Gwen shrugged. “Who can say? I most definitely canna. It really is up to Alexander to figure it out. And I am certain he will, especially with Nicholas’s help. Plus, he has Gunn, Finlay, and Malcolm here to help even further. When all of them put their big, stubborn heads together, they can find a solution to any problem.”
Clarissa couldn’t help but laugh at Gwen’s description of the men. “’Tis true. But it doesna lessen the worry I feel.” Shecollapsed into the chair beside Gwen. “My concern is rising as the hours pass. Why is that?”
Gwen gave her a knowing smile and leaned closer. “I think ye ken the answer to that.”
She studied her sister-in-law. The age difference between them was only a handful of years, but she seemed so much wiser than Clarissa. A lot of that was due to how quickly she had to grow up to care for her siblings. A situation Clarissa had thankfully never found herself in. She would be forever grateful to Nicholas for taking such good care of her and their siblings when papa had passed.
Yes, she took over the care of her siblings while Nicholas was away, but the situation was far different. They had the resources needed to provide for themselves. Gwen did not.
Alexander had not had the same hardships as she and her siblings had weathered, but he’d had his fair share of things he had to overcome. The loss of his mother at a very young age—she had died whilst giving birth to Christopher—and then later, the death of his father as well. But she imagined that the biggest thing for him to overcome was his brother, who went through life as though he hadn’t a care in the world. Alexander had done his best, but when the person does not want to be helped and will not see reason, there is not much one can do.
Yet still, Clarissa saw the way Alexander fought—for his estate, his people, even for his brother—failure was not in his vocabulary.
It was one of the qualities she admired most about the man. Of course, his dashing looks and muscular frame added to that.
She felt her cheeks flame and she brought her hands up to cup her cheeks.
Gwen raised her brows at her, a smirk tilting the corner of her mouth up.
Clarissa sighed. Gwen did indeed ken her too well. She was falling in love with Alexander Campbell. Her brother would be furious, but she believed Gwen would be happy for her. Lord knew, she already suspected as much anyhow.
“Surely, they will be out soon. Mayhap, we can invite them in for a cup of tea as well?” Gwen said over the rim of her teacup. “Alexander especially must be parched after his visit earlier.”
“I dinna doubt that, but I also dinna doubt that the whisky is flowing quite freely in Alexander’s study,” Clarissa quipped. Plus, she had noted his aversion to tea during their stay. It was near the bottom of his list of drinks to partake in.
“Ah, ye may be correct on that front. Still, I would wager that if ye offered Alexander a cup of tea when he emerges from his study, he would certainly take ye up on it.”
Would he? She wanted to believe he would.
“Well, why dinna we find out?” She nodded towards the drawing room door and the men’s voices in the hallway filled the air.
“I canna.”
“Pfft,” Gwen dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “Dinna fash about your brother. I will deal with him.”
Clarissa was sure she would. Gwen had a way of wrapping Nicholas around her pinky, and he would do her bidding no matter what she asked of him.
“I have a better idea than tea.” A twinkle darkened her eyes and Clarissa could only imagine what activity she had conjured up. “Nicholas, darling,” she called out as the group of men neared the drawing room doors.
He entered, a broad smile breaking out on his face as his eyes met Gwen’s.
“Aye, love?” He bent and kissed her cheek.
“’Tis such a lovely day outside. Why dinna we promenade? Alexander and Clarissa can join us.”
“I dinna think that is the best of ideas, love. Alexander’s mind is a bit pre-occupied at the moment.
Clarissa’s head snapped up and met Gwen’s gaze. The woman knew exactly what she was doing. And from the look on Nicholas’s face, he was onto her scheme as well.
“All the more reason for Alexander to promenade, then. The fresh air will help to take his mind off of things.”
Nicholas sighed in defeat, knowing that somehow, some way, Gwen was going to get what she wanted. He could never deny her.
“Or maybe Alexander has some pressing matters he needs to attend to,” Nicholas pushed.
Alexander poked his head in the door. “Did I hear my name?” he asked curiously.
“Aye. Gwen would like to promenade.”
