Page 59

A great many local families had gathered at Dalwyck for a céilidh. As had been the case at the gathering held at the home farm, Sebastian was playing host. Dalwyck, after all, belonged to him, an inheritance from his father. And the empty house Cordelia had asked about when he’d brought her here was his as well.

So many had helped him quickly leave the home farm and settle here. They’d shown him such acceptance, such kindness.

He’d spent his sojourn in London waiting to be accepted rather than finding where he belonged.

He’d done everything demanded of him by the laird without giving any true thought to himself. He’d very nearly let his conformity to those demands tear Cordelia from him.

No more.

Connall, standing near Sebastian, motioned with his head out into the glen. “Shadow seems to like her new home.”

“We both do, though I suspect Mr. Breckin is correct in saying she needs a friend of some kind to give her the feel of a flock.”

“Another sheep?”

Sebastian laughed. “Not likely, though I won’t rule out the possibility should another lamb be orphaned next lambing season. At the moment, Breckin is suggesting a donkey.”

“A donkey’d be helpful,” Connall said, “seeing as you had to leave the pony at the home farm.”

That had been Sebastian’s thought as well. “I simply need to get myself a cart to go along with the animal, since that was left at the home farm as well. Truth be told, I’m more disappointed that I’ve had to leave you at the home farm, though I know it’s a good position for you.”

Connall grinned. “I’m not old enough to run it on my own, but my father’s happier there than he was as a butler. We McCrorys belong to the land. Always have.”

Sebastian looked out over the meadow at the distant mountains. “The land has begun calling to me these past years as well. I love it more the longer I am in Teviotbrae.”

“A good laird always cares more about the land than about his claim to it.”

It was praise of Sebastian, something he’d heard from more than one person that day. He needed reassurance. No matter that he knew the current laird thought poorly of him; he wanted to know that the sentiment was not general.

Connall looked in the direction of the house Sebastian now called his own. “You’ve new arrivals for the céilidh.”

He did, indeed: Douglas Lithgow, whose family had been visiting for nearly a week, as well as Cordelia and her sister. He’d hoped they would come. Douglas had been kind to him while in London. Miss Seraphina’s spirits had seemed a bit higher of late, and Sebastian wanted to see that continue. But Cordelia was his focus. Lovely, wonderful Cordelia.

Sebastian rushed over to greet them, not particularly caring that his haste would lay bare to the people in attendance his feelings for Cordelia. They likely already knew.

“Welcome.” He made a show of offering the greeting to them all.

“I am certain you’ve been awaiting my arrival with bated breath,” Douglas said dryly. He offered his arm to Miss Seraphina. “Shall we join the lively gathering, seeing as we both know we are, at the moment, wished to Hades?”

Miss Seraphina laughed lightly. “I think we had better.”

And they did precisely that. Sebastian wasn’t about to complain.

“I worried your parents wouldn’t allow you to come,” he said.

“The younger Mr. Lithgow convinced them, though it was not difficult. I suspect they aren’t certain what their best position is where you are concerned. The current laird’s approval might earn them the disapproval of the future laird. I do not envy them the fine line they are attempting to walk.”

Sebastian took Cordelia’s hand and raised it to his lips. “If that confusion means we needn’t be separated by their edicts, I welcome it.”

Cordelia slipped her arm around his, leaning a bit against him. “Why did you not tell me when we came to this glen that it belonged to you?”

“Let us simply say I, too, was attempting to walk a very fine line.”

She sighed, the sound full of pleasure and relief. “I think you will be happy here.”

“At the moment, my dear, I am utterly ecstatic.”

They passed the remainder of the céilidh talking with the others gathered there, enjoying lively music and diverting stories. Though no one spoke their congratulations out loud, Sebastian had no doubt everyone present knew it was merely a matter of time before the current connection between their host and Miss Wakefield became a more permanent one. Even Douglas took the opportunity to goad him about it.