“I mean it,” I promised. I was determined I could live here, despite Thane. “I’m settled here. Even without …”
“Then it’s decided.” Lachlan strode across the room and handed each of us a coffee. “Until you can find something more permanent, I have a server position open at the castle. You can start whenever you want.”
“Really? You trust me to work there?”
My soon-to-be brother-in-law smiled. “I trusted you with my niece and nephew, so I certainly trust you to work at the club.”
It was so similar to what Thane had said only days before that I had to lower my eyes to cover the flinch of pain. Yet if I was staying in Ardnoch, I had to get used to it. I was going to see Thane, Eilidh, and Lewis more than Thane realized at this point.
“Speaking of.” Robyn squeezed my shoulder. “The kids are asking for you. There’s only so long we can tell them you’re sick.”
Sipping my coffee, I moved out of my sister’s embrace and slumped down on the sectional. “Thane expects me to say goodbye to them. And I don’t want to. So … I’m putting it off.”
“My brother doesn’t know you’re staying?”
I shook my head. “He thinks I’m leaving soon, I guess.”
“Then don’t say goodbye.” Lachlan stared at me with a gleam in his eyes. “It’ll only confuse them when you never leave.”
“I’ll need to talk with them soon, though, about not being their nanny anymore. The very thought nauseates me.”
Robyn and Lachlan exchanged a look, and my sister turned to me. “I’ve got an idea … why don’t you get all dolled up for the Hogmanay party at Ardnoch. It’ll be an excellent distraction.”
The thought of pasting a smile on and socializing with movie stars wasn’t as appealing as it might have been six months ago. Plus, Thane would be there.
“Thane’s not coming,” Robyn assured me, as if she’d read my mind. “He’s staying home with the kids.”
“I don’t know.” I still didn’t think I had the energy to be the bright, bubbly, breezy version of myself. However, I also didn’t want to be alone in the house with the objects of my affection a mere stone’s throw away.
Something occurred to me. Directing my question at Lachlan, I asked, “I don’t suppose you need extra servers for this party, do you?”
35
Regan
Lachlan wasted no time putting me on his payroll. With employment came the offer to stay in one of the cabins Lachlan rented to seasonal employees just there for the summer. I knew right away he’d discounted my rent and was affronted I was being coddled again until Regan assured me it was just Lachlan’s way. He was extremely generous with his family, and he’d be offended if I refused the discount.
Every day on the estate, being away from Caelmore, away from Eilidh and Lewis, my uneasiness grew. It wasn’t fair for me to just disappear out of their lives. While I didn’t know what I’d say to them, I finally texted Thane the morning of New Year’s Eve to arrange a time for me to see them. We decided on the third day of the new year at the play park near the school. I didn’t want it to be public, but Thane, for whatever reason, thought it was best. His texts were clipped and no-nonsense. I didn’t recognize him in them. In fact, I hadn’t recognized the Thane I knew and loved since Christmas Day.
Maybe that would make it easier for me to get over him.
Eventually.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Robyn asked me for the sixteenth time.
I stared at her, looking more glamorous than I’d ever seen her, in a long-sleeved, formfitting, sheer black dress that came to just above her knees. It was saved from being utterly scandalous by the stunning beadwork. The sequined embroidery created an explosion of golds, silvers, blues, and pinks that looked like fireworks. A perfect New Year’s Eve dress, an incredible work of art that had been a gift from Lachlan. Robyn wore her hair slicked back in a high ponytail that elongated her eyes, making them particularly sultry. Dark gold strappy heels that made her amazing legs look even more spectacular completed the ensemble.
She was a bona fide hottie.
“I’m sure,” I promised, answering her question. “Have I mentioned you look incredible?”
Robyn gave me a sad smile. “You have. And you look super cute in that uniform, but I will ask you again, and it will be the last time: Are you sure you want to work at this party rather than be a guest at it? Because frankly, it’s weird that my baby sister is serving people rather than standing at my side, showing all those Hollywood types what genuine beauty looks like.”
Tears brightened my eyes. “Have I also mentioned how you’re the best friend anyone could ever ask for?”
She smiled and came toward me, her arms outstretched, but I waved her off.
“No, I don’t want to rumple you or get my uniform caught on a sequin.” I was dressed in the server’s uniform. All the waitstaff wore the same traditional getup—white cravat, black waistcoat, coattails, flat-black dress shoes, and white gloves. Only Mr. Ramsay, the maître d’hôtel and my supervisor, and the butler, Wakefield, wore a dark green waistcoat to differentiate them from the rest of the staff. I thought girls in coattails were adorable and applauded Lachlan’s decision to be gender neutral rather than make the girls wear uncomfortable skirts and heels. The only thing that was a pain was the cravat. But I’d get used to it.
Robyn halted, her arms flopping to her sides. “Well, if I can’t convince you otherwise, I better let you get to work. I’ll see you at the party. No gawking at the famous people.”
I made a face. “I’ve seen plenty of famous faces the past forty-eight hours and have been totally cool, thank you very much.”
“But this is your first time serving them up close. Don’t be dazzled.”
“Believe me, Robbie,” I said, giving her a melancholy smile, “nothing can dazzle me right now.”
At the way her face fell, I hurried to say, “Except you in that dress.”
My sister didn’t buy my teasing. So I kissed her on the cheek before she could say anything else and hurried out of their private suite.
I couldn’t imagine the castle like Thane had once described it—cold and dreary—as I moved through the traditionally decorated hallways that were now warm and inviting. On the staircase, I approached the British actor Angeline Potter and some guy I didn’t recognize climbing the stairs hand in hand. They weren’t dressed yet for the party, though Angeline’s hair and makeup were certainly made up for it, so I assumed they’d be arriving “fashionably late.”
“Oi, you, come here,” she called as I descended toward them.
“Yes?” I asked as I slowed.
She narrowed her eyes at me as I stopped on the wide staircase beside them. “You’re new. I’d remember that face.”
“First night.”
“How nice for you. Could you be a dear and let Wakefield know I want a bottle of champagne sent to my suite?”
“Sure thing.” I moved to walk by her.
“Sure thing?” she called snottily at my back.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Pardon?”
“Darling, you’re new, so I’ll let it slide just this once. When you’re speaking to me, I expect you to be well-mannered. You don’t answer ‘sure thing.’ You reply, ‘Right away, Ms. Potter.’ Understood?”
Call it the rough week I’d just had or maybe fatigue of being condescended to, but I responded with, “I treat people how they treat me. If you’d like my attention in the future, instead of hailing me like a dog, you might try, ‘Excuse me, miss, can you help me, please?’”
Angeline gaped like a gulping fish while her companion covered a smirk with his hand.
“I’ll let Wakefield know you want that bottle sent up.” I hurried downstairs, my pulse racing a little.
Probably not the best start.
“We’re going to get this unpleasantness out of the way immediately.” Mr. Ramsay cornered me as I placed champagne flutes onto sterling silver serving trays.
At his agitated tone, I turned to him. “Is everything okay?”
“Mr. Wakefield has just informed me that our esteemed guest Ms. Angeline Potter has filed a complaint against you for your rudeness to her this evening.” His expression couldn’t be any more disapproving. “Now, I understand this is an unusual situation, as we’ve never had an extended member of the Adair family on staff before. However, I do not care if you are the Queen of Sheba, Ms. Penhaligon. You will not be rude to my guests because you think you can get away with it.”
Indignation fired through me, and I sought to stay calm. “I wasn’t rude because I think I’m immune to disciplinary action. I responded in kind to Ms. Potter.”
Some of Mr. Ramsay’s ire seemed to deflate. “It is your first night, Regan, and you are jumping into the deep end. There are more members here tonight than any night of the year. No one does Hogmanay like the Scots, and our members clamber to attend.”
I bit back a pithy reply about how only Scottish people technically did Hogmanay.
“During your time here, you will discover some members are more difficult to deal with than others. While no one gets away with outright disrespecting the staff, we cannot stop members from being generally ill-mannered or difficult to please. You must react in those situations with utmost professionalism. I suggest counting to ten in your head before responding.”
“Is that what you do?” I asked somewhat cheekily, grinning at him.
A gleam of amusement flickered in his eyes, and I knew he wasn’t immune to a little charm. “Back to work, Ms. Penhaligon. Best behavior, please.”
“Yes, Mr. Ramsay.”
Still, when he walked away, I huffed under my breath. I couldn’t believe the snot tattled on me.
An hour later, the dining room and humongous reception hall, transformed for the party, were filled with members. The band was set up on the staircase landing in front of the stained glass window. When I first glimpsed Ashton Solomon, lead singer of the famous indie-rock band High Voltage, I thought I was seeing things. Then I spotted the rest of the band.
Lachlan had hired one of the most sought-after bands in the world to play his Hogmanay party.
Shit, I didn’t even want to know what that cost him.
Before the band started, the guests were asked to come outside. As I watched everyone file toward the large main entrance in their coats, a warm hand clasped my elbow and I turned to find Robyn.
“Come on, you don’t want to miss this.”
“But I’m working,” I protested.
“Lachlan said everyone.”
“Why? What’s going on?” I asked loudly to be heard over the guests.
“Fire is a big part of Hogmanay celebrations. Every year, Lachlan hires fire dancers to put on a kickoff show on the driveway.”
Eyebrows raised, I let my sister drag me outside. Lachlan gestured her over to him, and I followed willingly until I realized he wasn’t alone.
Arro and Mac looked especially glamorous, Mac like Lachlan in his kilt, and Arro in a green gown that showed off a figure so elegant, she could be an advertisement for diamonds.
They weren’t the problem.
It was the other Scot in his kilt.
Thane.
“I thought he wasn’t coming,” I hissed in Robyn’s ear as she forced me along with her.
“Eredine hates Hogmanay, so she offered to babysit. Lachlan made him come.”
Wonderful.
As if he sensed my eyes on him, Thane turned from talking with Mac and looked directly at us. He stiffened as his gaze drifted down my body, taking in my staff uniform. I winced as he shot an accusatory look at his brother.
Obviously, Lachlan had failed to tell him I now worked at Ardnoch.
The flicker of orange light caught my attention just as gasps of delight filled the night air. Robyn’s hand closed around mine, refusing to let go, as we turned to watch the spectacle of the elegant fire dancers.
“Just ignore him and enjoy this.”
Thankfully, the procession of dancers down the long drive was hypnotizing as flames lit up the surrounding darkness. I made sounds of delight and amazement along with everyone else as fire-breathers shot massive fireballs into the air and fire dancers spun by them in aerial cartwheels while they twirled fans of fire in their hands.
Not long before it ended, one of my new colleagues, Andrew, approached to tell me Mr. Ramsay wanted all the staff back inside for serving food. That morning I’d rehearsed with the rest of the waitstaff because we wouldn’t enter the party with the trays of food and drink until the castle piper piped in a ceremonial haggis. The members wouldn’t be eating that haggis. They’d be eating fancy canapés with haggis wrapped in phyllo pastry drizzled in a whisky cream sauce.
While I envied them the food and drink and cheer, I was gladder than ever that I was working now that Thane was here. The guests would keep me busy, distracting me from looking for him every second.
I had to admit, as the bagpiper led the procession of the haggis, I got goose bumps. The pipes’ mournful rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” filled every inch of the reception hall. The servers holding the champagne moved through the crowd quietly. I was one of those servers, and having spotted the Adairs on the far side of the room near the entrance, I stuck to the opposite side. Once all my glasses were taken, I returned to an archway near the back of the hall.
When the piper finished, Lachlan strode up the main staircase and stopped on a step just below the band on the landing. The murmurs settled, and he gestured with his glass. “Thank you, honored guests,” his voice boomed around the room, his accent sounding more pronounced tonight, “for being here to celebrate Hogmanay at Ardnoch.”
A few cheers came from the members, and he grinned, waving his hand to settle them. A solemnity replaced his smile. “Not for many years has Ardnoch looked forward to a new beginning as it does tonight. The hardships of this year cannot be denied, and we’ll never forget them or my friend Greg McHugh.”
Greg, I knew, was the security guard killed by Fergus when Lucy was terrorizing Lachlan and Ardnoch.
At the emotion in Lachlan’s voice, tears stung my eyes.
“I cannot bring back Greg for his family, but I can thank him for protecting mine. It is a debt I can never repay …” He took a deep breath and continued, “Despite the loss and trauma of this year, as I stand here, I am nothing but grateful for my many blessings. To be surrounded by you all, friends who have shown me and Ardnoch such support.” His gaze drifted to Robyn. “To have Robyn by my side and her promise to stay at my side forever.”
Whistles rent the air, making him grin ruefully.
“To have my family here, safe and well,” he continued, “it’s all any of us can ask. And I wish nothing but the same for you, my friends. Tonight, we let go of yesterday and embrace new beginnings.” He raised his glass, and the guests followed suit. “May ye for’er be happy an’ yer enemies know it! Slàinte Mhath!” He pronounced the Scottish Gaelic for “cheers” as slanj-a-va.
“Slàinte Mhath!” the guests roared, and the band broke into the beginning chords of their biggest hit to date.
I watched Lachlan stop to shake hands with guests. All the while, his eyes were on Robyn. Just a few weeks ago, I’d imagined spending New Year’s Eve with Thane. Maybe sneaking away from everyone else to kiss at midnight. As I followed my new colleagues to collect fresh trays of drinks, I scoffed at the very idea. Perhaps in five years’ time, I’d be less bitter and at a Hogmanay much like this, I’d be able to clink my glass against his and wish him well.
I winced.
I did wish him well.
I would never wish Thane anything else.
But I wasn’t quite ready to wish it to his face.
36
Thane
“Brother, a word.” Thane didn’t care if he was being rude as he took Lachlan’s elbow and forcefully removed him from his conversation with the famous director, Merriam Burbanks.
&nbs
p; “Excuse me,” Lachlan said before he was hauled away. “You can let go of me now.”
Thane released him, knowing his big brother would follow, as they moved swiftly through the crowd, their expressions warding off anyone who might approach to engage them in conversation. Thane searched through the famous faces to find Regan. She was in profile, flashing her pretty dimples at Roman fucking Bright, of all people. Even in the ridiculous livery Lachlan made his staff wear, she was appealing. And Bright seemed to think so as he stopped her from drifting away with her tray of champagne flutes. His lips were quirked in flirtation. The bastard was married, but Thane knew via Lachlan that the son of Hollywood legend Garret Bright was a well-known womanizer.
His gut twisted as he wrenched his gaze away, stormed from the party, and turned down the castle corridor toward Lachlan’s stage office. Once inside, he waited until his brother shut the door behind him.
“You said she wouldn’t be here.”
“I said she wouldn’t be a guest here.” Lachlan shrugged.
“You bastard. I can’t believe you hired her.”
Lachlan stared calmly at him. “Robyn is as good as my wife. Regan is her sister.”
“So you hired her? For how long? Until her visa expires?”
“No.”
Thane’s stomach dropped. “No?”
“She’s applying for her ancestry visa. I have a friend at the Home Office who’s going to push it through so she doesn’t have to return to the States to wait for it. I offered her a position and a cabin here on the estate for however long she needs it.”
“With no thought to me or the kids?” Thane seethed.
Lachlan quirked an eyebrow. “I’m sure the kids will be pleased Regan can still be in their lives. Frankly, your attitude to this point has suggested you don’t give a fuck about her. I didn’t think you’d care. But Robyn does. Robyn wants her here, so I’m making that happen.”
There With You Page 35
