by Monica Burns
“I understand now, why the few servants you have call you the beastly earl.” Startled by her disgruntled remark, he eyed her with surprise.
“They call me what?”
“Ewan Colquhoun, the Beastly Earl of Argaty.”
He mulled her scornful words over for a long minute. It didn’t really surprise him that people had labeled him a beast. In many ways, it was a well-earned title, if only because of his disfigurements.
“A title I’m more than worthy of, no doubt,” he murmured with a touch of irony.
“I don’t think you’re beastly, but you can most definitely be an ass.”
The reply was barely audible, and he had to look at her to be certain she’d actually said something. The moment she realized he was watching her, she flushed with embarrassment, but remained silent. She had the look of a schoolgirl when she blushed as she was doing now.
She didn’t apologize, but he’d not expected her to do so. Louisa was too forthright to ask forgiveness for speaking plainly. A few moments passed before he made an effort to alleviate the tension between them.
“I assume McCallum has provided you with everything you need for the schoolroom.”
“Yes, he’s been exceedingly helpful. He had Finn and Brown carry up a large desk for my use as well as table and chairs for the boys.”
The mention of Brown made his muscles tighten before he relaxed. He’d hired the tall, burly Scot shortly after his return from the Sudan. As a deaf mute, he’d been the perfect choice for the responsibility Ewan had assigned to him. The Scot also assisted with the occasional odd task about the keep when necessity demanded it.
When she said nothing else, he remained silent as well. They continued along the burn for a few more minutes until the bridge came into view. Ewan was beginning to feel the weight of the awkward silence between them, and he cleared his throat.
“So you still intend to remain here for Christmas?” He tried to convince himself he was simply making small talk, but he heard a snort of laughter in the back of his head.
“Yes, McCallum has made arrangements for Finn to accompany us on Saturday to find tree.”
“I find it surprising you want to remain here for the holiday,” he murmured as he reflected on the manner in which Louisa had said goodbye to her brother a few days ago.
“Why?” The bewilderment in her voice made him glance in her direction.
“It was apparent the other day that you and your brother are quite close.” Ewan eyed her with curiosity.
“I’m close with all my siblings. My parents died when I was extremely young. As the oldest, Sebastian took over as head of the family. I’ve always turned to him the most.”
“And that makes it all the more puzzling as to why you would choose to remain here for the holiday.” At his observation, Louisa pulled Morag to a halt, and eyed him with a look of disdain as he stopped Lachlan as well.
“At the risk of arousing your anger again, let me be blunt.” The sharp words were emphasized by the stubborn set of her full, pink lips and the defiance in her large, hazel eyes. “Ross is desperate for attention—love. It’s unnatural for a child his age to be so quiet and reserved. And if you, or anyone in this house, think I’m about to leave him alone on a day that should be filled with laughter and merriment then you’re sadly mistaken.”
Ewan frowned at the accusatory note in her voice. The woman didn’t understand why he was incapable of loving the boy, and he had no intention of discussing the matter with her. Angered by her condemnation, he remained silent and simply nudged Lachlan into a fast trot. A few seconds later, Louisa was riding beside him again. This time the silence wasn’t awkward, it reverberated with angry tension. Once more he reminded himself that he’d known it was dangerous to let Louisa stay. He was victim to his own ineptitude.
“I’m sorry.” At her apology, he glanced in her direction. Louisa was studying him with clear remorse, and he released a breath of exasperation.
“I find that difficult to believe when you continue to challenge me on how I raise the boy.”
“It’s a family trait, although I think I have more of it than the rest of my siblings.”
“Then I’m glad the rest of your family aren't here,” he growled.
She didn’t respond, and he found himself grateful for it. He nudged Lachlan into a slow canter eager to distance himself from Louisa and the effect she had on him. The woman had him in knots, until he didn’t know which way he was going. Louisa made Morag match Lachlan’s pace until they rode into the stable yard.
As the horses came to a halt, she waited for him to dismount and help her off the mare. In silence, he wrapped his good arm around her waist to lift her off her horse while stabilizing her descent with his mechanical limb. Her hands pressed down into his shoulders causing the leather contraption he wore to bite into his skin. The instant he drew in a sharp breath of discomfort, she jerked her hands off his shoulders.
To prevent her from collapsing at his feet, he tightened his grip on her waist and used his body to ease her off of Morag. Soft womanly curves pressed into him as she slid down the length of his body. The scent of roses filled his nostrils as her hair brushed against his face. It took him several seconds after her feet touched the ground to release his hold on her. Hazel eyes were wide with confusion, Louisa quickly averted her gaze.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” she murmured with remorse.
“It was nothing.”
The reply was only partially true. He was hurting a great deal more in other parts of his body. Ewan turned and grabbed the reins of both horses intending to take them into the stable. This was the last time he intended on riding with Louisa Morehouse. In fact, he was going to do his very best to stay away from her. He’d taken only a couple of steps toward the barn when she pressed her hand into his arm.
“I would like to go into the village tomorrow to do some shopping.”
“Take McCallum with you then.” If she expected him to accompany her, she’d lost her mind. He took another step forward only to have her stop him again.
“Actually, I wanted to ask if I might have a small advance on my salary.”
“Tell McCallum what you need, and he’ll see to it.” With a sharp nod, he led the horses into the stable. At this moment, he wanted to put as much distance between him and Louisa Morehouse as he could and as fast as possible.
Chapter 8
The sound of children’s voices outside his study door pulled Ewan’s attention away from the account log he’d been reviewing. A second later, there was a knock on the door, and before he could call out a command to enter, the door swung open. Without even glancing in his direction, Louisa stormed his study without so much of a by-your-leave or other explanation. Following in her wake were all three boys carrying cutlery, plates, and cups.
Completely blind-sided, he watched in stunned disbelief as his private sanctuary erupted into a place of chaos. Pointing toward the table where he took his meals, Louisa issued orders much in the same way he had while leading the soldiers of the Black Watch regiment in the Sudan. Just like the men under his command, the children obeyed her orders without question.
“Wills, you and Charlie may set the table. Asadi and McCallum will be here in a moment with supper.” Louisa set a tray of cutlery and mugs down on the table and glanced over her shoulder. “Careful with the milk, please, Ross.”
Ewan turned his head slightly to see the boy carefully walking toward the table with a large pitcher in hand. As Ross set the pitcher on the table, Ewan recovered his wits and scowled at Louisa as she turned to face him.
“What the devil do you think you’re doing,” he snarled.
“As I recall, you agreed to have supper with me and the children if you lost our wager this afternoon, which you did. Since you refused to come to the nursery for supper, I’ve decided to collect my winnings here instead.”
“I said it was a tie,” Ewan muttered with displeasure.
“And I disagreed,�
� she said with a smile that made his chest tighten as the air in his lungs disappeared.
Before he could drag more air into his lungs and order her out of the room, Asadi and McCallum arrived with two trays filled with food. Turning away from him, she directed the Scotsman and Ewan’s self-proclaimed servant where to set the food on the table. On their way out the door, Asadi beamed a wide grin in his direction, but it was the amusement on McCallum’s face that made Ewan’s lip curl slightly in a silent snarl of irritation. As the door closed between two men, Louisa directed the boys where to sit, and began preparing plates for them.
“Come have supper, Ewan. You don’t want it to grow cold.” She looked over her shoulder at him, an irreverent smile on her sweet mouth. “It’s mutton pie. Mrs. Selkirk said it’s one of your favorites.”
Ewan grunted as he considered whether to ignore her dictates and go back to his desk. At this point, surrender seemed the better part of reason. If he tried to return to his accounts, the woman would hound him until he joined her and the boys. As he sat down at the table, the satisfaction that flitted across her face made him glare at her profile.
She added a helping of neeps and tatties next to his pie then carried the plate to where he sat at the head of the table. The moment she set the plate down in front of him, he caught her by the wrist and forced her to bend downward until their faces were mere inches apart. Electricity shot up his arm as he touched her.
He’d expected the shock, but not the strength of it. The scent of roses filled his nostrils as she turned her head to meet his gaze. Laughter danced in her hazel eyes, and her smile twisted his insides into knots. As they stared at each other, another emotion flickered to life in her eyes, and her mouth became a soft, sultry invitation.
It ignited a fire inside him that could easily spiral out of control if he allowed it to. God help him. He wanted her in his bed looking at him just as she did now. Almost as if she could read his mind, a flush of pink color swept across her cheeks, but it was the darkening of her eyes that entranced him. Was this what she would look like as he thrust his body into hers? The thought made his mouth tighten as he struggled to curb the desire hardening every one of his muscles.
“You have a habit of storming into my private sanctuary much in the way a mistress of the house might, Louisa,” he murmured as he heard his voice thicken with desire. Deliberately, he rubbed the inside of her wrist with his thumb. “If you persist, I’ll assume there is another room you intend to invade as well.”
A small tremor shook her body and vibrated against the palm of his hand. It sent another jolt of electricity crashing through him, and Ewan immediately released his hold on her. Although she was free of his restraint, the tension in the air held her frozen at his side. Heat filled the space between them, and the awareness he saw flashing in her eyes was a familiar one. It was a sensation he’d already come to accept as natural whenever he was near her.
In the next instant, her gaze narrowed on his, and her mouth thinned with irritation. Straightening upright with a small jerk, she glared down at him before walking away to grab a mug off a dinner tray. She walked back to his side, and with a restrained, yet vicious, gesture set it down hard in front of him.
Beer sloshed out onto the table, and her lips curved upwards in a disdainful smile before she stalked away from him. Unable to help himself, Ewan released a loud laugh, which earned him a blistering glare from her as she moved toward her seat. Louisa Morehouse was apparently accustomed to having her own way, and he’d turned the tables on her. Louisa seated herself opposite him and continued to glare at him.
“Are you all right, Mama?” Wills asked with a frown. “You look angry.”
“I am angry, my darling, but not with you.” Louisa reached out to squeeze her son’s hand and offered him a reassuring smile. The moment her gaze fell back on Ewan, her glare returned.
Although he’d not been happy to see Louisa show up unannounced with the children in tow, truth was he was beginning to enjoy himself. Louisa’s demeanor was enough to thwart conversation, and everyone ate their dinner in quiet. They were halfway through the meal when Louisa’s anger began to abate as she broke the silence.
“Are the three of you enjoying your riding lessons?”
At her question, the solemn expressions on the faces of the boys relaxed into cheerful smiles and excited chattering. To his surprise, he actually liked the noise. His gaze fell on Ross, and the broad grin on the boy’s face startled him. Louisa had only been here for a short while, but in that time she’d managed a transformation in Ross that amazed him as much as it shamed him. He should have recognized sooner the child’s need for affection and companionship with other children. He grimaced as he realized he’d inflicted his own painful childhood on the boy.
“Charlie and Wills are both excellent riders, Mrs. Morehouse.” Although Ross’s voice wasn’t as loud as the other two boys, it had a happy note to it that sent another blast of shame through Ewan.
“You have the makings of an exceptional horseman as well, Ross,” he said gruffly as he skewered the last bite of Scotch pie on his plate. As he popped the meat pastry into his mouth, he saw the wide-eyed disbelief and pleasure lighting up Ross’s face. The child looked as if he’d just been given a present.
“Thank you, Father,” the child said with a happy smile. Ewan winced slightly and reached for his beer.
“I think it’s time McCallum finds a more suitable mount for you. A plow horse is not the best choice for refining one’s riding skills,” he paused slightly as he looked over the rim of his cup at Louisa. “Charlie and Wills will have one too.”
The table erupted with excitement, as the boys cried out a chorus of thanks before discussing the possible choices of animal the family retainer would select for them. Opposite him, Louisa's expression of surprise gave way to a warm smile of approval that gave him a rush of pleasure. The moment the sensation spread through him, Ewan frowned.
Louisa Morehouse was a formidable woman when it came to getting her way. Her brother had been right. Louisa never asked permission, only forgiveness, and he was beginning to realize how well that strategy worked for her—especially where he was concerned. Ewan shoved his plate away from him in a rough gesture and rose to his feet.
“I have work to do. Work that requires quiet.” He deliberately focused his eye on Louisa. She frowned at his abruptness, but nodded a silent agreement.
Satisfied his request would be honored, Ewan walked back to his desk. As he sank down into his chair, he opened the ledger he’d been working on before his unexpected guests had arrived. A quiet sound at the edge of large desk made him look up to see Ross standing in front of him.
“What is it, Ross?” he asked quietly as he studied the boy.
“I…might…I would like to buy a Christmas present for Mrs. Morehouse, Charlie, and Wills, my lord,” he stammered before his words echoed out in a rush of air. “I know you always give the servants coin on Boxing Day, but I would like to do something special for Mrs. Selkirk and McCallum too.”
“I assume you’ll need money for these gifts?”
“Yes, Father.” The boy’s manner of addressing him made Ewan stiffen. He remained silent for a moment as he met Ross’s hesitant gaze then nodded his head.
“I’ll see to it that McCallum gives you what you need.”
“Thank you, Father, and thank you again for the horse. I’ll work hard to make you proud.”
The boy’s words were like a dagger in his heart as he remembered saying something similar to his mother when he’d been about Ross’s age and so desperate to please her. He shook his head slowly.
“You’re a good lad, Ross. But don’t ever do anything in order to seek anyone’s approval. Not even mine.” He met the child’s bewildered gaze with a steady one. “The only approval you should care about is your own. Always ask yourself, are you a living a good, kind, and honorable life because in the end that’s all that counts.”
A movement behind Ross anno
unced Louisa’s arrival, and she settled her hands on the boy’s shoulders.
“It’s time to say goodnight, Ross.”
“Goodnight, Father.” The child bowed in his direction then headed toward the door.
When Louisa didn't move, he arched his eyebrow at her in a questioning manner. The flush cresting in her cheeks made her look like a debutante fresh out of the school room, while her full bosom and womanly curves said otherwise. He drew in a sharp breath at the thought. Christ Jesus, he was in desperate need of Alanna’s services more than he realized.
The cackling laugh in the back of his head called him a liar. There was only one remedy, and it involved more than one dose. The thought made his chest tighten at how easily this woman twisted him into knots as if he were a school boy. He’d already taken things to far at the supper table when he’d suggested she might enter his bed.
“I wanted to express my thanks for your generous gesture where the boys are concerned.”
“You’ve said them. Now leave. I’ve work to do.”
He fixed his gaze on the ledger in front of him, and dismissed her with a sharp wave of his hand. Ewan expected her to turn away, but when she didn’t he released a harsh sound of aggravation that was born more out of desperation than actual ire. Determined to make himself as disagreeable as possible, he lifted his head.
“What do you want of me now, Louisa?”
Color flushed her cheeks at his question before she straightened to her full height and squared her shoulders as if she were headed into battle.
“I wanted to say I was sorry. I was wrong about you.”
“Wrong?” His body hardened with tension as he watched her cheeks darken to a deep shade of pink.
“I was wrong to say you were a cruel and heartless man, and I’m sorry.”
