Page 70 of Surrender

Auburn hair pulled back in a severe bun at the nape of her neck, the only color in her face was the red splotches on her cheeks where the wind had lashed at her skin during her ride. But at least she didn’t look as woebegone as she had when she’d arrived at Falkirk Manor three weeks ago.

Wrinkling her nose at her reflection in the mirror, Genevieve turned and made her way downstairs. There was a fire blazing in the hearth, and Muireall smiled as she entered the parlor.

“Come have a spot of tea,” her aunt’s sister-in-law said from her seat close to the fire. Taking a seat across from her host, Genevieve sighed with delight as she sipped the hot brew.

“I don’t know what Mrs. Kincade puts in her tea when she brews it, but it always tastes heavenly.”

“She says she’ll share her secret with me one day when she’s too old to cook,” Muireall said with a mischievous smile. A moment later, her brow furrowed with a small frown.

“Genevieve…” Muireall hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “I received a letter from Patience yesterday. Everyone is worried about ye, and your mother has refused to say where ye are.”

“Did you tell Aunt Patience I was here?” Genevieve gasped in a horrified whisper.

“Nae, I would never do such a thing. I promised ye I wouldn’t. Unless your mother has told your father where ye are, Duncan, ye, and I are the only ones who know ye are staying here at the manor. But I dinnae like lying tae her or tae Julian.”

“All I need is a few more weeks, Muireall, please.” Genevieve leaned forward to grasp the older woman’s hand and squeezed it. “I promised Mama that I would spend Christmas at Callander Abbey, when everyone comes up from London for the holidays. I just need time to prepare myself.”

“And Theo?

“What about him?” she asked in a flat tone of voice.

“Patience said the mon is snarling worse than Julian when my brother is under the weather. If that is true, I do nae envy anyone in Theo’s path, because Julian can be as ill-tempered as a trapped badger.”

“Theo will be fine once he finds someone suitable to be Viscountess Selbourne.” Genevieve looked away from Muireall’s astute gaze and stared into the fire.

“Everyone in the family, including Theo, seems tae think he’s already found someone suitable, but Theo hasn’t been able tae find her.”

“Dear God,” she gasped in a soft voice. “He’s looking for me?”

“Did ye think the mon wouldn’t?” Muireall arched her eyebrows in incredulity as she directed a look at Genevieve that said the woman thought she was daft.

“I…I…,” she sighed and shook her head. “No, I knew he would, that’s why I asked to stay with you for a bit. I can’t believe he would think to look for me here, unless someone mentioned it.”

At her explanation, Muireall nodded her head in understanding and added more tea to her cup before taking a sip. Genevieve looked around the parlor, then smiled at Muireall.

“Falkirk Manor reminds me of Green Hill House. It’s warm and inviting.”

“I do love it,” Muireall said quietly as her gaze scanned the room. “When Duncan first showed me the house, I thought the mon was an eejit. There was so much work to be done to make it habitable, but he promised me it would be ready before our wedding, and he kept his word, as he has with everything else he’s promised me over the past thirteen years.”

A sudden cry of excitement echoed out of the study across the hall, and Muireall’s and Duncan’s ten-year-old daughter, Sorcha, ran out into the small entryway. Both Genevieve and Muireall jumped at the girl’s shout of exuberance, as she stopped in the parlor doorway for a moment.

“Dadaidh is home, and he’s brought a new horse. Do ye think tis for me, Mamaidh?” The girl asked, but didn’t wait for an answer. “It must be, because it has a red coat, just like I told him I wanted. And he’s brought someone with him.”

Sorcha didn’t wait for a reply as she bolted for the front door. Muireall shook her head in exasperation and set her cup down on the tea tray.

“That child is just like her father when it comes tae horses,” she sighed as she stood up. “I need tae greet Duncan’s guest and make certain Sorcha does nae get up on this new animal without a saddle.”

“I’ve had my fill of cold weather today,” Genevieve said with a smile. “I’ll stay here enjoying my tea and the fire.”

Muireall laughed and nodded, then left Genevieve alone in the parlor. Reaching for the teapot, Genevieve warmed her tea with the hot beverage from it. She blew across the top of the liquid before taking a sip.

Outside, she heard Sorcha’s excited voice, while she heard Muireall greet her husband and whomever Duncan had brought home. She took another sip of tea as voices echoed into the parlor. Genevieve turned her head as Sorcha danced her way into the room.

“Can I assume you have the new horse you asked for?” Genevieve said with a laugh. Sorcha bounded toward her and flung her arms around Genevieve’s neck.

“Aye, and she’s beautiful, Ginny. Ye must come see her.”

“I will later, I’m just getting warm after riding on the moors for longer than I should have.”