Ross shrugged.
“Does he ken anything about raising sheep?”
“Of that, I’ve no’ the faintest idea.”
He stood and opened the appointment book on his desk, scanning as he flipped the pages. “My wife is hosting a ball tomorrow. Invitations were delivered last week. I assume ye have yours already?”
Alexander had no idea what invites they had received while he was away. But if Ross said they were delivered, then he wouldtake him at his word. The man ran a business that Alexander would never involve himself in, but he had always spoken the truth whenever they had conversed.
“I assume ’tis waiting for me.”
“Splendid, I shall see ye there. The American will be there as well. I will be more than happy to introduce the two of ye if ye havena connected afore then.”
Alexander nodded. “Thank ye. I’ve friends arriving for a visit.”
“They are welcome as well. Mrs. Ross loves an estate overrun with guests for a ball.”
On the ride home, Alexander wondered if he would have time to get his guests settled and ready for the ball and manage a visit to the Kitt estate before then.
He didn’t think so. He couldn’t tamper his frustration as they climbed from the carriage and entered Millwool.
He could only hope the flock would be safe for one more day. He would have them home soon. His company would be arriving shortly, and as much as he worried for his sheep, he needed to be present for the arrival of Nicholas and his family. For the arrival of Clarissa. He couldn’t deny that even though Nicholas was his best friend, he was most anxious to see his sister.
*
The days weregetting shorter as autumn crept upon them, and the temperature grew cooler. Even so, the air inside of the carriage as they made their way to Castle Millwool was positively stuffy.
Clarissa was glad she had the foresight to bring her fan, which she whipped to and fro, trying to move the air about. Tired of the confinement, she sighed.
A sharp knock on the carriage wall made her jump and the coachman called out that they would soon be arriving at Millwool.
“Finally!” Clarissa huffed. “It feels like we have been riding for days.”
Nicholas laughed. “Dear sister. There are much longer journeys out there. I dinna ken how ye would fare on such a jaunt.”
Clarissa shifted in her seat. Her left cheek had fallen asleep from sitting so much and tingled with pins and needles as the blood started to flow again. “I believe I wouldna fare overly well, as ye can see, brother.” She snapped her fan closed and stuffed it into her green reticule. It matched the gown she wore, a beautiful design the color of clover with an empire waist and a gold band of satin ribbon.
Gwen tried to hide her smile behind her gloved hand, but not before Clarissa noticed. “I, too, will be happy to see this journey come to an end. The fresh air will be most pleasant.”
Castle Millwool came into view, its dark gray walls looked almost the color of moss in the light. It was a sight to see with its towers reaching high into the sky. The briny smell of nearby Loch Fyne seeped into the carriage and Clarissa took a deep breath, inhaling the salty scent.
As the carriage came to a halt, they waited for the coachman to open the door and set the stairs down for them to exit. She could see Alexander waiting in front of the steps that would lead them inside. He looked positively dashing in an Argyle tartan kilt and black waistcoat, his dark hair swept off his forehead, the curls tamed and gathered into a band of leather at the base of his neck. His strong, muscled legs on full display as he chose to wear black shoes instead of boots.
Her pulse quickened and her breath caught. She snapped her eyes away before Nicholas noticed, but Gwen had been watching her and gave her a sly smile.
Clarissa gave a quick shake of her head, silently pleading with her sister-in-law not to speak a word.
She breathed a sigh of relief when the door swung open, and Gwen stood without as much as a mutter. Thankfully, Nicholas was oblivious.
“Sister,” Nicholas offered his hand to balance her as she exited the carriage.
Alexander stood so close now. She paused, biting her lip.
“What are ye waiting for? Ye couldna wait to arrive but thirty minutes ago,” Nicholas said from behind her.
She snapped her head to him and rolled her eyes. But as she descended the steps, her foot caught on the last one and she stumbled forward, her arms pinwheeling out to catch herself from falling.
Alexander rushed forward, his strong arms enveloping her before she could hit the ground and steadied her on her feet. The heat of his hands searing into her arms.
