Page 20 of Scandal with a Sinful Scot

How could she think straight while he touched her? Megan should meet the earl and viscount. How her daughter would feel about it was another matter. “Agreed.”

“I’ll return after dinner with the carriage. It will give you sufficient time to explain, especially to Alberta.” Garrett dropped his hand and slipped on his gloves. He stared at her, his gaze dropping to her mouth. Was he going to kiss her? He seemed to consider it. Her insides fluttered at the prospect. Then he gave her a slight bow and exited the room.

* * * *

The afternoon passed in a whirlwind of drama. Abbie explained to Megan about staying the two nights at Wollstonecraft Hall and she proceeded to indulge in a fit of temper, which proved to Abbie that her daughter was still far too young to cope with certain emotional issues. When she broached the subject of Jonas and their kiss, Megan ran to her room in tears.

Furthermore, fetching her dear friend Alberta to the parlor to discuss this gatehouse kiss proved to be as difficult. They were unlikely friends, considering Alberta was close to seven years older. But Alberta’s uncle, the late Sir Walter Keenan, and Abbie’s father were friends, had served together in the Peninsular War decades ago. Before Alberta’s uncle became a complete hermit, there had been many visits exchanged. The two girls, regardless of the age difference, had become fast friends.

The visit to Sir Walter’s manor house fourteen summers past was the last time Abbie had been in this area. Shortly thereafter, Abbie married Elwyn, and Alberta married the barrister, Reese Eaton, and lived outside of London for close to ten years. They had visited sporadically throughout the decade, but their letter correspondence never abated, nor did the affection and high regard that they held for each other. Today it was being put to the test.

Alberta sat, stunned, as Abbie relayed what Garrett had told her about Jonas and Megan in the gatehouse. “Oh, Lord. And here I said with such confidence that Jonas had never shown any romantic inclinations.”

Abbie passed her dear friend a fresh cup of tea. “He is a man, after all. With a young man’s yearnings, even if he is not sure what it all means.”

Alberta’s hand shook as she clasped the saucer. “I have been dreading this conversation. How to even broach it with Jonas?”

“Perhaps Garrett could speak to him.”

“A fine idea. I will ask Tensbridge to attend as well. He and Jonas have grown close the past couple of months. Jonas looks up to him. I know this is an imposition, but could you deliver a note for me tonight when you go to the hall?”

“Yes, of course.”

Alberta sighed wistfully. “And what do we do about Megan and Jonas? Keep them apart indefinitely? Seems cruel.”

“We will have to set boundaries. Certain rules of engagement. Perhaps Megan will grow out of this; perhaps it is only a girlish infatuation.” Abbie hesitated, taking a small bite from her biscuit and chewing thoughtfully. “Or perhaps she truly loves him, just the way he is. A young girl’s heart can be fickle, but mine never was. Perhaps my daughter is the same.”

“Goodness, are you suggesting they could marry one day?” Alberta’s tone was dubious.

Abbie smiled. “As my daughter pointed out to me not an hour past, she can marry. It is legal. Any girl can at her age, though most rarely do.”

Shocked, Alberta took another sip of tea. “Good heavens, what are they teaching her at that school?”

“The law of the land, I suppose, and, shockingly, twelve is the legal age of consent. Most young women wait to marry until they are eighteen. Do we impose such a restriction? Four years is a long time. However, it may be long enough to see if their love is constant and real.” Abbie reached for another biscuit. “And to see if Megan grows up a little. As it stands today, she is far too immature.”

“Yes, and if she wishes to marry Jonas, she will have to understand and accept his limitations. She would have to be fully able to handle it…and him. Truly, she will have to be the mature one in their relationship, if there is to be one. Oh, what a quandary. On one hand, I would be thrilled at such a union. Alas…” Alberta’s eyebrows knotted with worry.

Alas indeed. What a jumbled mess. Abbie should have stayed in her tidy little bungalow and forgot she ever saw Garrett Wollstonecraft at the sanatorium. It had been impulsive of her to come here—usually not her nature—but their entire past relationship had been impulsive.

Abbie closed her eyes briefly, reliving the kiss in the orangery. The desire between them still subsisted, pulsing with life. She came here to see if the intense love she’d felt for him years past still lingered. It did. She could choose to ignore it, allow it to return to a dormant state. Two days hence, she could hire another coach, return to Standon, and not look back.

But Garrett would never leave her in peace, whether he was physically in the vicinity or not. He’d stormed back into her life with the force of one of those new steam train engines. The only way she could move on was to confront the past and accept the present.

If there could be nothing further between them, better to face it head-on then continue always to wonder what if. It would take an infinite degree of courage. This time she would fight for what she believed in and follow where ever it leads—but remain wary. For she would not survive having her heart broken… again.

* * * *

Garrett arrived promptly at eight o’clock, driving a brougham, no doubt one of many carriages the affluent family owned. He assisted Abbie and Megan into the conveyance; he sat above in the box seat. Taking the reins, he clicked his tongue and the fine black gelding whickered and moved forward at a slow canter. Megan gazed sadly out the window at the Eatons’ residence as it disappeared from view.

“It’s only two nights. We will return to Alberta’s, I promise. Now, will you behave civilly and act as a proper young lady while we stay at the Wollstonecrafts? No pouting or sulking. If you wish me to consider a possible union between you and Jonas, you must discontinue acting like a spoiled young girl. Do you understand?” Abbie kept her tone polite, but firm.

Megan met her gaze, an incredulous look on her flushed face. “Consider? Truly?”

“There is much to discuss, and Garrett Wollstonecraft will be involved in those discussions, but you must prove that you are capable of acting in a grown-up fashion.”

Megan’s eyes glistened. “I will, I promise. I love Jonas to distraction. My feelings will never waver.”

“Well, that remains to be seen. Threatening to marry him without my permission is not the way to go about this.”