Page 79 of The Beastly Earl

"Actually, I find your decision an honorable one, simply because you're willing to sacrifice your principles for the sake of others," Sebastian said quietly, and Argaty jerked in surprise. Sebastian smiled. "That is the measure of a man I would gladly welcome as a brother-in-law."

"I shall do my best to make her happy, if she'll have me," Argaty said firmly. "If I'm to have the approval of the rest of the Rockwood clan, I will require a task for the Speerin."

"The—I don't think that's really necessary."

"As far as I'm concerned it is, and it should be done in public." Determination hardened the earl's face, and Sebastian bit back a chuckle. Louisa might delight in winning battles with this man, but she would most definitely lose the war.

"I should warn you the privilege of asking my sister to marry you may come at a much higher price than you think. There will be no quarter, no mercy given on the part of my siblings when it comes to their selection of the Speerin task." Sebastian arched his eyebrows at the man as his gaze flitted to the earl's missing arm. "However, I will see to it that they—"

"No. I am not to be afforded any measure of restraint. I expect to be treated as you would any other man seeking your sister's hand in marriage."

Argaty's voice was harsh as his posture and expression illustrated his strong objection to any accommodation the Rockwoods might give him. It made Sebastian admire the man all the more, and he nodded his head in understanding. The earl relaxed slightly at Sebastian's reassuring nod, and the man drew in a breath of what Sebastian determined was relief.

"Will you and your clan be attending the Hogmanay celebration in the Callendar village tomorrow evening?" Argaty asked as an uncomfortable hesitation hardened his features.

"Yes, the entire family will be there." Sebastian grimaced as he contemplated his sister's current state of listlessness. "Louisa might be reluctant to join us, but I will see to it she's there."

"Thank you. Asking for Louisa's hand in an open forum will emphasize how much she means to me," Argaty said with an uneasy frown. "She knows I do not enjoy public events."

"Very well, I will send you a note with the Speerin task by tomorrow morning." Sebastian extended his hand to the earl. As they shook hands, he smiled at Argaty's uneasy expression. "If it helps, I understand what you're experiencing at this moment. I'm certain my brother-in-law Lucien would also commiserate with you. But I know my sister, and I'm confident she'll not refuse you."

Argaty's only reply was a twist of his lips that declared the depth of his uncertainty in a way words could not. Biting back a smile, Sebastian said goodbye and walked out of the study. As he moved through the front door of Argaty Keep, Sebastian remembered his conversation with Helen earlier. Tilly had been correct in her prediction as to the old and new earl.

Sebastian groaned as he threw himself into his carriage. Life was about to become chaotic in a way he'd never dreamed. He closed his eyes for a moment as he remembered Tilly's decision this past summer to go swimming without supervision in the small lake at Melton Park. She'd frightened Helen to the point of tears, and even he had been shaken by the incident. Now that his daughter possessed the an dara sealladh, all manner of hell would ensue. A grimace of resignation twisted his mouth before he grinned. It was a journey he wouldn't trade for the world.

Chapter 21

"I should send you to bed instead of letting you go to the celebration this evening, young man." Louisa released a small noise of exasperation as she leaned over Wills and brushed cobwebs off the back of his jacket.

"But, Mama, I had to rescue Roscoe."

"The dog would have found his way out of that rundown farmhouse without your help," she scolded. The last of the white gossamer removed from his coat, Louisa straightened and eyed her youngest son sternly. "You are not to go to the Banks croft again, do you understand?"

"Yes, Mama." Wills nodded his head contritely, and Louisa sighed.

"Did you at least find Roscoe?" Her question made the child grin with satisfaction.

"Yes, Mama, I left him with Fergus in the stables."

"Left who in the stables?" A deep male voice asked.

Louisa turned to see Sebastian standing in the salon doorway a twinkle in his dark eyes as he looked down at his nephew. With his scolding complete, a cheerful expression lightened Wills's small features.

"Roscoe. I rescued him from old crofter Banks's farmhouse, uncle Sebastian. But it was filled with spider webs."

"Which explains this," her brother said with a grin as he pulled a piece of cobweb off of the child's jacket that Louisa had missed. Sebastian held it up for inspection as he chuckled softly. "Off with you, scamp. Your brother and the other children are waiting for you at the wagon."

Without hesitating the boy rushed past his uncle, his shoes tapping against the wood floor of the main hall. As her son disappeared from the room, Louisa shook her head as she pressed one hand against her stomach.

"Dear heaven, he's almost as bad as Tilly when it comes to adventures."

"He comes by it naturally." The teasing note in Sebastian's voice made her scowl at her brother before she laughed.

"Yes, I suppose he does." Louisa rolled her eyes then turned away to find the book she'd set down when Wills had appeared covered in spider webs.

"Come, with the exception of Rhea and Constance, who is always late, the rest of the family is waiting outside." Sebastian stretched out as his arm, and his fingers flicked in a commanding gesture for her to join him.

"I am not always late, brother dear," Constance declared with mock severity before her gaze skimmed over Louisa. "Why aren't you wearing that new coat you bought from Madame Sabine? You practically swooned over it when you saw it the day we visited Ophelia."