Page 68 of The Beastly Earl

"I'm so sorry," she whispered as regret made tears form in her eyes. "I should have come to you before helping Lord Argaty."

"Don't be, Mama. We weren't afraid," her son said nonchalantly as he tipped his head slightly to one side then grimaced. "Well, maybe just a little. When we heard the woman screaming we were scared. But Uncle Caleb told me it was just one of the maids who was upset that Lady Argaty was dead. He told me to tell Wills and Ross not to be afraid because he and Papa would keep us safe."

It was the first time Charlie had openly admitted he possessed the an dara sealladh. Even though she'd suspected he had the family gift, she wasn't sure how to react to the news. Jamie and Alma were the only two children in the family who'd admitted to being able to see and talk to the dead. Constance had always found her son's ability disconcerting, but until now, Louisa had never understood her sister's concern. Now she did. A worried frown creased Charlie's forehead in a manner that reminded her of Devin as he met her gaze. Louisa stretched out her hand to him and offered him a small smile.

"It's all right, dearest. I knew you'd tell me in your own time if you'd been given the gift of the an dara sealladh," she said softly.

"Is my father…is he badly hurt, Mrs. Morehouse?" The worry in Ross's voice made her swallow hard as she remembered the cuts on Ewan's chest and arm. The last thing she wanted to do was frighten the child.

"Mrs. Selkirk says he will be in pain for a few days, but he will be fine."

"Uncle Caleb told Charlie you saved Lord Argaty." Wills voice sounded curious as he lifted his gaze to meet hers. "Did you, Mama?"

"That's enough questions for now," she said quietly as she kissed the child's forehead. "I sent word yesterday evening to Uncle Sebastian. He should be here soon to take us to Callendar Abbey."

The words made her heart ache as if someone had ripped it from her chest. The thought of leaving Ewan and Argaty Keep made tears form in her throat, but she swallowed them. At her announcement, Ross turned and walked away to stare out the window. His bearing reminded her of the boy she'd met such a short time ago. Even though Ewan's heart hadn't softened where her deception was concerned, at least he'd given her permission to take Ross with her.

"Ross, would you like to come with us?" Louisa asked quietly. At her question, the child turned to face her with puzzlement as she continued. "Lord Argaty said I may take you with us rather than you being sent away to school. Eventually you would go to school with Charles. Would you like that?"

He didn't speak. He simply nodded his agreement as resignation spread across his face. Wills and Charlie, clearly unaware of their friend's reservations, greeted the news with excitement and rushed to the child's side. Charlie pumped the boy's hand and patted him on the back, while Wills hugged the older boy.

Ross accepted his friends excited response with a small smile, but Louisa saw the pain dulling his blue eyes. With a small sound of self-disgust she chided herself for not realizing sooner that Ross's unhappiness had been magnified by something other than Louisa and the boys leaving. The child believed Ewan was sending him away because he was unwanted.

Quietly, Louisa told Wills and Charlie to get out of their night clothes and dress for their trip to Callendar Abbey. With the resilience of all children, her sons chattered excitedly as they obeyed Louisa's instructions. Ross watched his two friends leave the room, and she moved to stand in front of the boy.

"You think Lord Argaty doesn't want you here?"

"Yes, my lady." Ross's stoic reply made her start slightly. How did he know about her title? He winced at her surprise. "Wills told us what happened in father's study."

"Ah, I see." Louisa nodded as she struggled to find words of reassurance for the boy without telling him an outright lie. "Your father has decided to leave Argaty Keep, and he thought you would be happier at school. I convinced him to let me take you with me."

"Where is he going?"

"I don't know. I'm just happy he agreed that you could come with the boys and me." Louisa paused for a moment then cupped Ross's face in her hands. "Lord Argaty did what he thinks is best for you, Ross. It means he cares about what happens to you."

As a teardrop rolled down the boy's cheek, Louisa uttered a soft sound of compassion. Quickly pulling him into her arms, she remained silent as the child soaked her shoulder with tears.

Chapter 18

"My sister has been through a terrible ordeal, Constable. I have no intention of allowing you to make her relive this morning's horrifying events until tomorrow," Sebastian said in the authoritative voice he always used when protecting those he loved.

"I understand the concern for Lady Westbrook's emotional state, my lord, but experience has taught me that one's memory of an event is far more accurate immediately after an incident rather than later."

Although the man's voice was polite, the Scot's stubborn persistence was something with which Sebastian was quite familiar. The Rockwoods weren't simply known for their impulsive, sometimes reckless manner, but the tenacious obstinance of his siblings far surpassed any stubbornness the constable might possess.

"A few moments ago, you explained the order of this morning's events, and stated Lady Argaty was murdered by a mentally unstable man who was allegedly her son and the earl's brother. Is that correct?"

"Aye, my lord, but I—"

"And am I also correct that you indicated Lady Westbrook, my sister, was not involved in Lady Argaty's murder, and is, in fact, responsible for saving the earl's life?"

"Yes, my lord, but I—"

"Constable Duncan, you may call on my sister, tomorrow at Callendar Abbey. At that time, she will be able to give you a full accounting of her experience related to this morning's events."

The constable appeared ready to argue with him, and Sebastian narrowed his gaze at the man who was almost his same height, but thin as a sapling. As if realizing he was fighting a hopeless battle, the constable jerked his head in acquiescence and with a small bow, he made his way to the parlor doorway. The constable met Constance at the threshold and politely stepped aside to let her pass. Sebastian's sister offered the man an abrupt thanks before moving deeper into the room.

When Louisa had failed to greet Percy, Constance, and him upon their arrival, Sebastian had feared the worst based on what the an dara sealladh had shown his brother and sister. When he was much younger, he'd never put much stock in his siblings visions, but over the years, he'd come to trust information any Rockwood family member with the gift of sight provided.