Page 48 of The Beastly Earl

“Lou—Mrs. Morehouse has a horse at her disposal and may ride whenever and with whomever she wishes.”

A look of boredom crossed Ewan's face, as he shrugged his shoulders. Louisa flinched at his nonchalant manner. The wall of indifference he displayed cut deep. Had she misread the understanding in his gaze moments ago? Had she mistaken his defense of her at his mother's barbed comments for nothing more than a demand the woman be polite?

Even his quiet growl of displeasure a moment ago could have been nothing more than the belief she might neglect her duties. And his reaction to the dowager’s veiled questioning of Louisa’s suitability as a governess could have been merely irritation that his mother was challenging his decision.

“The least you could do is tell Mrs. Morehouse we’re a harmless bunch, Ewan.” There was a challenge in Bryce’s voice as he watched Ewan take another bite of venison.

“Harmless?” Ewan choked out of the side of his mouth. Whether with amusement or irritation she couldn’t tell which. “I think that’s a matter of debate. However, as I said, Mrs. Morehouse doesn’t need my permission to ride.”

“There you have it, Mrs. Morehouse,” Bryce said with a triumphant grin. “The exalted Lord of Argaty Keep has granted you permission to accept my invitation.”

“Your invitation?” Iain’s eyebrows shot upward in annoyance.

“I do recall asking her first.” Bryce’s cheerful, yet arrogant response, reminded Louisa of a recent rebellion within the ranks of her younger charges. Fingers splayed as she raised her hand, Louisa released a breath of exasperation.

“Gentlemen, please. While your invitations are truly flattering, I am not being coy in my refusal.” Louisa eyed each of the men in quick succession. “My days are quite full, and however much I might regret doing so, I am unable to accept.”

The look of dejection on their faces reminded Louisa of the look Wills often displayed when she’d refused to let him do something. Still chafing from her efforts to dissuade her would-be suitors, Louisa released a soft breath of aggravation. Ewan was listening to something Iain had said, and she tried to ward off the disappointment his detached manner aroused in her.

Half-heartedly listening to the dinner conversation, she took a bite of the rumbledethumps on her plate. It had become one of her favorite dishes Mrs. Selkirk made, but at the moment, it tasted like sawdust in her mouth. Beside her, Ewan made a barely discernible sound, and she jerked her head in his direction.

The blue-gray gaze meeting hers was filled with a warmth that made her heart skip a beat. She’d not been mistaken after all. Suddenly his gaze became heated with a desire that sent a shiver down her spine. It was the same look he'd had after their race this afternoon when he'd kissed her so passionately. Fire raced across her skin at the memory, and her heart beat with the same wild rhythm it had earlier.

The small smile touching his sensual mouth made her certain he was remembering the passion that had flared between them. In the next breath, a possessive look crossed his face. The air was dragged from her lungs as his gaze convinced her that he was thinking about her audacious admission of desire just before Wills had interrupted their conversation.

His expression had been one of stunned amazement before a dangerous and exciting look had swept across his rugged, battled-scarred face. It had made her wish they'd been alone so she could experience the heat of his touch again. Cheeks burning, she quickly averted her gaze.

It had been one of the most reckless things she'd ever done to openly declare her wanton feelings. It had been an impetuous moment, but everything about Ewan make her feel reckless and free of any constraints. Even the camaraderie between them as they'd decorated the tree in the main hall had been one of comfortable familiarity. Everything about this afternoon had been so easy between them.

There was something natural, even familiar, about the way he made her feel whether he was kissing her, teasing her, or silently conveying how much he enjoyed her company. It made her happier than she'd been in a long time. Her heart stopped briefly before it started to thud again at a much faster pace.

If all it took was one look from the Earl of Argaty to make her happy she was in deep waters. The man was dangerous to her senses, especially when she was already halfway in love with him. The thought caused a soft, sharp gasp to escape her. She glanced in Ewan's direction, and her heart skipped a beat as he eyed her with concern.

In the next instant, his gaze narrowed as if her expression had revealed her thoughts, and he knew what she was thinking. Alarmed by the possibility, she quickly looked away from him. The water she was treading now was deeper than the lake at the Abbey. Although she knew Sebastian would advise her not to do anything reckless, deep inside she knew she was about to tread where even angels feared to venture.

Chapter 12

For the third time, Louisa stopped brushing her hair as she tried to remember the number of strokes she was at. Blowing out a breath of disgust at her inability to count without losing track, she dropped the brush onto the vanity. The day had left her with so many questions. Dread had accompanied all of them, leaving her with an unsettled feeling.

While mentally reviewing the dinner conversation as she’d changed into her nightgown, she’d questioned her certainty that the murdered village girl was the one she'd heard scream in her vision. Despite challenging herself on the matter, her intuition insisted it was the murdered girl she'd heard scream during the an dara sealladh. Lady Argaty’s reaction to Iain’s news about the murdered girl had piqued Louisa’s curiosity as well. The woman’s pallor had revealed how badly shaken the news had disturbed her.

It was out of character for a woman who cared little for the welfare of others. When Lady Argaty had met her son’s questioning gaze, her eyes had revealed a deep fear of discovery, but of what? Even Ewan’s tension had been puzzling. Louisa frowned as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. The only question answered this evening was the reassurance she’d not misunderstood Ewan. His look when she’d refused to ride with his friends had made her stomach flip flop with excitement.

A noise behind her made her look in the mirror, and the sight of the secret door ajar caught her by surprise. Rising to her feet, she turned and walked toward the narrow sliver of darkness that existed between the wall and the open door.

“Ross, is that you?”

A soft giggle was the only response to her question. It was a familiar sound that sent ice seeping through her skin until she was shivering from the cold. With a bravado she wasn’t feeling, she straightened her spine.

“Whoever you are, show yourself. I don’t have time for childish games.”

Another chilling giggle echoed out of the dark passageway along with a shuffling noise. Without thinking, Louisa raced forward and slammed the door shut. Hands braced against the wall, her heart pounded with fear as she waited for whoever was in the hidden passageway to push back in an attempt to gain access to her room.

When nothing happened, she frowned. Had she had a waking occurrence of the an dara sealladh? Although it rarely happened, she'd had waking dreams before, but afterward she usually felt drained of all energy. Whether it had been real or not, she would feel better if something heavy was blocking the door. One hand still pressed against the wood paneling, she looked around the room until her gaze fell on the chest at the foot of her bed.

Without a second thought, she hurried over to the large piece of furniture and slowly dragged it across the room until it was flush against the secret entrance. When it was in place, she sank down on top of the chest to catch her breath. While the bulky trunk might not keep anyone from opening the door, it was of sufficient weight to make it difficult to gain entry to her room.

A knock on her bedroom door made her jump and she froze in place. Another rap on the door echoed through the room. This time the knock was stronger, more authoritative. Springing to her feet, she quickly crossed the room and threw the door open.