Chapter Fifteen

Blair followed Jenny up the ornate steps to find herself standing in a corridor only slightly smaller than the one downstairs. Each room off to the side had massive wooden doors whose frames were intricately carved and decorated. Rugs lined the floor. They’d at one time been beautiful, but under the darkness of the closed doors, drawn curtains, and dust, she wasn’t certain if they could be salvaged.

“This is the way to the master’s bedroom,” Jenny said and led her to the back of the house. She’d expected it to be toward the front, so that any guests arriving could be seen from the room.

“How long has it been since someone has used it?”

“To the best of my knowledge, it has never been used.” The woman must be mistaken.

“How long have ye been here?”

“My father came to work here when I was just a wee thing.”

How was it possible this magnificent house had remained empty for so long?

Jenny pushed in the door, and Blair followed. Not able to see much because of the thick drapes that blocked out the sun, she moved into the room cautiously.

“Can we open up the curtains and see what kind of shape it’s in?”

With the thick material drawn back, light filtered into the room, but motes of dust danced in the freshly disturbed air. Coughing, she said, “I think we should also open the windows. This place needs fresh air.”

The massive Venetian window didn’t budge. Jenny stepped beside her, and they heaved together. Blair almost fell when the window flew up, exposing a terrace she might have seen sooner, had the windows not been covered with years of grime.

Stepping out onto the balcony, she was astonished to see an artfully arranged garden similar to one she’d seen in Edinburgh, but on a much grander scale. It looked in need of pruning and shaping, but the bones of it breathed in her a new hope that maybe not everything was beyond repair.

Her attention riveted to the gentle rolling hills extending as far as she could see, wild lavender growing on them in purples and blues. It was breathtaking and reminded her of home. She caught a hint of the scent of the fragrant flower in the breeze that tickled her skin.

“Are you all right, my lady?”

“Oh, aye.” She hadn’t realized she’d been staring. “Let’s get the other one open.”

Once they had the room airing, Blair turned her attention to the bedding. “Well, there isnae much we can do on short notice, but at least we can strip the beds. Beat the bedding to clear the dust and put them back on.”

Jenny looked at her with pleased, eager eyes, seeming happy to have a purpose.

“How many servants are on hand?”

She blushed. “Not many, my lady. They were supposed to be hired, but none have shown.”

“Hmm. What about the lads I saw earlier?”

“They are my boys.” A hint of pride twinkled in Jenny’s eyes.

“Well then, they can help us. We will open all the windows, take care of the bedding, and have them wipe down all the surfaces with a damp cloth.”

Several hours later, Blair walked into the dining room exhausted, but pleased they had been able to make accommodations fairly presentable for their large group, at least for tonight. Jenny and she had a lot of work ahead of them.

…

Finlay was on his second dram of whisky when his wife strolled into the dining room. Tendrils of her soft hair tumbled loose from the elaborate braid she’d pleated this morning, and dirt smudged the edges of her new gown. Her face, bonny as ever, was drawn and tired.

Och, he should have stayed longer last year to ensure the estate manager had done his job and hired a proper staff for the place. Blair was with child and hadn’t even had a chance to rest after their long journey.

At least he’d had a chance to walk the grounds with the Cameron men, and there was no sign that anyone had followed them. He’d also alerted what few servants were on hand to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.

Letting out a long, frustrated breath, he took another swig of the amber liquid as she walked toward him and eased into the chair to his right. “Where is everyone?” She looked worried.

“There didnae seem to be much in the kitchen, so they’ve gone into the village to eat at the tavern tonight.”

That was another thing that cut to the bone. This was supposed to be his house, but he couldn’t even manage to offer his friends a meal.

She frowned. “With yer permission, I can go into the village tomorrow to see to it ye have the proper staff. I managed the help at my father’s castle. I cannae imagine ’tis too different here.”

The idea of her going into the village without him was preposterous. What if the war really had reached this area? He didn’t want his wife out of his sight until he knew the countryside and village was safe. So he said, “I was hoping to be able to show ye around tomorrow, but we do need more people. I’m expecting company in the afternoon, so we cannae be gone long.”

“It shouldnae be too hard to find those in need of a good job.”

Andrew strode into the room holding a tray containing two plates. There was a twinkle in his eyes Finlay had never seen before—the servant seemed pleased to finally have a family in residence. The man had occasionally filled in at his father’s house when the butler there had health problems. Over the years, Finlay had somehow managed to form a bond with the older man.

“’Tis what I thought, but mayhap there is a drought of able-bodied people in the village.”

“We shall see tomorrow.”

Andrew set a plate down in front of him then, Blair.

“Thank ye,” she said and smiled at the man. He nodded, pleasure evident in the tilt of his head and the confidence in his step.

“I have rooms prepared for everyone. Will they return tonight?”

The butler placed cups of a red liquid in front of both of them.

“Aye.”

“I’ll have Jenny wait up to show them to their rooms then.” Blair smiled at Andrew, and the butler dipped his head.

He lowered his spoon into the stew—a kind of meat, likely venison, with root vegetables and a broth. It was fair, but nothing compared to what the cook at his father’s home could do, or perhaps it was the lack of supplies that dulled the taste. Maybe after things were settled and during their time in Scotland, the man could train some with his father’s cook. The distance wasn’t so great that he couldn’t afford to go a couple times a week for a lesson.

Blair eyed her spoonful then brought it up to her nose to smell before taking a sip.

“I spoke to the cook earlier. I let him ken ye cannae have anything with cheese.”

“Thank ye. I havenae had the chance to meet him yet. Does he seem competent?”

“Aye, he will do.”

“Ye will need a gardener as well. Ye have the most marvelous start to a garden behind the house. Beautiful shrubbery. It just needs some pruning and care.”

“Did ye spy a place for yer peach tree?”

“Nae, I had forgotten. Oh, but there are also the most wonderful meadows filled with lavender.”

That reminded him. “There is a story behind this estate.”

Her eyes lit. “What is it?”

“My father built it for my mother in hopes that one day she would come to England to live with him.”

“That explains why no one has stayed, and why there is no’ much staff. It must have cost him a fortune.”

“’Tis why my stepmother hated me. I reminded her of the woman who held my father’s affections.”

“And ye say yer mother loved him as well?”

“Aye.”

“But she wouldnae join him?”

“Nae. She wouldnae live as a mistress.”

“Why did he no’ ask her to marry him?” Blair took a sip of what he’d discovered was a pleasant spiced wine.

“He couldn’t. A contract had already been signed promising that he and my stepmother would be wed, but my father always held out hope that one day she would bring me down and join him.”

“And now that yer stepmother has passed? Will yer mother join him?”

“Apparently, he wrote to her and she refused. ’Tis why he finally gifted the estate to me. He gave up hope.”

Blair’s eyes saddened.

“They are both very stubborn, but because of it, ye and I have gained this.” He waved his arms to indicate the home.

“I am quite looking forward to exploring.”

“I havenae even seen it all yet.”

“Mayhap we can tour it together?” Her eyes sparkled again, and he found himself enthusiastic for the first time to explore his new home. Eager to lay his wife down in each room and plunge into her warm body, claim every space as his hands roamed up and down her curves while she made those breathless, panting noises beneath him. Truly make this their home and no one else’s.

His blood pumped faster, and he licked his lips. “Mayhap we can.”

“Mayhap after yer guest leaves tomorrow. Och, how long will we need to entertain the men who came with us?”

“My guess is they willnae stay long, but I think we will need to stay longer than originally intended. Once we get a proper staff hired and make sure everything is in order we can go back to Scotland.”

“Aye. I have yet to meet yer mother.” At least she didn’t say she wanted to leave right away.

After she set her cup down for the last time, he rose and took her hand. Thoughts of lying in bed with his wife had been plaguing him all day. It was time he took her to their chamber and spent the night exploring her body.