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Selina strolled into Colebourne’s study without knocking. She wanted to catch the conniving matchmakers unguarded. They were whispering and stopped their discussion when she came upon them. Colebourne sat back with a smirk, and Papa broke out into a huge smile at her appearance.
Mama stood up to wrap her in a hug. “I am happy to see you and Duncan made a safe arrival. When you did not follow our carriage, I grew worried.”
When Selina blushed, Ramsay laughed. “I told ye they were still playing at newlyweds.”
Selina arched an eyebrow. “Playing?”
Ramsay chuckled. “Exactly.”
Colebourne laughed with them. “I see you have not grown timid with this ancient relic. You give as good as he dishes out.”
Selina nodded. “I must. If not, then he is relentless in his taunts.”
Colebourne smiled. “Shall I offer you my sympathy, my dear?”
“No need. It is a welcoming joy to belong in a comforting family.”
“Did you need something?” Mama asked.
Selina held her arm out to the chair. “May I?”
Colebourne rose and helped her to sit down. “Is there something on your mind you wish to discuss?”
Selina smoothed out her skirt and placed an innocent smile on her face before she accused them of their latest scheme. “I underestimated the lengths you two will go to achieve success in your match between Abigail and Lucas. I am most impressed.”
Theo and Susanna exchanged glances of confusion. Their only attempt had been the delay of everyone’s arrival. Theo shrugged and gave a slight nod to Susanna to not give away their confusion. Susanna winked and turned her charming smile back to Selina.
“Yes, well, all is fair in love and we must prevail in uniting the lovely couple since they remain stubborn in admitting their love,” Susanna remarked.
“I can only say bravo to this plan of yours,” Selina complimented her.
Colebourne tried to use guilt to secure Selina’s trust in the little mystery she had brought to their attention. “Since you learned of our deceit and ruined my plans to give Abigail and Lucas time alone by your early arrival, I hope you can keep our little secret to yourself.”
Selina bit her bottom lip, deciding if she should keep their secret. “I am unsure.”
“Leave the poor girl alone. She has only recently become friends with the other lasses,” Ramsay argued.
Theo scowled at his brother-in-law for interfering. “Don’t you need to visit with Cook to sweet-talk her into baking your favorite pastries?”
Ramsay narrowed his gaze right back at Colebourne. “And leave Selina alone with you scheming matchmakers? No. I need to protect my son’s wife. Also, there is no need because Cook is already baking my favorites as we speak.”
Susanna patted Ramsay’s hand. “Now, dear, we only want to know how much Selina has learned of our devious attempt and to plead our case.”
Ramsay kissed Susanna’s cheek. “Nonetheless, I shall remain. Because now I am curious to learn what you have plotted.”
Colebourne hmphed. “Nosy Scotsman.”
“Meddling Sassenach,” Ramsay muttered.
Selina giggled. “Oh, I have missed your squabbling.”
Colebourne frowned. “I haven’t.”
“Me neither,” Ramsay added.
“Another time, boys,” Susanna reprimanded them but smiled fondly. “Now, Selina, how did you figure out our scheme?”
Selina gave them both a scolding stare. “Lord Ross?”
“The earl who has offered Abigail a position in his household?” Susanna asked.
“The very one.” Selina smirked.
“What about him? I vetted him, and if Abigail accepts his offer, he promised to allow her plenty of visits with our family. If she decides to leave us, then I approve of Lord Ross’s home,” Colebourne answered.
“Of course you would, considering Lord Ross does not exist. Oh, he exists, but he hasn’t used that title for years. Not to mention, his daughters are grown ladies and only one has survived,” Selina offered with a bittersweet smile.
“What is this nonsense?” Colebourne scowled. “Who is behind playing Abigail false? I will ruin the reprobate.”
Colebourne’s temper rose with Selina’s accusation. He had placed his trust in the earl on Abigail’s welfare, only to learn of his insincerity. How was he so gullible to believe the gentleman’s words?
“Calm down, Theodore,” Susanna murmured. She shot Ramsay a panicked look. Theo had grown red, and the scowl on his face displayed how his temper was on the rise.
“You can stop with your pretending, Uncle Theo. I know you and Mama used Granddad’s title to play out your little scheme. However, when Abigail discovers your game, you will end up bruising her heart, and we might never see her again.”
Ramsay let out a deep chuckle. However, his laughter grew uncontrollable and tears soon leaked from his eyes. “Lord Ross. You two are craftier than I thought. I never even connected the name. Brilliant of you to recognize the title, lass.”
“I learned every proper title Duncan will hold when he inherits. I cannot prepare our offspring if I am clueless,” Selina explained.
“Lord Ross,” Colebourne muttered, his eyes widening once he made the connection.
“Father’s lesser title,” Susanna whispered.
“Still playing innocent?” Selina asked.
Colebourne turned his charming smile on Selina. “A matchmaker must never give away his secrets. Especially if he wishes to make a successful match.”
Selina rose once she realized they would never confide in her. “Please reconsider your actions. Abigail has suffered enough heartache to last a lifetime.”
Susanna nodded. “We will take your advice to heart. Please stay silent until we decide on our next course of action. We promise it will not be for much longer.”
Selina inclined her head. “I will give you until we leave for London. If you haven’t confessed by then, I will inform Abigail and plead for her forgiveness.”
After Selina left, a heavy silence filled the study. They stared at each other, with the impact of Selina’s words all around them. If they weren’t the ones who had corresponded with Abigail, then who was? How were they blind not to have recognized the title and the similarities shared between Abigail’s Lord Ross and the real Lord Ross? Lord Ross was none other than Susanna’s father. It was an old, forgotten title he never used.
Colebourne sighed. “Why didn’t I recognize the similarities?”
Susanna shook her head. “I missed them too. Abigail wrote to me about the children. Their names are the middle names of Olivia and me. How did we not see this?”
“Because ye both are too busy plotting schemes to throw them together. But it seems as if someone else will claim victory with the match,” Ramsay teased.
“Who?” Colebourne and Susanna asked.
“The boy,” Ramsay stated.
“Lucas?” Susanna couldn’t believe what her husband was suggesting.
Ramsay nodded. “The very one.”
Colebourne shook his head in denial. “Nonsense.”
“He is wooing the lass,” Ramsay explained.
“Nonsense,” Colebourne repeated.
Ramsay raised an eyebrow. “Then how do you explain his reasoning?”
Susanna frowned. “I fear he is prolonging Abigail’s leaving by staging a false position for her. He refuses to marry her but also refuses to allow her to live her own life. Lucas believes he knows what is best for Abigail.”
She rose from the settee and started pacing back and forth across the room. Each gentleman watched her, worried that Lucas’s actions had set off her temper. Susanna was a mild-mannered lady who always showed grace even when her temper was in a snit. She had raised the girls to always brush aside their anger. However, after living with a high-strung Scotsman for the past thirty years, she had acquired a few traits to make any man quiver in fright if they angered her.
Susanna stopped behind a chair with a pinched expression. Theo had pressed his luck with many of his hairbrained schemes over the past year to make matches for his nieces. Each one had been more scandalous than the last. Yet he came out victorious with their marriages.
However, his son played a dangerous game with sweet Abigail. If they didn’t correct it, it would have insurmountable consequences and affect every member of this family. Abigail was as much one of theirs as Lucas was. But if she discovered the enormity of Lucas’s deceit, then she would leave them forever, as Selina stated.
“We must interfere,” Susanna claimed.
Colebourne nodded. “I agree.”
“How will ye fix this mess?” Ramsay quipped. “The boy already started his demise. I think ye should make him stew a bit.”
Colebourne quirked an eyebrow. “Any suggestions?”
“Yea.” Ramsay wore a devious smile.
“What is it?” Susanna barked, impatient with her husband.
Ramsay chuckled at her spark of temper. A few kisses should do the trick of calming the lass. He winked at her and Susanna only shook her head at him in exasperation, but her lips lifted in a smile.
“Invite Lord Ross to visit. Inform the children this evening at dinner how you need to rest longer and plan to extend your return to London by another week. Then inform Abigail while everyone is listening that you sent Lord Ross an invitation for him and his children to visit. Explain how you wish for them to meet Abigail’s family before she starts her employment. Force Lucas to come to his senses before it is too late.”
“Brilliant as always, my love,” Susanna gushed.
Colebourne’s lips twisted into a smile. “The plan is acceptable enough to earn you your stay.”
“Pshh. Earn my stay. I gave you a way to make your boy squirm. That alone earns me more pastries.”
The three of them laughed over Ramsay’s comment.
Their plan sounded simple enough, but it would take the madness of love to succeed.