Page 42 of The Beastly Earl

“Why would you risk harming yourself like that?” she chastised him in the same tone of voice he’d heard her use with the children. “It’s just a hat.”

“A hat you said was your favorite.”

“Well yes, but I don’t love it enough for you to risk life and limb to save it.”

Louisa’s scolding sent a rush of pleasure surging through him. She was far too forthright to chide his actions without feeling concern for his safety. The glare she leveled at him was fierce, and he choked back a laugh at her attempt to intimidate him. Before she could chastise him again, Ross and Charlie came bounding around the horses.

Both boys stared at him in awe, and he winced. It had been a mistake to retrieve Louisa’s hat in the way he had. Although the pain inflicted by his artificial limb had been worth witnessing Louisa’s pleasure, he’d failed to consider the reaction of the boys.

“My lord, that was splendid. Would you teach us how to do that?”

“Yes, Father, would you?”

At Ross’s question, Ewan’s body tightened with tension. His decision to publicly accept the boy as his own was one thing. But his recent decision to treat the boy more kindly didn’t make it easier to accept the boy calling him father. Before he could reply to the child, Louisa shook her head.

“Even if Lord Argaty agreed to do so, and he won’t,” Louisa said emphatically as she glanced in his direction with a look that said he would regret going against her edict. “I wouldn’t allow any of you boys to do something so dangerous.”

Their faces dark with disappointment at Louisa’s fierce declaration, the boys stood silently in front of her scuffing the ground with their shoes. A frown of helplessness furrowed her brow as she glanced in his direction. Her silent request for support made him clear his throat as Finn joined the group to lead Lachlan and Morag to the wagon and tie off their reins.

“Am I correct in thinking we’re here to find a Christmas tree?” His statement made the boys straighten upright, their disappointment forgotten as their heads bobbed with excitement. Ewan turned his head toward Louisa. “I suppose you have an idea as to the size tree you’d like?”

“I think one a bit taller than your height would do nicely. The main hall is capable of holding a much larger one, but I think it might be a bit much,” she said with a smile.

“But Mama,” Charlie exclaimed. “We’ve always had a tall tree at Christmas.”

“Your uncles aren’t here to help, Charlie.”

Tension made the muscles in Ewan’s face harden and a hard jolt of disappointment rocked through him. The idea of Louisa taking pity on him for his physical impairments cut deeper than he wanted to admit.

“I think Finn and I, could easily manage a larger tree,” he said tersely.

At his abrasive tone, Louisa tipped her head slightly to one side to study him for a brief moment before her gaze narrowed with indignation. With a deliberate, pointed look at his artificial limb, she glared at him in disgust.

“Considering I hardly qualify as being slender or lightweight, your recent demonstration of strength in carrying me up a flight of stairs is more than enough evidence of your ability to handle a large tree, my lord,” she snapped. Louisa emphasized her formality as she stepped forward to poke his chest hard with one finger. “Apparently, I’m the only one considering the dangers associated with a tall tree. Reaching a large tree’s top boughs requires a ladder. That in turn requires one person to hold the ladder while another person stands at the ready to prevent calamity, and these boys are quite sturdy in size. I am not a weakling Lord Argaty, but there are limitations to my strength.”`

Icicles could not have been as cold and sharp as her voice. It was obvious he’d offended her deeply at the unspoken implication she’d made her decision as to the height of the tree out of pity. Regret made him grimace at the silent judgement he’d laid on her.

“Mama, please don’t be angry with Lord Argaty,” Wills said softly as he tugged on Louisa’s skirts. He stared up at his mother with a pleading look before swinging his gaze back to Ewan. “His lordship and Ross haven’t decorated a tree before, have you my lord?”

“You’re right, my darling. I forgot that,” Louisa murmured as contrition replaced her anger, and she bent to kiss her son’s cheek. When she straightened, she met his gaze squarely. “My lord…I'm sorry, and I regret losing my temper.”

“You were right to take offense. I should not have been so quick to judge.”

He clenched his teeth at the way her eyes still sparkled with anger. With each passing second, he was realizing just how badly he’d insulted her. Ewan turned his head toward the boys who were watching the exchange with confusion and more than a bit of concern. Finn had rejoined them carrying an axe in one hand and a two-handed saw in the other.

“Finn, you know what we’re looking for. Lead the way.”

“Aye, my lord.”

Needing no other urging, the boys charged out in front of the stable hand and into the woods. With a light touch of Louisa’s elbow, he gestured toward the trees.

“Shall we?” At his quiet words, she nodded without looking at him.

The silence between them was awkward as they followed the boys and Finn into the forest. They’d only gone a short distance when Louisa drew in a quiet breath and released it.

“I truly am sorry I allowed my temper to get the best of me…Ewan.” The slight stumble she made before saying his name made him realize again how badly he’d misjudged her.

“I’m the one who should apologize for suggesting your choice of tree size evolved out of pity.”