Jennifer Ashley - The Seduction of Elliot McBride

SCOTLAND 1884

Juliana St. Johns fianc was an hour late to his own wedding. While Juliana sat waiting, resplendent in satin and yellow roses, various friends and family members were dispatched through rainy Edinburgh to find out what was the matter.

The matron of honor, Ainsley Mackenzie, tried to keep up Julianas spirits, as did Julianas stepmother, Gemma, in her own way. But Juliana knew in her heart that something was terribly wrong.

When Grants friends returned, embarrassed and empty-handed, and Ainsley asked her husband, a tall brute of a Scotsman, to go, the result was different.

Lord Cameron Mackenzie opened the vestry door wide enough to stick his head around it. Ainsley, he said, then shut the door again.

Ainsley pressed Julianas hands, which by now were like ice. Never you mind, Juliana. Ill discover what has happened.

Julianas stepmother, only ten years older than Juliana herself, was angry. Gemma said nothing, but Juliana saw rage in every movement she made. Gemma had never liked Grant Barclay and liked Grants mother still less.

Ainsley returned in a short time. Juliana, she said, her voice gentle. She held out her hand. Come with me.

When a person spoke in that tone, terrible news was certain to follow. Juliana rose in a rustle of satin. Gemma tried to follow, but Ainsley held up her hand. Juliana alone, I think.

Gemma, of the volatile temper, started to protest, but Gemma was also intelligent. She gave Juliana a nod and squeezed her hand. I will be here for you, dear.

Juliana had a temper of her own, but as she stepped out into the gusty rain of the churchs courtyard, she felt nothing but a curious numbness. Shed been engaged to Grant for several years now. The wedding had always been so comfortably far away that it had come as something of a shock to finally reach the day. And now

Was Grant ill? Dead?

Mist and light rain cloaked the city, obscuring the sky. Ainsley led Juliana in her finery out and through a tiny yard, mud soaking Julianas new white high-heeled boots.

They reached an arched breezeway, and Ainsley started down this, away from the main church. Thank heavens, because all the guests were in the church, waiting and watching, speculating about what had gone wrong.

Under an arcade, but still in the chill, Lord Cameron waited alone, a broad-shouldered giant of a man in a Mackenzie plaid kilt. When Ainsley and Juliana reached him, Cameron looked down at Juliana with flint-hard eyes. I found him.

Still Juliana felt nothing but numbness. None of this seemed real, not Cameron, not the lowering skies outside the church, not her wedding finery.

Where is he? Juliana asked.

Cameron gestured with the silver flask in his hand. In a carriage behind the church. Do you want to speak to him?

Of course I want to speak to him. I am going to marry him

She noticed the look Ainsley and Cameron exchanged, caught the glimpse of anger in Ainsleys eyes, the reflected anger in Camerons.

What is it? Juliana squeezed Ainsleys hand. Tell me before I go mad.

Cameron answered before Ainsley could. Barclay eloped, he said, syllables blunt. Hes married.

The arches and the courtyard, solid Edinburgh stone, spun around and around her, but no, Juliana was standing upright, staring at Cameron Mackenzie, Ainsleys warmth at her side.

Married. Julianas lips were stiff. But hes marrying me.

She knew that the last thing in the world Lord Cameron Mackenzie had wanted to do this day was hunt down Julianas groom and then tell Juliana that the man had run off with another woman. But she kept staring at Cameron, as though if she looked at him hard enough, hed change the story and tell her a different one.

He married yesterday afternoon, Cameron said. To a woman who was teaching him the piano.

This was mad. It had to be a joke. Mrs. Mackinnon, Juliana said without inflection. She remembered the woman with dark hair and plain dresses who had sometimes been at Grants mothers when Juliana arrived. Shes a widow. A choked laugh escaped her lips. Not anymore, I suppose.

I told him he needed to have the decency to tell you himself, Cameron said in his voice like rough gravel. So I brought him. Do you want to talk with him?

No, Juliana said quickly. No. The world started spinning again.

Cameron shoved his flask into Julianas hand. Get that inside you, lass. It will lessen the blow.

A proper lady did not drink spirits, and Juliana had been raised to be so very proper. But the turn of events made this a highly un-proper occasion.

Juliana tipped back the flask and trickled a bit of burning Scots whiskey into her mouth. She coughed, swallowed, coughed again, and dabbed at her lips as Cameron rescued the flask.

Perhaps she should not have drunk it. What Cameron had told her was starting to seem real.

Two hundred people waited in the church for Juliana St. John and Grant Barclay to wed, two hundred people who would have to be told to go home. Two hundred gifts to be returned, two hundred apologies to be penned. And the newspapers would certainly enjoy themselves.

Juliana pressed her hands to her face. Shed never been in love with Grant, but shed thought theyd at least formed a friendship, a mutual respect for each other. But even thatGrant hadnt given her even that.

What am I going to do?

Cameron tucked the flask into his greatcoat. Well take you home. Ill have my carriage pull up in the passage at the end of this walk. None need to see you.

They were kind, Ainsley and Cameronthey were being kind. Juliana didnt want kindness. She wanted to kick and rage, not only at Grant, but at herself. Shed been so secure in her engagement, rather smug that she was in no danger of being left on the shelf. Not only that, shed wanted the stability of a normal life, something shed fought for all her life.

Her future had just crumbled to dust, her safe choice ripped from beneath her feet. Shock still rendered her numb, but she sensed regret coming hard on its heels.

Juliana rubbed her arms, suddenly chilled. Not yet. Please, give me a moment. I need to be alone for just a moment.

Ainsley glanced into the courtyard, into which people were now emerging from the church proper. Not that way. Theres a chapel down here. Well keep them out.

Bless you, Ainsley. Juliana could not unclench herself enough to give Ainsley the hug she deserved.

She let Ainsley guide her to the door of the chapel, which Cameron opened. Cameron and Ainsley stepped back, and Juliana went in alone, the door clicking closed.

The chapel was chilly but dim and peaceful. Juliana stood for a moment in front of the bare altar, looking up at the plain cross hanging above it, alone and unadorned.

Grant, married. To Mrs. Mackinnon.

Juliana now realized things shed seen in the past few months but had paid no mind to at the timeGrant and Mrs. Mackinnon side by side at Grants mothers piano, their exchanged smiles, the looks between them. Grant gazing pensively at Juliana as though he wanted to speak to her about something important, and then making some joke or inane remark instead.

She knew now what he meant to say. Miss St. John, Ive fallen in love with my piano teacher and wish to marry her, not you.

Scandal. Humiliation.

Juliana balled her fists, wanting to shout at Providence for being so aggravating. But, even in her agitation, blasphemy in a chapel seemed wrong.

She settled for storming into a pew, her ivory skirts billowing around her. Blast! she said and slammed herself into the seat.