Page 77 of The Beastly Earl

"Is that why you were scowling so darkly when I came in here?" The reference to his mood when she'd first entered the study made his mouth tighten with irritation.

"No. I received a note from Argaty. He's asked me to come to Argaty Keep later this afternoon." His words didn't appear to surprise her at all, and he met her troubled gaze as a somber resignation swept across her sweet features. Instantly, his muscles tensed with wary expectation. "Someone's seen something."

"Actually, Tilly said something as I was putting her to bed last night that tells me our youngest is the latest Rockwood to display signs of the an dara sealladh."

"Good God," Sebastian breathed in a sharp breath.

Resignation and fear crashed through him. He had been hoping his children wouldn't inherit the most volatile of all the Rockwood family traits. But the idea of Tilly possessing the an dara sealladh alarmed him in a way he rarely experienced. All three of his children possessed daring and courage to spare when it came to challenges, but Tilly gave new meaning to the words 'Reckless Rockwoods.'

The child was quickly overtaking Louisa's title as the most reckless of the family. Tilly also possessed her aunt's ability to charm and cajole others to fall in line with whatever scheme she concocted. Her brothers were always the first to succumb to her charm, no matter how outrageous the idea or plan.

It wasn't the first time his well-ordered existence had been rocked with a harsh reminder there were things in life he was powerless to control. The an dara sealladh always enhanced the impulsive nature of the Rockwood who possessed the gift of sight. Perhaps worst of all was that by exhibiting the family gift at such a young age, Tilly's command of the an dara sealladh might easily rival Jamie's ability.

The difference was his nephew possessed a maturity that belied his years. While the boy was impulsive at times, he had a good head on his shoulders. But the an dara sealladh when combined with Tilly's adventurous nature had the potential to create utter mayhem. As always when confronted with the unexpected, Sebastian struggled to control his concern. Helen touched his cheek in a gesture of reassurance

"I know you had hoped the children wouldn't inherit the an dara sealladh, but there are some things neither one of us can control, my darling."

"What did Tilly say to you?" he rasped.

"She'd said it was the old earl who was a beast not the new earl. She said the new earl was very nice and would teach her riding tricks."

"I can see now why you were alarmed at her riding with me and the boys this afternoon," Sebastian said with more than a hint of relief. "As for her references to Argaty, it's obvious she's heard the boys or one of us discussing the man. Not to mention we both know she has an active imagination."

"Does she? I'm no longer certain of that, particularly when she was adamant that the bad earl and his mother were dead," Helen frowned slightly.

"And we all know the earl was forced to shoot his brother to save himself and Louisa." Sebastian's mouth tightened at the memory of the details the authorities had shared with him about the events that had happened at Argaty Keep only days ago.

"Any other time I would agree, but Tilly insisted the bad earl was dead, and the new earl was coming to Callendar Abbey on Hogmanay to get her Aunt Louisa."

"I still think it's our daughter's imagination running amok," Sebastian said quietly as he watched Helen's green eyes darken with concern.

"No, it's more than that. You didn't see how distraught she was when I didn't believe her, Sebastian." Helen shook her head as he eyed her with skepticism. "Yes, she's prone to crying like any other child, but this was different. She was sobbing, Sebastian. She was sobbing as hard as she did last year when Percy couldn't save her puppy after it was hit by a carriage. Tilly said I was mean not to believe her, and that I'd have to say I was sorry when the earl came for Louisa."

"Something that will not happen if I have anything to do with it. The man's hurt Louisa enough," Sebastian said with harsh resolve.

"She's a grown woman, Sebastian, I know you want to protect her, but she's in love with him. Nothing you say or do will change that."

"Perhaps not, but I'll do my damnedest not to give Argaty the chance to break her heart a second time." Sebastian closed his eyes for a moment as hopelessness scored his insides. "I saw the Louisa we knew before the fire that day I first went to Argaty Keep. Now, she's acting no differently than she did after the fire, and the blame rests squarely on Argaty's shoulders."

"Then what do you plan to do?" Helen asked as she tucked her arm through his and gently pulled him toward the door.

"Well, I'm not going to tell Louisa he's asked me to come to Argaty Keep this afternoon. As for Argaty, I have no intention of passing up the opportunity to thrash the man."

"Something tells me that won't happen. I have it on good authority the Earl of Melton is renown for his self-control," Helen said impishly as her mouth tipped upwards. He grunted with irritation before he smiled down at her.

"I can think of several times when Melton has been known to lose control of his senses, and last night was no exception." His teasing sent pink color flooding his wife's cheeks and he grinned broadly. She buried her face in his shoulder for a brief instant before looking up at him.

"You are a scoundrel, Lord Melton." Mock severity on her face, Helen playfully squeezed his arm in a half-hearted reprimand. But it was the love he saw sparkling in Helen's eyes that made his heart crash into the wall of his chest. Basking in the warmth of her gaze, Sebastian kissed her brow and pushed all thought of the Earl of Argaty out of his head as they went in search of their children.

§ § §

Hours later Sebastian recalled his wife's prophetic words as he faced the Earl of Argaty in stunned amazement.

"You want what?"

"I thought I was quite clear when I asked my question the first time," the earl growled. "I would like your permission to ask Louisa to be my wife."

"Permission to—what in God's name made you think I'd be willing to do that?" He glared at the earl with extreme dislike. "And what makes you think Louisa would even consider such a proposal?"