Page 67 of Return to Wildsyde

“Lyall?”

He appeared to make a supreme effort to rearrange his face, cleared his throat and said with apparent composure. “Nothing, love.”

Luella narrowed her eyes at him. His lips twitched.

“Lyall!”

“Toroddle toroddle, toroll.” He sang the chorus to a familiar song and Luella blushed fiercely, knowing exactly what he was remembering.

“Oh!” she said crossly, snatching up a pillow and hitting him with it.

“Here's a health to the Three Jolly Pigeons!” he sang at the top of his voice.

Luella tried to smother him with the pillow, but he fought her off, laughing helplessly, adding “Toroddle toroddle, toroll!”

Casting the pillow aside, he pinned her to the bed, staring down at her and grinning. “Do I need to put the whisky cherries under lock and key, love? Ye had best tell me now, for I am uncertain what I ought to do about your terrible habits. I dinnae know the rules yet, but I will nae tell the neighbours, I promise.”

“The rules are that you don’t embarrass your bride on her wedding day,” she remarked tartly, not really cross with him but rather mortified all the same.

A tender expression chased the laughter from his eyes as he gazed at her. “Ach, Luella, don’t ever be embarrassed with me, and though I am in nae hurry to see ye drunk as a wheelbarrow, nor casting up yer accounts anytime soon, it did my heart good to see ye that day. Ye could not carry a tune in a bucket, my love, but ye were so full of joy. Ah, I love ye something fierce.”

“Oh,” she said, mollified by this obviously heartfelt declaration. “I love you too, Lyall, so much, but I don’t know what you mean. I have a splendid singing voice.”

He looked at her in wonder until she could stand it no more and burst out laughing.

“Ach, ye wee devil. I thought ye were serious.”

Luella snorted and shook her head. “Sadly, no. Jack says it sounds like cats fighting.”

Lyall chuckled and gathered her close again. “Then I must be mad for ye indeed, for I love to hear ye sing. Dinnae stop, will ye?”

She glanced up at him, seeing in his eyes the promise of a wonderful future. “I will keep singing, badly, so long as you keep loving me.”

“A deal, mo chridhe,” he said softly, and kissed her.

Epilogue

Dearest Helena,

Thank you so much for the beautiful gift you sent me. It was far too lavish a gift, but I am thrilled with the gown, which fits me like a glove. I shall certainly wear it at Christmas. I’m so sorry you cannot join us, for I shall miss you and Gabriel, and Felix, too. I understand, of course, that you must celebrate with your own family. I cannot wait to meet Evie and Louis in the spring, though Lyall has made me promise I shan’t fall in love with the beautiful comte. Is he really so handsome?

I have had the most wonderful time decorating the castle for Christmas. There is not an inch that hasn’t been swathed in greenery and red ribbons and Mrs Baillie is cooking up a storm – with my help, I might add. I never believed I could be this happy. Not only do I have a marvellous husband, but I have a family and a wonderful home, and friends like you to send me Christmas gifts I’m certain I do not deserve. Jack is beside himself with excitement. He has begged and begged Lyall for a puppy for Christmas. I cannot wait to see his face.

Do come and visit us soon, Helena. You would be most welcome at any time.

―Excerpt of a letter from The Right Hon’ble Luella Anderson, Viscountess Buchanan.

25th December 1845, Wildsyde Castle, The Highlands of Scotland.

Lyall looked across the vast dining table. It had been a glorious sight some hours earlier, with bowls of Christmas roses and crystal and silver shining in the candlelight. Now it was rather in disorder after a long and very indulgent Christmas dinner, as they had told the staff to go and enjoy their own festivities. Mrs Baillie and Luella had excelled themselves and everyone was too stuffed to move. He watched in amusement as his father patted his stomach and gave a satisfied sigh.

“I could nae eat another bite, but I wish I could. That was undoubtedly the finest clootie dumpling I ever tasted, Luella.”

Luella beamed at her father-in-law, for he could have said nothing to please her more.

“Did you really think so? I am glad. Even Mrs Baillie says I’m not a bad cook these days,” she added with a grin, for they all knew that was high praise indeed.

“The best thing I’ve ever tasted,” Georgie said with a sigh.