A Lass to Love (Brides of Scotland #1) - Tammy Andresen Page 0,16

from the hammock, she began to brush out her hair before she dressed. Brushing gave her hands something to do as she contemplated how she might see Tom if she were confined to this cabin.

After she dressed, when the tray arrived a quarter hour later, she was no closer to a solution.

Fortunately, Colin delivered the breakfast. “Good morning,” he said as he entered the room. “How did everyone sleep?”

“Well enough,” Edna replied. “I’ll be better after my tea.”

She and Colin shared an easy smile as Fiona rose to serve her aunt. “How long until we reach London?”

“Two more days,” Colin answered, helping himself to a cup of tea as well. “And it looks like we’re in for nasty weather today.”

Fiona grimaced, as she sat down at the table. “Is there something ye might suggest to pass the time?”

He nodded, grabbing a piece of toast from the tray. “I thought we’d invite Tom here fer dinner tonight.”

“Wonderful,” she said.

At the same moment, Aunt Edna harrumphed. “No.”

“No?” Fiona asked, turning to her aunt. “Why not? He’s Colin’s guest.”

“He likes ye too much and ye need to focus on yer future husband.” Edna’s hand slapped down on the table. “I ken ye haven’t decided about Exmouth but he’s been good to us in his own way. Provided me and ye a home when we really needed one.”

Colin let out a short breath. “I can provide ye a home, Aunt Edna. He gave ye a tiny cottage that was unused. It’s practically nothing.”

Edna pointed a finger at him. “I’m a woman of Glasgow. I don’t want to move to yer fancy Greenoch.”

Colin tossed up his hands. “Then we’ll purchase a cottage in Glasgow. We’ll be able to do it with my funds. There’s no reason for Fiona to marry a man who can’t even bother to meet her in person for the price of a small, rundown cottage. Surely, her life is worth more than that.”

Aunt Edna huffed. “That’s ridiculous. She’ll be a countess with far more security than we’ve had for the past several years.”

Fiona’s mouth tightened as she clenched her hands under the table. “Aunt Edna, I appreciate what ye’re saying, but how much security can a woman have when her husband won’t even share the same country as her?” She shook her head.

Edna leaned forward, gripping the table. “He just hasn’t met ye, dear. When he does, he’ll surely fall madly in love. Look at ye. So beautiful and unfailingly kind. How could he not?”

Fiona bit her lip. “After all this time, I’m not even sure I want his affection. I—”

Edna’s face turned ashen. “Please just meet him first before ye decide. Give an old woman that much.”

Fiona looked down at her lap. She was tired of giving. Not to Edna but to Lord Exmouth. She’d given up all her fun, all her hopes and dreams, all her affection. And what had she gotten in return? A vague promise to one day have a future.

Callum’s aunt, the current countess, had held Fiona to the union for the last several years and with her gone, Edna had taken up the mantle. She loved her aunt but last night’s kiss had made one fact abundantly clear: she didn’t want to marry Lord Exmouth, she was ready to find her own path. Tom’s face rose in her thoughts but she pushed his image aside. Even if he wasn’t her future, that didn’t change what she wanted to do. “I’ll meet him, Auntie. We’ve traveled all this way, but ye should prepare yerself for a move afterward. I don’t think we’ll be staying on his property.”

Edna let out a groan, but Colin smiled. “Good for ye,” he said.

“Don’t encourage her,” Edna snapped. “That rake, Mayweather, isn’t marriage material, Fiona. Don’t ruin yer future for him.”

Fiona sat straighter. “This isn’t about him, it’s about me.” She reached for her aunt’s weathered hand, holding her cool fingers in her own. “I can’t be with a man who doesn’t like or respect me. It will never work.”

And that was the truth, leaving Fiona’s future a blank canvas. But honestly, she was excited to see what she painted on that empty canvas. The choice was finally hers.

Tom knocked on the cabin door, then pulled his collar tighter about his neck to keep the rain off his bare skin. The weather had only grown worse as the day progressed. Colin opened the door, giving his friend a wide smile. But rather than let Tom in from the rain, the captain