Page 76 of Evie and Louis: The Story so Far

“Well, if I must have this beautiful creature under my roof, I may as well have some fun. You’re leaving anyway, so I’m going with you to Fort William. Not been there in a decade or more. About time I did some shopping, I reckon. Monsieur can give me the benefit of his exquisite eye, as he seems to have made a gentleman of you at long last, Barnaby. If he can manage such Herculean feats, he can choose me some new outfits for a summer wardrobe in town. Then we shall see. At the very least, it should set a few tongues wagging,” she said, her expression bright with mischief.

“I should be honoured to assist you, my lady,” Louis replied.

“Just so,” Aunt Hester said thoughtfully, watching Louis with a frown. “Perhaps then I’ll get to the bottom of why you’re really here. I suspect a woman. Escaping a bloodthirsty husband, are we? A duel?”

“Nothing so exciting, I assure you,” Louis replied, lips quirking a little.

The old woman narrowed her eyes, looking unconvinced. “Hmm. I smell a scandal brewing, and I mean to know what’s going on. We’ll eat in The Prince’s House.”

Barnaby saw Louis’ startled expression and grinned. “It’s just a coaching inn, named for the Bonnie Prince Charlie.”

“Ah,” Louis said with polite interest. “I understand.”

“We’ll bring our own bonnie comte instead,” Aunt Hester said with a cackle of laughter. “Come along then. I’ve told that valet of yours to get cracking and pack, so you’ll be free tomorrow, monsieur. We’ll leave first thing in the morning.

She stalked out again, imperious as ever.

“Sorry,” Barnaby said, wincing.

Louis waved this away. “One more day is of no matter. She has been hospitable when she’d no need to be. If this amuses her, I am happy to oblige.”

“Hospitable,” Barnaby murmured faintly. “Is that what’s she’s been? Ah, well.”

Evie stood on the headland, the wind buffeting her face and tugging at her cloak. She pulled the material closer about her, lest it become a sail and have her flying off the edge of the cliff. The ruins of Bucholie Castle stood before her, and she knew better than to get any closer, having been warned of the dangers, but it was a romantic ruin and a beautiful if melancholy place. It drew her back over and over again.

“Here ye are!” called a cheery voice from behind her.

Evie turned to see Muir Anderson striding through the long grass. He looked like a great Scottish lion in a kilt, with his tawny hair blown about by the wind and his clothes all rumpled. He generally appeared somewhat dishevelled, as if he’d been wrestling some great beast. He was wild and untamed himself, and yet she sensed a gentle soul in him. He also had a dreadful sense of humour and made her laugh a good deal.

“I’ve been searching for ye this age,” he said, coming to stand beside her.

He stared down at her and she saw his eyes were tawny too, flecked with gold. She turned away, staring out at the sea, a vivid, almost painful blue that made something in her heart twist.

“You like it here, aye?”

She nodded, brushing the hair from her eyes and staring out at the sun glinting on the sea, so bright it made her eyes water. “I do.”

He leaned down then and kissed her, so swiftly she’d not known it was coming. It only lasted a moment, enough for her to tell that his lips were soft, and he smelled like heather and fresh air.

“D’ye mind?” he asked, drawing away a little.

Evie stared at him, wanting to cry. “N-No,” she stammered, not wanting to hurt his feelings, and she didn’t mind. She just wasn’t certain she wanted him to do it again.

“You’re not mad about the idea, though, eh?” he suggested, grinning.

To her relief, there was no trace of embarrassment or resentment in his open face.

“I—” she began, not having the first idea how to answer that question. The trouble was, she liked him. She liked him very much. Worse, she could imagine being married to him, and the life they would share. A good, steady life, filled with children and laughter, just as she had wanted, but….

But.

Oh, what was she to do?

“Aye, reckoned you’d not fallen arse over apex for my charm and good looks,” he said wryly.

Despite everything, Evie giggled.

He winked at her and offered her his arm. “Come along. I’ll escort ye back to the castle like a proper gent. I do ken how, ye know.”