Page 26 of Eloping with the Laird
‘Cease!’ an older man commanded as he rounded the corner into the hall behind his furry beasts. The grey wiry trio of hounds skidded to a haphazard stop and sat obediently on their haunches not far from where she and Rory stood. The dogs’ huge pink tongues lolled out the sides of their mouths and they whined, desperate to greet them.
Moira gave a hearty laugh. ‘They are dears. What are their names?’
‘I have many ill-tempered names for them, but most days I call them Hamish, Rab and Tam. My pack of hounds are quite harmless, despite their excessive affection. You must be Rory’s new bride. I am Leonard McKenna.’ The older man rushed forward with flushed cheeks. ‘Poor Sean had to come find me deep in the woods to tell me of your blessed news as I was hunting, my boy. I’ve just now returned and look the worse for it. My apologies, Mrs Fraser, but I did not want to miss a minute of your arrival by cleaning up before greeting you.’ He grasped her hands and pressed a kiss to her cheek. ‘Welcome to our family.’
Moira’s cheeks warmed. ‘You are too kind. I am so pleased to meet you, sir.’
‘Ah, such formalities. Call me Leo.’
‘Thank you, Leo.’
‘It is I who must thank you for bringing some cheer, life and loveliness to our home. You must be exhausted from your journey.’
‘I am a bit tired, but nothing a bath and short respite before dinner won’t cure.’
‘Of course, my dear. I’ll leave Rory to get you settled in. Until this evening.’ Before he departed, he gave Rory a tight hug, whispering something in his ear so low she couldn’t hear it, but the words brought a smile to Rory’s lips.
Then he was off, sending a shrill whistle as he left that sent his dogs clambering behind him. As quickly as they arrived, they departed.
‘Shall we?’
‘Aye.’
A whisper of envy went through her as she realised she wished to be the one to make him smile so. She shook her head. What a ridiculous thought. The journey must be wearing upon her. Rory offered his arm, and they walked on down a long corridor that led to a set of large twining stairs. ‘This is the main staircase to the family chambers. The one next to mine has been prepared for you. I hope it will be to your liking.’
He paused outside the chamber door, the second one on the landing, and opened it.
Sweet heather.
Her hand fell away from his arm, and she took a step into the beautiful green-and-white chamber. Soft white linens and laces graced the two windows that filtered the afternoon light into the room. Even without candles, it was bright and welcoming, and the view stole her breath. She went to the windows like one of her wee plants, eager to feel the warmth of the sun and light on her face. While her old chamber at Glenhaven had been beautiful, it was nothing like this.
Nothing.
Lush green rolling hills went as far as her eyes could see and then disappeared at the cliff’s edge. The dark sea glimmered in the distance like glass. ‘Absolutely beautiful,’ she murmured.
Rory settled in by her side. ‘Aye.’
‘I see why you are reluctant to ever leave.’
‘She has her charms.’
‘Her?’
‘My uncle always explained to me that Blackmore was to be referred to as a she for the life she gives, breathes and cares for within these walls. Just like a mother would, he’d often tease.’
‘In that case, I am quite enamoured by her and her charms as well.’
His eyes met hers and an intensity settled in the warmth of his gaze. ‘It means a great deal to me that you find it as beautiful as I.’ He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a soft lingering kiss along the ridges of her knuckles. A flutter of awareness hurried along her skin.
‘I will leave you. Dinner is at seven. Tressa will assist you until your maid arrives. She’ll be up shortly. Until then.’ He let go of her hand and left the room, closing the door behind him.
As soon as he left she realised she hadn’t thanked him or said anything at all before he’d left her.Curses.
She rushed out and spun in the hallway wonderingwhichchamber next to hers was his. Trying the knob closest to the stairwell, she discovered what looked to be a guest chamber decorated in gold. She hurried on to the door on the other side of her chamber and it opened with ease.
What she saw there made her freeze in her tracks. Her voice died in her throat and her chest tightened.
‘Seems I’ve overdone it a bit today, Angus.’ Rory winced as his jacket was removed from his arms by his manservant. Rory doubled over and clutched his stomach. ‘I’m in dire need of a tonic to ease the pain.’
