Chapter Two

Camdyn sipped the Scotch whisky that Aiden MacGregor had given him when Camdyn visited three months ago and settled by the fire with thoughts of the future and what Spring may bring.

As Sheena had not returned to London, and probably never would, he would look for her in Edinburgh, where she had spent last spring. Edinburgh was as well-known to him as London, and he had many friends there. In fact, he visited Edinburgh more often because it was much closer to his home.

After his father had died, Camdyn had gone to MacGregor to explain the circumstances of what had happened in London. It had been a difficult conversation and Camdyn had expected to end up with two blackened eyes and a bruised jaw. Thankfully, MacGregor heard him out and understood that Camdyn was not his father. That was when he broached the subject of courting Sheena.

MacGregor first laughed and then advised that even if he approached Sheena, she would reject him outright and that she had gone so far as to order that neither Camdyn's name, title, nor his father's, were ever to be mentioned within her hearing.

Despite the four visits to MacGregor, Sheena's uncle refused to force a courtship or wedding despite what may have occurred in London. His only offer of assistance was to let Camdyn know when the family traveled to Edinburgh and what entertainments they may attend so that Camdyn could then plead his case directly to Sheena. MacGregor hadn't even told Sheena that Camdyn had called because as soon as he started to say the name, Sheena stormed out of the room. However, if she came face to face with Camdyn in a crowded room, Sheena may give Camdyn a chance to explain as she would not want to make a scene that would invite gossip. But, MacGregor warned, she was the most stubborn of lasses.

"Lord Walsingham, a Mr. Ewan MacGregor has called, along with his sister, Miss Sheena. Their wagon was stuck in the mud while trying to cross Kershope Burn."

Camdyn stared at his butler. He could not have heard correctly. "What did you say?"

"Mr. Ewan MacGregor and his sister, Miss Sheena, are stranded because their wagon got stuck while trying to cross Kershope Burn and they are seeking shelter for the night."

"Please, show them in immediately, and alert Cook that we have guests, and please have a tea service delivered." Perhaps he would not need to wish on a Christmas star after all.

He had waited over a year and a half to see her again, but the Sheena who entered beside her brother was not one he had ever seen before, not that he had any objection to her appearance, and found it quite fetching.

Every time he'd been around her, she had dressed as a female with delicate curls about her face. All that was feminine and soft, and she'd never been more beautiful than the night he had asked her to marry him. Tonight, however, she wore trousers, and a coat, far too large for her frame that hung from her body. A hat, that had long lost its shape flopped about her head. Had he not recognized the ruby, kissable lips and pert nose, he may have mistaken her for a lad.

"Ewan, Sheena," he greeted as they entered the parlor. "Please, have a seat. I have already instructed the butler to bring tea."

Ewan, not at all deterred, wandered in and settled in a chair, while Sheena remained by the door.

"Please, Sheena." Camdyn gestured to the settee.

She blew out a heavy sigh, her narrow shoulders rising and falling within the large coat before she trotted across the floor and plopped herself down in a chair.

"I understand that your wagon is stuck," he said.

Sheena glared at her older brother.

"Aye. I thought to take the shortest route home," Ewan answered.

"The foolish route," Sheena grumbled.

"At least it was near my home, for I would hate to think of you stranded in the wood. It promises to be a cold night and I would not be surprised if it snowed again." At least he hoped that it snowed, and so much that she was stuck here until spring so that he could win her heart again.

"If you would be so kind as to allow us shelter in the barn or stable, I promise that we will be on our way in the morning," Sheena requested.

Camdyn nearly laughed. "I would never ask guests to sleep anywhere other than a bedchamber." He looked into her eyes. "Especially you, Sheena."

"Yer father may not even allow us to use the barn," she muttered.

His father, the most unpleasant man on the planet would have sent them away in a blizzard. "I am not my father." His tone may have been a little harsher than he intended, but it was because of his father that Sheena hated him. "Further, you do not need to worry about him. He died five months ago."

Sheena nearly jerked in surprise. "I…um…I am sorry for your loss."

He nodded. "You will stay here, inside."

"I thank ye for your kindness, Lord Walsingham," she offered formally. "We promise to be gone tomorrow."

Not if he could help it.

"I have requested two more places set at the table. I am certain you must be hungry."

"We do not want to be an imposition and I am certain your cook was not prepared for visitors this late in the day."

Camdyn really wished Sheena would talk to him as she once had, when they'd been friendly and in love. Instead, she spoke as if she were in a London parlor with a duchess.

"I can promise that she has made plenty of food," Camdyn assured her.

"I for one could use a meal. We havena eaten since this mornin'," Ewan announced as the tea trolley was rolled in."

Sheena shot him a glare, then schooled her features as the footman poured tea for each of them.

She may not be happy with her circumstances, but Camdyn was determined to win her over. Further, Ewan would not be a hindrance as he'd hardly note Camdyn's courtship of his sister and would be more interested in flirting with the comely maids within the household.

The one thing that everyone could count on was that when Ewan saw a pretty face, he forgot his purpose.

Sheena hated to admit it, but she'd been freezing by the time they reached Oakley Park and she was certain that her toes were blue with the cold. When the cup of tea was handed to her, she wasn't certain if she just wanted to hold it to thaw out her fingers

or drink it to warm her insides.

That didn't mean that she still wasn't suspicious of their host. The only reason she was in his home now was because she didn't want to freeze to death.

As she sipped the tea, and let it warm her inside, Sheena studied Camdyn. His appearance still made her heartbeat increase, and his blue eyes seemed warmer tonight, his smile relaxed and dark hair tousled. Aye, he was verra pleasing to look upon but so had been the adder she'd found in the woodlands. Pretty to look at but the bite had been painful and made her ill, much like her encounter with her host in London.

He was also being far too accommodating for them to just appear on his doorstep at the dinner hour without being expected. Was his friendliness a ruse? While they sat here exchanging pleasantries, were his men searching their wagon in hopes of finding whisky?

Well, they'd come away emptyhanded and when that happened, would Camdyn then kick them out instead of giving them shelter for the night since he'd not be able to see her and Ewan arrested?

Not Camdyn, but Walsingham. She needed to think of him in that manner, and not with familiarity. He was not the gentleman she had thought she loved, and he could not be trusted. Walsingham had lied to her and tried to seduce her for information, and for that she would never forgive him.

"Dinner is served," the butler announced from the entry into the parlor.

Walsingham stood and offered his arm. Sheena glanced at it and then walked away. She may be stuck here, but that did not mean that she needed to touch him or be overly friendly. She'd be polite because he offered shelter, but that was all.

Thankfully, once they were seated at the dining room table, Ewan did most of the talking and she was able to eat a delicious meal of roast chicken and potatoes and partake of a light wine. She also grew sleepy from the full belly, comfortable seat, wine, and warm room. They'd crossed the border a little before midnight, traveled further into England to make the delivery and were on their way home. Once any of them crossed into England while smuggling whisky, they tried not to sleep because they could not risk getting caught.

She and Ewan had planned on finding an inn once they were back in Scotland, but instead they were here.

Sheena blinked to keep her eyes open and then stifled a yawn with her hand as the meal was concluded.

"I will have a maid show you to your chamber," Walsingham offered. "We will talk more in the morning."

"Thank you for dinner, but we will be gone in the morning." Sheena then turned her back on their host and climbed the stairs following the maid.

"Where is my brother's chamber?" she asked as the maid stopped before the door leading to the room that Sheena had been given.

"Directly across the hall, Miss Sheena."

Before the sun rose, she would be waking her brother so that they could be gone before Walsingham ever rose from his bed.