Page 43 of A Hot Scot for Christmas
“Oh, thankyou, sir” her deep alto said. Mrs. Swinford planted a hand on her hip, grinning. “You’ve given me a month’s worth of income, lad with all the drinks I'm about to pour. Anytime you want to come and fight, just let me know.” To Sabrina, “Take care of him.”
Rory donned his shirt, boots, and coat with gingered moves. He’d be sore for days to come, but his heart would soar. He reached for Sabrina and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Take me home, lass. Take me home.”
Epilogue
Christmas 1754
Rory set the Christmas goose on the table because the bird, and the platter on which it rested, was so large, poor Mrs. Digby struggled under its weight. The side board groaned from the bounty of other dishes as well.
“What are you trying to do, Mrs. MacLeod, fatten me up?” he asked.
Rory was resplendent in black velvet. His cravat an excellent knot, and his shoes, new. He turned a fine figure. But the entire household knew, the master of the house preferred his old jackboots and homespun breeches. When he’d married Sabrina, promises had been made. A partnership formed in River Eden Brewery and the farm that supported it. The oats for oat ale won’t grow by themselves. They needed a strong back to flourish.
The other promise gladly given was to serve as Master of Frivolity for all the rest of his days. The fun part was, Rory was good at it.
Sabrina sidled up to him, green velvet draping her swollen belly. “The only person getting fat is me.”
He traced the shell of her ear, sending tingles south of her ear.
Far, far south.
“You’re not getting fat, you’re getting more beautiful.”
Looking into his weathered blue eyes, she believed him. She kissed him lightly and surveyed the table. She nudged a plate a half inch one way, reset a wine glass. She circled the table. Everything must be perfect.
Rory watched her. His brows knitting as he counted the plates. “I ken the goose and all the fixings. It’s Christmas Day, a time to feast, but why are there seven plates on the table.” He glanced at her belly. “Are you about to give birth to an army?”
She burst out laughing. “No. Only one babe stirs inside me.”
“Then, who’s coming to dinner?”
“Just…wait,” she said softly, her eyes a little misty.
Rory started for her when the door knocker sounded. “I’ll see who’s come to call. Then, you can explain…” He waved a hand over the table. “…all this.”
Rory didn’t mind when they had surprise guests. He made Eden House, Rockville, and Carlisle livelier places. He was friendly, stalwart, the kind of man to lend a hand or a strong back when needed. But these were no ordinary guests.
Her palms damp,Sabrina followed Rory into the entry hall where Digby was taking coats and hats from five visitors. Rory clutched the archway wall, staring at the newcomers. Only one person had the power to make her mighty Highlander stagger.
“Magda…” Rory said his sister’s name. It was a wisp of sound in the suddenly silent entry hall.
A tall woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes so like Rory’s glossed with tears. “Oh, Rory, I can’t believe it’s you!”
Magda flung herself at her brother and held tight. Her fingers gripped his coat, digging into the velvet. Tears flowed, sniffles too. Sabrina started blubbering. She dabbed a handkerchief to her eyes, but fat tears dropped, one after another. Rory and his sister held each other. Magda sobbed and Sabrina thought she saw wetness trickle down Rory’s cheek.
Sabrina recovered and went to the door, welcoming Magda’s husband, and their three children.
She clasped their hands. “Please, please come in.”
Magda’s husband, Hamish, was a bear of a man. Red-haired, red-bearded, and be-freckled. His offspring—Ian, Sarah, and James—were similar shades of red with freckles. Not long after the famed battle between Rory and Captain Crawford, Sabrina had made it her mission to look after Rory’s happiness.And she was fiercely determined.
If Rory promised to do that for her, it was the least she could do for him.
1754 had dawned with grand changes. Captain Crawford had accepted a post in London, and Rory began to make plans for the new River Eden Brewery. Sabrina kept busy. Her first task was to procure Mr. Frampton’s services in finding Magda’s whereabouts.
The journey wasn’t smooth, nor was it fast. But it was endearing. And done entirely in secret.
