be charged with a crime for striking the earl? He highly doubted they’d be coming to give him the pay he was owed.

“Mr. McCollum?” asked a cultured voice.

“Yes?” asked Hugh and Dougal at the same time.

The man’s broad shoulders took up the entire doorway. “I’m Walter Talbot, Viscount of Lisle. My fiancée, Lady Eleanor Tyndall, has asked that I secure you safe passage away from Rose Hill.”

Chapter Fifteen

As soon as they stepped through the servants’ entrance off the kitchen, snowflakes spun and whirled about them. Kitty longed for just a moment to revel in the magic of the first snow, but Ellie was having none of it.

“Hurry! We don’t have much time. The roads will be impassable soon and the moment Papa realizes you’ve left, he’ll send someone after you.”

Kitty’s foot slipped, and she went to her knees. Ellie tugged on her arm, assisting Kitty up.

“What if it’s too late?” moaned Kitty, as one foot slipped out from beneath her. “What if he’s already left?”

Ellie slowed her steps as they entered the stable yard. “Then you’ll leave anyway, go to Walter’s cousins. At least until Papa sees reason again.” She stopped walking and turned to Kitty with a smile. “But it’s not too late.” She stepped aside and pointed into the yard.

Hugh and his brother stood next to the Viscount of Lisle’s personal coach. Four horses stomped and tossed their heads as though eager to get moving. When Hugh glanced up and caught Kitty’s gaze, he dropped the bag he’d had slung over his shoulder, not seeming to care that it landed in a snowdrift. High-stepping through the white powder, he closed the distance between them.

“Lady Caroline?” Frantically, his eyes searched hers.

Kitty’s stomach butterflies became a hive of bees, but she tamped back her fear, ready to beg should it be needed. “Take me with you.”

Hugh reeled backward, his face bearing a stricken expression.

Oh, no… He was going to refuse her. “Please!” she pressed urgently. “Even if you didn’t mean it when you said you loved me, please just take me away from here. I want to go with you, but if you don’t want me at least—”

His lips crushed hers before she was aware of him moving. They were cool but soon warmed. He dove his hands into her hair, casting her hat askew and loosening the pins until a curtain of silky tresses tumbled about her shoulders.

When Hugh drew back, he wore a bemused expression. “I canna’ tell ye how long I’ve wanted to do that. I do love ye.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath then opened them again. “But ye canna’ come with me, Lady Caroline. Where I’m going, it’s not—” He swept his hands around the stable yard. “It’s nothin’ so grand as what ye’re used to.”

He loves me! Oh, thank goodness.
“I want to be with you, Hugh. I don’t care if we live in a stable. Please.”

His smile was sad as he slowly shook his head. “I… can’t.”

“You
can
,” she cried, fighting for breath. Why did it feel as though she were drowning? “You just won’t. Why?”

Hugh caught her hands and squeezed lightly. “Right then. I won’t. I won’t subject ye to the kind of life I lead. I’m goin’ home to Scotland and then probably to America in the spring. Ye need to stay here, safe with yer family. I canna’ be yer escape route.” He turned loose of her hands and stepped away.

“I love you,” blurted Kitty, desperation lending her boldness she’d never known. “I love you. I didn’t know it myself until I stood on the balcony, thinking I wanted to entice Lord Strathern into kissing me.”

Hugh froze, but his face took on a wary, shuttered expression. “On the balcony?”

“Yes… I was wishing… I stood there wishing it was
you
I waited for, that it
could
be you. I never even tried to meet him under the mistletoe because — because I never wanted anyone else to ever kiss me there. Not since you did…” She wrapped her arms about her middle, willing the fluttering, stinging insects that swarmed there into oblivion, but to no avail. If he loved her… truly loved her, then she simply must be with him. Wherever he went. No matter what it took. “I felt you… I don’t know how, but I stood on the balcony trying to see to the stables, and I felt like you were right there with me. And I don’t care if you have nothing, if we have to live in a cave, if we have to float to America in a leaky longboat if that’s where you want to go. Only that we go there together.”

Hugh leapt toward her and pulled her into his embrace again. He pressed a hard, quick kiss to her lips and then stared into her eyes. “I hope ye meant that, Lady Caroline, because once I’ve got ye, I won’t be lettin’ ye go.”

“I meant it — I
mean
it. I shall always mean it.” She traced his mouth with her thumb. As she brushed the cut on his upper lip, he winced, and tears sprang to her eyes. He’d gotten that defending her honor. Defending
her
. “I love you.”

He nodded once. “Good.” Then he scooped her into his arms and lifted her off her feet. He trudged them back across the yard. Dougal opened the coach door and Hugh deposited Kitty inside.

Before she scrambled across the seat, she touched Hugh on the hand. “Since I’m running away with you, do you suppose you might call me Kitty?”

He answered her with a smile then backed out of the coach.

Ellie poked her head inside. “You take care of yourself, hear? And write me.” She slipped a folded sheet of paper into Kitty’s palm. “This is Walter’s address. Write me there.”

“Jenny!” Kitty had almost forgotten. “Ellie, Jenny was planning to run away to Gretna Green!”

Ellie smiled. “And if you hurry, you and your love might just catch up with them there.” With a wink, she backed out of the carriage, leaving Kitty speechless.

Dougal clambered in and took the rear-facing seat. Then Hugh joined them, arranging himself next to her, so close she could smell his fresh earthy scent.

“Hugh?” she asked as the carriage jolted forward. “
Will
we have to live in a cave?”

“Wee-ell, I canna’ rightly say,” he said, exaggerating his accent. “But wherever we end up, I promise ye we’ll have plenty of kisses under the mistletoe.”

Epilogue

Kilmarnock, Scotland
Kildermoire Allingham Estate

#

24 December 1818

Dearest Ellie,

By now, you may already have received word from our sister, Jenny. We did, indeed find she and Stephen had arrived to Gretna Green ahead of us. Hugh and I watched as she and Stephen said their vows, and we signed the register as her witnesses. I do believe she is happier than I have ever seen her. She and Stephen planned to travel to Plymouth, where he has connections in the shipping industry.

Hugh was intent on bringing me to his childhood home, now occupied by his sister and her family, so we could have a “proper wedding,” but I refused to wait. I fear I was a bit too adamant about our need to marry, however, and the poor vicar may have been misled some. He became quite pale and began mumbling about bairns and wedlock, and I do believe he would have given Hugh a rather stern talking to had I not reminded him that time was of utmost importance.

Dougal has gone to live in Glasgow, near their sister Jean. Hugh and I are currently staying with their other sister Fiona and her husband, Brian Allingham. They have three sons who, in truth, may be the devil’s own children, the way they carry on. And Fiona has just announced she is expecting another child in the summer. Heaven help us all if it shall be another boy and Hugh and I still reside here with them, for he’s as much of a scamp as his nephews when he is with them.

I miss you, dear sister. I pray you have not paid overmuch for the kindness you showed me in assuring my future with Hugh. For now, you may write me at Kildermoire Allingham and I shall receive your missives. I know not what my husband has planned but he has talked of one day going to America. One day, we shall all meet again and Jenny, also. Until then, I shall think of you every day.

With love and best regards,

Kitty

Post Script: Please, dear sister, see that Patty is not forgotten. She always did love it so when I brought her carrots.

Kitty blinked, pushing back the unexpected emotion churning within her breast. Her life had changed — was changing still. She hadn’t a clue where she would end up, nor where she would find herself next. But she did know she would always stand beside her husband no matter where they went.

She’d no sooner laid her quill flat on the writing table when the door to the study was thrown open and three lively figures burst in, squealing and laughing. The source of their merriment soon became evident as a large figure loomed in the opening to the hallway. Waving his hands, Hugh exploded into the room with a mighty roar.

The three boys tore across the floor, heading straight for Kitty. She drew a sharp breath and snatched up the ink well, holding it high out of harm’s way.

The gust of air as they passed lifted the letter she’d just written, sending it sailing off the table to land on the floor. At least it hadn’t been the ink that had gone flying this time. Kitty sighed, casting a look at the mushroom-shaped, black stain dried into the braided rug at her feet. The boys raced toward the long dining table at the opposite side of the great room, where Fiona was laying out the good china for Christmas Eve supper later.

With a stern glare, she put herself between her sons and the table and planted her hands on her hips. “Alastair, Fletcher, and Roderick! Stop it this instant if ye don’t want to feel a switch to the back o’ yer legs.”

At their mother’s sharp voice, all three boys came to a fast stop. Roderick, the youngest, slammed into Alastair, the oldest. Eyes wide, Roddy jammed his thumb in his mouth and managed to slink around the larger boy, out of his mother’s reach. Fletcher began a slow sidestep back the way they had come in. Alastair inched toward Kitty, bringing Roderick along with him.

“Stop right there,” snapped Fiona without looking at them.

The boys went still as stone statues.

Fiona set aside the linen napkin she’d been folding and shot a stern glower at her brother. Firelight from the hearth behind her sparked in her hair and turned the reddish braid down the center of her back the color of flames. “And you, Hugh McCollum. Ye certainly were raised well enough to know better than to run screamin’ like a banshee through the house.”

Hugh dropped his arms. One side of his mouth pulled upward into a twisted smile, and he managed a sheepish look. “I’m sorry, Fi. It’s only the wee rascals are hard to resist. They’ve grown so since I was here last.”

Kitty smiled as Fiona relaxed her warrior’s stance. Hugh did love his nephews and reminding his sister of that got around her rules every time. He’d make a wonderful father when the time came, though selfishly, Kitty hoped it didn’t happen too soon. In the short time she’d been his wife, she found herself more loved and wanted… and alive than she had throughout her entire life. And she wanted to enjoy the feelings for a bit longer.