Chapter Five

"L iddy," her father said from the doorway the following morning. "We will be late for church if you tarry much longer."

"I'm coming, Papa." In truth, she would have liked nothing so much as to lie in bed for an hour or two longer. She had danced often at the ball, but the only dance that stood out in her mind was the one she'd enjoyed with Alec. While the dance had been lovely, it didn't begin to measure up against the kisses they had shared.

As she finished tying her bonnet, Liddy briefly touched her lips. Alec had stirred feelings in her that had left her wanting more. So now she was tense with anticipation of what his wanting to meet her at the Baker-Whites' home later today might mean. Would he kiss her again?

"Mr. MacGill will be riding with us this morning to church."

Her father's statement burst the bubble of her fantasies and brought her thudding back to earth. In fact, Iain MacGill stood just outside the door. Liddy tried to smile at him, but found it difficult. How could her father want her to marry this man? Not only was he old, his pinched face and lank, greasy hair made her shudder.

"How pleasant," Liddy said, forcing a smile to her lips as she stepped through the doorway. "Good morning to you, Mr. MacGill."

His lips twitched in what she assumed must be a smile. "You are looking fine this morning, Miss Fennell. I assume you had a pleasant time at the ball last night?"

"Indeed I did. My friend Phoebe was there, and there were plenty of partners with whom to dance."

He took a pinch of snuff. Yet another reason for Liddy to be repulsed by him. "I am afraid I am not much for dancing," he said before covering his nose with a handkerchief and sneezing loudly.

Liddy was somewhat disturbed by MacGill joining them for the short trip to the church. The fewer people saw her in his company the better, as far as she was concerned. As they traveled along Market Street, Liddy kept her gaze firmly fixed on anything other than Iain MacGill, which made it easy for her to spot Alec walking along the sidewalk in the company of an older gentleman she did not know.

She caught his gaze as it slid her way then paused briefly on MacGill. She did not miss the quick flash of irritation that stole over Alec's handsome face. Damn her father. He was doing his best to maneuver her into a situation that she would find abhorrent. But of course, pairing her off with Iain MacGill would suit her papa's plans.

As the carriage halted in front of the church, MacGill exited with a quick look at her father. "I shall await you in the narthex."

Liddy began gathering her skirts.

"A moment with you, daughter, before we go inside."

She lifted her gaze to her father's.

"Shall I speak to the minister to have him begin reading the banns? I wish to see you married before the new year is much gone."

As her father spoke, Liddy felt a choking sensation, as if she were slowly being smothered even as she sat in the crisp winter air.

"I have told you of my reluctance. I hardly know Mr. MacGill. I do not wish this." She lifted her chin. Very rarely had she directly challenged her father, but Liddy knew if she did not do so now, he would indeed ride roughshod over her.

"I wish it." His eyes narrowed. "After your conduct at last night's ball, I require it."

"I did nothing."

"Except sneak off in the dark with God knows who." His voice had started to rise.

Liddy glanced about in alarm. They sat in front of the church. Parishioners eyed them with side glances as they continued on into the church. Her papa could not know. He must be guessing or fishing for information.

"I was with Phoebe." Liddy clasped her hands together. "Papa, I do not wish to announce an intention to marry Mr. MacGill. I am not a girl. I am of age to make my own decision."

"You are living in my household and subject to my wishes."

Liddy stared her father in the eye. "I am not a girl. I will not be bullied in this. If you announce an impending marriage between Mr. MacGill and me when I have told you I am opposed to it, I can assure you I will not be at the altar for an actual wedding."

"Damn it, Lydia. This arrangement will benefit you as well as me. You have filled your head with all sorts of rebellious nonsense about independence, but it does not apply. You are well aware of a woman's role in a household. It is a man's responsibility to look after women, to help them make important decisions, so in this case you must trust the judgment of your father and your future husband."

She would not continue this argument out front of the church, but she had to have some sort of agreement before they entered. "It is unfair of you to spring this on me. Please let us discuss it at home after the morning's services are over. I promise that I will listen. You know I do not like surprises, Papa."

A bald-faced lie if ever there was one, but Liddy needed time to come up with a plan. She needed time to enlist allies to get her out of this diabolical and disastrous plan of her father's. She was positive there must be some other reason he was now in such a hurry.

Her father's mouth was a thin line before he finally nodded. As he helped her down from the carriage, Alec passed by, tipping his hat to them before entering the church.

She needed to find some way to get his attention, to communicate with him. She feared she would not be able to keep their planned meeting, not if she needed to spend the afternoon convincing her father that Iain MacGill would never be a suitable husband.

*

Alec sat several rows behind the pew in which Liddy sat with her father and Iain MacGill. He was at least relieved to see that her father sat between the two of them. His eyes narrowed as he studied MacGill. The man seemed too satisfied with himself. Part of Alec hoped it was only MacGill reacting to the news that the governor was indeed recruiting people to the loyalist cause, but logically, he feared MacGill's self-satisfaction might somehow be tied to Liddy.

That was not a situation he liked. Alec would see her that afternoon, though, and perhaps they would get things ironed out. He tried to catch her eye as they passed him on the way out of the sanctuary, but Liddy kept her gaze downcast. She said a quick word to her friend, Phoebe, before getting back in the carriage with her father and MacGill.

Alec watched their departure with concern. It was not like Liddy to behave so reservedly. Other times he had seen her at church, she used the occasion to greet friends and neighbors. No, the quiet woman with the downcast gaze was not the forthright Liddy whom he knew.

As he stepped out onto the cobbled walkway outside the church, Phoebe approached him. She had a smile on her lips, but her eyes wore a worried look.

"Good morning, Mr. Kirkwood. If you have a moment, I wanted to show you the book we discussed. The one belonging to Reverend Thompson? He said I might show it to you."

Alec tucked her arm into his. "Of course, Miss Stokes. Lead the way."

As soon as they had stepped into the pastor's office, Phoebe picked up a book and handed it to him.

"Pretend you're examining it while I talk."

He glanced questioningly at her.

"Liddy's papa is pressuring her into marrying MacGill. He wanted to have the first reading of the banns this morning. She is trying to talk him out of it."

Alec arched a brow. "What is my role in this?"

Phoebe stamped her foot. "If you have any feelings for her at all, you would step in to help her out."

Alec was not about to admit to anything with people still moving past. In fact, he was somewhat angered that Liddy couldn't find a way to talk to him. "I will talk to her this afternoon. I have arranged for her to receive an invitation to the Baker-Whites'."

Phoebe sighed heavily, obviously not satisfied with his answer, but Alec wanted to work this out with Liddy, not through third parties.

However, the chance he thought he would have evaporated. Mrs. Baker-White summoned him from the garden to her sitting room late that afternoon, well after the time Liddy should already have been there.

"Ma'am," he greeted her with a small bow. "You wished to see me."

"Yes, indeed, Mr. Kirkwood." She extended her hand in which she held a small, sealed note. "This just came for you."

"Thank you." He took the note, seeing his name written on the outside in script that did not resemble what he knew of Liddy's handwriting.

"You may step out onto the veranda through the French doors should you wish some privacy."

He nodded, taking the necessary steps to take him into the relative warmth of the winter afternoon. As Alec unfolded the note, he felt a sense of foreboding, which only increased as he began reading.

Dear Mr. Kirkwood,

My daughter has this day agreed to the betrothal I negotiated with Mr. Iain MacGill. As a newly betrothed woman, she feels it is not proper for her to correspond with you and wished for me to inform you of her change of circumstance.

I think you will agree that it is in Lydia's best interests that she no longer continue whatever flirtation the two of you had undertaken. Her status in our society is such that she cannot afford to lower herself to associate with a struggling bookseller, nor would it be seemly for her to do so.

Lydia wishes you well but wants no further contact with you.

It was signed Amos Fennell, Esq.

Alec had to read through it a couple of times before the reality began to sink in. He wanted to believe upon first reading it that it was purely the scheme of Liddy's father, but he would have had no knowledge of their planned meeting this afternoon. Only Liddy did.

Jaw tight, Alec balled the missive in his fist. He nearly tossed it into the bushes below him, but on second thought decided he would keep it. The letter would serve as a reminder of the fickleness of women, and the particular fickleness of one Lydia Fennell.

After composing himself, he returned to Mrs. Baker-White's sitting room to bid her good day.

"Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am. I fear I must be on my way."

Her look was kind, but all Alec saw was the trace of sympathy in her expression. He wanted no one's pity. He would simply take this as a lesson learned and move on. There were too many distractions at the moment as it was.

Perhaps it was for the best. Now he could concentrate on the increasing tensions between the colony's loyalist governor and the many people opposing the continued reign of an absentee king.