The Beauty of the Mist Read Free Page B

difference in a marriage. That give some people such an edge, such a chance for lasting happiness?”
    John stared out at the wisps of fog that continued to rise and settle around the ship. Though it halted the progress of his mission, there was real beauty in the mist. If only he knew the answer to the man’s question. His face clouded over.
    “You are speaking to the wrong man, Sir Thomas.”
    There was silence. Even though her name had not been mentioned yet, this was the closest the two had ever come to discussing Caroline.
    “You are the last of your brothers to wed.” Sir Thomas was determined.
    John turned and looked at him. “That’s true.”
    “If you truly believe what you’ve just said, then what is it that’s held you back? Marriage, by all accounts, suits the Macphersons well. They seem to be among those exceptions you speak of. They seem to be among the happy few.” The elder warrior’s eyes were piercing. “So why not you?”
    The Highlander paused. He wanted to give a quick answer and put the man’s mind at ease. But he couldn’t. How could he speak of the happiness that he saw in his own brothers’ marriages without sounding envious of their great joy?
    He could have asked Caroline to be his wife. Many thought he would. Their intermittent affair had lasted nearly seven years. But still, when it had come to the end, when she’d demanded an answer, taking her as wife was a choice he couldn’t make. He’d let her go.
    She was not Fiona, nor was she Elizabeth. Those women whom John’s brothers had been fortunate enough to wed were rare creatures, and the Highlander knew it. Caroline was not like them, and what had existed between the two of them was far different from what he had seen in his family. They shared their moments of physical passion, sure enough, but real love had never been within their grasp. And passion with Caroline was not a particularly suitable subject of discussion, at the moment.
    “My answer,” John said at last, “is that I have not felt...inclined to marry. Not yet.”
    “Then no second thoughts?” Sir Thomas asked quietly.
    John met his direct gaze. Surprisingly, there was no hostility in the man’s honest face. John knew it was his right to ask.
    “None. None at all.”
     
    The loud squawk of a seabird somewhere overhead brought the elder woman back to the present.
    Isabel leaned forward, hiding a wince and looking concernedly at her niece. My God, she thought, what had she done? The torn and bloodied cloak that was draped over the young woman was in better shape than the creature within. Isabel looked at a bruise on Maria’s forehead, and the new one on her chin. She saw the pale skin and bloodless lips. Maria’s eyes had lost their shine and had taken on a vacant look. She could hardly believe this was the same princess and queen, the same woman renowned for such flawless beauty. Isabel inwardly cursed herself for seeking out the child, for suggesting that if she was so unhappy, then she should go against her brother’s will in the matter of this senseless marriage. Isabel cursed herself for putting her niece into the position of dying on this floating nightmare.
    Charles, where are you? she called out silently. For once in your life, react with some decisiveness to your aunt’s foolishness. Come after us, my boy. Come after your sister. Come, Charles.
    When she broke the silence, her tone was decidedly softer.
    “Oh, Maria. I do wish I could be of some help. Surely, one of the other longboats from our galleon will be catching up to us soon.”
    Maria’s eyes shot up at once at Isabel’s change of tone.
    “I’d like to think so, too. But we’ve been rowing in this fog for hours now.” She looked around her. “We don’t have any idea where we are or where we’re going.”
    “Don’t be silly, child.” Isabel chided. “You’ve been keeping us on a course as straight as an arrow shot. A very good job indeed, considering it is your first time at