The shock on the faces of Gavin’s family as they exited the coach was priceless. Robbie stood beside him, greeting everyone graciously, and each returned her greeting with wide-eyed curiosity.
Ensconced in his library with his father, Gavin poured them each a brandy. Durham Eliot was a big man with a barrel chest and a shock of salt and pepper hair. He wore an amused expression as he asked, “So, how did this come about?”
“I got their names mixed up.” Gavin took a seat across from his father near the fireplace, which was heaped with fresh coal and glowing brightly.
“Now, my son the bookworm, why doesn’t that surprise me?”
Gavin merely shook his head. “It was a disaster at first. Robbie was so excited to be here, having escaped a paltry life in the slums of Edinburgh.” He went on to explain that she had gone to university, yet had not found a viable trade, except for writing short pieces for magazines and newspapers. “She has also worked in a clinic helping with prostitutes and runaway girls.” He lifted a tawny eyebrow. “She’s a woman of many layers.”
“How did she discover it was a mistake?” his father asked, leaning forward.
Gavin expelled a deep sigh. “Out of consideration for her feelings, a friend of mine told her.”
Durham grunted. “Some friend.”
“I think Faith meant well, it’s just that I should have been the one to explain.”
“Faith? A woman told her?”
“Yes,” Gavin answered defensively. “Faith and I are good friends. Nothing more.”
“Didn’t you know it’s not possible to be ‘friends’ with a woman?”
“That’s what Colin told me. He’s certain Faith had ulterior motives, but I’ve never given her any reason to think our friendship is anything but that.”
Durham stared at his son and just shook his head. “You’re naïve, you know, if you don’t think that woman hasn’t fantasized about living here, at Erskine House.”
Frowning, Gavin asked, “How can you say that, Da? You don’t even know her.”
“I don’t have to know her. I know the type,” his father answered flatly. “At any rate, after hearing that you mistook Robbie for Birdie, how did you convince her to stay?”
Gavin explained the meeting he had with Robbie at the inn. “She’s not a hysterical sort of woman. She’s very pragmatic. She knows I don’t love her, but she has been nothing but wonderful.”
“So you told her flat out that you don’t love her.”
“It was the honorable thing to do.”
“And she’s all right with that.” It was not a question. “Has nothing changed since you wed?”
Gavin pondered the question. “Well, she has been dressing more fetchingly, and she has done something different with her hair.”
Durham barked a laugh. “Ah, dear boy, you made the most impressive and important mistake of your life.”
Gavin swirled his brandy. “That’s what Colin said, too.”
His father took a look around the room. “And where is that reprobate?”
“He’s arriving later this evening. He’s anxious to see you; I’m sorry Louis couldn’t come.”
“He is as well. But the business doesn’t run itself, you know.”
The family business, a cannery, was a huge ongoing success, mainly because Gavin’s father was a smart businessman. Although he had wanted all of his sons to become a part of it, he understood Gavin’s need to do something different with his life and sent him off with his blessing. It was a stroke of good fortune involving an old debt that the family came into the ownership of Erskine House. Durham was happy to see his son administering the place.
“And he still hasn’t found a wife?” Gavin probed.
“Doesn’t seem to be looking,” his father replied.
• • •
Robbie and Gavin’s mother, Linnea, a pretty, petite woman whose hair was as light as her son’s, and her eyes, although warm, were the color of blue ice, sat in the morning room with tea. A strip of meager sunshine tried to penetrate the gossamer curtains. Lady Perlina was curled up at Robbie’s feet.
“Your pup is adorable. I always like to have a dog in the house,” Linnea announced. “Oddly, all of the children loved to play with them except Gavin. He always had his nose in a book instead.”
Robbie loved to listen to Gavin’s mother talk. Her speech was a mixture of Gaelic and some nordic language that often made words no one could understand. “She’s a scamp, that’s for sure.”
“What have you named her?”
Robbie thought a moment; how much to say? “She’s Lady.” Half true.
“I must admit when Gavin wrote that he had proposed to Birdie, I was a bit disappointed. Not that she’s not a lovely girl, but…”
Robbie threw her head back and laughed softly. “No need to finish the sentence. Birdie will always be Birdie. Even as an adult she hasn’t changed. I will admit to you that she wooed my fiance, who came under her spell like a felled tree. They married and are living in Glasgow where, if I’m not wrong, Birdie is driving all the servants to distraction with her wants and needs.”
Linnea’s hand went to her chest. “She stole your fiance?”
Robbie nodded. “He was a nice fellow, kind, patient, and rich.” She gave her new mother-in-law a cunning look. “No doubt that last part is what Birdie fell for, but I don’t wish her any ill will. After all,” she said, looking around her, “I actually have what I’ve wanted since I laid eyes on Gavin, and I don’t mean the fine house.” She gave Linnea a shy glance.
“You’ve cared for him that long, have you?” Linnea took a sip of tea.
“Yes. And in spite of the fact that it wasn’t me he proposed to, things are going along quite well.”
“How did you find out? Did he tell you?”
“He didn’t have to; a friend beat him to it.”
“A friend?”
“Her name is Faith Baker, and truth to tell, I’m not especially fond of the way she broke the news to me.”
“Hmmm. And Gavin believes this woman is just a friend?”
“Gavin is sweet and a little guileless, which makes me love him all the more.”
“It sounds like this Faith Baker is a woman to avoid,” Linnea speculated.
“Indeed, but Gavin—being Gavin—invited her to the ball.”
Her mother-in-law wrinkled her nose. “I’ll have to take a good look at her.”
“She is comely, I suppose, and I’m not downplaying her attributes. Her bones are fine and small. She is rather short, and her hair is very much the same color as Gavin’s.”
“I should be able to pick her out easily, then.”
Robbie agreed. “I’ll be interested to know what you think of her. Now, on to Cassie. She is absolutely lovely.” Gavin’s younger sister had taken the little ones to the barn to see the animals.
“She’s come a long way, she has.” Linnea’s light blue eyes were warm with affection. “She’s still a handful, don’t get me wrong. Gavin has offered to let her spend some time here,” she said, then added, “but with you two being newlyweds, it probably isn’t a good idea.”
“That’s nonsense,” Robbie answered. “It would be an adventure having her around. Things can get pretty boring out here in the provinces. Or so they tell me; so far I haven’t been bored for a minute.”
Linnea reached across and touched Robbie’s arm. “You are too generous by half.”
Robbie drained her tea and placed the cup on the saucer. “I have always envied Gavin for his family. How you kept such a pack in line is beyond me; you seem so quiet and subdued.”
Linnea nodded. “Aye, but looks can be deceiving, you know. Truth to tell, I’m the disciplinarian; Durham, for all of his bluster, is just a pussy cat when it comes to his children.”
Robbie thought on that. “My family was happy, but since there were just the three of us, it was awfully quiet most of the time. When my sister wasn’t throwing a tantrum,” she added with a quiet smile.
But in truth, she felt very lucky to have what she had.
Colin’s arrival shortly after they had had their tea was met with rousing back-slapping and definite whooping from the children, because Colin had brought them sweets from Edinburgh.
Later, after she’d finished her serial, the writing of which was like pulling teeth, she put on her robe and slippers and crept from the bed where the sleeping pup snored. So much excitement today, it’s a wonder she couldn’t sleep. Gavin’s family certainly made everything lively. Robbie loved the younger ones on sight. Two young lads and a lassie, who, Linnea had told her in private, was a surprise addition to the household, since Linnea had felt she was beyond having more children.
She went quietly to the kitchen to make herself some tea and found Colin there, eating cold chicken.
“We meet here again,” he said.
“Is it a bad habit, us meeting this way?” she teased as she fixed herself some tea.
“No. I like to have you to myself now and again.”
She gave him a quick look, but even in the moonlight she could see he was jesting.
“How is life going for you, Robbie?”
She settled herself across from him. “It’s going well, Colin. Very well, indeed.” She could feel him study her.
“I like what you’ve done with your hair. And the lavender gown you wore to dinner was an excellent choice. You wore it well.” There was a knowledgable inflection in his voice as he said it.
Robbie smiled to herself. Colin was intuitive, if nothing else. “Yes, I decided I was far too functional looking to be the lady of such a fine house. And,” she shot him a look from under her lashes, “I’ve learned that a bit of decolletage doesn’t hurt when trying to seduce a naïve husband.”
Colin barked a laugh. “Robbie, you are an amazing woman. I hope Gavin really appreciates you because if he doesn’t I’ll have to ferry you away myself.”
She took a delicate sip of tea. “Oh, I think there is appreciation there, and if not love, perhaps fondness.”
“So you aren’t giving up on him?”
“Never.” The word came out more fiercely than she’d thought it would. “I will do what ever it takes to be the best wife Gavin could ever hope for.”