“Mrs.Fraser,” Niall called as he climbed out of his Range Rover.“I should have known you’d be watching for us.”
“Course I was.Can’t have folk turning up to a cold welcome.Come on then, all of ye.Let’s get ye inside before ye catch your deaths,” she said, her Scots accent warm and inviting.
The organized efficiency reminded Liam of military operations he’d seen in films.Within minutes, the Teague family found themselves ushered through an entrance hall that could have housed their entire cottage, past suits of armor and oil paintings that seemed to watch their passage.
“Mrs.Fraser is our head housekeeper,” Angus explained as he appeared to help with bags.“She runs this place with an iron fist, and we’re all terrified of her.”
“Speak for yourself, Angus Falconer,” Mrs.Fraser replied tartly, but her eyes twinkled.“Now then, who needs dry clothes?I can see you’re all soaked through.”
Tamsin’s cough chose that moment to return, echoing off the stone walls with an alarming rasp.Mrs.Fraser was at her side an instant later.
“Right, ye’re headin’ straight to a warm room to get into dry clothes.I’ll have Dr.Mackenzie take a look at that chest.”She cast a quick, practiced eye over the group.“How many rooms will we be needin’?”
“I don’t know—” Hedrek began.
“Six,” Liam said.“Hedrek and Tamsin share one, and each of the boys—and Sienna—has a room.”He caught Sienna’s questioning look and added, “For now.”
Mrs.Fraser nodded with approval.“Good.I’ve got the Blue Suite ready for Mr.and Mrs.Teague.It’s got a bonnie view o’ the loch, and there’s a sittin’ room if they want a bit o’ privacy.The tower rooms are for the young men—they’ll like them, good views and plenty o’ space.Miss Teague can have the Rose Room.”
As they climbed a grand staircase that could have accommodated a small parade, Calan whispered to his brothers, “Are we sure this isn’t a dream?Because if it is, don’t wake me up.”
“The portraits are watching us,” Kitto murmured back, staring at the succession of stern-faced ancestors lining the walls.
“They’ve been watching everyone for centuries,” Suzie said with a laugh.“You get used to it.That one there—” she pointed to a fierce-looking Highland warrior, “—we pretend that’s Niall’s great-great-grandfather, but Niall and Angus inherited the castle from Cameron Glenkirk.Family legend says Cameron’s ancestor once held off an entire English army single-handedly.”
“Did he really?”Jamie asked, momentarily forgetting his usual shyness.
“Probably not,” Niall admitted.“But it makes a good story.”
They reached a long corridor lined with doors, each bearing a small brass nameplate.Mrs.Fraser began directing traffic with the efficiency of a general deploying troops.
“Mr.and Mrs.Teague, ye’re here.There are robes in the wardrobe and tea things on the sideboard.Ring if ye need aught at all.”She moved on before they could protest.“Young men, your rooms are down this way.Hot baths drawn, fresh clothes laid oot.Don’t fash yersels about sizes—we keep a selection.”
Liam watched Hedrek’s face as he took in the opulent surroundings.The older man’s expression remained blank, but his gaze betrayed his wonder.Tamsin was less successful at hiding her amazement, her gaze traveling from the rich tapestries to the carved wooden ceilings.
“This is too much,” she said quietly to Mrs.Fraser.“We can’t impose.”
“Nonsense,” the housekeeper replied.“Mr.Niall’s instructions were clear.We’re to treat ye as honored guests.Now, I’ll have dinner ready in two hours—nae fancy, just good Scottish cookin’.Will that suit ye?”
She addressed the group, but it felt like Mrs.Fraser was really asking Hedrek, recognizing that despite Niall’s authority, he was the one who’d decide for his family.
“That’s very kind,” Hedrek said.“We’re grateful.”
“No thanks needed.Just get yerselves warm and dry.”She bustled away, already calling orders to staff members who seemed to materialize from nowhere.
In the sudden quiet that followed, the Teague family stood clustered together in the hallway, looking somewhat overwhelmed by the grandeur surrounding them.
“Well,” Jago said.“This is different.”
Two hours later, Liam barely recognized the family he’d camped with for weeks.The hot baths and fresh clothes had transformed them beyond the physical.Color had returned to their cheeks, and their movements no longer carried an edge of wariness.
Sienna appeared at the top of the stairs, wearing a simple green dress that brought out the color of her eyes, her dark hair loose around her shoulders instead of pulled back in its usual practical braid.When she caught him looking, she smoothed the skirt self-consciously.
“Mrs.Fraser insisted,” she said.“She took my clothes away to be laundered.”
“You look beautiful.”
The compliment flushed her cheeks, but before she could respond, Kitto bounded down the stairs behind her, practically vibrating with excitement.
