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“Balderdash!” roared Muriel. “At my parties, I serve only the finest champagne. Why, there’s also brandy and other spirits in the card room.”
Emily frowned. “Do not discourage my sister-in-law, Robbie. ’Tis a great opportunity Muriel has extended to her. I am confident my friend would see Ailie has a wonderful time.”
“In the meantime,” interjected Will, saving them all from another debate, “we have greenery to gather if we’re to dress the house on Christmas Eve. The snow is deep but the winter sun is with us. If you are willing to brave the weather, we can venture into the woods once again.”
Voices around the table echoed words of agreement.
Mary and Hugh exchanged a glance. “We still prefer to ride,” said Hugh.
“I, too, would like to ride,” said Nash. Then to Ailie, “Might you be my guide?”
Robbie kept his expression calm, but he was taken aback. This was Nash’s day to go to town. The deep snow he had seen upon rising might suggest a delay, but surely not a long one. He could easily cover the ground if he were to ride.
Ailie nodded to Nash. “I would be happy to show you the way to some greenery perfect for the house.”
For once in his life, Robbie had been too slow, missing the opportunity to extend the invitation to the lovely girl. He let out a sigh of frustration. He would have to be patient; there would be other opportunities.
Emily spoke up. “I’ve asked the servants to set up tables for cards in the library. And Mrs. Platt has promised to make wassail. Perhaps we might have a game of loo, Muriel?”
Muriel took a sip of her chocolate. “Well, it’s not whist, my favorite, but a game of loo will do.”
Emily laughed. “I recall that ’tis true of you.”
The countess laughed at their rhyming, making Robbie think the two shared some private memory. Since he enjoyed cards and Nash had usurped his place with Ailie, rather than make a nuisance of himself in the woods, he decided to be useful by contributing to the game’s participants. “Whist or loo, I can play either,” he ventured. “We just need two more.”
“We’ll play,” offered Martin. “Loo is one of Kit’s favorite games.” Kit nodded enthusiastically.
“If it’s all right with you, William,” suggested Nick, “Tara and I would like to see the shipyard.”
“I don’t know how many of my men will make it in today, but if you will allow me to be your guide, I’d be happy to give you a tour and tell you about the work we have underway.”
“Nothing could be better,” said Tara. “I’ve only seen my father’s shipbuilding enterprise in Baltimore. I would look forward to seeing yours and, with you as our guide, we’d miss nothing.”
“In addition to our repair work,” said William, “we built three schooners last year and have one under construction now I can show you.”
“Powell and Sons buys schooners,” said Nick with a wry smile, “but then I am certain Hugh mentioned that.”
William chuckled. “Aye, he did. Perhaps before you depart for London, we can do a bit of business.” He turned to Robbie and the rest of them. “Now that we are all agreed, I’ll leave the arrangements for the horses to Ailie and the cards to my lovely wife, while I take Nick and Tara to the shipyard.”
As the others rose and filed out of the dining room, Robbie caught Nash as he made to leave. “A word, Brother?”
Nash waved Ailie on and turned to Robbie. “What is it?”
“We’ve work to do in Arbroath, or have you forgotten why we are here?” If Robbie were being honest, his irritation with his brother stemmed more from his monopolizing the beautiful girl than from shirking his responsibility.
“I have not forgotten.”
Robbie took account of his brother’s guilty expression. “Our enjoyment of the Stephens’ hospitality cannot come before our obligation to the Crown. I sense Kinloch is here and I’d rather catch him before he boards the Panmure.”
“If I get back early, I can still go to town today. Otherwise, tomorrow. If the ship isn’t sailing until the end of the month, we have time.”
“Not so much that you can be constantly seeking out Miss Stephen.”
Nash raised his brows. “Jealous?”
Robbie huffed. Nothing irritated him more than being called out on a weakness.
Nash stared at him for a moment, seeing more than Robbie cared for him to. “Don’t worry,” he said, “I’ll go tomorrow at the latest.” Then he turned and walked away.
Robbie considered his brother’s choices. He had never before pursued a woman to the detriment of their duty. Was it the assignment that was so distasteful? Or, perhaps Nash’s feelings for the girl were more serious than Robbie had believed. Was this desire he was witnessing, or could it be more?
