Page 53 of Sinful Scottish Laird
I cannot fathom how Robert came to pull his sword. He admitted he reacted poorly, but only out of concern for me. Perhaps he thought A had come up from the lake to rob us at that very moment, although that seems rather impossible. He was quite insistent that I tell him how I have come to know A. He has warned me he is a dangerous smuggler. He would not tell me what A has been accused of smuggling, but he did insist that I should not consider him friend or invite him into Auchenard again.
Robert has surprised me with a gift of a gold necklace, one that he purchased in India. It is quite lovely, and I wear it proudly. I did understand him to mean that he made the purchase with me in mind, but at supper that very same evening, he regaled us all with tales of his daring sea voyages, and related that he’d sailed to India more than a year ago. As he didn’t know of Clive’s death as long ago as that, I must assume that perhaps he bought the necklace for someone else he admired.
Mr. S called yesterday. The poor man could not seem to find his tongue at the sight of the captain, and took his leave very shortly thereafter, refusing my invitation to bowl with us on the newly shorn lawn.
Uncle has taken to fishing and may very well take barrels of them to Balhaire. I suggested he set up a booth and sell them. He said I would thank him on the long journey back to London. We are to leave in a fortnight, and all arrangements have been made. Rob is to escort us home, as is Rowley, and uncle and the rest of the servants will follow once they have closed Auchenard.
Rob has not asked to speak with my uncle, or me, and I therefore cannot know his intentions, although he has given me every reason to believe he intends to offer. Perhaps he means to wait until we are in London again.
Mr. Munro has told us the preparations are being made for the festival at Balhaire, to be held at week’s end. I think E would very much like to go, and he informs me the world’s strongest man shall be in attendance. He asks when A might come round again. I thank the Lord that he did not see what happened on the terrace.
I, too, should like to know when A might come round again. Whatever he has done, I would not like to think I’ve seen the last of him. I would not like to think that at all.
I saw the strangest, most colorful bird in the garden this morning, pecking at the petals that have fallen from some of the roses. It looked like a blue chicken, the likes of which I have never seen.
DAISYDIDNOTcare much for lawn bowling, but Ellis seemed to enjoy it, and Robert suggested they amuse him. “Fresh air and his studies are what the boy ought to be about,” he’d said.
Daisy had bowled the last two rounds—her balls going quite astray—and was staring absently at the loch, wondering why she’d not seen any boats gliding past in the last two days. Not a rowboat, not a single sail. Not a man fishing on the edge of the lake. Not a Highlander in sight.
“Madam?”
She started and turned toward the sound of Rowley’s voice.
“Arrandale, madam, and two riders, as well.”
Cailean.Her heart fluttered madly, and she touched the lobe of her ear in a vain attempt that Robert not see how the news affected her. “Thank you. See him to the great room, please.”
“I invited him to do so, milady, but he refused. He asks you meet him on the drive.”
“Oh,” she said and felt the disappointment rush through her. He had given up on her after Robert pulled his sword; she was certain of it.
“Who has come?” Robert asked, drawing up from what would have been his turn at bowl.
“Ah...our neighbor,” she said carefully.
Robert immediately dropped his ball. “I’ll accompany you,” he said firmly.
“I’m sure it’s nothing—”
“Lady Chatwick,” he said, in a habit he’d forged of addressing her when he was quite serious, “as I have said, you should not receive him at all. He is a traitor to the Crown. A common criminal. You must not tarnish your reputation by association.”
“No he’s not!” Ellis said angrily.
“Darling,” Daisy said, warning him. Perhaps Robert had forgotten that she was, indeed, Lady Chatwick and still mistress of this house. Perhaps he’d forgotten that they were in the Highlands without society, and there was no reputation for her to tarnish.
“I knew he’d come, Mamma!” Ellis said pleadingly. He ran before she could stop him.
“The boy needs to learn to be presented,” Robert said curtly as he put his hand on Daisy’s back to guide her around the lodge.
“Ellis! Ellis, darling, wait for us!” she called to him, and Ellis reluctantly slowed his step. She grabbed her son’s hand and ran with him around the lodge, Robert walking briskly behind them.
When they reached the drive, Ellis broke free of her hand and ran to Cailean, throwing his arms around his waist. “I thought you wouldn’t come,” he said breathlessly, and Daisy’s heart caught in the vise of her son’s need.
Cailean looked at Daisy over the top of Ellis’s head, and her heart quickened. Cailean was magnificent, as magnificent as the day she’d first laid eyes on him. He wore plaid, his hair in a queue, and his eyes, crystal blue, seemed to leap out of his face, breathing new life into the fire that had smoldered in her since the last time she’d seen him.
He didn’t smile; he didn’t speak—but didn’t she see a flicker of longing in his eyes? Or had her own longing filled her vision?
“Diah,lad, you donna know you own strength—you all but put me on my arse, you did,” he said, tousling Ellis’s hair.
