Chapter SixteenFor all the excitements of the past couple of weeks, one thing had dominated most of my thoughts. From the moment that my mother had mentioned her intention to marry me off to John Aitken, I had worried about the evening she intended to formalise our agreement. My passing, stupid infatuation with Captain Ferintosh had been a reaction to mother's statement. After all, Ferintosh was a rogue. I had known that I think, from the first or second time I had met him. In saying that, I missed him. Despite everything, I do not now regret the time I spent with that handsome, wicked man.
Saturday evening. I felt sick. I had grown to quite like Mr Aitken, for all his advanced years and physical weaknesses. He was, as Mrs Mackay had said, a kindly man. But I did not love him. I could not
