Page 5 of The Beastly Earl

It had been almost three years since the fire and more than a year since the last time she’d dreamt about her argument with Devin that horrific night. Staring out the train carriage window, she leaned back into the seat cushions and exhaled the tension that had held her rigid since she’d awoken. Outside, the bleak, gloomy weather reminded her that in a few days it would be December.

As the train rolled along, she studied the scenery passing by. Scotland’s stark beauty had always given her a sense of peace and comfort. The serenity had been especially necessary when she’d retreated to Callendar Abbey shortly after losing Devin, and her brother Caleb, in the fire at Westbrook Farms.

For most of the time since the fire, the abbey had been her sanctuary from well-meaning friends intent on easing her sorrow. Her family had been far more willing to let her choose the amount of time she wanted to grieve, that is until Sebastian had called her into his study yesterday.

The sudden jarring sound of the compartment door opening jerked her out of the past. Startled, she quickly turned her head to see the white-haired conductor standing in the doorway.

“Tis no’ far now tae Dunblane, me lady.”

The soft burr in the man’s voice was a sound that said she was close to the one place she loved more than anywhere else in the world. Not even Westbrook Farms had been so treasured in her heart even though there had been happy times there until that terrible night. Aware her thoughts had drifted off and the conductor was patiently awaiting any instructions she had. Louisa winced as she met his gaze.

“Thank you. If you would, please have one of the porters secure my luggage when we arrive. There are two trunks in the baggage car that need to be unloaded.”

“Aye, me lady. I’ll see tae it.” The conductor nodded then closed the compartment door to leave her alone again.

The scenery through the window had changed from a barren landscape to one dotted with cottages and farms. Louisa recognized one of the houses that sat on the outskirts of Dunblane as the slowing train rattled past it. In little more than an hour, she’d be at Callendar Abbey with its peaceful, healing atmosphere. For the first time since leaving London, she experienced a serenity she’d not felt for a very long time.

It had been the right decision to leave the boys in London for the next two or three weeks. They would enjoy being with their cousins for a little longer, and she would cherish the quiet in the abbey. As much as she adored her sons, she knew she required the peace to do what she needed to do. It would be far easier to say goodbye to the past in the peaceful tranquility of Callendar Abbey without the rambunctious antics of the boys.

She also didn’t want either of them, especially Charlie to see her if they caught any sign of her weeping. Her oldest had taken on more than just his father’s title upon Devin’s death. Charlie had become extremely protective of her, and it troubled him deeply if anyone said something to bring her grief to the surface, including himself.

The train lurched to a halt, and Louisa quickly pulled on her black leather gloves then picked up her hat from the seat beside her and set it on top of her head. She was securing it with a hatpin when the door to the compartment slid open. Fergus’s tall, lanky frame filled the doorway, and he nodded at her with a cheerful grin.

“Welcome back, me lady. Tis good tae see ye again.” Just as the conductor’s quiet Scottish brogue had filled her with a sense of homecoming, Fergus’s voice had the same effect.

“Thank you, Fergus. I’ve two bags here.” Louisa pointed to the small traveling case and larger portmanteau. “And two trunks in the baggage car.”

“Aye. One of the porters has already unloaded yer luggage so I kin load it onto the cart.”

“Is Alfred not with you?” Louisa asked in with a small amount of surprise.

“No, me lady. Tis Alfred’s arthritis. . His knee locked up so badly last night, he’s barely able to walk. Being as it was just ye, I told him I could come by myself.”

Fergus picked up her bags and stepped out into the corridor to make his way to the carriage exit. Collecting her purse, she followed him down the narrow hallway. Fergus set down her luggage on the station’s wooden platform then offered his hand to assist her down the carriage’s metal steps. Satisfied she was safely off the train, Fergus retrieved her luggage and headed around the side of the small station building.

As she followed the long-time servant, Louisa breathed in the cool air. It was a welcome respite from the stuffy train compartment. There was even the faint earthy hint of fall’s last remnants of heather. Fresh and sweet, it made her realize how much she loathed the tobacco-like smell of burning coal in London.

The delicious smell of tablets from the town’s bakery drifted beneath her nose, and her stomach growled softly. The cold chicken and bread Mrs. Haversham had wrapped in paper for her lunch had been more than filling, but the sweet vanilla scent of the sugary treats made her mouth water.

She drank in another breath of the scent-laden air as she rounded the station to see the abbey’s largest wagon sitting in front of the station. An apologetic look on his face, Fergus grimaced at her surprise as he touched his cap.

“Forgive me, my lady, but Alfred insisted. He says his knee tells him there’s a bad storm coming. He thought it best tae bring the wagon, since a carriage could easily get stuck in the mud.”

“That makes perfect sense,” Louisa said with a smile as she glanced up at the gray sky. Alfred’s uncanny accuracy in his ability to predict bad weather was a trait the family heeded without question. “If it decides to rain, I suspect we’ll be warm and cozy inside the abbey before it begins. Besides I confess that after being on a stuffy train all day the fresh air is preferable.”

Relief swept across the man’s face as he continued to load the wagon with Louisa’s luggage. In minutes they were pulling away from the station. On their way out of town, they passed the bakery, and she asked Fergus to stop to buy a tablet for the two of them. They washed the sweet pastries down with milk the servant had bought as they headed out of Dunblane along Doune Road.

They were well past Doune Castle when a light rain began to fall. Fergus muttered something under his breath and reached behind him to pull out a wool blanket. He handed it to her with a frown.

“It will help keep ye dry, my lady.”

Louisa accepted the blanket and threw it over head. With each passing mile, the rain began to fall harder, which caused Fergus to mutter with growing irritation. He threw up the collar of his jacket as the sky darkened considerably. Thunder boomed over their heads, and Louisa sighed. As much as she loved the highlands, she didn’t enjoy being soaked to the skin with winter so close at hand. It made the rain cold as ice.

In her eagerness to reach Callendar Abbey, she’d miscalculated the timing of the storm. Her mouth tightened with self-disgust. As always, the Rockwood trait for casting caution to the wind had made her dismiss Fergus’s suggestion they seek shelter at Doune Castle a few miles back.

It made no sense to turn back now. They were closer to the abbey than the castle. She deserved to be wet and cold, although Fergus didn’t. Irritated by her reckless decision, she blew out a small puff of air in silent frustration and recrimination. Another shiver rippled through her as daylight slowly gave way to the approaching night. The sprinkle of rain began to fall harder, and she pulled the wool blanket tighter around her shoulders.

As they approached the Cambus Burn, she inhaled a sharp breath at the sight. Unlike the last burn they’d crossed, the stream was swollen to more than three times its normal size. Fergus drew the horses to a stop and stared in dismay at the raging water.