The Loveless Marriage Read online

  He was vastly relieved to see now how false his forebodings had been.

  When the King bade ‘goodnight’ to the Earl, he said,

  “Your wife is delightfully enchanting, my boy. Bring her to London and I promise to see that she enjoys herself and that you both receive an appropriate Wedding present.”

  “You are very gracious, sir,” the Earl replied.

  He knew as he walked up the stairs with Fyna beside him that he was luckier than he ever expected to be.

  He said ‘goodnight’ to her at her bedroom door.

  As he did so, he had an almost irresistible impulse to go with her.

  With a sigh he then told himself once again that it was too soon and he had said at the very beginning that he must not rush his fences.

  He knew if he was honest with himself that he wanted her.

  He wanted to kiss her and he was quite certain now that it would be the first time that she had ever been kissed.

  He wanted to make love to her.

  Yet he could not forget how frightened she had been.

  He knew that he must be patient and wait until she responded to him.

  At the moment she treated him as an interesting man with whom she wished to discuss a great number of things but not as an attractive man from whom she wanted much more than conversation.

  The Earl had been pursued by so many women.

  If a woman desired him because he was so good-looking, he would not only see it in her eyes but would be aware of it by his perception.

  He went to the window and drew back the curtains as he did every night.

  He thought if he was honest that Fyna now liked him, but that was not the emotion he was seeking.

  On Saturday afternoon the King held a Levée at Holyrood House, which had been the Royal Palace of the Scottish Kings.

  It took him just twenty minutes to drive there from Dalkeith Palace and the Earl followed him in another carriage.

  Meanwhile Fyna and some of the other guests at Dalkeith Palace were taken to a large house overlooking the main street of Edinburgh and from its tall windows they could watch the crowds in the streets.

  It was correct that the King should hold a Levée, as he had in Ireland and there were twelve hundred gentlemen to be introduced to him.

  Kneeling on one knee and kissing the King’s hand, each one took about four seconds.

  The King made an effort to smile at each one.

  The Earl had already seen the King at breakfast, but his appearance at the Royal Levée was required as the Chieftain of the McBraras.

  It would have been an insult to the Clan if he had not been present.

  The King’s arrival was announced by trumpets in the forecourt and the band playing the National Anthem.

  All the doors were guarded and the King stood at the far end of the room with Lord Glenlyon on his left and the Earl of Cathcart, the Gold Stick, on his right.

  It was undoubtedly a great surprise to a number of the gentlemen present that the King was in full Highland dress.

  This was really due to the Earl who, when in London, had suggested that it would please Scotland if the King appeared as a Scotsman.

  He had a scarlet belted plaid jacket over his kilt and his feathered bonnet was at the right angle on his head.

  The Colonel Stewart of Garth as Chief of Chiefs had arranged his plaid, the hang of his dirk and the jewelled steel in his hose.

  What particularly surprised the Scots was that the King wore flesh-coloured pantaloons under his kilt.

  Only the Earl and some of His Majesty’s entourage knew that this was because his legs were badly marked and discoloured.

  However, it gave the Radicals something to snigger about.

  When the Levée was over, the King went to a meeting of his Privy Counsel.

  Then, somewhat exhausted, he returned to Dalkeith Palace.

  His leaving the City enabled the Earl to do the same.

  He picked up Fyna from the house where she had been watching the crowds with great interest.

  Fyna and the Earl drove back alone.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” the Earl asked her.

  “It was fascinating to see the excitement amongst the people and how strangely some of them were dressed,” Fyna said. “I am sure that the King caused a sensation as a Highlander.”

  “He did,” the Earl replied. “I was quite right in making him dress up for the occasion.”

  Fyna laughed.

  “I am sure he enjoyed every moment of it. I think he is charming and far easier to talk to than I reckoned he would be.”

  The Earl thought that this was exactly what he could say of her.

  Looking at the elegant gown that she was wearing and the very pretty bonnet, he said,

  “I am sure a great number of women envied you and would find it hard to believe that your clothes did not come from some very expensive shop.”

  “Now you are being complimentary,” Fyna replied as she smiled.

  She did not tell him that she had been perturbed at seeing, when she had least expected it, Hamish amongst the huge crowds.

  He was not with the Clansmen of the MacSteels but by himself.

  She thought that he looked particularly sinister, but then she could not explain why she thought that.

  But there was something disturbing in the way he walked and stared at the people who were laughing or cheering when some part of the procession moved by.

  There were squadrons of soldiers going back to their Barracks and archers moving back to their quarters.

  There were a vast number of different tartans, many roughly made, some little more than a piece of material wrapped round the hips of the men who wore them.

  There were others that were well-tailored and worn with a flourish and they seemed to proclaim the pride of the wearer in his Scottish ancestry.

  Hamish, Fyna noticed, was dressed more like a Chieftain than as an ordinary Clansman.

  It reminded her that his ambition was to be the next Chieftain of the MacSteels.

  She could not really believe that he would try to take her brother’s place.

  Yet, as she was afraid of him, she was prepared to believe that he would do anything to further his own desires.

  She found it strange that he had come to Edinburgh. If he hated the McBraras, he hated the English even more violently.

  He was always referring to the atrocities and there were many of them perpetrated by the Duke of Cumberland and the English Army after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

  He vowed to everyone who would listen that he would never allow his feet to touch the soil of England.

  Yet he was here to welcome the King to Scotland.

  That in itself was very strange.

  ‘Can he be intending,’ Fyna wondered, ‘to insult or perhaps injure the King?’

  Then she thought, considering just how closely the King was guarded, that it would be very unlikely that Hamish could get anywhere near him.

  If he did make any attempt, he would undoubtedly be arrested immediately and charged.

  Apprehensively she watched him swaggering through the crowd and pushing to one side people who were in his way.

  She thought that he was both menacing and dangerous.

  She wondered if she should talk about it to the Earl as she thought he would understand.

  Yet it seemed rather disloyal to decry so soon one of her own people, bad though Hamish might be.

  She watched him until he was out of sight.

  Then she told herself it was impossible for him to do anything that might harm the King.

  She could only guess that he had come to Edinburgh because he was too curious to stay away.

  She had, of course, been extremely apprehensive of him making trouble at her Wedding.

  She had had visions of him shouting in the Kirk that the Ceremony should not take place, of him being offensive to the Earl, who would have had no idea who he was or why he should insult him.
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  Thankfully there had been no sign of him then and Fyna wished that she had not seen him now.

  “You look worried, Countess,” one of the guests beside her said.

  Fyna forced a smile.

  “I was thinking how lucky we are not to have to walk about in the crowd down below. It is a terrible crush and I am sure that some of the children are finding it intolerable.”

  “I agree,” the lady who had spoken replied. “But do tell me where you bought that very pretty bonnet you are wearing. Was it in Edinburgh?”

  Fyna’s eyes twinkled.

  She very nearly told her the truth.

  Then she thought that it would be a mistake as it might in some way seem insulting to the Earl.

  Instead she responded quickly,

  “It was made for me by a French woman and I am so glad that you admire it.”

  The enquirer made an exclamation and remarked,

  “Now I understand and I am sure that the gown you wore last night came from Paris.”

  She gave a little sigh and thought that she must tell Yvonne the compliments that she had received.

  She had known last night that the women round the dining table were all dressed in their very best.

  She would certainly have felt miserable and ashamed if she had been dressed unsuitably.

  They would undoubtedly have looked at her with disdain.

  The gowns that Yvonne had delivered to Brara Castle just before they left had been as delightful as the others had been.

  With them there had been a note asking her to buy some material in Edinburgh because now there was none left.

  Suddenly she had an idea.

  She might have time to buy something now before the Earl returned from the Levée.

  He had said before he left,

  “If I am late in coming back to collect you, it will be because there are so many to be presented to His Majesty. There is bound also to be confusion about the carriages.”

  Without telling anyone where she was going, Fyna slipped out of the room from which she had been watching the crowds and went downstairs.

  As she had been at school in Edinburgh, she knew the City well.

  She was aware that there was a shop that sold the best material only a very short distance from the house she was in.

  “Are you goin’ out, my Lady?” a servant asked as she went to the front door. “You’ll find it difficult to move through those crowds.”

  “I realise that,” Fyna answered, “but I wish to go only to MacKenzies.”

  The servant smiled.

  “You should be able to manage that,” he said complacently.

  As Fyna expected, she had to force her way through a solid block of people of every size and shape.

  It took her longer than she had expected to walk only a very short distance.

  When she reached MacKenzies, she found to her relief that it was still open.

  There was no one buying goods since everybody wanted to be outside in the streets.

  Because she was smartly dressed, she received instant attention.

  She bought several yards of different materials.

  She knew that they would make up into beautiful gowns similar to the ones that Yvonne had already made for her.

  She chose her own special colours and she hoped that the Earl would notice them and say, as he had before, that she looked as if she was a part of the trees or the river.

  ‘He is so understanding and kind,’ she told herself as her purchases were being packed up.

  ‘No other man,’ she thought, ‘would have not only read my thoughts but understood so exactly what I longed for in my dreams.’

  The shop assistant came back with her parcel and fortunately she had just enough money to pay for it.

  When they were leaving the yacht, the Earl had said as he handed her some notes and coins,

  “You will need money to tip the servants and maybe buy yourself something while we are in Edinburgh.”

  A little uncomfortably Fyna realised that in the hustle and bustle of getting married she had forgotten about money.

  She had intended to ask her father to give her a substantial sum so that she would not have to beg what she required from the husband she did not want.

  She had only a few pounds left of the housekeeping money.

  Most of it had been spent on food for the Wedding and wages for the extra people who were helping.

  She paid for what she had bought and, as she did so, she thought it was kind of the Earl not to leave her penniless.

  As the shop assistant thanked her and opened the door, she walked out into the street.

  It was then with a sudden start she found herself face to face with Hamish.

  He was as surprised to see her as she was to bump into him.

  He stared at her as if he could not believe that she was real.

  It was then that she was aware that it was her clothes that were astonishing him rather than herself.

  “What on earth are you doing here,” he asked her in his most aggressive voice, “in this idiotic charade and display of adoration for an Englishman?”

  “I watched the procession,” Fyna replied, “and thought all our men marched very well.”

  “The whole thing is an insult to our country,” Hamish snarled. “Where are you staying for this vulgar jamboree?”

  “At Dalkeith Palace,” Fyna replied without thinking.

  As she spoke, she walked away.

  Because the crowd closed in around her, it was impossible for him to follow her.

  She hurried back to the house where the Earl would pick her up.

  She thought that perhaps she had been indiscreet in saying where they were staying.

  It would infuriate Hamish to know that she was actually sleeping under the same roof as the English King.

  Then she consoled herself by thinking it would be impossible for him to make a scene.

  There were so many guards at Dalkeith Palace.

  In point of fact, she had noticed before she came away that there were armed sentries on duty at every door.

  No, Hamish might bluster and spit venom against the King, but it was most unlikely that he would be able to insult or harm him.

  Yet, being apprehensive, Fyna thought that perhaps she should tell the Earl that she had seen Hamish in the street.

  She would add that she did not trust him.

  Yet the Earl was in such a good humour and there were so many other things she wanted to talk to him about.

  Resolutely she pushed her misgivings about Hamish on one side.

  ‘If it is necessary,’ she said to herself, ‘I will tell one of the Officers in charge that on no account must Hamish be let into Dalkeith Palace.’

  It was virtually impossible that he might find some excuse to get nearer to the King.

  Then she thought how embarrassing it would be to decry one of her own Clan, to explain that he was an evil man who should be watched, which surely he was, to the Englishmen who had come from London with the King.

  They would think it was just the way that they expected the Scottish to behave.

  She decided therefore that, if anyone had to deal with Hamish, it must be the Earl.

  He arrived at the house and collected her twenty minutes after she had come back.

  “I can see you have enjoyed yourself,” he said, “and you know that is what I want you to do.”

  “It has all been very exciting,” Fyna answered. “And it was something I have never seen before, so I know I shall remember it for the rest of my life.”

  “I hope you will have other things to remember beside that,” the Earl said. “Let me tell you that everyone in the party has told me not only how lovely you are but how charming.”

  “Did – they really say – that?” Fyna asked.

  “I assure you that I am telling the truth,” the Earl replied.

  “Oh! I am glad – glad for your sake. I was thinking just now that I am so ver
y lucky in having someone who could dress me in a rush so that you would not be ashamed of me.”

  “I do not think I should ever have been that” the Earl said. “At the same time, when we return home we should take your French designer a present.”

  “Thank you,” Fyna said, “that is just the sort of thing you would think of – and I know that Yvonne will be delighted.”

  They smiled at each other.

  The carriage arrived back at Dalkeith Palace, taking a little over half an hour.

  “I am looking forward to you stunning everyone over dinner,” the Earl said as the horses came to a standstill. “I expect that you have another dress that no one has seen so far.”

  Fyna sent up a little prayer of thankfulness as it was the truth.

  She went upstairs to her bedroom and, as it was late in the afternoon, she thought that she might rest before dinner.

  The King had ordered that it was to be served rather earlier than usual.

  There was a troupe of musicians coming in afterwards to play some of the great tunes of Scotland.

  His Majesty had also asked to see two of the finest sword dancers that were available.

  The maid who was looking after Fyna suggested that she might like a cup of tea and, when she accepted gratefully, the woman hurried away to fetch it.

  It was as Fyna started to take off her bonnet that she remembered the look in Hamish’s eyes when he had seen her.

  She had known without his saying so that he still wanted her.

  Almost as if it was happening again, she could hear his voice saying that he would never let her go.

  ‘He cannot touch me now that I am married,’ she told herself.

  At the same time her instinct told her that he was very dangerous.

  The maid came back with the tea and some delicious little cakes.

  “I am sure The Castle is very well guarded,” Fyna said, “and that, of course, is important, as the King is staying here.”

  The maid giggled.

  “There be soldiers everywhere, my Lady. Wherever one goes inside or out, there they be.”

  She giggled again.

  As she was an attractive young woman, Fyna knew that she enjoyed having so many men about.

  “I hope they will guard His Majesty carefully at night,” Fyna went on.

  “Oh, they does, my Lady,” the maid said. “There be many sentries outside His Majesty’s bedroom and at the end of the corridor. You canna go anywhere without fallin’ over one of them.”