Page 57 of A Rogue in Firelight

“Lovely to have luncheon with you and my lady aunt today,” Sorcha said then. “She seems eager to leave for Duncraig, and Mama will be happy to see her.”

“And we are happy to have you here,” Ellison said, recalling that MacGregor had missed luncheon, for he and Donal Brodie had gone out to exercise the horses and visit a few Strathniven tenants. Glad he was finding things to do, she wished they had more time for the lessons. But the longer his supposed transformation took, the better. She dreaded his return to Edinburgh.

“Lady Strathniven is nearly packed and ready to go,” she told Sorcha. “And your Duncraig man had lunch in the kitchen after the long drive. He needed a chance to rest before driving back today. Ah, my lady!” She turned as the viscountess approached.

“There you are! Did you see the house, dear?” Lady Strathniven asked Sorcha. “You have not been here for a while. We are so pleased you could stay.”

“Thank you again for inviting me,” Sorcha said as her aunt enveloped her in an embrace.

“You are always welcome here,” the lady responded, eyes twinkling.

“My lady, Mrs. Barrow said all is ready for your journey to Duncraig,” Ellison said. “It should take three hours, depending on the roads after the rains.”

“I am just waiting for Jeanie to bring down the last of my things. My goodness, Sorcha, you look so grown-up now! Such a pretty girl, the image of your Mama.”

“Truly you do,” Ellison said, admiring Sorcha’s bright, happy countenance, with large hazel eyes, a scattering of freckles on her upturned nose, and honey-colored hair in soft curls. The sunny little girl she remembered was now a graceful young lady, and as straightforward as ever. Sorcha was a smart and uncomplicated girl with a clear-sighted outlook and a practical nature. She would be delightful company.

“I will be gone a week or two, depending on your Mama,” Lady Strathniven said.

“I wish I had the patience for Mama that you do, but when I offer solutions, she only wants sympathy. You lift her spirits and make her laugh. She needs that. She misses Beth now that she has married.”

“My sister has always had a nervous constitution. But she did mention in her letter that she might hold a dinner party if she feels strong enough.”

“She is considering it. Perhaps you can inspire her in that. It would do her good.”

“We would all enjoy it. Ellison, my dear, has Sorcha met Lord Darrach yet?”

“Not as yet. He will be here soon, I expect.”

“I wonder if he could accompany you over to Kinross this week,” Lady Strathniven said. “The seamstress there is finishing two dresses, one for me and one for you, Ellison. I took the liberty of asking her to make something new for you to wear in Edinburgh to attend one of the dances.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Ellison said, surprised and pleased.

“With all you are doing, you deserve something special. Ellison is such a help here at Strathniven,” the viscountess told Sorcha. “We could not get along without her.”

“Thank you,” Ellison repeated. “It would be nice to go down to Kinross.”

“Excellent. Sorcha, dear, you must have something new for Edinburgh too. Tell the seamstress to bill me for it. Though she may have to work quickly.”

“Oh, my lady aunt, I could not—”

“You certainly can. Something to match your green eyes, perhaps. But be sure to go with Lord Darrach, Ellison. A gentleman should bring you two into town.”

“I am sure we could manage without an escort,” Ellison said.

“One could encounter rogues in these hills. Better he was with you.”

“Aye.” The man was as much a rogue as any, Ellison thought with a wry smile.

“Lord Darrach? I know the name,” Sorcha mused. “My mother mentioned him. Viscount Darrach was a neighbor in another glen who died mysteriously two years ago. My brother told her about it, knowing local gossip cheers Mama out of her doldrums.”

“Our guest is another Lord Darrach,” Ellison said quickly. “A friend of Lady Strathniven.”

“Yes, another Darrach. That estate is very grand,” the lady continued. “It touches Strathniven on our western boundary, with Glen Brae between. Castle Darrach is a few hours ride from here. Our Darrach,” she added, “is the heir.”

“But he is staying here rather than at his own castle?” Sorcha asked.

“Matters are still being settled,” Ellison said hastily. They had not considered all the ramifications of preparing a smuggler to meet the king. At first, she had only thought to please her father in this. But MacGregor was becoming even more important to her than her quest for Papa’s approval.