The Lord's Highland Temptation

by Diane Gaston

  Mairi felt Lucas’s eyes upon her. She lowered her gaze. The house party was not going to be fine for her.

  ‘Lucas?’ her father prompted.

  Lucas took a drink of wine before he answered, ‘I will do it.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  Once again Lucas had agreed to stay on. Mairi had said he had done enough for this family and he agreed. He’d more than paid his debt to them after the Edinburgh trip. But here he was, riding Dunburn’s horse alongside the coach transporting the Baron and Lady Dunburn, her lady’s maid and Mairi. Davina and Niven rode along with him, both wanting their horses for use at the Oxmonts’ house party.

  At least the weather was fine. Lucas wondered what the two younger Wallaces would do if it poured rain. The trip took two days with a night’s stay in Perth. On the second day Lucas watched the landscape change from rolling hills to mountains that seemed to rise straight to the sky. Every once in a while he could see lines of stag on the green and gold peaks, looking as if they wondered quite who these intruders were.

  Lucas had seen great houses throughout England and castles in Spain, France and Belgium, but he was still impressed at the first glance of Oxmont Castle. The road brought them to the crest of a hill and the house appeared below them encircled with trees that had started to change to their autumn colours. The mountains soared behind the house. Painted white, it appeared more like a country house than a castle and one haphazardly built at that. No homage to symmetry in this house. If one looked closely, though, a castle tower could be seen, one of several wings of the house that seemed put together like a child would build with blocks.

  When they finally reached the gate, they rode down a long avenue shaded by flaming red-leafed linden trees on both sides, as majestic an entrance as Lucas had ever seen. When they reached the house, the family was properly greeted and it was a new experience for Lucas to be virtually ignored by the couple he presumed to be Lord and Lady Oxmont. One of their footmen showed him to Dunburn’s room and gave him directions to get to the servants’ hall, where he would be free to spend leisure time and where his meals would be served.

  How odd to be unpacking for the Baron. Lucas was not looking forward to providing such personal care to Dunburn. Why had he agreed to this role again?

  Because the problem of Dunburn’s valet had become another point of conflict between Mairi and her parents and he’d wanted to prevent it. And he was not at all certain he liked the prospect of Hargreave courting Mairi. What he might do to interfere with that he did not know. He only knew he was determined that Mairi should be happy.

  Hargreave would not make her happy.

  The room Dunburn was given was not grand, probably befitting his lower title. There was a small closet with a cot. This would be where Lucas would sleep. Not as rough as some places he’d had to sleep during the war, but by far the saddest accommodations he’d ever had in a country house.

  Lucas quickly changed into what he thought of as his butler clothes. By the time he’d dressed, Dunburn came in to change out of his travel clothes.

  The man was in high spirits. ‘Well, well, Lucas. What do you think of this place, eh? Have you ever seen its like?’

  He adopted the persona of a manservant. ‘Never, sir.’ Perhaps if he remained very detached, he’d get through this.

  He helped Dunburn off with his coat, his boots, his trousers, and on with clean ones.

  ‘I’m off,’ the Baron said cheerfully.

  After he left, Lucas located the clothes brush, but should he brush the Baron’s clothes and his own here? They were filled with the dirt of the road.

  There was a knock on the door and he bid whoever it was to come in.

  To his surprise it was Mairi. ‘Forgive me for intruding, Lucas,’ she said. ‘But Nellie cannot get my mother’s trunk open. Can you help?’

  He put down his clothes brush. ‘Certainly.’

  Lady Dunburn’s was the next room. And after fiddling with the key he was able to open the trunk for Nellie. Mairi helped her unpack her mother’s things and Lucas stayed to move the empty trunk to the closet for them. Mairi left the room at the same time as Lucas.

  ‘Was your ride comfortable?’ he asked her.

  ‘As well as one can expect,’ she replied.

  ‘What happens now? Some entertainment planned for you?’ At house parties he’d attended in the past there was always something planned.

  ‘Davina is off to find Lord and Lady Oxmont’s daughter. She is the reason Davina was invited. To keep the daughter company. Niven went to find William Crawfurd. I suppose I shall have to join some of the ladies in one of the sitting rooms. I dare say that is where Mama is.’

  ‘You do not sound eager to do so.’

  ‘I am not. There is nothing to do but sit, and I am so unused to being idle.’ She lifted a shoulder. ‘At least it will delay encountering Mr Hargreave.’

  ‘You wish to avoid him?’ Lucas couldn’t help feeling cheered by this.

  Her eyes flashed. ‘Yes!’ She seemed to compose herself. ‘I cannot like him.’

  They were in agreement on that score.

  She lifted her arms in a helpless gesture. ‘My mother and Lady Crawfurd are determined, though.’

  ‘That he should court you?’

  She nodded.

  Lucas was reluctant to leave her. They stood together in the hallway, not speaking.

  ‘I am sorry you had to come, Lucas,’ she whispered finally. ‘I am certain this house party will be even worse for you.’

  ‘I will manage.’ He gazed down at her. ‘But you must let me know if I might be of assistance to you. You are not alone here, Mairi.’ He slipped again, using her given name.

  She lowered her lashes and blinked rapidly.

  Voices sounded at the stairway and they stepped apart.

  ‘I’d best be on my way,’ she said.

  He bowed slightly and returned to Dunburn’s room to gather the travel clothes. In this vast castle there must be a valet’s room where the clothing might be well brushed. He walked to the servants’ stairs and descended as far down as they went. A servant in the corridor directed him to the room where two others were tending to clothes.

  What was the etiquette for being a guest’s valet at a house party? He’d had a quick lesson from old Wilfred about what duties he’d need to perform for Dunburn, but he had not thought to ask how one interacted with the other servants.

  He nodded to the men present. ‘Good afternoon. I am Lucas. With the Baron of Dunburn.’

  One fellow glanced up for only a moment; the other’s brows rose. ‘English, are ye?’

  ‘That I am.’ Being English was not all that welcome in Scotland.

  ‘Been in Scotland long?’ the man asked.

  ‘I was recently hired as butler at Dunburn House.’ That much was true.

  ‘English butler,’ the man said mockingly. ‘Quite fancy.’

  ‘I am glad to have the work,’ he said. ‘Many soldiers home from the war are not so lucky.’ Hargreave and the Crawfurds knew he’d been in the army, so he might as well mention it and hope no one asked him about Waterloo.

  ‘A soldier, were ye?’ That at least earned him a modicum of respect from the fellow. ‘I’m Anderson, first footman. I tend to William, the eldest son. Among many other duties, as you well know.’ He gestured to the other man. ‘He is Mr Hargreave’s valet.’

  ‘One of the guests?’ Lucas asked, but he knew very well who Hargreave was.

  ‘Aye,’ Anderson said. ‘Son of the Earl of Barring.’

  ‘I am not well versed in the Scottish peerage,’ Lucas admitted. Perhaps they would not expect so much of him as a result.

  ‘Most of the important ones are here.’ Anderson eyed the clothes in Lucas’s arms. ‘And some of the not-so-important ones.’

  Lucas ignored that affront and
hung Dunburn’s coat on one of the forms in the room and got to work brushing it. Anderson talked on about who the guests were and about how important Lord and Lady Oxmont were. The other valet, who never provided his name, did not speak.

  ‘Before you return your gentleman’s clothes, I’ll show you to the servants’ hall. You are welcome to spend any leisure time you have there.’ Anderson gestured for Lucas to follow.

  In the servants’ hall were some maids and footmen having refreshment. Some were talking, some reading, others possibly napping. A couple of men there were not dressed as house servants. More like stablemen.

  Anderson raised his voice. ‘Everyone, this is Lucas, the Baron of Dunburn’s valet.’

  One of the stablemen whose back was to him turned and his mouth dropped open. ‘Lucas?’ he said in a puzzled voice.

  Lucas blanched. It was Findlay, his batman, the man who’d served him throughout his many campaigns in the First Royals, the man who’d held him together after Bradleigh was killed.

  Findlay strode over to him. Lucas sent a fierce warning with his eyes; Findlay knew him as Captain Johns-Ives and he obviously did not want that name to be known.

  ‘Lucas?’ he said again as Lucas extended his hand for Findlay to shake.

  ‘Good to see you again, Findlay.’ He meant that. Findlay had served him well.

  ‘You know each other?’ Anderson asked. A few of the others looked up out of curiosity.

  ‘From the army,’ Lucas was quick to explain.

  Anderson told him when meals were served and excused himself. ‘Must be off.’

  Lucas was left with Findlay, but the room was filled with curious ears. ‘I should be off, as well,’ Lucas said. ‘Good day to you, Findlay.’

  The batman took hold of his arm and left the room with him. He led Lucas to a door at the back of the house where deliveries were made and, he presumed, the door the servants used.

  Once outside Findlay walked them to a corner of the house where they were alone. ‘Now, sir, tell me why?’ He did not even have to finish his sentence.

  Lucas nodded. ‘I will tell you the longer story when we can find more time.’ How to explain. ‘I—I—Things were difficult with my parents. I wanted to get lost for a while and I wound up in Scotland.’ He felt a rush of pain. ‘I became ill and this family—’ Mairi, primarily ‘—helped me. I am helping them in return. They have no idea who I am. They know I was in the war, but they do not know I was an officer. I transposed my name. John Lucas instead of Lucas Johns-Ives.’

  Findlay frowned. ‘Why do I ken there is more to this than ye are saying?’ He shook his head. ‘But a servant, sir?’ Instead of an earl’s heir, he meant.

  ‘Do not give me away.’ He used the voice he used when commanding soldiers. ‘This is a family in dire straits and I will see them settled before I leave.’

  ‘To return to England?’ Findlay said, still sounding puzzled.

  Lucas looked away. ‘I do not know.’

  Returning to his father’s estate, to his role as heir and to his parents’ disappointment seemed every bit as unbearable as before.

  ‘I’ll keep your secrets, sir,’ Findlay said. ‘You can rely on me, sir.’

  Lucas touched his arm. ‘I know that, Findlay. I have relied on you more than anyone else these last few years.’

  Findlay straightened as if standing to attention. ‘My duty, sir.’

  Lucas turned to go and both men walked back to the door.

  ‘One more thing,’ Lucas said as his batman reached for the latch to open the door for him.

  ‘What is that, sir?’ he asked.

  ‘Do not call me sir.’

  * * *

  Davina sprawled over the bed in the chamber she shared with Mairi. ‘I do wish Elspeth and I were invited to the dinner.’

  ‘Believe me, it is not so exciting,’ Mairi told her. ‘You are better off dining with Niven and William.’

  ‘It is like being banished to the nursery!’ Davina wailed.

  ‘It is not,’ Mairi countered. ‘I am sure you will be in a perfectly lovely sitting room.’

  Davina rolled over on to her back. ‘I do like that we will eat with William.’

  Mairi fixed her garnet-and-gold earrings on her ears, one of two pairs of earrings she’d not sold. She wore a necklace to match, a simple garnet pendant on a gold chain. The jewellery matched the pale pink dinner dress the dressmaker had made over.

  She stood and surveyed herself in the mirror.

  ‘You look lovely, Mairi,’ Davina said. ‘I am certain the divine Mr Hargreave will agree.’

  Mairi wished he could see her in the dress she wore to work in the garden instead. What would he think of her then?

  There was a knock on the door and Mairi opened it.

  Lucas stood there. His gaze flicked over her only for an instant, but she felt the colour rise in her cheeks in response. Had he approved of her appearance? His eyes met hers and she fancied that he had approved.

  ‘Hello, Lucas!’ Davina called from the bed.

  He tossed a glance to her and back to Mairi. ‘Your father wishes you to accompany him and your mother to the drawing room,’ he said in the servant’s voice that annoyed her so much.

  ‘I will await them,’ she said.

  ‘Doesn’t Mairi look pretty, Lucas?’ Davina said.

  His eyes perused her again. ‘Indeed,’ he said softly. He bowed and left.

  Mairi swivelled around to her sister. ‘That was not well done, Davina. You should not have spoken to Lucas like that.’

  Davina sat up. ‘Why not? It is not like he’s really a servant.’

  ‘He is here, though,’ Mairi countered. ‘You must be on your very best behaviour. How you comport yourself reflects on Mama and Papa.’

  Davina slipped off the bed. ‘Mama and Papa are not half so stuffy as you’ve become, Mairi. I do wish you would simply enjoy yourself instead of being grim all the time.’

  Her sister’s words stung, but only because Mairi heard the truth in them.

  ‘I will try,’ she said.

  * * *

  Hargreave looked over as the butler announced the Baron of Dunburn and Lady Dunburn and Miss Wallace. Miss Wallace wore that placid look that made him itch to rile her into some heightened emotion.

  He enjoyed a challenge.

  She smiled graciously to Lord and Lady Oxmont, no doubt thanking them for the invitation. Perhaps by next year, Lord and Lady Oxmont would be greeting a new Baron of Dunburn. And a new Lady Dunburn.

  The old Dunburns saw some people they obviously knew and left their daughter’s side. She walked through the room alone, nodding to people with whom she’d been acquainted her whole life, as he had been.

  Hargreave crossed the room to her. ‘Miss Wallace. How delightful to see you and looking so lovely, as well,’ he said smoothly. ‘You arrived today?’

  ‘Yes. Today.’ She did not quite smile.

  ‘I am glad of it,’ he said. ‘I look forward to your company. And that of your parents, of course.’

  She wore a pale pink dress, one not quite up to the latest fashion, but that suited her complexion. He had no desire to see the family looking prosperous. When he’d visited Dunburn House, he’d discovered a drawer full of unpaid bills and a letter demanding payment of a sizeable loan. But Miss Wallace had discovered him there before he could assure himself that Dunburn was indeed deep in dun territory.

  He smiled his most charming smile. ‘Shall I get you some wine?’

  ‘Thank you, yes.’ She was already looking away from him.

  He noticed she walked over to another young woman standing alone. Hargreave knew the chit. Eldest daughter of Viscount Annanfell, Miss Johnstone. Well dowered, which was to her credit, but Hargreave had his heart set on ruining Dunburn, taking his title and land, and playing the hero b
y marrying his daughter.

  Miss Johnstone and Miss Wallace exchanged pleasantries.

  Hargreave took two glasses of wine from the attending footman and brought them to Miss Wallace and her companion.

  Miss Wallace took the wine glass from his hand. ‘Mr Hargreave, allow me to present Miss Johnstone to you.’

  Miss Johnstone smiled and curtsied. ‘We have met before. How do you do, Mr Hargreave?’

  He returned her smile. ‘I am delighted to see you again, Miss Johnstone.’ He handed her the second wine glass. ‘Please. Take this.’

  ‘But it is yours!’ she protested.

  ‘I am certain I was meant to give it to you,’ he said smoothly.

  Miss Johnstone took a sip and asked, ‘When did you arrive at the house party, Mr Hargreave?’

  ‘A week ago,’ he responded.

  ‘How nice,’ she said.

  ‘Please excuse me,’ Miss Wallace broke in. ‘There is someone I must speak to.’ She walked off and he was stuck with a young woman in whom he had no interest.

  * * *

  When dinner was announced, though, Hargreave managed to extricate himself and find Miss Wallace again.

  He offered his arm. ‘Allow me to escort you in to dinner.’

  In the dining room he was seated next to her—Lady Crawfurd had arranged it for him. Hopefully every dinner would have the same seating arrangement.

  During dinner he tried to engage her in conversation about the food, the wine, the room’s decor. She responded unenthusiastically.

  He tried another topic. ‘Was that your sister and brother I saw this afternoon? I had forgotten they were included in the invitation.’

  ‘As companions to Lord and Lady Oxmont’s daughter,’ she responded. ‘I believe that is why William was included as well.’

  ‘He and your brother will take part in some of the hunting, as I understand.’