Chapter 11 #2
“Just a lot of bruises. I was lucky that I landed in a patch of nettles, although the stinging burned me for at least two days.” He gave her a wry smile. “The horse was fine other than a twisted leg. I had to walk three miles home leading a lame horse.”
“And what did your father say?”
“Well, let’s just say he wouldn’t be allowed in London Society with the language that came out of his mouth.”
Rosalind blinked. Then she threw back her head and laughed.
It felt like Cormac had been smacked in the chest. He’d never heard a laugh like that before. It was real, coming from inside her, one of those genuine laughs that didn’t often come out nowadays.
And he wanted to hear it again.
“Can I go down to the loch, Mama?” Theo turned to her, his eyes bright. “Cormac can come with me. Please?”
“You’re staying up here for now,” Rosalind said. “And you need to head back to the nursery to rest.”
Theo pouted. “But I’m too old for a nap!”
“You have lessons this afternoon, and it’s almost midday. You have to have something to eat.”
Theo didn’t look happy about it, but he sighed heavily and gathered up some of his belongings. Cormac picked up the jug and glass, the lemonade slushing inside both, only to have Bea appear out of nowhere and neatly pluck them out of his hands.
“I’ve got that, my lord,” she said. “You don’t need to clear up after Lord Ellingham.”
“I don’t mind…”
But he didn’t get any further before Bea had hurried away, Theo trudging along behind her. Rosalind smiled.
“Don’t worry about it. Bea has everything handled.”
“She’s very good with him, isn’t she?”
“Splendid. I am incredibly lucky to have her as Theo’s governess.” Rosalind’s smile faded a little. “It was nice to know that she was there to look after my son while I was recovering. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else with him.”
“Not even your husband’s brother?” Cormac probed.
“He adores Theo, but I wouldn’t put that on him. You understand, don’t you?”
Cormac did. Rosalind was protective over her son, and even if she knew the person well it took a lot of trust to give the care of her child over to someone. Maybe, deep down, Rosalind knew Ellingham wasn’t the best person to watch her son.
And she’d entrusted Theo to him on more than one occasion. Had she realized she was doing it? Cormac wasn’t sure.
“I must apologize for the way Julian approached you yesterday. I’m aware that he had words with you.” Rosalind glanced toward the house. “I saw you from the window. I’m sure Julian was rather… brisk with you.”
Cormac shrugged. “You don’t need to be concerned about that. I understand hovering relatives, but it’s not going to deter me. You need anything, you can reach out to me. I’ll do what I can.”
She nodded, and something passed across her eyes, her gaze lingering on his face. Cormac felt a tingling at the back of his neck, and he suddenly ached to pull her into his arms and simply hold her.
That made him step back a moment. He’d found ladies attractive before, but this was something else. It was the oddest thing he’d ever experienced, and it left him off-balance.
“Cormac?” She frowned at him. “Are you all right?”
“I… of course.” Cormac cleared his throat. “It’s just been a long week. I guess I’m still shaken by what could’ve happened…”
He didn’t say anything further, and he didn’t need to. Rosalind’s expression said she understood. He hurried on.
“The weather is holding for now, so why don’t you escape for a little bit?”
“Escape?” Her forehead creased in a confused frown. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean leaving the grounds and doing something different,” Cormac went on hurriedly. “Why don’t you and Theo visit my estate? We can spend the day in a different environment for you and your son, and he can run himself tired.”
Rosalind stared at him for a moment, and Cormac wondered if she was going to turn him down. He looked toward the house and saw Bea ushering Theo inside. Hamish had materialized, and he was standing a little close to Bea, his eyes never leaving hers.
“You can bring Miss Lowe as well,” he added. “Then you don’t have to worry so much about watching your son. And I think it will do her good as well to spend time away from Corrieden.”
“I think Bea would like that.” Rosalind smiled. “And so would I. It’s a lovely invitation, Cormac. Theo will be delighted.”
Cormac felt his spirits lift. That was more than he could’ve hoped for.
“Splendid! I think you and Theo will be happy. With your visit,” he added quickly. “I’m not asking you to come and live with me or anything… what I meant is…”
Her mouth quirked in a slight smile.
“I understand what you mean. And that is very kind of you. I’d like to see more of Ravensmuir.”
They stared at each other, and Cormac struggled to take his eyes off her. With her face free of her hair concealing her scars, she looked more open and even lovelier than before. The scars didn’t take away her beauty.
To receive those scars must’ve been horrible, but she could hold her head high.
He just hoped she wouldn’t retreat into her shell when someone said the wrong thing and made a comment about her appearance. She had nothing to hide.