Page 64 of The Beastly Earl

Louisa quickly stoked the fire and lit the oil lamp she occasionally burned on rainy days to brighten the room. Sinking down into her chair, she pulled out paper and pen. For a long moment, she contemplated what she could say that would make Ewan agree to her plan. Whether the boy was really his son or not, the rest of the world believed Ross was heir to the Argaty title. Taking the child into her own household would assuredly raise eyebrows. Even her own family would question her decision. With a shake of her head, she leaned forward and stared at the blank sheet of parchment. It didn't matter, she'd done the right thing when she'd convinced Ewan to let her be Ross's governess. She was doing the right thing once more in asking to take the child with her.

Ewan,

As you have instructed, I will leave Argaty Keep tomorrow, but in vehement protest. I am a Rockwood, and we never surrender without a fight. Therefore I must do battle with you using only my written words as you refuse to face me in person. I cannot, and will not, simply walk away from you as if nothing has passed between us.

The beauty of what we shared last night made me believe I had touched something deep inside you. I awoke believing you would view our intimacy as something more than a pleasurable interlude. The man I gave myself to last night revealed himself to me completely. He is not the beast you and others see him as. The scars of battle you carry would test the mettle of the bravest warrior, but beneath those scars is a man who is courageous and kind. I could never have given myself to any less of a man.

My deception was undertaken with the best and purest of motives. Ross needed me, and I could not bear to walk away from him anymore than I can bear to walk away from you now. If I cannot convince you to let me remain at Argaty Keep, I must do my best to make you understand that sending Ross away to school is the worst thing you could do to the child.

We both know Ross has blossomed under my care. I would like to ensure my efforts have not been in vain and continue giving Ross the love and care everyone is entitled to. For years, another boy, just like Ross, was denied affection within the walls of Argaty Keep. If the man that boy became will not open his heart to me or let me heal his wounds then I must try to save Ross from a similar fate.

I have no wish to leave you or Argaty Keep, but if you refuse to let me stay, I beseech you to let me take Ross with me. I know my request is unorthodox, but I promise I will provide Ross with the love and care he needs until he reaches an age when he may attend school with Charles.

If you are truly resolved in your decision to send me away from Argaty Keep—from you—then I beseech you not to make me leave Ross behind. Let me secure for Ross the happiness you were denied as a child. Please do not break my heart a second time by forcing me to say goodbye to you as well as Ross. My heart is in your hands.

Louisa

For a long moment, she stared down at her handwriting and blinked back tears. Although she'd not openly confessed her love for him, there could be no mistaking her feelings where he was concerned. Perhaps it was too much? Before she could convince herself to write another note, she folded the paper and sprang to her feet. She would have to give it to Asadi and wait outside for an answer. If she were to enter Ewan's study, it would most likely destroy any chance of him even considering her request, let alone agreeing to it.

With a soft sound of trepidation, she left the schoolroom and headed toward Ewan's quarters. As she'd expected, Asadi was sitting in the corridor outside his master's study. The moment he saw her, the boy was on his feet. His expression one of consternation, he moved to meet her.

"Please Morehouse sahibah, you cannot be here. He will not be happy."

"I have no intention of bearding the lion in his den, Asadi," she said quietly. "But I do want you to give him this and tell him I'm waiting out here for his answer."

The boy accepted the note, and his gaze flitted from it to her face. With a nod, Asadi turned and entered Ewan's study. Louisa half-expected to hear a thunderous roar echo out of the study, but she heard nothing. After an interminable amount of time, Asadi emerged from Ewan's study. In silence, he stretched out his arm to hand her a small, folded piece of parchment. Trembling, she opened the note and shuddered as she saw Ewan's strong handwriting.

Take the boy with you. I shall make financial arrangements with my solicitor for his material needs and future schooling.

Argaty

The abrupt formality of the reply made her swallow a sob of despair. He'd acknowledged nothing else she'd written. What could have happened this morning to make Ewan revert back to the angry beast he'd been when she first arrived at Argaty Keep? A loud crash echoed through the closed door of Ewan's study, and she took a step forward. In an instant, Asadi planted himself between her and the door.

"No, Morehouse sahibah, he is too angry. Argaty sahib will not speak with anyone." For the first time since she'd met Asadi, the young man's cheerful, nonplussed demeanor was absent. In it's place was sorrow.

"What about his aunt? Did he speak with her? " she asked softly. The boy shook his head.

"No, sahibah. Not even McCallum sahib can talk to him. He has been like an angry tiger all day."

The sorrow in the boy's voice made Louisa's heart ache as she looked at the closed door of Ewan's study. Every part of her longed to charge through that door as only a Reckless Rockwood could and demand answers. But for the first time in her life, she didn't act on the impulse. Deep down she knew it was pointless. She had her answer in the note Asadi had delivered. The cold, formal reply to her note said everything she needed to know. Ewan wanted nothing to do with her. Louisa slowly turned and walked away from his study. There was nothing more to do except leave her heart in Argaty Keep with its master who believed he had nothing to offer her.

Chapter 17

Laughter bubbled out of Louisa as she ran across the freshly blooming heather. A quick glance over her shoulder showed her lead was dwindling, but she was close to the finish line. Still laughing, she scrambled up the small hill to reach the crest they'd set as the finish line. A moment later, a strong arm slid around her waist and stole her victory as she was pulled backward into a chest of hard, warm muscle.

"Did you really think I would let you escape me, mo leannan?" The husky words were little more than a whisper in her ear, and her heart swelled with happiness.

"I wasn't trying to escape," she said breathlessly as his mouth nibbled at her neck. His chuckle blew across her skin like a warm summer breeze.

"A wise decision, mo ghràdh. You'll never be able to run fast enough."

"And you'll never be able to resist catching me." Laughing at his disgruntled growl, she twisted around in his arms and screamed.

She was still crying out in panic as she sat up in bed trembling with horror and fear at the memory of the hideous creature that had been holding her, not Ewan. The terror streaking through her created a level of panic she'd experienced only once before, but this time it wasn't the roar of fire in her ears.

The only thing she heard was the quiet echo of a far too familiar, horrifying giggle. The sound layered her skin with ice and sent her heart racing out of control. Her gaze swept around the room looking for any sign of danger. When she saw nothing that posed a threat, her trembling eased slightly. Her relief was short-lived as the sudden noise of something scraping across the wood floor whispered through the air.

Fear engulfed her again, and she jerked her gaze toward the Bruce's secret door. To her horror, she saw a narrow, black gap between the wall and the panel leading into the hidden passages inside the keep's walls. Panic made her tumble out of bed and race across the floor to shove the door shut with a strength she never knew she possessed. Behind the now closed panel, she heard a squeal of anger that sent fear sliding through her.