Chapter Three

"Lord Ross will be with ye shortly, Your Grace. Please, follow me to the parlor."

Alexander dipped his head in thanks and followed Ross's butler down the wood paneled hall decorated with vines that were painted in blues and greens. Not the style he expected for Ross, but outside of word of mouth, Alexander didn't know much about the man who held his sheep.

He hadn't seen his flock when he arrived, but that didn't surprise him. The man did not have the pasture available to him on this estate needed for such an undertaking.

In the parlor, Christopher slumped into a chair. Alexander kicked his foot. "Sit proper. Have some dignity, brother. Ye needna show everyone your defeat." Christopher shot him a glare but straightened.

Alexander clasped his hands behind his back and paced the length of the room. Did he believe he would be leaving here with his flock today? Absolutely not, but he hoped to at least be closer to reacquiring them.

"Your Grace," Ross said from the doorway and Alexander turned and shook the hand Ross held out to him. "I apologize for your wait. Your visit was," he paused, glancing at Christopher, "anticipated. I, however, wasna prepared."

"Understood. As ye can assume, time is of the essence to ensure the well-being of my prized sheep."

Ross raised a brow as he studied Alexander and nodded. "Please, have a seat." He stretched out his arm towards the empty chair across from his desk next to Christopher.

Alexander lacked the patience for small talk. "As ye ken, my brother fell into some difficulties at the tables whilst I was away."

"Aye." Ross's eyes shot over to Christopher, but his brother paid him no attention as he stared out the window.

Alexander had to tread lightly. The best approach would be to appear thankful for the help Ross offered Christopher in his time of need. As much as it pained him to do so, he swallowed his pride and continued.

"My brother and I canna thank ye enough for extending your services to him when his luck was down. 'Twas verra kind of ye, but as ye can imagine, the Campbell flock is the means to our livelihood. We will need them back. I'm willing to pay ye for the kindness ye extended to my brother and pay ye extra for your trouble."

Ross clucked his tongue as his eyes darted from Alexander to Christopher and back again. "Whisky, Your Grace?" He pushed away from the desk and went to the sidebar.

"Nay, thank ye."

The man just shrugged and poured himself a glass, before turning back to Alexander, swirling the amber liquid in the glass before taking a sip. He approached the front of the desk and leaned on it, pointing his glass in Christopher's direction.

"No disrespect, but your brother appears to have a problem."

Alexander slid his gaze to Christopher, who glared at Ross. Ignoring him, he focused his attention back to Ross. "I agree. 'Tis something I will deal with, but 'tis no' of your concern. We've other pressing matters at hand which is why we are here."

"Aye, your sheep. Noisy beasts they are."

A sinking feeling hit his stomach. "Ye havena harmed them, have ye?" Worry washed over him.

Ross barked out a laugh. "Nay, Your Grace," he paused for a sip of whisky before continuing. "But, alas, I couldna care for them either. I am no' a shepherd."

"Where are my sheep?" Alexander asked slowly for fear of jumping up from the chair and beating the answer out of the lender. Instead, he took a deep breath, forcing himself to unclench his fists.

"Last I heard your sheep were well. But I dinna have them."

"What do you mean?"

"Ye've seen my lands. I canna care for such a flock. Naturally, I sold them."

"To whom?" Alexander gritted out.

"An American."

"What?"

"Well, he is from America, but he has inherited Baron Kitt's estate. Something about being the only living relative left. He is quite brash and of course, uncouth, but trying to make his way into society."

"And he thinks taking possession of Campbell sheep is the best way to do that?" Alexander wasn't concerned with his temperament. Obviously, the man was daft if this was his way to cement his place in society.

Ross shrugged.

"Does he ken anything about raising sheep?"

"Of that, I've no' the faintest idea."

He stood and opened the appointment book on his desk, scanning as he flipped the pages. "My wife is hosting a ball tomorrow. Invitations were delivered last week. I assume ye have yours already?"

Alexander had no idea what invites they had received while he was away. But if Ross said they were delivered, then he would take him at his word. The man ran a business that Alexander would never involve himself in, but he had always spoken the truth whenever they had conversed.

"I assume 'tis waiting for me."

"Splendid, I shall see ye there. The American will be there as well. I will be more than happy to introduce the two of ye if ye havena connected afore then."

Alexander nodded. "Thank ye. I've friends arriving for a visit."

"They are welcome as well. Mrs. Ross loves an estate overrun with guests for a ball."

On the ride home, Alexander wondered if he would have time to get his guests settled and ready for the ball and manage a visit to the Kitt estate before then.

He didn't think so. He couldn't tamper his frustration as they climbed from the carriage and entered Millwool.

He could only hope the flock would be safe for one more day. He would have them home soon. His company would be arriving shortly, and as much as he worried for his sheep, he needed to be present for the arrival of Nicholas and his family. For the arrival of Clarissa. He couldn't deny that even though Nicholas was his best friend, he was most anxious to see his sister.

*

The days weregetting shorter as autumn crept upon them, and the temperature grew cooler. Even so, the air inside of the carriage as they made their way to Castle Millwool was positively stuffy.

Clarissa was glad she had the foresight to bring her fan, which she whipped to and fro, trying to move the air about. Tired of the confinement, she sighed.

A sharp knock on the carriage wall made her jump and the coachman called out that they would soon be arriving at Millwool.

"Finally!" Clarissa huffed. "It feels like we have been riding for days."

Nicholas laughed. "Dear sister. There are much longer journeys out there. I dinna ken how ye would fare on such a jaunt."

Clarissa shifted in her seat. Her left cheek had fallen asleep from sitting so much and tingled with pins and needles as the blood started to flow again. "I believe I wouldna fare overly well, as ye can see, brother." She snapped her fan closed and stuffed it into her green reticule. It matched the gown she wore, a beautiful design the color of clover with an empire waist and a gold band of satin ribbon.

Gwen tried to hide her smile behind her gloved hand, but not before Clarissa noticed. "I, too, will be happy to see this journey come to an end. The fresh air will be most pleasant."

Castle Millwool came into view, its dark gray walls looked almost the color of moss in the light. It was a sight to see with its towers reaching high into the sky. The briny smell of nearby Loch Fyne seeped into the carriage and Clarissa took a deep breath, inhaling the salty scent.

As the carriage came to a halt, they waited for the coachman to open the door and set the stairs down for them to exit. She could see Alexander waiting in front of the steps that would lead them inside. He looked positively dashing in an Argyle tartan kilt and black waistcoat, his dark hair swept off his forehead, the curls tamed and gathered into a band of leather at the base of his neck. His strong, muscled legs on full display as he chose to wear black shoes instead of boots.

Her pulse quickened and her breath caught. She snapped her eyes away before Nicholas noticed, but Gwen had been watching her and gave her a sly smile.

Clarissa gave a quick shake of her head, silently pleading with her sister-in-law not to speak a word.

She breathed a sigh of relief when the door swung open, and Gwen stood without as much as a mutter. Thankfully, Nicholas was oblivious.

"Sister," Nicholas offered his hand to balance her as she exited the carriage.

Alexander stood so close now. She paused, biting her lip.

"What are ye waiting for? Ye couldna wait to arrive but thirty minutes ago," Nicholas said from behind her.

She snapped her head to him and rolled her eyes. But as she descended the steps, her foot caught on the last one and she stumbled forward, her arms pinwheeling out to catch herself from falling.

Alexander rushed forward, his strong arms enveloping her before she could hit the ground and steadied her on her feet. The heat of his hands searing into her arms.

"Well, that was not the welcome I expected, but I am happy to see ye, too, Rissa." Alexander chuckled, calling her by the nickname he gave her years ago. Still holding her, he swept his finger across her cheek, swiping a dollop of mud that had kicked up in her clumsiness.

Embarrassed, she pushed away from him, nearly falling backwards before she caught herself. Drats, it was as if she were a newborn fawn finding its legs for the first time. She stepped aside, far from the reach of Alexander's warm hands and made way for Nicholas to exit. His touch left her skin scorched and she fought the impulse to bring her hand to her cheek.

"That was quite the entrance, Clarissa," Nicholas laughed before clasping his best friend's hand. "Thank ye for having us, Alexander. Your generosity is much too kind, as always."

She felt the flush of embarrassment color her face. Nicholas's jab only added to her mortification.

"Nonsense, if ye are coming to Argyll, of course ye are going to stay at Millwool. What kind of friend would I be if I made ye find other lodgings?"

His deep voice flowed over Clarissa like warm honey. Gwen looped her arm around Clarissa's and leaned in close to whisper in her ear. "Dinna fash. I dinna think the Duke of Argyll minded catching ye. He looks quite handsome, does he no'?"

"Shhh! Dinna speak of such nonsense."

Alexander cocked his head in her direction, his twinkling brown eyes narrowing before rubbing his hands together. "I am certain ye are ready to clean up from your journey and fill your bellies. I've had Cook prepare a dinner for when ye are ready. Please, come in."

Clarissa couldn't help but think once she climbed those steps and entered Castle Millwool she'd never be the same.