Page 76 of Sinful Scottish Laird
Cailean stood at his door and watched them go, until their horses had gone over the rise and he could no longer see them. Then he turned his head and looked to the east, in the direction of Auchenard. He didn’t know what he’d say—all he could think of was kissing her, in truth—but they had to go.Now.As soon as possible.
He whistled for Fabienne and went inside.
He could just as easily send a messenger to Daisy, for what was the point of prolonging their acquaintance? It served only to torment him.
And yet there was a stronger part of him that couldn’t let her go without seeing her one last time. It was a part of him that felt strangely unsettled and disturbingly wistful.
In the end, he determined he must go for the sake of the lad, if for no other reason.
His decision made, he rambled about his house, changing coats and neckcloths, studying his waistcoat and buckskins and plaids. It was barmy, all this dithering. Quite unlike him.
At last, with the gift he’d purchased for Ellis at thefeilltucked under his arm, Caileanput himself on Odin’s back and headed for Auchenard.
It was interesting how a bright day could cast a light on a neglected hunting lodge and make it seem almost bucolic, what with the smoke curling out of the chimneys and the lawn cut and tidied. On Odin’s back, Cailean trotted down the drive, slowing to a walk when the butler came out to greet him. He came down from his horse and handed the man his reins.“Tapadh leat,”he said. “Is your mistress about, then?”
“Yes, my lord,” he said. “They are on the lake just now. If you’d like to wait in the great room, I will send Mr. Green—”
“No, thank you,” he said. He didn’t want Daisy to find him anxiously waiting for her like a suitor. “I’ll walk around, aye?” he suggested and walked on, going around the side of the house to the garden. He was surprised to see so many blooms—he’d not have thought it possible to bring it back after a few short weeks, but the roses seemed to be flourishing.Fish,she’d said that night she lay in his arms. Her roses liked to feed on fish. Roses, blue thistle, catchfly and wild orchids had shown their heads, nestled in beside the wild-growing primrose. From the branch of a crab apple tree hung wooden chimes that tinkled in the afternoon breeze.
It was strange how present she seemed in this garden, even now. He could see her in her soiled dress, that long braid of tangled hair and the grimy wide-brimmed hat. Never had she looked lovelier than she did in here.
Cailean touched the fragile petals of a rose; a few of the petals fell into his hand. He rubbed them between his fingers. She’d been here only a short time, but he couldn’t imagine Auchenard without her now.
The sound of laughter awoke him from his ruminations. He dropped the petals and lifted his hat, running a hand over his hair, then went out to meet them.
His appearance on the terrace as they climbed the steps startled them all. Daisy’s eyes sparked, and she smiled tentatively.Diah,but why must she look so ravishing? Her gown, a rich red, was not as overly adorned as some of her others, but framed to perfection a body so familiar to him now. She was as bonny to him as any woman had ever been, and he couldn’t take his eyes from her, uncaring if anyone else noticed.
In fact, he hadn’t even bothered to see who accompanied her, but when Mr. Kimberly discreetly cleared his throat, Cailean noticed that the entire family, as well as Spivey, was assembled. Ellis had in his possession a very large stick.
“My lord,” Daisy said and walked forward, her smile deepening now, her eyes shining at him. Cailean would never understand the workings of a woman’s mind—one minute cross, the next disappointed, the next vibrant and happy. Perhaps she’d made her peace with her situation. Perhaps she and Spivey had come to their understanding. All the more reason for them to go.
“Arrandale! Good to see you,” Mr. Kimberly said, striding forward, catching up to Daisy, his hand extended. “Very good of you to come. You are welcome sir, most welcome.”
“Thank you,” Cailean said. He looked at Daisy and swallowed. Something sharp sliced through him. “Lady Chatwick, how bonny you are this afternoon.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I had not expected to see you again, my lord. What a surprise.”
“You’ve no’ managed to rid yourself of me yet,” he said and let his gaze slip over her before turning to her cousin. “Miss Hainsworth,” he said, inclining his head. “You are to be commended, aye? I saw the painting Alpin McBee purchased. You are a skilled painter, you are.”
“What? Oh! Thank you,” she said, blushing furiously as she sank into a curtsy.
He glanced at Spivey, who stared coolly in return and offered no greeting. “Captain,” he said and turned his attention to the lad, who was eagerly waiting his turn.
“Feasgar math,”he said, offering his hand. “Good evening, Lord Chatwick.”
Ellis took his hand and gave it a hearty shake, so vastly different from the one he’d given Cailean the first time he’d met him. “Look,” he said, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing two stones.
Cailean peered down at them. “Ah, the bloodstone, is it?” he said. “Do you know that Highland warriors once marked their bodies with it? They believed it made them invincible.”
“They did?” Ellis said and stared down at the stones. “Have you come to stalk?” he asked. “Might we find the red stags now?”
Cailean forced a smile and put his hand on Ellis’s shoulder, squeezing lightly. “You’re too eager, lad. The stags will no’ come down from the hills before the verra end of summer.”
His face fell. “But...we’ll be gone soon.”
“We canna hasten the natural progression of things, can we? You must come again, aye?”
Ellis didn’t answer; he looked down at his rocks, hiding his disappointment.
