Page 75 of A Rogue in Twilight
“Ah, that would be one of Mrs. MacKimmie’s cinnamon seed cakes, then,” she said, reaching for a plate.
Chapter Eighteen
“What a substantialtea,” Charlotte remarked, after the group had sated themselves on the generous spread of cold meat, sausage rolls, sweet biscuits, cakes, a fruit compôte and more.
“A Highland tea is much like a supper, Miss Sinclair,” Mrs. MacKimmie said, having come in with a made to clear some dishes away.
Charlotte Sinclair looked startled that a housekeeper had spoken to her.
“The laird often takes his tea this way, with a small supper late in the evening,” Mrs. MacKimmie continued. “I will serve soup later. Better to have an informal meal, as you must be tired from the long journey up here.”
“Thank you for the excellent tea, Mrs. MacKimmie,” Fiona said sweetly, while beside her Charlotte looked offended. “We should have an early evening before we go out tomorrow.”
Elspeth glanced at James. He stood beside her chair, cup and saucer cradled in his hand. “I should go,” she said, setting her cup on a table. “I only came by today hoping to, ah, help with your work as we discussed.”
“Did you? Good.” He leaned an elbow on the back of her chair, and she looked up into his eyes, sincere blue, the safest, most wonderful eyes in the room to her just now. She wanted to stay here with him, but felt distinctly uncomfortable with others who were part of his life when she was not yet sure of her role in it.
“My lord,” Charlotte said. “Tell us about this beautiful house. For instance, I want to know more about the pretty curiosities in the display cases. Come over here and look.” She beckoned to him.
“Fiona can tell you about the rocks there,” he said, smiling. Charlotte only frowned as Fiona went to the display case with her to look at the stones there.
“I had forgotten that your guests might be here,” Elspeth said to James. “You are too busy today. We can discuss the fairy book another time. Grandda has errands and so we should leave. Thank you for the hospitality.”
“Stay,” he said quickly.
Donal MacArthur, standing by the fireplace studying the painting above the mantel, glanced over at Elspeth. He held a teacup in one hand and nibbled a bit of lemon cake tucked in a napkin. “Thank you, Struan,” he said. “I do have errands, but perhaps my granddaughter could stay until I return for her.”
“She may stay as long as she likes.” James smiled.
What if I want to stay forever?she thought. But with Charlotte Sinclair here now, perhaps James would feel differently about marrying a Highland girl. There was no chance for a private discussion with him, but perhaps fate had interfered. Charlotte was possessive of James and was making a show of staying near him. His impulsive offer of marriage might have already faded in his mind.
That hurt too much to dwell on. She stood. “Grandda, I will come with you. Lord Struan has guests to entertain.”
“If he does not mind, we do not,” Donal said. “I will be back. See if you can assist with his papers, as promised.”
“I could, I suppose,” she said hesitantly, glancing at James.
“Good.” He gestured for her to follow him into his study. Seeing that, Charlotte hurried over to take his arm.
“James, are your friends leaving? How nice to see you again,” she told Elspeth. “Dear Struan, you must tell me about this pretty blue stone in the case. I quite like it.”
“Mr. MacArthur is leaving for a little while, and Miss MacArthur is staying for the afternoon. She has promised to help me with something I am writing.”
“Oh,” Charlotte said with a pout, and walked away.
“That one has an angel’s face and the manners of a magpie,” Donal said.
James chuckled, then turned as his sister called and excused himself.
Elspeth looked at her grandfather. “Now I need to stay to make sure the magpie does not claim your fairy stone for her own.”
“Best do that, lass. I looked at it during tea. That is the stone the fairy queen gave me, and we must have it back. Besides, it is your right to be here. You love the man,” he added low. “Stay and tell him.”
“I will not squabble with the other lass over him,” she whispered. “He wants me or he does not. It remains to be seen.”
“I see it but you do not. Before I go, come look at Niall’s painting with me.”
She crossed the little distance to the fireplace with him. “Struan noticed that one of the women looks like me. I hoped she might be a likeness of my mother.”
