by Monica Burns
"Is everything all right, Mrs. Morehouse?" Ross's voice was as calm and composed as his expression, but Louisa saw fear flicker in his gaze.
"I think that depends on how one looks at things," she said softly as she choked back tears and took his hands in hers. "You're about to have a wonderful experience."
"I am?" Ross frowned and grew still as a mouse waiting for the cat to pounce.
"Yes, I've told Lord Argaty about how well you've been doing, and he's decided you would be best served if he sends you off to school."
"School? But you're my teacher. I don't want another teacher."
"There's only so much I can teach you, Ross." Louisa swallowed the knot that had formed in her throat. "I'm certain you'll like school."
With a sharp tug, Ross pulled free of Louisa's grasp. His expression had reverted back to the stoic look he'd worn when she first came to Argaty Keep.
"This means you're leaving."
"I'm afraid so," she whispered, uncertain how much longer she could hold her tears in check. "The boys and I are to leave tomorrow."
Ross's features were devoid of emotion as he quickly stood up and gave her a quick bow. Her heart breaking, Louisa watched how easily the child retreated into the shell he'd been hiding in when she arrived. Damn Ewan for doing this to the boy.
"I'm glad you have been my teacher, Mrs. Morehouse…even if for only a little while. May I go now?" The question was as emotionless as his voice, and impulsively, Louisa leaned forward and pulled the boy into her arms.
"Oh Ross, I wish I didn't have to go. I will miss you terribly. You have been a wonderful pupil." The boy didn't reply, he just stood rigidly in Louisa's embrace. Tears welling in her eyes, she slowly released him from her embrace and turned her head away from him. "Go along now, I'm certain Mrs. Selkirk is keeping your dinner warm."
Without another word, the boy walked away from her, and as the schoolroom door closed behind him, Louisa burst into tears. Did Ewan have any idea what he was doing to the boy—to her? How could she bear to leave Argaty Keep and it's master? By the time her tears and sobs had subsided, it was completely dark, and the only light in the schoolroom was from the fireplace.
She looked around the dimly lit room and remembered how Ross had blossomed in recent weeks. The child deserved more than being sent off to school as if he were being punished. Christmas was next week. Ross's excitement as the holiday approached had grown with each passing day. The thought of him being denied the festivities planned made her heart ache. It wasn't difficult to imagine how alone he would be with Ewan either locked up in his study or gone from Argaty. Tears blurred her vision again.
Her mind was chaotic as one thought after another rolled through her head. The idea when it first announced itself almost slipped her notice. But it stubbornly took root until it tugged a small gasp from her. In a quick, sharp movement, she sat up straight and stared around the schoolroom. She would take Ross home with her and the boys. Surely, Ewan wouldn't be so cold-hearted as to refuse to let the child go with her.
Scrambling to her feet, Louisa started to run toward the schoolroom door before she came to an abrupt halt. Ewan hadn't just thrown her out of his study today, he'd literally carried her out. His expression had warned her not to enter his sanctuary again. She would have to entrust Asadi with a note and pray Ewan would at least read it.
Louisa quickly stoked the fire and lit the oil lamp she occasionally burned on rainy days to brighten the room. Sinking down into her chair, she pulled out paper and pen. For a long moment, she contemplated what she could say that would make Ewan agree to her plan. Whether the boy was really his son or not, the rest of the world believed Ross was heir to the Argaty title. Taking the child into her own household would assuredly raise eyebrows. Even her own family would question her decision. With a shake of her head, she leaned forward and stared at the blank sheet of parchment. It didn't matter, she'd done the right thing when she'd convinced Ewan to let her be Ross's governess. She was doing the right thing once more in asking to take the child with her.
Ewan,
As you have instructed, I will leave Argaty Keep tomorrow, but in vehement protest. I am a Rockwood, and we never surrender without a fight. Therefore I must do battle with you using only my written words as you refuse to face me in person. I cannot, and will not, simply walk away from you as if nothing has passed between us.
The beauty of what we shared last night made me believe I had touched something deep inside you. I awoke believing you would view our intimacy as something more than a pleasurable interlude. The man I gave myself to last night revealed himself to me completely. He is not the beast you and others see him as. The scars of battle you carry would test the mettle of the bravest warrior, but beneath those scars is a man who is courageous and kind. I could never have given myself to any less of a man.
My deception was undertaken with the best and purest of motives. Ross needed me, and I could not bear to walk away from him anymore than I can bear to walk away from you now. If I cannot convince you to let me remain at Argaty Keep, I must do my best to make you understand that sending Ross away to school is the worst thing you could do to the child.
We both know Ross has blossomed under my care. I would like to ensure my efforts have not been in vain and continue giving Ross the love and care everyone is entitled to. For years, another boy, just like Ross, was denied affection within the walls of Argaty Keep. If the man that boy became will not open his heart to me or let me heal his wounds then I must try to save Ross from a similar fate.
I have no wish to leave you or Argaty Keep, but if you refuse to let me stay, I beseech you to let me take Ross with me. I know my request is unorthodox, but I promise I will provide Ross with the love and care he needs until he reaches an age when he may attend school with Charles.
If you are truly resolved in your decision to send me away from Argaty Keep—from you—then I beseech you not to make me leave Ross behind. Let me secure for Ross the happiness you were denied as a child. Please do not break my heart a second time by forcing me to say goodbye to you as well as Ross. My heart is in your hands.
Louisa
For a long moment, she stared down at her handwriting and blinked back tears. Although she'd not openly confessed her love for him, there could be no mistaking her feelings where he was concerned. Perhaps it was too much? Before she could convince herself to write another note, she folded the paper and sprang to her feet. She would have to give it to Asadi and wait outside for an answer. If she were to enter Ewan's study, it would most likely destroy any chance of him even considering her request, let alone agreeing to it.
With a soft sound of trepidation, she left the schoolroom and headed toward Ewan's quarters. As she'd expected, Asadi was sitting in the corridor outside his master's study. The moment he saw her, the boy was on his feet. His expression one of consternation, he moved to meet her.
"Please Morehouse sahibah, you cannot be here. He will not be happy."
"I have no intention of bearding the lion in his den, Asadi," she said quietly. "But I do want you to give him this and tell him I'm waiting out here for his answer."
The boy accepted the note, and his gaze flitted from it to her face. With a nod, Asadi turned and entered Ewan's study. Louisa half-expected to hear a thunderous roar echo out of the study, but she heard nothing. After an interminable amount of time, Asadi emerged from Ewan's study. In silence, he stretched out his arm to hand her a small, folded piece of parchment. Trembling, she opened the note and shuddered as she saw Ewan's strong handwriting.
Take the boy with you. I shall make financial arrangements with my solicitor for his material needs and future schooling.
Argaty
The abrupt formality of the reply made her swallow a sob of despair. He'd acknowledged nothing else she'd written. What could have happened this morning to make Ewan revert back to the angry beast he'd been when she first arrived at Argaty Keep? A loud crash echoed through the closed door of Ewan's stu
dy, and she took a step forward. In an instant, Asadi planted himself between her and the door.
"No, Morehouse sahibah, he is too angry. Argaty sahib will not speak with anyone." For the first time since she'd met Asadi, the young man's cheerful, nonplussed demeanor was absent. In it's place was sorrow.
"What about his aunt? Did he speak with her? " she asked softly. The boy shook his head.
"No, sahibah. Not even McCallum sahib can talk to him. He has been like an angry tiger all day."
The sorrow in the boy's voice made Louisa's heart ache as she looked at the closed door of Ewan's study. Every part of her longed to charge through that door as only a Reckless Rockwood could and demand answers. But for the first time in her life, she didn't act on the impulse. Deep down she knew it was pointless. She had her answer in the note Asadi had delivered. The cold, formal reply to her note said everything she needed to know. Ewan wanted nothing to do with her. Louisa slowly turned and walked away from his study. There was nothing more to do except leave her heart in Argaty Keep with its master who believed he had nothing to offer her.
Chapter 17
Laughter bubbled out of Louisa as she ran across the freshly blooming heather. A quick glance over her shoulder showed her lead was dwindling, but she was close to the finish line. Still laughing, she scrambled up the small hill to reach the crest they'd set as the finish line. A moment later, a strong arm slid around her waist and stole her victory as she was pulled backward into a chest of hard, warm muscle.
"Did you really think I would let you escape me, mo leannan?" The husky words were little more than a whisper in her ear, and her heart swelled with happiness.
"I wasn't trying to escape," she said breathlessly as his mouth nibbled at her neck. His chuckle blew across her skin like a warm summer breeze.
"A wise decision, mo ghràdh. You'll never be able to run fast enough."
"And you'll never be able to resist catching me." Laughing at his disgruntled growl, she twisted around in his arms and screamed.
She was still crying out in panic as she sat up in bed trembling with horror and fear at the memory of the hideous creature that had been holding her, not Ewan. The terror streaking through her created a level of panic she'd experienced only once before, but this time it wasn't the roar of fire in her ears.
The only thing she heard was the quiet echo of a far too familiar, horrifying giggle. The sound layered her skin with ice and sent her heart racing out of control. Her gaze swept around the room looking for any sign of danger. When she saw nothing that posed a threat, her trembling eased slightly. Her relief was short-lived as the sudden noise of something scraping across the wood floor whispered through the air.
Fear engulfed her again, and she jerked her gaze toward the Bruce's secret door. To her horror, she saw a narrow, black gap between the wall and the panel leading into the hidden passages inside the keep's walls. Panic made her tumble out of bed and race across the floor to shove the door shut with a strength she never knew she possessed. Behind the now closed panel, she heard a squeal of anger that sent fear sliding through her.
"Pretty lady. I want."
The sing song nature of the voice made her shudder as she continued to push against the door and nudge the chest back into place with her leg. Behind the wall, she heard another high-pitched sound of outrage as she continued to resist the renewed attempts to push the door open. The disembodied voice muttered several indistinct words behind the panel before she heard a shuffling noise. The sound of shambling footsteps behind the panel became softer until they faded away completely.
Her heart pounding, Louisa didn't move for several minutes, her body poised to push back on the door if someone tried to open it again. When it was apparent the person was gone, the pulsating energy that had flooded her body moments ago began to dissipate. As her unnatural strength disappeared, it was replaced by violent shudders. Louisa's gaze never left the panel or chest blocking it as she stumbled backwards to her bed and sank down onto the mattress.
With the trembling came icy chills, and she reached behind her to blindly find the blanket on top of the bed unwilling to let her gaze stray from the hidden panel. Fingers numb from the cold seeping into her pores, it took her several seconds to grasp enough wool cloth to pull the blanket over her shoulders. She didn't make a sound for fear the evil-sounding voice and its owner would hear her and return.
Louisa had no idea how long she remained silent and still. The soft chime of the mantle clock announced the hour of six, and she shuddered. For the first time, her gaze left the secret door, and she bowed her head. In the back of her mind, she vaguely heard the whisper she needed to go to Ewan. No matter how angry he was with her, he would keep her and the children safe.
The boys. With a jerk, she sprang to her feet and hurried to the door. She was certain Caleb would have come to her if they'd been in danger, but she needed to see them simply to ease her fears. As she threw the bedroom door open, she heard a high-pitched scream coming from the dowager countess's wing. The sound bounced off the stone walls magnifying the chilling cry. The nursery wasn't far from Lady Argaty's suite of rooms, and Louisa's heart began to pound violently in her chest as she ran toward the room where she'd tucked the boys into their beds last night.
"Please God, oh please let them be all right."
She'd only run a few feet when she slammed into an invisible force that brought her to a stumbling halt. Caleb's figure slowly materialized in front of her. His ghostly image was lighter and more transparent than she'd ever seen him. It was if he had little energy to spare in appearing in front of her. He shook his head violently.
They are safe. Argaty is not.
The words were little more than a whisper in her head as her brother's transparent form vanished. Uncertainty gripped her. Caleb had never been weak when he'd appeared to her in the past. Was her mind trying to trick her into believing the boys were safe and she needed to go to Ewan? The screams continued to ricochet off the corridor's walls. Other shouts were added to the screams to become a chorus of horror and fear. The wild cries wrapped around her and heightened her own fears for the boys. She ran forward again only to be halted a second time by an unseen wall.
The force vanished so fast, she almost fell. Stumbling to one side, she braced herself with one hand on the corridor's stone wall to keep her from falling. A soft touch brushed across her cheek before she felt a familiar tug on her ear. Louisa gasped in stunned amazement as she looked around her for a shimmering source of light.
"Devin?"
We. Protect. Go.
The words flitted through her mind so softly, she wasn't sure she'd heard anything at all. Uncertainty held her motionless as she looked toward the nursery with a paralyzing fear as the shouts and cries reverberated in her ears.
Now.
The word echoed in her head strongly this time, and something tugged on her ear hard. Louisa cried out softly in surprise before she obeyed the invisible command and whirled around to race toward Ewan's wing. Behind her the panicked shouts and cries still echoed from the dowager countess's wing, and she whispered a soft prayer as she ran toward Ewan's rooms.
If she'd misinterpreted her brother's cryptic message that he, and perhaps Devin as well, were watching over the children she would never forgive herself. The prayer was answered with an almost nonexistent tug on her ear. The reassuring gesture made her sprint even faster toward Ewan. She had no idea what was happening, but she had to trust Caleb. Her brother had never lied to her when he was alive, he would not do so now.
Unanswered questions collided in her head as the screams from the dowager's wing grew fainter the closer she got to Ewan's suite. Horrifying images streaked through her mind as she remembered the child the an dara sealladh had shown her and the vicious way he'd tortured an innocent rabbit. How could someone so evil be in the keep? Had they found their way into the hidden passageways from the outside? But where had the child come from?
She'd never been to Ewan's bedroom,
but she knew it had to be around the corner from his study. As Louisa ran around the bend in the corridor, she slid to a halt. The door in front of her was wide open, while Asadi laid crumpled on the floor near the room's threshold. Louisa sucked in a sharp breath of horror as she hurried toward the boy. He had a long gash on his cheek, but was merely unconscious. The sudden sound of Ewan uttering a loud curse then a cry of pain propelled her forward.
As she reached the doorway of Ewan's room, she froze at the scene in front of her. Horror sped through her, and her stomach churned violently at the sight of Ewan chest and arm covered in blood. She'd never been able to handle the sight of someone bleeding, not even her children's minor scrapes. Bile rose in her throat, and she forced herself to swallow the bitter taste as she gripped the doorjamb with both hands to remain standing.
Pinned to the floor beneath a short, stocky man straddling his chest, Ewan's hand blocked the blade intended for his chest. The blade flashed in the low firelight as it came down again and Ewan's attacker giggled insanely. The laugh sent a shudder through Louisa. She knew that laugh. Desperately, she tried to focus her thoughts on how to save Ewan. She had no idea where McCallum was or even Finn.
With Asadi lying unconscious in the hall, Louisa knew she was the only one who could do anything to save Ewan. Frantically, her gaze swept across the room looking for something she could use as a weapon. Almost as if he had a sixth sense, the man jerked his head in her direction. Louisa opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out as she recognized the hideous, malformed man in her dream. The difference now was the blood splattered all over his face, and she swayed on her feet at the sight.