Harrison pulled her close. 'Ruin what?'
'Their evening of course.'
'The night belongs to you, sweetheart, not your relatives. Did I embarrass you?'
She had to think about it a long minute before she admitted the truth. 'No, you didn't embarrass me. Quit gloating, Harrison, and try to look contrite. My father's on his way over to us.'
Elliott blocked their retreat. 'What in heaven's name have you done, son?'
Mary Rose grabbed hold of her husband's hand. 'Don't ask him. He'll want to show you. He's having a spell, Father. I believe I should take him outside for some fresh air.'
She wanted to get him alone so she could order him to behave himself. He wasn't living in the West now. He was in London, for the love of God.
Mary Rose wasn't given the opportunity to be alone with her husband until they returned that night to her father's London house.
Ann Marie helped her get ready for bed, and she was just getting under the covers when Harrison came in.
She bolted upright. 'Did you break that man's nose?'
'Probably.'
'You aren't sorry?'
'No, I'm not. He insulted me. How was I supposed to react?'
'You were supposed to think before you reacted,' she instructed him.
He shrugged, dismissing the incident. 'I have to go to Germany the day after tomorrow.'
'Why?'
'On business for your father. I'm trying to get everything tied up for him. I know it's been difficult for you. I wish I could stay here to help…'
'May I go with you?'
'No, your father isn't about to let you out of his sight, sweetheart. He's already planned your schedule for the next four months. He wants to show you off. I'm trying to let him enjoy himself and not have to worry about his business concerns. We have some pressing cases to settle. Try to understand.'
'Is that why we moved into his city house and not yours?'
'Your father doesn't want you to be lonely while I'm away.'
He couldn't give her the exact length of time he would be away. She tried not to feel abandoned. As his wife, she realized her duty was to support and encourage him.
'I will be understanding,' she promised.
Harrison sat down on the side of the bed and pulled her into his arms. 'I wish…'
'What do you wish?'
She leaned into him. 'That we had more time together. When am I going to see your Highlands?'
'Soon,' he promised. 'Try to be patient with your father, all right? He still hasn't recovered from the surprise of having you back. He needs time to get to know you.'
Mary Rose didn't argue with Harrison. She tried to push her own wants aside. Her father had suffered long years, and it was her duty to give him as much peace and joy as she could. Adam had told her she had a responsibility to comfort him. Surely she could stand a little more homesickness, couldn't she?
It wasn't going to be possible for her to go home until next spring. The snow would soon cover the passes, making it impossible to cross. She reminded herself she was a strong woman. She could stand a few more months of loneliness for her father's sake.
And Harrison 's. 'You once told me that you liked living in Montana, that you could be happy and content there. Were you… exaggerating with me?'
She was really asking him if he'd lied to her or told her the truth. He tried not to get angry. He didn't have anyone to blame but himself for his wife's uncertainty.
'Listen carefully to me. What happened is behind us. I know it was wrong of me to demand you trust me, but I'm going to once again promise you I will never, ever lie to you again. Do you believe me?'
'I believe you.'
He relaxed his grip on her and began to slowly stroke her back. 'Give yourself more time with your relatives and try not to think about making another change now. You've only just come home.'
He was trying to be reasonable and logical. How could she make him understand? Home was with her brothers. She felt isolated amongst her English relatives and was constantly battling her own guilt because she wasn't living up to everyone's expectations. They all wanted the best for her, and every time a wave of homesickness struck her, she tried to remember that fact.
Harrison was exhausted, but he still found enough strength to make love to his wife. She fell asleep with his body pressed up against hers.
She was loved and cherished. And scared.
Chapter 20
George MacPherson reminded Mary Rose of a ferret. He was a tall, lean man with a long, pointy nose and skinny eyes. She felt a little guilty thinking he looked so much like the homely animal, because MacPherson was extremely kind and solicitous to her. He seemed to be genuinely thrilled to make her acquaintance, and she could have sworn there were tears in his eyes when he spotted her standing in the entrance of the drawing room.
Douglas would have called MacPherson dapper, but he would have made the comment in a mocking tone of voice.
Her father's personal assistant was dressed to the nines in a brown suit, with a gold pocket watch chain looped just so, and brown shoes that were so shiny from spit and polish, she thought that if she looked down, she would have seen her face reflected in the leather. He carried a folder full of papers in one hand and had a black umbrella hooked over his other arm.
Elliott introduced her, then suggested she sit with him and MacPherson while they looked over the monthly vouchers.
'Your father is a very generous man, Lady Victoria. These vouchers release funds from his accounts to support charitable organizations in England. We make the disbursements once a month.'
Mary Rose nodded to let the man know she understood, then decided to engage him in conversation about the past.
'Mister MacPherson, you said it was nice to make my acquaintance, but we have met before, haven't we? I was just a baby at the time.'
'Please call me George,' he insisted. He sat down on the sofa facing her, straightened his jacket until there weren't any visible wrinkles, and then said, 'Yes, we certainly did meet before. You were a beautiful infant.'
'I was bald.'
MacPherson smiled. 'Yes, you were bald.'
