Page 1 of Wouldn’t it Be Scottish?

Prologue

1816, Bonnyrigg, Scotland

Donal ran his hand through his dark hair and frowned at the sky. It was a warm day for the time of year and usually he would be enjoying it. But since Mary had gone to London things hadn’t been the same. He missed her. He missed her so much. He had never imagined a world that she was not in.

How could he live without her?

His family tiptoed around him. He didn’t think he was particularly irritable or selfish, but it did hurt to see his two older brothers so happy. Callum with Penelope, and Rory with Grace. His sister Cat tried to cheer him up, but although he pretended for her sake, she wasn’t fooled. He was just too miserable.

He missed Mary so much.

At first, when she had told him she was going south to London, he hadn’t believed her. It had been like a bad dream. She had tried to explain, looking at him warily, as if she thought he might burst into tears. Of course he hadn’t. Not in front of her, anyway.

“We have known each other all our lives,” she had said gently. “But I want to see new things. Meet new people. I feel like a bird locked in a cage, and I want to spread my wings. Imagine if we were to marry and everything stayed the same and we never had the chance to see the world, Donal!”

Donal didn’t think that was such a terrible idea. At twenty-two years of age he didn’t want to see the world. He wanted to stay here at Bonnyrigg with Mary and marry her and never leave. He couldn’t understand why she had decided it was a good idea to open the cage door and fly away.

He had believed she would change her mind. How could she be serious? But she hadn’t. One day she was here with him, and the next she was gone. And he was left all alone.

The days passed, dreary and long, and then one day when he could not bear it any longer, Donal made up his mind to follow Mary to London. He told himself that she was probably miserable too without him, and as soon as she saw him she would realize what a mistake she had made and run straight into his arms. She would beg him to bring her home. Donal imagined the scene and smiled to himself. Because how could she not be missing him as much as he was missing her?

Once he had made up his mind, he knew he must not waste any more time. He would set off for London immediately!

Donal was surprised by how unenthusiastic his family were when he told them of his plan. They had been complaining about his bad mood, so he thought they’d be happy for him, but instead they gave him uneasy looks and tried to talk him out of it. He even overheard his parents discussing him in worried tones.

“I don’t want to see the lad’s heart broken,” Luna said.

“Neither do I, but mabbe it will be good for him to see the world. It has no’ hurt his brothers.”

“But Donal is so soft hearted.”

“You canna coddle him forever, my love. He needs to stand on his own two feet.”

“I don’t know if he’s ready for that. I don’t know if he ever will be.”

After hearing that, Donal was all the more determined to go. It seemed his family believed him too soft to leave Bonnyrigg, too tender and sensitive. They did not think he would be able to survive in the hustle and bustle of London.

It was the impetus he needed. He would show them! He would go south to London and return in triumph, and they would marvel at his courage and his strength! They would have to admit that they had misjudged him completely when he walked through the door with Mary on his arm. Because Donal was absolutely certain he was going to bring Mary home again.

Chapter One

Mayfair, London

Aunt Jennie welcomed Donal into her home in Mayfair with open arms, just as she had his brothers Callum and Rory. Jennie, the Countess of Strathmore, was his mother Luna’s sister and she had always been prepared to help her nephews. Having no children of her own, she doted on them, and she was determined to make the most of Donal’s stay.

However, when he had explained to her his reason for being in London, she became more cautious in her response. “Are you certain this girl will be as glad to see you as you think? What is her name, Donal? I might have heard of her.”

“Miss Mary Davidson,” he said, feeling himself glow at the mere mention of his beloved. “Her father is our neighbor Sir Hector’s factor, and we have known each other most of our lives. I want to take her home and marry her,” he added proudly.

“I see.” She smiled, but in a thoughtful fashion. “And you think you can win her back just by being here?”

Donal was surprised she should ask. “O’ course I do!”

Jennie seemed to be considering her next words carefully. “Donal, I have heard of Mary Davidson. She has rather taken the ton by storm. It is said she is very beautiful and charming, and it seems that several gentlemen have already declared themselves ready to ask for her hand.”

Donal was stunned into silence. He didn’t know what to say. The news was so unexpected and also so shocking. He had hoped to hear that Mary was languishing and longing to see him again, and that the only reason she had not returned was that she was too proud to admit she had made a terrible mistake in leaving him. This news was not what he had expected at all, and he floundered, not knowing what to make of it.

Aunt Jennie read his expression perfectly and was immediately sympathetic. “My poor lad,” she said. “But all is not lost, never fear. We will find a way to return her to you. Let me have a wee think.”