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Good-byes the next morning were hard for all. Sebastian’s sisters didn’t want Teagan to leave, and poor Penelope stood to the back looking uncertain. His mother had tears in her eyes and hugged him close.
“Safe travels. Teagan is lovely and I’m happy for you.”
“Mother,” he whispered in her ear. “Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself? I haven’t even asked Teagan to marry me.”
“You will. I know love when I see it.”
“Yes, I do love her and her me, but this may not be the best time for her.”
“Nonsense. You marry her quickly, even if your family is not there. We will visit and celebrate another time.”
“Thank you.” Sebastian swallowed the lump in his throat and fervently hoped he didn’t cry in front of his entire family. Two days ago he never would have contemplated living in Scotland, but if that’s where Teagan wanted to live, he would as well. They never discussed it, though, so he could be wrong. She could want to live in London for all he knew. Only he doubted she would leave her only brother. At least until he was married and settled. Sebastian had been away from his family for two years while in America. If he survived that when he’d left on bad terms, he would survive this. Even enjoy it. Scotland. Who ever thought?
He hugged each of his sisters, including Penelope and Emma, and each had tears in their eyes. “I’m not dying. Just traveling to Scotland. You would think I was moving halfway around the world.”
When Wentworth pulled him in for a quick, hard hug, he thought he would finally succumb to tears. But he cleared his throat at the same time as his brother, who looked to be emotional as well.
“Godspeed,” his brother mumbled.
As they made their way down the streets of Mayfair, Sebastian’s eyes were riveted to his surroundings. All was quiet as they traveled for several miles, and he could feel the tension inside the coach. Was it because they were leaving London? Or because Bradbury traveled with them? Or because of what was awaiting them in Scotland? Mostly likely all three and more.
***
Teagan’s throat hurt and her eyes burned at fighting the tears trying to escape. She would not cry at leaving her new found friends. She had to go with Lachlan to Scotland and see him settled as the Duke of Tremont. She would do her duty and bury her false father, get to know Bradbury, her real father, and hopefully come back to London in several months’ time. She loved Scotland and Murray Castle, but her heart had died the night MacPherson attacked her and the man she had known as Father tried to kill Lachlan. She would never stay away from her homeland long, but she wanted to experience London Society and hopefully marry Sebastian and make a home not too far from his family.
Besides her mother, Lachlan, and her grandfather and uncles, which she seldom saw, she’d never truly had the sense of family. She had found it with the Seabrook’s. And she wanted desperately to be part of their family. She loved Sebastian with all her heart, and it seemed only natural they would wed. Her stomach did little flips inside. Perhaps they would not wed? He may have professed his love for her, but he never mentioned marriage. She rubbed her stomach with her hand and closed her eyes to wipe out that thought. Of course they would marry. Why else was Sebastian traveling with them? He looked healed on the outside, but she knew it could take a longtime for broken ribs and an arm to heal. Was he in pain even now traveling in the luxurious coach? She glanced at him across the seat, sitting beside Bradbury. His eyes were cast out the window and his expression, from what she could see, was somber. Did he regret traveling with them? Stop it, she chastised. Ah will nae let my imagination get the better of me. He is here and that is all ah need tae ken.
After several days of travel, Bradbury broke his silence.
“When I first saw your mother running through a field of lavender, her skirts hiked up to her knees, I nearly fell off my horse. She was that beautiful, and my heart stopped beating as I watched for several minutes. When she finally saw me, she smiled, and something inside me changed forever. I never believed in love at first sight, but that’s what it was for both of us.”
Teagan could not take her eyes off the man who possessed the title of her real father. He sat up straight and had an air of confidence about him she admired. Even though he looked melancholy. He possessed this compelling charm that made her want to get to know him better.
“I was visiting a university friend at the time, otherwise I never would have met her. Anyway, we met daily in that field for a week. A thunderstorm rolled in one afternoon, and we made our way down the cliff to the beach and into a small cave for shelter your mother knew about.” He looked at her and actually blushed. “I will not divulge what happened next, but you both can surmise as you are the result of it. I tried to get out of my betrothal, but my father would not hear of it as the wedding was taking place in a sennight.” He paused and exhaled. “I never meant to hurt your mother. We were young and in love and didn’t think of the consequences. Two months after my wedding, she sent word about her pregnancy. She panicked, told her father, and he married her to Murray believing him to be a good and fair man. Something he came to regret not long after the wedding vows were spoken. I could not let your mother go. She held my heart. I’m embarrassed to say, I made the long journey once a month so we could meet, but never to...”
Teagan fought tears at the heartbreak she heard in Bradbury’s voice. “When my wife and son died in childbirth, I descended into depression and whiskey. I believed their deaths were my fault for betraying my wife. That God was punishing me. A year went by before I pulled myself together and ventured to see your mother again, and when I did, she had given birth to Ian and your father’s cruel nature was already in evidence. I begged her to pack you two up and run away with me, but she refused. Said she couldn’t leave Ian or the vows she had spoken before God.”
Several tears trailed down Bradbury’s cheeks, and Teagan knew her cheeks were wet as well. “So I watched from afar until she became too sick to venture out. I am so sorry for all the trouble I have caused. Love is a powerful emotion, and your mother and I could not fight it. I have many regrets, but loving your mother and creating you both is not one of them. I do regret not being the man your mother needed me to be though. I should have stood up to my father and married your mother. But there is no going back. Not now, not ever.”
Silence descended on the coach, and Teagan noticed Bradbury looked disheartened and ill. Her heart ached for him, this man who was her father. And she was glad they were having the opportunity to get to know one another. She had a father. A real flesh and blood father who was kind and compassionate and loving.
Next she glanced at Lachlan who looked to be fighting his emotions as well. How could he not after all Bradbury said. Would she perhaps be able to call him Father someday? She hoped so for all their sakes. She needed him and he needed her. Would Lachlan be able to call him Father?
Her eyes ventured Sebastian’s way and found he looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but there. She didn’t blame him. Not with what had been said.
***
Sebastian tried to close his ears to the extremely personal conversation going on around him, but it was hard when it involved the woman he loved. Watching her emotions play across her face had his heart aching to take her into his arms and comfort her. He might have if Bradbury hadn’t been there. But then there would be no reason to comfort her.
Hearing the story of the doomed lovers moved him so he could only imagine how moved Teagan and Lachlan were. He could not wait to have time alone with Teagan so they could talk about it. From his experience woman always wanted to talk about important things, and this was so much more than important. It was life altering.
Sometime later he noticed Teagan had fallen asleep, her head rested on Lachlan’s shoulder, and his mind wandered to the rest of the trip. Later that day they would arrive at Bradbury’s country estate where they would spend the night. The following morning they planned to visit the blacksmith who helped Teagan and Lachlan, as well as him. Then on to Murray Castle.
With the rocking of the carriage and not having slept well since they took to the road, Sebastian didn’t fight the pull of sleep and let it wash over him.
He awoke with a start as the coach came to rough stop and loud voices shouting outside. His eyes locked with Teagan’s then Lachlan’s as Lachlan pulled a knife from his boot and Teagan did as well. He should have been surprised, but was not. What did shock him was Bradbury did as well. Did everyone carry weapons but him? Bradbury also reached under the seat and removed two pistols. He kept one and handed Lachlan the other. Lachlan then handed Sebastian his knife.
“Do ye ken how tae use a dirk?”
Confused, Sebastian said, “A what?”
“Knife, do ye ken how tae use a knife?”
“Yes.” Sebastian took it and tested the feel of it in his hands, hoping he wouldn’t have to use it.
“Highwaymen,” Bradbury said. “They have been plaguing the area for quite some time.”
“We ken. We were hunting them,” Lachlan said. “Teagan and ah with the locals for quite some time. Had nay luck.”
“They managed to get away from me and my men several times,” Bradbury said as he held up the pistol and waited for the door to open. They didn’t have to wait long as it was thrown open by a large bearded man who looked more savage than Sebastian thought possible. Was he one of the men who attacked him? Suddenly he had a change of heart about using the knife.
“Do nae move and nobody will get...”
Bradbury put a bullet between the thief’s eyes and then all hell broke loose. It would be a long time before Sebastian managed to understand the sequence of events.
A hand reached inside the coach and hauled Bradbury outside. “If ye ken what is good for ye, ye will exit peacefully with yer hands in the air or ah will put a bullet in this English dandy.”
“Ian?” Lachlan mouthed to Sebastian, shock on his face.
“We are coming out,” Lachlan said as he tucked the pistol inside his waistband and hid it with his greatcoat. Teagan and Sebastian put their knives inside their boots and exited the carriage with their hands in the air.
Five men surrounded them and quickly removed their weapons. “Nice tae see ye again brother...sister. In case ye dinnae ken, Paw is dead. Nae that he was yer real paw.” He pushed his pistol hard into Bradbury’s temple. “This mon is. What a whore our maw was. Sleeping with a mon before marriage. She deserved what she got marrying my bloody monster of a paw. Unless ye are my paw too?”
“Hell no.”
“Too bad. Ah might have let ye live. But now...”
Ian pulled the trigger and Bradbury’s head exploded as his body sank into a dead heap. Teagan screamed and ran toward him, only to be held back by Lachlan.
“Dinnae move or ye might be next, sister dear.”
Ian proceeded to pace around the three of them while his men held guns aimed at their chests. He paused and looked directly into Sebastian’s eyes. A chill crept up his spine at the crazed look in Ian’s eyes.
“Tae bad we didnae kill ye weeks ago at the ravine. It would have saved ye from the beating ye got at the cottage and for what ah have planned for ye today. And tae answer the unspoken query, yes. Ah’m the leader of the highwaymen now that Paw is dead. How do ye think he supported us all these years? With Maw’s dowry? Stupid fools. We would cross the border and terrorize the English. Which was nae hard, most of them are dandies, asking tae be relieved of their coin and gems. We have amassed quite a fortune. A fortune ye will never get yer hands on Lachlan. Ah wish ye well in running Murray Castle without coin. ‘Tis also how ah found ye in the cottage. Ah saw ye both trying tae be brave chasing highwaymen. It was never hard tae shake ye. ”
“Ye bloody bastard, ye and MacPherson.” Lachlan bellowed. “Ah will hunt ye both down and put ye in the ground myself.”
A large, filthy Scot stepped forward with murder in his eyes.
“Easy MacPherson. Right now this is between Lachlan and me.” Ian got in Lachlan’s face. “Ye think ye will kill me? How? As ah see it, ah’m the one holding the gun. Try anything and the next bullet goes into yer chest. Nae a quick death like Bradbury, but a slow and painful one.”
“Why,” Teagan said. “Why would ye kill yer own brother?”
Ian moved his black emotionless eyes on Teagan and Sebastian’s heart lurched. He had to find a way to keep her safe. Not just from her brother but from her betrothed. Sebastian shivered at the thought of that monster ever having touched her.
“Teagan, my dear sister, ye will be the only one spared. MacPherson still wants ye. Ah cannot fathom why since ye probably whored yerself out to this bloody Englishman just like Maw. As for yer question Teagan, Ah killed paw so ah could become duke. All ah need tae do now is kill Lachlan. After murdering Paw, a brother...is nothing. Besides, ah always hated him.”
Out of the corner of Sebastian’s eyes, he spotted several men in the woods close by. He recognized the blacksmith. What could he do to let Lachlan and Teagan know without tipping off Ian and his men? He looked at Lachlan and moved his eyes to the woods several times. Finally Lachlan understood and gave him a slight nod. Teagan caught on quickly and nodded as well.
A diversion was what they needed. When Ian’s attentions wavered between Teagan and Lachlan, Sebastian lunged at him. He shoved the gun aside, and it went off, taking down the thief to Ian’s left. As Sebastian grappled with Ian, out of the corner of his eye he saw men charging out of the woods carrying pistols, swords, and axes. When the other men where dead, including MacPherson, Lachlan helped Sebastian subdue Ian and tie him up. When Ian was secured, he quickly went to Teagan and pulled her into his arms.
“Are you hurt?” he said, praying to God she was not.
“Nay. Are ye?”
Sebastian’s legs buckled and took them both down to the ground on their knees. “No. A few bumps and bruises. Ian knows how to fight. But so do I.”
“Thank God.”
Lachlan took charge. He told George to escort Ian to Bradbury’s estate and have word sent to the authorities. With sadness he covered Bradbury’s upper body with his cloak. He turned and strode toward Teagan and Sebastian then pulled Teagan into his arms and held her tight against his chest. “Ah thought ah would lose ye.”
“Ah as weel.”
“We owe George our lives again.”
“Aye, we do.”
“Ah’m sorry about Bradbury...our father.” Lachlan murmured. “He was a good mon. Ian will hang for killing him and for the other crimes committed.”
“Aye. He deserves no less. Ah just wish...”
“What lass?”
“Ah wish ah had more time with our real father.”
“Me too.” Lachlan turned to Sebastian. “Please see tae my sister. Ah think ah will travel on foot with George tae keep an eye on Ian. Ah will see ye both at Bradbury’s Estate.”
It was then Sebastian noticed their driver hiding beneath the coach. “Sorry milord, I had no weapon to assist you and a wife and child at home.”
“All is well. Let us continue on to Bradbury’s Estate.”
“Yes milord.”
***
Sitting in the coach with Sebastian’s arms around her shaking body, Teagan thanked God they were alive. Only she wished...Sobs rose up from deep inside her soul, and she cried for the man who was her father. The man she would never get to know. Never get to see again. And she wondered if she would ever get the image of his death out of her head? The sound of the gunshot, the spray of blood, and the sound of his body hitting the ground. She hated Ian even more for making her witness it.
When she first realized Ian was leading the band of highwaymen, a sick feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. A stranger would have been easier to deal with. Ian had a score to settle which made him unpredictable. Which he had been. And vengeful. The hateful look in his eyes and on his face had almost paralyzed her in fear for all their lives. They should be thankful Bradbury was the only one killed, but she could not be. She wanted him alive. Wanted a real father, which she never had. Ian stole that from her. But she would have to be satisfied with the time they’d had, and the story he told about her mother and him and the love they shared. Bradbury was gone, and even though she didn’t know him long, she mourned him deeply. The only thing that consoled her was both her parents were together at last. She trembled now at the sight of seeing MacPherson and could not feel sorry about his death. He will rot in hell as it should be for his crimes.
“You’re quiet. I’m worried about you.” Sebastian’s soft voice penetrated her thoughts. Thoughts she was glad to leave behind for now.
“Ah’m sad. So verra sad and weary. Ah feel bad for Bradbury and what happened between my maw and him. Did ye hear how he talked about her? He loved her with all his heart and soul. And ah believe she did as weel. He was robbed of kenning us. Ian robbed all three of us from having a relationship.”
“I know, love. Fate was unkind to them. Perhaps now they are together.”
“That is what ah was thinking just now. That ah prayed they were together at last.”
He rubbed the top of her head with his. “I believe they are.”
When they arrived at Bradbury’s Estate to welcoming servants looking for their marquess, Sebastian gave them the terrible news and asked for a footman to fetch the authorities immediately.
“I beg your pardon, milord,” an older gentleman bowed. “I’m the butler, Carson. John, the footman will go immediately with word about the atrocities befallen the marquess. but it may be some time before the authorities reach us here. Hopefully, no more than a day or two. But meanwhile we have dungeons that can house the prisoner.”
“Perfect,” Sebastian said as Teagan envisioned these dungeons and hoped they were befitting Ian. He deserved the worst for the time he had left on earth.
Not long after Lachlan arrived with Ian they said good-bye to George and the men who helped them. Against her brother’s wishes, Teagan followed Lachlan, Sebastian, Carson, and Ian, down a pair of dark, steep stone stairs to the bowels of hell. At least that was what Teagan thought when the stale, musty aroma assaulted her senses. Not to mention the dank chill coming off the stone walls never to dissipate. Yes, she mused. This would be perfect.
Ian had very little to say as he was escorted inside a cell, the bars closed and locked behind him as he slunk down on a filthy cot.
“Please have food sent down twice daily until the constable arrives,” Lachlan said as he ascended the stairs. “Ah want him alive and well before he hangs.”
Teagan’s body shivered at the sound of her brother’s voice void of emotion.
Two days they spent in awkwardness at Bradbury’s Estate until the constable came to escort Ian to London so he could stand trial for his crimes. Crimes punishable by death. Part of Teagan believed Ian deserved to die for all he’d done. A small part of her did not. Before they left, Bradbury’s barrister arrived and told Lachlan that the title and lands that went with it would go to a distant cousin of Bradbury’s. However, he had personal revenue and had set up accounts in both his and Teagan’s names. They were wealthy.
***
Sebastian believed the money would ease Lachlan’s burdens at Murray Castle. Teagan appeared not to care about the money. Sebastian felt her slipping away into despair, and he didn’t know how to reach her. She seemed distant and quiet ever since they left Bradbury’s Estate and traveled, once again, in Wentworth’s coach.
He’d never seen Lachlan so withdrawn either and wondered what was going through his mind. Before they left Northumberland, Sebastian had written to Wentworth explaining the situation. He didn’t want his brother to hear of Bradbury’s death and worry for the rest of their safety.
As they approached Murray Castle, Sebastian took in the well maintained, ancient gray stone castle complete with turrets and what appeared to be a moat that had been filled in, because sure enough, there was a drawbridge. Although it looked to be permanently in the down position. He wondered if it still worked. They went beneath a portico and were greeted warmly by many. Lachlan appeared uncomfortable with the attention, as did Teagan.
After they had time to adjust and mourn the man who had been their real father, Sebastian hoped they would be themselves again. Albeit, only time would tell.
The housekeeper showed Sebastian to his chamber and left him with a promise of a hot bath and food. He paced the chilly room as the fire hadn’t been lit. He took care of building it and soon there was a roaring blaze warming his travel weary body. Staring into the flames, he found himself worrying about Teagan. He knew Lachlan would land on his feet. He seemed the resourceful type. Actually, he knew he was. Teagan as well, except it may take longer for her to recover from the shock of witnessing Bradbury’s violent death. Sebastian had woken up in a cold sweat several times after reliving the shooting in his sleep. He could only imagine what Teagan was going through.
Perhaps when his bathwater came he could inquire as to the whereabouts of her rooms. He needed to see her. To be reassured she would be fine. His mind and body would not rest until he confirmed it.
After he bathed in the metal tub that barely fit him and had brandy, cheese, and bread, he was reaching for the door when he heard a knock.
“Sebastian, are ye in there?”
Exhaling, he opened the door, took Teagan’s hand in his and tugged her inside the room. After he closed the door, he led her to the fireplace to warm up as her hand was freezing and she was shivering.
“I’m here.” He stood behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, hoping to comfort her and warm her. Whatever she needed, he was there for her.
After a short time she pulled from his arms. “Ah’m feeling better. Ah’m going tae seek out my brother and see how he’s fairing.”
Sebastian’s eyes followed her every move as she walked stiffly toward the door and never looked back. A heaviness settled in the pit of his stomach. He had a terrible feeling she was anything but fine and was slipping away from him.
