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Sean had known that Windsong was a massive estate, but last night’s cursory exploration hadn’t even hinted at the enormity of the lands that constituted Reynolds’ magnificent home—and it was truly magnificent. They passed through the iron gates that had thwarted him the night before, and as they crested the small knoll, Windsong’s manor house was laid out before them.
“Your home is quite beautiful,” said Sean.
“It doesn’t have the grandeur of your castle,” replied Reynolds.
“I don’t know about that. It’s a different kind of grandeur.”
“It was built in the late eighteenth century and was one of the first homes established on the island. The first of my clowder had it designed after Longleat House in England…”
“Right outside of the village Horningsham. It’s the traditional seat of the marquesses of Bath.”
Reynolds grinned. “You know your English architecture.”
“I studied architecture at the university. I knew my destiny was to follow my father into the military and after that to lead our people, so I studied what interested me. I never expected something so grand here on your wild island.”
“We are indeed a land of vast and distinct contrasts. I can have one of my people give you a tour if you like. We also have a grand maze, an enormous garden, and cultivated land to grow the produce and feed we need for us and our livestock. We also have a stable, which was built at the same time as the house, and a number of other outer buildings built over the centuries in the same style and with the same materials. We even have cottages for some of our retainers and others who choose to live apart from the main house.”
“And Winter?”
“Winter holds a place of honor within the manor’s main residence.”
When they arrived, they were greeted by staff who were tending to the landscape at the front of the house. Reynolds’ people seemed respectful, but their admiration and affection not only for Reynolds, but Winter as well, was readily apparent.
“Campbell, this is Maya. She is in charge of the house and the household staff. If you need anything you can check in with her. There are phones in all of the sleeping areas; dial zero and you will get someone who can help you.”
“Maya, would you mind showing our guest around or having one of the boys do it? Colby has some things he needs to attend to, as do I.”
The housekeeper nodded to Winter and then gestured Sean to the side of the grand foyer. Reynolds headed down one hall as Winter headed up the main staircase. It was easy to see he’d been dismissed, but if she thought she would so easily banish him from her life, his mate had another thought coming.
Hours later, Winter was just coming down the stairs when Sean had completed his tour of the lower portion of the house and was being shown into the dining room. “Will you join me, Winter?” he asked cordially.
“Thank you, but no. Maya if you could have lunch prepared and brought to Colby’s study, we have some accounts we need to go over.”
Reynolds was walking down the hall and must have overheard her request. Good. He could let her know they would be joining Sean in the dining room.
“Great minds think alike. I was just going to tell Maya the same thing and to let you know when you came downstairs.” He turned to Sean. “I take it Maya has shown you around? After lunch, we’ll have someone show you to your rooms. Feel free to explore, but I would appreciate it if you don’t leave the estate’s grounds, as we did tell the judge you would be here or be accompanied by one of my people.”
“And if I wish to see my beta?”
“He is welcome to visit you here, or someone will accompany you to town.”
“Unlike you with my father, we have no wish for you to be treated as a prisoner,” said Winter with a bit of a barb.
“With all due respect, Winter, you have no idea how your father has been treated as you have never returned to Curaidh.”
“If you don’t believe I know what’s going on, you are an even bigger fool than I think you are, which is hard to believe.”
Sean growled and Reynolds stepped between them. “I will thank you not to growl, threaten, or try to intimidate any of my people. Should I hear of you doing it again, I will have you returned to the sheriff’s custody.”
The lynx placed his hand on the small of Winter’s back and escorted her down the hallway. He stood for the longest time watching them go. He couldn’t quite put his finger on the nature of their relationship. At times, Reynolds seemed to treat her like a younger sibling; at others, almost like a lover. The relationship seemed to be intimate without being romantic. They were each comfortable in the other’s close proximity.
Reynolds seemed more than capable of leading his clowder, and if the rumors about him were true, he was a ruthless man capable of doing almost anything to achieve his goals. From the little Sean had seen, Reynolds seemed to depend on Winter in the same way Sean depended on Hamish or in the same way some alphas turned to their mates for advice and comfort. Sean didn’t mind the former, but the idea of his mate offering any kind of comfort to the powerful lynx made his blood boil with jealousy.
Sean spent the rest of the afternoon settling into his room and taking a cold shower to try and ward off the painful throbbing of his cock that seemed a definite anytime he picked up her scent. He had asked Maya if the clowder dressed for dinner, and she had laughed and told him ‘only on special occasions.’
After his shower he had changed into clean jeans and a clean shirt, tucking it in and threading a handmade leather belt with a Celtic inspired buckle through his loops. If he was going to be here for any length of time, he’d have to send for more clothing. When he entered the dining hall, he was shown to what appeared to be the alpha’s table. Reynolds’ entire manner was far less formal than his own and even now he was beginning to like it.
Reynolds stood and extended his hand, shaking it as Sean clasped it. “I take it my people have seen to your comfort?” he asked as he took his seat.
