Chapter 7
Rosalind watched as Theo chased Rivers’ dog Marquess around the lawn.
The large dark brown labrador was normally a placid animal, but it certainly enjoyed playing with Theo.
They would chase each other around before collapsing in a heap and cuddling up in the sun.
Rosalind saw the joy and happiness in his face and wished she could help more for him, to stop the tears at night that she could hear from her room. It broke her heart.
Or maybe it was her who was crying. Rosalind wasn’t entirely sure anymore.
“He’s looking well today,” Bea remarked as they stood at the edge of the lawn, a proud smile on her face. “I thought he was going to come down with a cold a couple of days ago, but it seems to have completely disappeared.”
“That’s Theo for you. He’s someone who doesn’t get sick very easily. We’ve been very lucky with that.”
“He must have a strong constitution.”
Rosalind knew it was something. She’d been extremely worried once Theo was born, but he seemed to be quite a strong, healthy child. She’d taken that as a good sign, especially when many ailments in childhood could kill. She was able to see her son grow up into a young man.
At least he hadn’t been in the carriage that night. It would’ve been too much for him to see his father die as Rosalind did. She could still recall the moment she knew William was dead. It still sent a shiver down her spine, and she fought back the urge to cry.
Then she caught sight of a familiar figure riding through the gate, followed shortly by a carriage. Her heart stuttered at the sight of Lord Ravensmuir—Cormac, as he wanted to be addressed—on the horse.
She hadn’t expected to see him today. He’d claimed that he had estate businesses to deal with, so it might be a few days before he visited them.
Rosalind would’ve been delighted to have time to herself and not have any visitors, but she was surprised she’d been missing him since that morning.
She felt confused as to why she was missing someone she’d only just become acquainted with.
And the carriage behind him was during her curiosity. Who was coming to visit? It wasn’t one of Cormac’s friends, was it? He wouldn’t have done anything without letting her know.
“I wonder who that is,” Bea remarked, peering at the carriage. “That coach looks like it could do with a coat of paint.”
“It’s probably one that was acquired on the journey, depending how far they’ve come.” Rosalind squinted at the driver. “I seem to recall that face, though.”
Then the carriage stopped, Cormac dismounting nearby. The carriage door opened, and a familiar man stepped out, wearing silk clothes in dark red, a cane with a silver head glinting in the sunlight. For a moment, she thought it was her husband again, come back to tell them it was a hideous dream.
But then he smiled, and Rosalind realized who it was. He’d arrived sooner than she thought he would, and now he was here.
“Julian!” She crossed to him with a smile, clasping his hands as he approached her. “It’s a delight to see you again.”
“Rosalind, my dear.” Julian kissed her hands, holding onto them a moment longer than he should. “I’m so glad to be here. You’re looking like things are getting better for you. Perhaps the Highland weather is good for you.”
“I should hope so.”
Rosalind turned her face away on instinct. Julian had seen her scars, and he hadn’t appeared to have flinched, but she still felt ashamed. She knew she shouldn’t, but it wasn’t that easy.
She caught sight of Theo, who was still chasing Marquess in circles.
“Theo! Uncle Julian is here! Why don’t you come and greet him?”
Theo had gotten his attention distracted from the dog, but not toward his uncle. His eyes had lit up at the sight of Cormac, who was walking toward him.
“Cormac!” He ran over with a beaming smile, and then flung his arms around the man. “I thought you weren’t coming to see us today!”
“I wasn’t planning to.” Cormac laughed as he lifted the boy off the ground before putting him back down. Then he crouched and reached into the satchel across his shoulder. “But I had this found in my home, and I thought you would want to have it.”
Rosalind watched as Theo’s eyes went round at the sight of the spyglass, his mouth dropping open. He’d asked about having a spyglass himself, and how he could watch the birds from the garden. And Cormac had listened and gotten him one.
“It’s a bit dusty,” Cormac continued. “But I’m sure you can clean it up.”
“Is this for me now?” Theo asked.
“Now it is. I’m gifting you something I had when I was your age. And I’m trusting you to take good care of it.”
Theo’s face was lit up with such joy that Rosalind’s heart melted. He ran over to Rosalind and held it up to him.
“Look at this, Mama! Cormac said I could have it!”
“It’s lovely, darling.” Rosalind kissed his head. “Don’t forget, we have a guest with us. Do you want to greet him?”
That was when Theo noticed Julian, who was watching him in bemusement. Then he let out a happy squeal and hugged his uncle around the waist.
“Uncle Julian!”
“It’s good to see you again, young man.” Julian ruffled his hair before stepping back. “You look happy enough. How are you finding being out in the middle of nowhere? It must be a little lonely for you.”
“No!” Theo shook his head. “We go for walks, and Cormac comes over often. He’s helping me how to ride, and he’s given me and Mama new horses for us to use as well.”
“Has he?” Julian glanced at Cormac, who had risen to his feet. “That’s very kind of him.”
“Can I look through the spyglass?” Theo asked, putting it to his eye. “I want to see the birds!”
“In a moment, Theo,” Rosalind said, glancing at Bea. The governess looked amused, her eyes twinkling as she crouched to engage Theo in conversation.
Then she saw Cormac watching him. There was an affectionate expression on his face, and he looked pleased that Theo was enjoying himself. He caught sight of her looking at him, their gazes locked. Rosalind couldn’t help but smile at him, and his mouth twitched in one of his own.
A pointed cough from Julian jerked her back from her thoughts of how handsome Cormac looked when he truly smiled, and Rosalind turned to her brother-in-law. Julian chuckled and laid a hand on her arm.
“Forgive me, Rosalind. This is quite a surprise. I would’ve thought you wanted to keep away from everyone, and yet you’re here talking to one of your neighbors and he’s giving Theo gifts.”
“It wasn’t planned,” Rosalind said quickly, feeling her face getting warm.
“I just rescued Viscount Ellingham from the loch when he wandered off, that’s all.” Cormac joined them, touching Theo’s head as he passed. “We became acquainted like that.”
“Really?” Julian looked surprised. “Theo decided he wanted to go for a swim?”
“I love the look of the loch,” Theo declared. “It’s huge!”
“And Lord Ravensmuir has been very kind toward us,” Rosalind added. “He’s an old friend of William’s.”
“Oh, yes?”
Something dimmed a little behind her brother-in-law’s eyes, and he tilted his head curiously. Rosalind wondered what that meant. Didn’t he want them to interact with anyone? Julian turned to Cormac, who was nearer to Rosalind than she anticipated. She hadn’t even seen him move.
“And how is it that you know my departed brother, my lord?” he asked.
“It was a long time ago when we were much younger,” Cormac replied, regarding him thoughtfully. “I haven’t seen the last Viscount Ellingham since he married Lady Ellingham here.”
“You didn’t attend the wedding?”
“I was unable to. My father was sick, and he needed constant care.” Cormac glanced at Rosalind. “He died not long after.”
Rosalind felt a lump in her chest. He’d told her about his father’s passing, and it had made her cry in private knowing that he’d gone through something horrible. Her parents had passed within months of each other when she was nineteen. The pain was not measured by anything else, in her mind.
Except her husband’s death. That had been a hollow sensation in her chest. It was hard to work through, though the pain was easing a little day by day. Rosalind had been surprised by that. It made her feel a little guilty now.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about your neighbors anymore, Lord Ravensmuir. I’m here now, and as Theo’s legal guardian—”
“Legal guardian?” Rosalind frowned. “I thought William left me as his legal guardian.”
“There are a few stipulations, but overall I’m to look after both you and your son.” Julian smiled and squeezed her arm. “I’m here to take the weight off you. You’ve been in Corrieden for some time now, and I’m going to set all the affairs in order.”
“But it’s fine…”
“After everything you’ve been through, I think you should be resting properly. You need to take in the country air and not worry about anything else.” Julian glanced at Cormac. “There’s no need for the neighbors to help us anymore. That’s what family is for, isn’t it?”
Rosalind could see his point. She had been relying a little too much on Cormac, and she hadn’t really noticed. Julian did make a good argument, even though she was still a little bewildered about being told she wasn’t actually Theo’s guardian.
“But it’s very kind of Lord Ravensmuir to look after us, isn’t it?” She turned to him, and saw how stiff he was standing. “He didn’t have to, but he did. And we’ve been managing absolutely fine with him coming by to make sure we were comfortable.”
“It was no trouble at all,” Cormac said, glancing at Julian before turning to her.
“Anyway, I’ll take my leave. I just wanted to give Viscount Ellingham my spyglass.
I’ve got some work to deal with back at my estate.
” His expression softened a little as he looked at her.
“If you need anything, my lady, just send word. I’ll be right over when you need the help. ”
“That’s very kind of you.” Rosalind smiled. “Thank you so much.”
He hesitated, as if he was trying to think of something else to say, but then he bowed and turned away, ruffling Theo’s hair.
“I’ll see you soon, my lord.”
“Come back soon, Cormac!” Theo shouted after him.
Cormac didn’t say anything in return, merely nodding pleasantly at Bea before he mounted his horse. Then he rode off back toward the main gate. Rosalind watched him off, and suddenly wished he was able to stay. It felt like she was already missing him, that a part of her was fading away as he left.
“Well, why don’t we go inside?” Julian suggested, placing a hand on her arm. “I’m starving, and I’m keen to see what my brother has done with the place. I’m surprised he kept this a secret from everyone for so long.”
“You’ll love it, Uncle Julian!” Theo declared, running on ahead. “It’s incredible!”
Rosalind caught Bea’s eye as the governess stood up, dusting herself down. Their gazes lingered, and Rosalind wondered if Bea was thinking the same thing.
That their time of joy and happiness was gone, and they were going to have to go back to reality.