Chapter 20
Cormac stood at the window and watched Corrieden as the sun started to make its way down the sky toward the horizon. He normally saw it as a proud palace, standing there to make a statement, and now it looked like a shadow of its former self.
Or maybe it was coming from Cormac himself with his low mood.
He couldn’t hide it from himself anymore. He knew he’d fallen in love with Rosalind. She was the one he thought about when he woke up, and it was her face when he fell asleep. Even then, she was there in his dreams, huddled in his arms with a smile turned toward him.
It settled him, and Cormac wished he could have it for real. Being around her lifted his spirits, and she made him feel better about himself. Talking to her, hearing her laugh and relax, made him smile and he felt lighter.
He’d been denying it for so long, especially when he had vowed to himself he would never love again. Ottoline had ruined it for him, and Cormac thought it would be his life. Now Rosalind had come along, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to settle with anyone unless it was Rosalind.
But he wouldn’t be able to get anywhere near her when Ellingham was keeping a close eye on her. It seemed he was determined to make sure she was under his roof and under his watchful eye, without any help from the outside.
Both Rosalind and Theo were in danger, and Cormac knew Ellingham was going to do something to get rid of them. But he didn’t have any proof. He couldn’t say anything and confront him without that proof.
Ellingham was a few steps ahead, and he was stumbling to catch up. And the gap was widening.
Now there was another gentleman involved.
Cormac wasn’t stupid; he knew that was Ellingham’s way of securing Rosalind properly.
With a marriage. Although Cormac wondered why Ellingham would choose someone as loathsome as the gentleman who had been looking anywhere but at Rosalind.
It was as if he was ashamed by her appearance.
How could anyone be ashamed of her? Rosalind was beautiful, a kind-hearted woman with a warmth that made her glow. Cormac couldn’t look away when it was just the two of them.
And now Ellingham was choosing to marry her off. He could only hope that Rosalind said no. It would keep her safe for now.
But not for long. Theo was always going to be in danger as long as Ellingham was around. Cormac needed to tell her, but without William’s word, how was he supposed to do that?
“Cormac?”
He turned. Hamish had entered the room, and Bea was at his side. Cormac did a double-take. Curiosity flooded through him as he hurried over.
“Miss Lowe? What are you doing here?”
“Forgive me for visiting you like this, my lord.” Bea’s voice caught a little, and Hamish rested a hand on her back. She gave him a grateful glance before she turned back to Cormac. “You recall that gentleman who was at the house today? Sir Crispin Vane?”
“I recall.” Cormac frowned. “What is it?”
“Mr. Ellingham… he brought him here as a groom for Rosalind.” Bea chewed at her bottom lip. “And she… she’s accepted the marriage arrangement.”
It was like the world had dropped away from him. Cormac swayed, not realizing he was about to fall over until Hamish caught him, leading him to a chair to sit him down. Blood pounded around his head, and Cormac felt lightheaded.
“She’s accepted? But… she doesn’t know him, does she? What’s she doing?”
“Mr. Ellingham has been rather… persuasive. That she needs a secure marriage to make sure her son is safe. That Theo would have a protector while he’s so young.
” Bea shook her head. “I don’t believe it’s for good intentions.
He’s been acting strangely since he arrived, and he’s put me on edge.
I know he’s up to something, but I’m loath to say something to Rosalind. ”
“Why?”
“Because she thinks that he’s just looking out for her.
I know she’s agitated with him pestering her about sending Theo to public school and pushing for other things she doesn’t agree with, but she doesn’t see it as something bad happening.
Mr. Ellingham has always been forceful and likes to make his thoughts clear on everything. ”
Cormac knew that. He’d figured that out with Ellingham as soon as he met the man. And he could tell he was used to getting his own way.
“I don’t know what to do,” Bea continued, rubbing her arms and shivering. “I know that something’s wrong, especially when Mr. Ellingham brought Lady Carlisle north on purpose…”
“What?” That made Cormac sit up. “What do you mean by that?”
“I overheard them when she came by a couple of days ago. Mr. Ellingham had sent for Lady Carlisle personally, and she seems to be wrapped up in keeping you away from Rosalind. They didn’t meet by chance in Inverness.
” Bea’s jaw tightened. “He’s manipulating everything, and I’m scared for Rosalind and Theo.
Especially after Theo nearly went over the cliff… ”
She didn’t go any further, but she didn’t need to. Cormac knew exactly what she was talking about. He looked at Hamish, who looked as grim.
“He’s definitely going to do something,” his friend said. “He wants that title.”
“But Theo has it now. Unless…”
Cormac didn’t want to say it. Saying it out loud made him feel nauseous. How could anyone think like that?
“I’m certain you know something about this,” Bea said, fixing a hard stare at him. “I’ve seen the way you react around Ellingham, and I’m sure you have some answers.”
“Why would I have the answers?”
“Because the previous viscount was a friend of yours. You said you would look after Rosalind for him, and I saw the way you reacted around his brother. You have to know that something’s not right.”
Cormac rubbed his hands over his face. He was still reeling from knowing that Rosalind had agreed to a marriage arrangement within hours of meeting the man. Bea was clearly worried, and she was looking for answers to protect her mistress and young master. Cormac had to admire that.
“I don’t have any proof,” he said finally. “Just what William told me, and what I was supposed to receive.”
“Supposed to receive?” She frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
“He left me a letter, something that warned me against his brother. In person, he admitted that he was scared Ellingham was going to do something that would harm his family. But the letter has been intercepted, and I suspect Ellingham has it now.”
Bea’s face paled. “So he knows that his brother has suspicions about him? And that’s why he’s dismissing you?”
“And it would explain why he brought Lady Carlisle with him,” Hamish said grimly. “It’s known in the area that she and Cormac were to be married some time ago, and he would need a way to divert his attention.”
Cormac snorted. That was not going to happen. He’d vowed not to have anything to do with Ottoline again, and her presence now was more suspicious than anything else.
His priority was Rosalind. She needed to hear the truth. But without the letter, how was he going to do that? He needed proof, otherwise Rosalind would think he’d gone mad.
He had to talk to her, though. To persuade her that this was a bad idea, and she needed to be wary about her brother-in-law.
“Can you deliver a note to her from me, Miss Lowe?” he asked.
She nodded. “Of course. Whatever you need.”
“Then wait a moment, and I’ll write it for you to take.”
He had to see her. Cormac knew he didn’t think he could get past the front door. Rivers might let him in, but Ellingham would have him thrown out again. So this had to be done a different way.
Hopefully, Rosalind would agree to see him. Even if it was brief, he could get his point across. Anything to keep her safe.
Once dusk started falling, Cormac headed out, making his way to the boundary wall between his estate and Corrieden’s. If he was lucky, he could get more than a few minutes with Rosalind. She was an intelligent woman; she had to know that he was looking out for her.
Unless she didn’t see any other option. Cormac could see what Ellingham claimed to be doing. He couldn’t let it happen. The woman he loved was practically a lamb to the slaughter.
He arrived at the boundary wall, which was mostly obscured by overhanging trees, and was surprised to see Rosalind there already.
She was standing with her back to him, the head of her cape pushed back from her head as she looked out across the valley.
In the fading light, she looked ethereal, even from behind.
Cormac wanted to vault the wall and reach out to touch her.
But he didn’t, even as his body coiled at the thought. He placed his hands on the wall, his heart pounding hard in his chest.
“Rosalind.”
She turned, her face creased into a frown when she saw him. She walked toward him.
“What do you want?” she demanded. “We shouldn’t be meeting like this.”
“I needed to speak to you. Didn’t you see my note?”
“I did, but only because Bea insisted. She seems to think this is important.” She shook her head. “But there isn’t anything to talk about. Nothing left to say.”
“So you’re going to marry a stranger who clearly isn’t enamored with you?” Cormac argued. “He couldn’t look you in the eye. Any potential husband should be praising the ground you walk on, not running the other way.”
Her jaw tightened. “That’s not something I have a choice in,” she said stiffly. “The marriage gives Theo a name—”
“He’s got one!”
“And I’ll be settled with a husband—”
“Someone who clearly doesn’t care about you or your son,” Cormac shot back. “You deserve someone who will treat you like a queen.”
Rosalind’s frown deepened, and she pursed her lips. “Why are you so insistent about this? I’ve made my peace about it. And you’re free from your obligations.”
“Obligations?”
“You owed my husband a debt, didn’t you? Looking out for me was your way of paying the debt, and now your love has returned, and Julian is looking out for me. You don’t have to worry about me any longer.”