Page 22 of The Beastly Earl

Louisa reviewed a math problem Ross had completed as the child stood in front of the desk McCallum had found for her. Finn and Brown had brought it to the schoolroom the day Ewan had sent a note agreeing to employ her as Ross's governess. She lifted her head and smiled at the boy.

“Well done, Ross. This is excellent work.” At her comment, the child smiled as if she’d given him the keys to a candy shop.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

The sound of a carriage coming up the drive made her rise to her feet and cross the floor to look out the window. Gray clouds filled the sky casting their shadow across the moor that stretched out to the horizon. It was well past three, and she’d been waiting with growing anticipation for the carriage now rolling up in front of the house. A wave of happiness swept through her. The boys had arrived. She turned around to see Ross studying her with uncertainty. With another smile, she moved to where he was standing and stretched out her hand to him.

“Come, I want you to meet Wills and Charlie. I think you’ll like them very much.” When he hesitated, she bent over so they were eye level. “Tell me what’s troubling you, Ross.”

“It’s nothing, ma’am.” A shuttered expression settled on his features as he bowed his head, and she frowned in puzzlement.

“Although we’ve not known each other very long, Ross, I don’t think you’re being honest with me.”

Her fingers gently forced his chin up until she could see the worry darkening his blue eyes. Louisa’s maternal instincts made her want to tug the boy into her arms in a gesture of reassurance. Resisting the impulse, she caught the child’s hands in hers.

“Won’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

“What if they don’t like me, ma’am,” the child blurted out. For a moment, she stared at him in confusion before she realized he was referring to Wills and Charlie. She gently squeezed his hands and met his gaze steadily.

“Do you believe I like you, Ross?

“Yes, Mrs. Morehouse.”

“Then if I like you, it stands to reason my boys will like you too.” At her reassurance, Ross frowned as he contemplated her words. With a slow nod of his head, he eyed her somberly.

“If they don’t like me, does that mean you’ll leave?” The question tugged at Louisa’s heart, and this time she did pull the child close.

“I have no intention of leaving Argaty Keep any time soon.”

When she released him, the look of relief on his face angered her. She wanted to storm the dark shadows of the earl’s study to rage at him for the lack of attention he gave his son. For the past several days, as they’d waited for the arrival of Wills and Charlie, she’d spent most of her waking hours with Ross. The child was desperate for affection, and it was reprehensible of the earl not to show at least some interest in the boy, if not love.

Not even his grandmother, the dowager countess, wanted anything to do with the child. When the earl had agreed to let her be Ross’s governess, the woman had summoned her to her rooms to express her displeasure that Louisa was staying. The only member of his family who ever had a kind word or display of affection for Ross was the countess’s sister, Wallis. Louisa straightened and tousled Ross’s hair.

“Come along now. Let me introduce you to my sons.”

Hope lightening his features, Ross smiled up at her as they left the schoolroom hand in hand and went downstairs. McCallum had just opened the front door as Louisa and Ross reached the main foyer. The sound of her sons’ excited chatter made her smile as she pulled Ross toward the doorway. A split-second later, Wills and Charlie walked into the hall. At the sight of her, both boys raced toward her with cries of excitement. Arms wrapped around each child, she welcomed them with kisses.

“Did you behave for Uncle Sebastian?”

“Of course we did, Mama,” Charlie said as he rolled his eyes.

“Who’s that?” Wills poked his head past her skirts and pointed to Ross. With a smile, Louisa gestured for Ross to come forward.

“This is Ross Colquhoun. His father is the Earl of Argaty, and you’ll have your lessons with him.”

“Hello, I’m Charlie.”

Louisa wanted to hug her eldest son as he stepped forward and offered his hand to Ross. The moment the boys shook hands, she saw a hesitant look of happiness sweep across Ross’s face. A movement out of the corner of her eye made Louisa turn to greet her brother with a hug. His hands on her arms, Sebastian studied her for a brief moment then smiled.

“You look well, much better than the last time I saw you.”

“I’m fully recovered,” she said with a smile.

“News the rest of the family will be relieved to hear.”

“Thank you for bringing the boys. Ross has no children of his own age here, and I know he’ll benefit from their company greatly.” Louisa looked over her shoulder at her new charge. The only person in the house remotely close to Ross’s age was Asadi, and Mrs. Selkirk had said the young man was at least five years older than the child. Keeping her voice low, she lifted her gaze to meet Sebastian’s quizzical look. “You remembered to speak with Charlie and Wills?”

“I did. Although I’m not sure about the reliability of your youngest when it comes to secrets as he is not unlike his mother in that regard,” Sebastian murmured with amused irony. “Charlie on the other hand seemed completely nonplused about the entire matter. Either Jamie spoke with him or he’s inherited more than one of the Rockwood family traits.”