Page 23 of The Beastly Earl

Louisa glanced over her shoulder once more to look at her sons chattering away with Ross. She wasn’t sure how to take her brother’s observation about her oldest. There were moments when Charlie would say something that made her wonder if he possessed the an dara sealladh and simply didn’t want to discuss it. She looked back at Sebastian and shook her head.

“He’s not said anything to me, but I’ll speak with both of them when we’re unpacking their things.” The sight of McCallum and Finn bringing three trunks into the house made her frown.

“I don’t remember the boys having so many clothes.”

“Two of them are for you. I thought you would need them.”

“Oh no, you must take at least one of them back,” she exclaimed softly. “The earl’s aunt commented the other day on the large array of quality gowns you brought me on your first visit.” Louisa bit down on her lower lip as she remembered stumbling through a reply to Wallis MacCullaich’s curiosity. “I’m supposed to be in need of employment.”

Sebastian arched his brow at her as he eyed her with a skeptical expression. Under any other circumstances he would most likely have teased her about the money she spent on clothes. Instead, he grimaced slightly.

“Can we expect you for Christmas?” Sebastian’s question didn’t surprise her, and with an apologetic sigh, she shook head.

“Ross told me he’s never seen a Christmas tree before, and I thought I’d make the day special for him.” The moment disappointment crossed her brother’s face Louisa touched his arm in a placating gesture. “I’m doing the right thing Sebastian. Please trust me.”

“Patience and Constance did warn me you might not be with us for the holiday,” Sebastian said wryly as his mouth twisted into a half-smile, half-grimace. “It will not be the same without you and the boys at the—house.”

“Would you like me to ask Mrs. Selkirk to make some tea before you go? While it’s not my home, I know she won’t mind.”

“No. I told Helen I would meet her and the children at the train station. The three of them can be a handful when traveling, and I—”

“Traveling from where?”

The curiosity in Wallis MacCullaich’s soft voice drifted into the main hall as the woman emerged from the hallway leading to the back of the keep. Startled, Louisa quickly turned to face the woman. Dear heavens, what had Wallis overheard? Her brain frantically reviewed the brief exchange between her and Sebastian. Had they said anything the woman might find suspicious?

“Not so much where, ma’am, but how,” Sebastian said with a conciliatory smile. Wallis narrowed her gaze at him then looked at Louisa in the silent expectation of an introduction.

“If I may Miss MacCullaich, this is my oldest brother, Sebastian Rockwood.”

“Welcome, Mr. Rockwood. I hope your travels aren’t too much of a tribulation.” There was an inquisitive gleam in the woman’s eye as she studied Sebastian’s face.

“My wife and I have three children, Miss MacCullaich.” Amusement relaxed her brother’s features as his lips quirked upward in a slight smile. “Traveling is always an adventure with our offspring, yet I still find traveling immensely pleasurable where my family is concerned.”

“Where are you travelling to, Mr. Rockwood?”

The woman’s persistent line of questioning seemed innocent, but Wallis’s intense curiosity caused Louisa’s muscles to tighten with tension. Despite Wallis’s good-hearted nature, Louisa knew the dowager countess would expect a full report from her sister. The two women had an odd relationship despite being sisters.

Ewan’s mother treated her sister as coldly as she did everyone else, perhaps even more so. For whatever reason, Wallis never protested, and Louisa wondered if the woman was paying penance for some past transgression. Now as she stared at Wallis in surprise, Sebastian shook his head, his cordial expression not changing even for a split instant.

“My aunt lives close to Edinburgh, and we’re to spend the holiday with her. I came north early to bring the boys to Louisa.”

The disingenuous reply forced Louisa to bite down on the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling at her brother’s artful response. It was at least a two-hour trip from Callendar Abbey to Edinburgh.

Oh, that sounds lovely.” Warmth and something that could only be described as relief crossed Wallis’s face as she smiled at them. Her gaze swung back to Louisa. “Will you and your children be joining your brother’s family?”

“I thought the boys and I would spend the holiday here instead. As I was just telling Sebastian, Ross told me he’s never seen a Christmas tree, and I—”

“Oh dear, we don’t celebrate Christmas. Elspeth has never liked the holiday ever since—” Wallis stopped abruptly and paled before continuing. “I’m surprised Ewan hasn’t mentioned this to his mother or me.”

“Actually, I’ve not discussed the matter with Lord Argaty yet.”

“What hasn’t been discussed with me?”

The brusque question made Louisa turn sharply toward the man walking through the front door. The earl was a towering figure beneath the front hall’s high ceiling, and Louisa’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. All the other times she’d been in his company, it had been in the shadows of his study.

He’d been an imposing figure then, but today he exemplified the image of a man born to lead, even in spite of his injuries. She was certain anyone crossing him would regret doing so. A dark brown jacket emphasized the muscular breadth of his shoulders, while below the dark blue and green tartan of his kilt were sleek, well-toned, calves.

In the shadows of his study, his hair had looked like raven’s feathers, but in the light of day, she realized it was actually a dark sable color. It fell casually around his face and softened his rugged, battle-scarred features. The black leather gloves he wore hid the mechanical fingers that replaced his missing hand, while his eye patch seemed to make his blue-gray gaze all the more piercing.