Page 47 of The Beastly Earl

Ewan’s battle-scarred features had become grim and forbidding as he stared down the length of the table to where his mother sat. All the color had drained from the dowager’s face, although her features revealed nothing but concern. At her reaction, Louisa noticed how Ewan's eye narrowed as he studied his mother.

“Constable MacPherson couldn’t find any evidence leading to a suspect in the village, and he was forced to attribute Rhona's death to a vagrant just like Maggie Graham.”

“A vagrant with blood lust.” Ewan’s dark scowl emphasized his harsh tone as he met his mother’s gaze.

Beneath her son’s steely glare, the woman’s eyes widened with fear as her stoic expression of concern crumpled slightly. Something unspoken passed between the two, and Louisa's stomach lurched at the possibility they might know something about the murders. Just as quickly as the thought filled her head, she dismissed it. Ewan hadn't even been in Scotland when the first woman had been killed.

There was also the an dara sealladh to consider. Her visions had shown her too much to even think Ewan might be involved in the murders. Fingers trembling, Louisa reached for her goblet of wine and drank a deep draught of the alcohol. At the end of the table, the dowager countess’s features became tight with displeasure.

“Gentlemen, this topic is quite unsuitable in mixed company. Mrs. Morehouse is looking decidedly ill,” Lady Argaty snapped. Immediately, Ewan bent his head toward Louisa.

"Are you all right?"

The soft question eased the fear spiraling through her. The silent question in his blue-gray eye as he studied her asked if she wanted him to take her away from the prying eyes of everyone at the table. The deep understanding she saw reflected in his gaze took her breath away. Devin had always been concerned when the an dara sealladh fell on her, but not once had he ever shown the depth of understanding she saw in Ewan's gaze.

The moment her hand moved to touch Ewan's arm in a gesture of reassurance she stopped herself. Instead she shook her head to deny she needed to leave the room. At the small movement of her hand, something flashed in Ewan's gaze. It was an indecipherable emotion that made her wish she'd not stopped herself from touching him. With a jerk, Ewan pulled away from her and leaned back in his chair.

His sharp retreat and unreadable expression made Louisa wonder if she'd imagined the understanding reflected in his gaze seconds ago. Dismay swept through her, as she tried to silently express her regret. Ewan's expression remained unreadable as he arched his eyebrow at her.

In the next breath his gaze softened as he appeared to accept her unspoken apology. Relief made Louisa drag in a sharp breath as she forced a smile to her lips and turned toward Ewan’s friends and cousin to acknowledge their concern. Insisting she was fine, her gaze shifted toward the countess. The older woman’s face had regained some of its color, but the woman's eyes were still dark with apprehension as she looked at Ewan.

Like her son, the dowager countess's stoic expression was difficult to read. Whatever or whomever the woman feared, Louisa knew the source of her fear couldn't be Ewan. Their acrimonious verbal exchanges were evidence enough the woman didn't fear her son.

“Our deepest apologies, Lady Argaty, Mrs. Morehouse. There are far more interesting topics to discuss.” Ethan smiled at Louisa. “Personally, I’d like to hear more about Mrs. Morehouse’s adventure.”

“Lady Argaty’s brief description of the events is accurate. I was on my way to Callendar, when the wagon that had been sent for me hit a hole in the road.” Louisa’s gaze drifted down the table in the dowager’s direction. The woman’s blatant skepticism was not unexpected, but no less irritating. “The accident resulted in my driver suffering a serious blow to the head and a broken wagon axel. My intentions were to ride to Doune Castle for help, but my horse threw me when lightning made him bolt. Fortunately, Lord Argaty found me several hours later.”

“Callendar?”

The curiosity in Iain Drummond’s voice made Louisa’s heart skip a beat. Although she’d never met the three men until tonight, Aunt Matilda was a familiar name in the counties surrounding Callendar Abby. Anxious to avoid any questions that might reveal her true identity, Louisa smiled flirtatiously at the man.

Beside her, a soft sound escaped Ewan. The sudden tension radiating off of him surprised her, and she glanced in his direction. The muscles in his unblemished cheek were taut with irritation, but he didn’t look in her direction as he took another bite of venison.

“I was on my way to the Abbey for a position, but Lord Argaty convinced me to remain here as his son’s governess.”

“I convinced you?” The mockery in Ewan’s voice sent a wave of heat rising in Louisa’s cheeks as she looked at him.

Eyebrows arched, he cocked his head slightly to one side as a soft snort of what might have been amusement escaped him. Face still burning, Louisa quickly looked away. Beside her, Bryce chuckled.

“Well, regardless of who convinced whom that you remain at Argaty Keep, it affords me the pleasure of asking you to ride with me tomorrow.”

A barely perceptible growl whispered in her ears at Bryce’s invitation. Her gaze flitted toward Ewan whose features had hardened into a façade of granite. Warmed by the thought he disapproved of her riding with his cousin, she shook her head as she declined Bryce’s invitation.

“I’m afraid I must refuse,” she said with a smile. “My days are quite full.”

“Surely, you could take an hour out of your day to go riding.” Bryce said with a smile. “My cousin cannot be that harsh of a taskmaster.”

“Perhaps she’d enjoy someone else’s company, such as mine, Bryce.” Iain laughed at the glare his friend gave him. “Come, Mrs. Morehouse, tell us the truth? Which one of us would you rather go riding with?”

“I would like an answer as well.” Ethan eyed her with an appreciative grin. “My company is far more pleasant than these two scoundrels.”

“I’m flattered by your invitations, but I cannot accept,” Louisa said firmly.

“Surely Mrs. Morehouse is entitled to some free time, Ewan." A derisive smile on her lips Lady Argaty eyed her son with mockery. "You shouldn’t make her feel as though she should refuse the pleasure of your cousin or friends company.”

Confused by the woman's approval of the invitations the three men had extended to her, Louisa frowned in puzzlement. When the dowager had invited her to dine with them earlier, Louisa had been too startled to politely decline. It wasn’t simply an unusual request socially, but Lady Argaty had made it quite clear how much she disliked Louisa. The woman’s dinner invitation had been bewildering enough, but this sudden interest in her social life was baffling.

Uncertain as to why the woman was encouraging the three men in their efforts to persuade Louisa to ride with them, Louisa’s gaze flitted between mother and son. Ewan appeared unfazed by his mother's smile of poisonous amusement, but Louisa saw a muscle in his face twitch. As his gaze met the dowager's across the length of the table, his eye darkened with contempt and distaste. His scornful look reinforced the depth of the discord between the two.