Attired in Highland Gold, page 14
“Um, Lord Everly?”
The tentative inquiry in the child’s whispered voice had him turning about with surprise gripping his chest. “Yes?” Susan stood there, bundled into her little red cloak, clearly ready to depart the hunting box. “Does your mother know you’re here?”
“No.” She shook her head and the riot of red curls bounced about her head. “She thinks I’m downstairs going to a carriage.”
Well, damn. “Did you need me for something?” He tossed back the remainder of his brandy and set the glass on top of the stone wall.
She nodded. There were questions in her blue eyes as well as apprehension. “Do you like Mama?”
What was this, then? “Of course I do. She’s a delightful woman.”
“No, I mean do you love her?” Her eyes rounded. “Do you want to kiss her and be with her forever, like a knight in the story book she reads to me?”
His heart skipped a beat, and he tightened his hand on the head of his cane. There was no sense in lying to the child. “I do.”
“Then why did Mama say she couldn’t be with you anymore?” Her little chin quivered. “I heard her last night at the fire.”
Hell’s bells. Why did he always forget that children heard everything and that it often brought on worry? “Ah, Susan, that was a conversation not meant for your ears.” Yet she’d heard it anyway. “However, I think your mother is overwhelmed by decisions she needs to make and emotions she’s battled with for a long time. She needs someone to help her sort everything.”
“Will you do that?” The child looked up at him with those big blue eyes and a softly quivering chin that he lost his heart to her. “Will you court her, so she doesn’t feel so lost? Even if she already said no?” She frowned. “I miss having a papa about.”
Oh, God. How could he deny her? The twins were just as hurting and at sea as their mother—as they all were. “I aim to try.” He smiled. “Do you trust me to do that?”
“Yes.” She nodded, but her little cherub lips didn’t turn up into a grin.
“Good.” Then, because he absolutely wished to be a part of this child’s life for longer than a stay at the castle allowed, he scooped her up into his arms and let her perch on his shoulder with her little legs dangling against his chest. The delight and surprise in her squeal sent joy into his exhausted heart. “Where is your mother now?”
“In the reception hall seeing that the luggage is brought down.”
“Let’s go find her, shall we?” Never had he wanted anything more than he did to become a family with these lost souls.
In a twinkling, he arrived in the reception hall and had enjoyed a rousing chat with Susan in the process. The little girl certainly liked to talk, and she had seemingly thousands of questions that desperately required immediate answers. He’d been happy to provide them.
As soon as he found Clara and she looked at him with narrowed eyes, he set Susan on her feet. “You’d best go find your brother and take a spot in one of the carriages lest your mother ring a peal over our heads.”
With a giggle, the little girl skipped off with a wave at her mother.
He approached the widow and to his delight, she didn’t retreat. “Susan came to find me. I suppose she wanted to make certain I didn’t miss out on a seat in a carriage.”
“She thinks it her duty to look after people.”
“I cannot imagine where she learned that,” he answered in a soft voice. When a delicate blush infused her cheeks, he grinned. She wasn’t as uninterested in him as she’d let on. “You are busy here and you have already told me off, but please listen to what I have to say.”
Clara nodded. She wrapped her shawl more tightly about her form. Oh, what he wouldn’t do to have her in his arms again and kissing every square inch of that freckled body. “Very well.”
“Please consider attending the All Hallow’s Eve ball tomorrow night.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Is that you talking or your fear?” When she didn’t answer, Caelan pushed on. “At least dance one set with me. If nothing else, you can hold the memory of the evening close when your life is lonely once you set your plans into motion.” He paused, for dramatic affect as much as to gather his thoughts. “But let me show you how fun a society event can be with the right people, and you will look gorgeous in that gown.”
Resignation filled her expression. “You won’t stop until I agree, will you?”
“Not likely. You are quite stubborn, my dear, but I am just as obstinate when the occasion allows.” He gave her another grin that he hoped would begin to chip away at the wall around her heart. There was no doubt in his mind that he loved her, would never stop loving her. “Let me dance Susan around a room and instruct Jacob in how to properly greet a lady. Promise me a set so you can feel the excitement of being whisked about a ballroom full of people who like you.” His throat tightened, and he swallowed to alleviate the ball of emotion stuck there. “Then you can walk away without argument on my part. I’ll respect your decision if you still choose not to allow me into your life.”
Even if it would fairly kill him, for the three of them were part of his future, he’d wager the contents of his coffers on it.
For long moments, Clara stared at him. Finally, she sighed. “Very well. One dance and everything you said about the twins.”
“Thank you.” The relief shuddering through him had the power to send him to his knees. He scooped up one of her hands and kissed the back of it. “I will endeavor to be the man that you need, Clara, even if you continue to deny it to yourself.”
The sound of a stifled sob came from her, and she quickly yanked her hand away. “I have to go. The carriages are ready to leave.”
Caelan nodded. He heaved a sigh as she scurried away. What would it take to break through that reserve she’d built around herself? Would she ever let him in, or would that wall prove too difficult to scale and in essence, keep her a prisoner of her own fear?
Only time would tell.
Chapter Thirteen
October 31, 1819
Castle Buchannan
Scottish Highlands
Ten miles west of Aviemore
Clara frowned as she stared at herself in the cheval mirror. Was this truly her?
The golden gown fit like a dream. It sparkled with each tiny movement, and though it showed an indecent amount of her breasts, her form was rather well enhanced by the cut of the garment. The maid who’d been assigned to her had dressed her hair simply. She’d left it long, and the red curls ran riot over her head and down her back, but it had been pulled up at the sides with glittering golden combs. The look was both simple and irresistible.
“Mama, are you a princess?” Susan stared at her with wide eyes and cherub’s lips that formed an “o” of surprise. “We are in a castle.”
“No, dearest. Merely a woman of reduced means dressed in a gown of fool’s gold.” But she savored how the silk was cool against her skin and how the skirting rustled with her every step. It was indeed the finest garment she’d ever owned.
“I think you are a princess.” There was apparently no convincing her daughter otherwise. Susan fluffed out her own skirts of white taffeta and organza. A violet satin ribbon was around her waist, and a purple velvet cap with gold embroidery in a Medieval style sat atop her head. Apparently, Mary had been given leave to hunt about the attics. “Can I wear a mask with this dress?”
“Whyever for?”
Jacob swaggered over while chopping the air with a wooden sword. “She wants to scare away the ghosts tonight. It’s All Hallow’s Eve, and no one wants to meet a ghost.” Her son wore purple satin breeches as well as a loose-fitting linen shirt with full sleeves and a darling leather vest so he’d more resemble a pirate. Mary had dug up a hat, complete with a feather, that reinforced that look.
Clara snickered. “No, you won’t wear a mask. Stick with Jacob. He’ll protect you from the ghosts.” Then tears welled in her eyes, for this would be one of the last times they would be together as a family. She’d yet to ask permission from the laird to stay through Twelfth Night. “Promise me that you two will behave tonight.”
“Does that mean we can explore the castle while the grown up are doing the fancy things?” Jacob wanted to know.
“Only if you are very careful and you don’t poke into rooms where you aren’t supposed to.” She smiled when both children cheered. “And when the nursery maid comes to retrieve you, I want you both to go with her without argument.”
“Yes, Mama,” Susan said with a glance at her brother.
“Jacob?” Clara cocked an eyebrow.
“I agree,” he said on the heels of a sigh. “But that takes away some of the fun.”
“It’s a decent enough sacrifice to keep you safe.”
Wasn’t that she was doing with every decision she would make in the coming months?
“Mama?”
“Yes, Susan?”
“Will you kiss Lord Everly tonight?” A cheeky grin followed the inquiry.
“I rather doubt that. I don’t plan to kiss any man tonight.” Or ever again, no matter how handsome or charming they were.
“Don’t you think Lord Everly is a bit wonderful?” Her daughter’s eyes rounded and were filled with innocent curiosity. “He smells good too, and I like it when he smiles.”
Oh, so do I, but I have to let him go for my own sanity. If she didn’t, she ran the risk of losing herself in him and forgetting everything else. “He is a good man.” That’s all she would say for fear she might inadvertently reveal her interest in him.
And that would ruin everything.
“Do you think Lord Everly would tell us another ghost story if we asked politely?” Jacob wished to know next.
“He probably would if he has the time.” From the gossip she’d managed to glean from Mary, there were far more guests invited to the ball than had been at the hunting box. Which meant there would be women there who would jump at the chance to land a man such as Caelan... a man with kind eyes, a teasing grin, and who would hold a title one day.
Jealousy stabbed through her chest and made her heart squeeze at the thought she might lose him due to her own stubborn pride and fear.
It couldn’t be helped.
“I’m going to ask him.” In this, Jacob was as bullheaded as she.
A knock at the door interrupted further conversation. Knots pulled in Clara’s stomach, for she knew who waited out in the corridor. When both children stared at her, she sighed and moved across the room to the door. As soon as she turned the iron ring that released the latch and pulled open the heavy panel, Caelan’s sandalwood and citrus scent assailed her.
“Good evening, Lord Everly.” Then she could do nothing else except stare at him, for he was the very epitome of an English lord about to attend a society event.
His black jacket with tails hugged his broad shoulders like a possessive lover. The starched white cravat knotted into a complex pattern called her attention to the rugged set of his jaw and the strong column of his neck, while the fine lawn shirt made her want to relieve him of the clothing as soon as possible. A gold brocade waistcoat practically invited her to jog her gaze downward. Black trousers and highly polished shoes completed his toilette.
“Good evening, Mrs. Snyder.” He clasped his gloved hands behind his back. “Might I come in? I believe there are a couple of promises I need to keep.”
“Yes, of course.” She stood aside, but as he passed, he roved his gaze up and down her person with such lingering accuracy she swore it felt as if he’d caressed her. Delicious tingles of need danced down her spine to lodge between her thighs. Oh, this man was trouble of the first order, and she would find herself lost indeed if she allowed him to romance her tonight. After a deep breath, she edged away from the door. “Jacob, Susan... Lord Everly is here to see you.”
Surprise jumped into both of their faces and the glance they exchanged was riddled with both hope and guilt. Why?
Susan was the first to greet him. “Hullo, Lord Everly.” She positively beamed up at him.
“Good evening, Miss Snyder.” He held out a gloved hand, and in a stage whisper said, “You should offer me yours.” When she giggled and placed her hand into his much larger one, he closed his fingers around it, leaned down, and brought her hand to his lips. After he kissed the back, he released her. “You are simply breathtaking in that dress. I hope you’re keeping well this fine night.”
“Yes.” She giggled again, and her cheeks were stained red.
Really, the scene couldn’t be more adorable, and Clara watched, transfixed.
“Excellent.” Then he turned his attention to Jacob. “Good evening, Mr. Snyder. You’re looking quite smashing and every bit the pirate.”
“I do, don’t I?” her son said, and his grin brimmed with a confidence she hadn’t seen until he’d met Caelan.
In a whisper, he said, “It’s not well done to appear arrogant.” He stuck out a hand. “In the American custom of greeting, we should shake.”
“Right.” Jacob promptly put his hand in Caelan’s, and they shook.
“Now it’s time to properly learn how to greet ladies.” With a guiding hand to Jacob’s shoulder, he drew the boy forward. “You’ll say good evening to your sister, and when you do, bow slightly from the waist. Oh, and she’s Miss Snyder since she’s not married.” When her son frowned with confusion, Caelan grinned. “Let me show you.”
He approached her. “Good evening, Mrs. Snyder. You are quite ravishing tonight.” Then he put a hand to his waist and executed a bow. As he came back up, he met her gaze. “That gown was made for you.”
Heat infused her cheeks, and conscious that her children looked on, she said, “Thank you, Lord Everly. You are quite handsome this evening.”
Susan tittered. “Mama, will you dance with Lord Everly tonight?”
“I... Well, I promised that I would.” She glanced away from the intensity of his gaze to focus on her son. “Go ahead and greet your sister like Lord Everly taught you.” It was good for the children to have someone instruct them, for she’d neglected that part of their education.
Jacob came over to Susan. “Good evening, Miss Snyder.” When he bowed from the waist and his hat tipped off his head, both Susan and Clara laughed. With a huff, her son retrieved the hat and jammed it back on his head. “I didn’t do it right.”
“Of course you did.” Caelan put a hand on his shoulder. “It was perfectly acceptable.”
“But when you greeted Susan, you kissed her hand. You didn’t do that to Mama. Why?”
“It’s a man’s prerogative I suppose.”
One of Jacob’ red eyebrows rose. “Mama deserves the same, don’t you think?”
Caelan bounced his gaze between Jacob and her. “I do. You’re right, so let me rectify the situation.” Again, he approached her, and flutters moved through her lower belly. “Good evening, Mrs. Snyder.” He took possession of her hand and then slowly he brought it up to his lips. With exquisite care and lingering heat, he pressed a kiss to her middle knuckle. “Shall I take Susan out for a dance around the room before we depart for the ball?”
“Yes, of course.” The words were a breathless affair, for the longer he held her hand, the stronger she felt the pull of connection between them. His willingness to spend time with her children endeared him to her. How could she remain aloof in his company?
All too soon, he released her hand in order to move to the center of the sitting room. “We are going to pretend this is a ball. Jacob will dance with his mother while I dance with Susan.” He gestured the girl over. Her daughter affected an expression of shyness, but she came toward him with a flirtatious grin.
“But there is no music,” Jacob complained.
“Jacob, hush, you are ruining it,” Susan hissed as she took one of Caelan’s hands.
“I shall provide the music.” When he glanced at her, another round of flutters filled Clara’s belly. “It’s the same lullaby I sang to you days ago.” He looked at Susan and took her other hand. “If you wish, you may stand on my shoes.” Seconds later, he began to sing, and as he did, he waltzed her daughter about the small space.
Oh, that voice! The richness of it, the way the robust sound filled the room, the abject joy in his expression as he went about the room with her daughter standing on his feet.
Bemused and more than a little maudlin, Clara blinked away the tears in her eyes. She held Jacob’ hands and as he scoffed, she set them into modified steps of the dance. Before too long, both children were full of the giggles and Caelan had given into a grin.
“That was lovely,” Clara said with a grin of her own. “Thank you for the respite, Lord Everly.”
“May I have another dance?” Susan asked. She had stars in her eyes as she stared up at Caelan—a true testament to his charm.
“Perhaps another time, for I am promised to your mother for the remainder of the evening, or until such time that she doesn’t wish for my presence.” He glanced at Clara, and there was so much hope in his dark eyes that she trembled.
“Doing it up too brown,” she whispered with narrowed eyes. What was he about?
He ignored her and instead kneeled on the floor in front of the children. For the first time, she noticed he’d left the cane behind. Had his ankle healed sufficiently then? “Tonight, is All Hallow’s Eve, the night where evil spirits and disgruntled ghosts walk the Earth. Whatever you do, don’t aggravate anything in the spirit world, and don’t cause trouble for any of the humans at the ball either. Do you promise?”
Both of the children nodded, and Clara’s heart squeezed.
She wandered to the side of the room to retrieve her gloves as well as a thin white wrap while the low timbre of Caelan’s voice rumbled through the air. The twins hung on every word that came out of his mouth. How had he managed it when the three had played tricks on each other up until a few days ago?
Finally, he stood. The children raced him to the door. Barely did they tell her goodnight before they’d scampered into the corridor beyond. Their excited echoes drifted back to her ears.
