Fear Familiar Bundle (93 page)

"I'm Chancey Darnel." The woman stepped forward as if she were the hostess and not the guest. "I'm an old friend of William's, and I came over to see if he might care for a ride. We used to tear up the fields and woods around Kelso when we were younger."

The implication that they'd torn up a lot more than fields was distinctly clear beneath her words.

"This is Mary Muir," Kevin stated to fill the awkward gap. "She's to marry William next month."

"So I've heard." Chancey smiled. "So I've heard."

"We haven't seen you around Mayfair in a long time," Kevin said deliberately. He walked over and held Suzy's bridle so that Mary knew she should dismount.

"Excuse me," Mary said, finally recovering. "I'm so jarred from my lesson that my brain is addled. Let me figure out how to get down from here, and we'll go inside for some tea. I believe Abby was making scones when I came out. I'll bet they're just out of the oven, and I do believe all of this exercise has given me an appetite."

"That's good," Chancey said, running a critical eye over Mary's figure. "You look a little anemic. It's critical to William that he produce an heir, as you no doubt know. You need to put a little meat on those bones. The winters here at Mayfair can be brutal."

Mary slid to the ground, stifling a wince as her feet hit terra firma. Chancey Darnel was either the rudest woman she'd ever met, or she was deliberately being abrasive. She caught a look at Kevin's face and saw the thunderclouds there. Chancey's abrasiveness was deliberate.

"William wants a child, and so do I," she said sweetly as she turned to Chancey. "He's often spoken of how simple it would be to reproduce if he were a stallion or bull. He'd simply pick out the biggest, strongest mare or cow and…well, let nature take its course." To her satisfaction she saw Kevin's wide grin. Chancey's lips were a thin line.

"You and William must have some blunt conversations."

"Indeed we do. When you're in love, you can say anything to each other." She extended her hand, delighted to see Chancey's anger. "So pleased to meet you, Miss Darnel. Won't you come in to Mayfair and have some tea?"

"I'd love to. Is William about?"

"He's with Erick, going over some of the books. I know he'd love to ride with you, but he rode this morning, and he's blocked out the rest of the day for estate meetings. Maybe another time."

"Of course." Chancey followed Mary into the castle. They passed through a long dark hall with ancient weapons lining the walls before Mary led her into a small room on the west side of the castle. A fire was burning brightly, creating an atmosphere of cozy warmth.

Mary took a chair in front of the fire, signaling the tall blond woman into another. "Abby will bring some tea. Like you, she's concerned that I'm too thin. Any chance she gets to put something hot and filling before me, she does."

Chancey smiled, her gaze roving the room. "There's something different here," she said.

"I rearranged the furniture." Mary smiled. "William's parents never used this room. I find it to be perfect for the afternoon. And in the summer, when the gardens are in bloom, I'll work here."

"Then you and William are intending to make your home at Mayfair?"

"Absolutely. Where do you live, Chancey?"

"About five miles from here." She looked up at the sound of a gentle knock at the door.

"Come in," Mary called as Abby entered bearing a tea tray, casting a glance over her shoulder.

"It seems half the country has decided to come visiting today," Abby said, giving Chancey an unfathomable look. "Miss Darnel, it's been such a long time. You must have heard William was back in residence." She stepped aside. "And our neighbors, Mrs. Clarissa McLeod and her son Darren have also come for tea."

A woman of average height with beautiful gray hair piled on top of her head stepped through the doorway. Behind her, a slender man in coat and tie smiled as he entered the room.

"And me," Sophie said as she hurried inside. "I watched Mary take her riding lesson from the upstairs window. I thought I would die of hunger before she came inside." There was a slight hint of disapproval in her tone.

Mary stood and went to greet her new guests. "It's wonderful to have my neighbors visiting," she said, wishing heartily that they'd all go home. Clarissa McLeod looked as if she could boss a frigate around, and Darren was a mere shadow. Chancey Darnel apparently had her sights set on William, and it would seem that everyone at Mayfair had long been aware of it. Sophie was the only truly welcome face in the room, and Mary went to her side.

"Everyone, please find a seat. Abby has— " she lifted the edge of a lace coverlet and the delicious aroma of freshly baked scones filled the room "— a wonderful surprise. I'll help with some more cups, and we can all sit and chat."

"Where's William?" Clarissa demanded as she settled herself in the chair Mary had just occupied. "I haven't seen him for years. I intend to have a look at him before I leave."

Mary felt Chancey's gaze shift to her. There was the hint of an amused smile on Chancey's lips.

"I'm sorry, but William is detained today," Mary said smoothly. She saw the worry cross Sophie's face, and she willed her friend to remain silent.

"Is he ill?" Clarissa asked. There was concern in her voice, but also a determination to probe into the business of Mayfair. "He's been home for over a month, and he hasn't paid a single visit. Behavior like that can start rumors. Ugly rumors. We'd begun to think that maybe he was ashamed of the selection he'd made for his bride." She smiled.

"William is perfectly fine. Mayfair demands a lot of his time. And mine." Mary ignored the insult. These might be landed gentry, but they were the most discourteous people she'd ever met.

"Clarissa knows the responsibilities of land ownership," Chancey said quickly. "The McLeods owned Mayfair before it was taken away from them for their amazing display of cowardice and given to the MacEacherns."

Mary drew in her breath. William had told her that Slaytor MacEachern was given the Mayfair keep because Slaytor was thought to be strong enough to hold the castle against invading British forces. It was also a reward for the horse lord's loyalty and valor to the Clan MacDonald. Mary had never stopped to think that to give Mayfair to the MacEacherns, it had to be taken away from someone else.

"That was three hundred years ago," Clarissa said. Her eyes glittered as sharply as the diamonds on her fingers. "Our holdings at Woodlands keep us plenty busy, right, Darren?"

"Absolutely, Mother." Darren's face expressed no emotion.

"I'm not questioning William's labors," Chancey continued, "but I've heard some strange tales. Stories that he's been seen riding like a bat out of hell all over the place late at night. Rycroft Black said he was coming home from the hospital late last night, and William jumped the fence into the road in front of him and almost caused a wreck."

Mary kept her face impassive. "I doubt that it was William."

"Mr. Black saw him clearly, and that horse. It's hard to miss that black devil with the white stockings and the streak down its face."

That was an accurate description of William's pride and joy, Blaze. Mary said nothing, but she felt all the eyes in the room upon her. Only Sophie's held sympathy. She squared her shoulders.

Abby broke the tension by entering with additional cups. The ritual of pouring the tea pushed the unpleasant subject of William's nightly rides to the side.

"Mary has come up with the most wonderful idea for a wedding dress." Sophie rushed to fill the lack of conversation in the room once the cups were filled and the sugar and milk passed. "She's going to have a dressmaker copy the wedding dress worn by the first Lady MacEachern."

There was a moment of silence as everyone seemed to stare into their teacups. "How interesting," Clarissa said, finally looking directly into Mary's eyes. "I presume neither of you are aware of the legend of Slaytor MacEachern and his lady bride?"

Mary knew before she asked that she wasn't going to enjoy the story. But everyone was waiting for her response. "I'd love to hear it. I positively adore spooky old legends."

"You'll love Mayfair," Chancey said sweetly as she took another scone. "Have one, Mary, you're going to need some muscle and bone to be able to live up to Mayfair standards."

Clarissa shushed Chancey and put her cup on a table. "Now you know how tales grow and get twisted, but everyone hereabouts believes this for a fact. Ever since I was a child the story of Slaytor and Lisette MacEachern has captivated me. You see, Lisette was English bred, a lovely young girl that Slaytor had snatched on one of his raids across the border. She was a slip of a girl, hardly more than a child, and it was said that Slaytor fell in love with her before he could get her home to Mayfair. But Lisette would have nothing to do with him. She pined for her home and her relatives. No matter what he offered her, Slaytor couldn't win her heart or her interest." Clarissa paused. There was only the sound of teacups settling back into saucers.

"When Slaytor saw that he couldn't win her with kind actions, he decided that brutality would eventually wear her down. So he locked her into the small room on the third floor of Mayfair."

"Mother." Darren's voice held a warning. "William hates this story, and we are guests in his house. I think— "

"Hush, Darren," Chancey said. "Let your mother finish the story. I've heard it a million times, but she always tells it best." She gave Mary a glance. "Besides, our little bride might want to hear the family history before she says 'I do."'

Clarissa continued. "The sound of Lisette's weeping went on for five months, day and night. She ate only what she was forced to eat, and with each passing day, Slaytor's patience grew thinner and thinner. On the eve of Hallowmas, he ordered the women of the castle to prepare her for the bridal bed. Without benefit of clergy or the blessing of the Lord Almighty, he took her to his bed." Clarissa leaned forward, her voice dropping. "And she became pregnant.

"That, my dear, is how he finally made her agree to marry. Lisette could not stand the idea that her child would bear the name bastard. To give her baby a name, she married the man who had kidnapped and tortured her."

"And she bore him eight more children." William stepped into the room. His face was rigid with anger. "I had hoped the story of Lisette's abduction had long ago passed away from the local folklore. I can see that you're working hard to keep it alive, Clarissa. Perhaps I should contact the Scottish cultural department. I hear they're eager to record the oral stories of these parts. It takes someone with a passion for gossip and exaggeration to repeat that type of story with conviction."

"William." Clarissa rose to her feet, followed swiftly by Chancey and Darren.

"William." Chancey stepped in front of Clarissa and hurried forward to throw her arms around him in a warm embrace. "I've thought of you often. When I heard you were finally coming home, I couldn't believe it. Then I heard that you'd made arrangements to marry." There was a note of pain in her voice. "I wanted to come and give you my congratulations in person." Her voice lowered a bit, "Or condolences, as the case may be."

Mary's teacup clattered as she put it on a table and rose to her feet. She'd had enough of Chancey Darnel and the entire ill-bred crowd. Only William's gaze stopped her from further action.

"Thank you, Chancey. Your congratulations are accepted." He stepped out of her embrace. "Mary and I had hoped to have an engagement party." He motioned Mary to his side. "Perhaps we shall, yet. I want all of the people of the area to get to know my Mary. She's a rare one. A very special lady."

"Mary's an incredible musician," Sophie inserted. "I know she hates to perform solo, but she's wonderful. Why don't you play something for us, Mary? You never want to show off, but it would make me feel so much better after that…story."

"An excellent idea," William said. "I'll get your instrument."

"I…" Mary realized that protest was useless. As much as she hated performing alone for a small group, she would have to this time. William's look said that he was counting on her.

He went to get her cello, and Mary took a seat in a straight-backed chair.

"Music may be fine for Edinburgh, but Mayfair requires a strong back and a healthy body." Chancey looked at William as he returned, as if to remind him that she had both.

"I want a wife, Chancey, not an agricultural worker." His voice was gentle, but the words stung. His tone changed as he addressed Mary. "Here, my love, play the sonata that I like."

Mary took the instrument from the case and held it between her knees. To steady herself, she drew in several deep breaths. Then she placed her fingers on the strings and slowly began to move through the first melancholy notes of the piece William had requested.

The music seemed to fill the small room, and as Mary played, she watched the reaction on William's face. He loved this piece, but it always seemed to sadden him. As she concluded the first portion, she stopped.

"I believe that's sufficient," she said, smiling. "Mrs. McLeod was eager to see you, William. I don't believe she came for a concert."

"That was lovely, my dear," Clarissa said with great enthusiasm. "You don't look as if you'll ever really master a horse, but you can play."

"Beautiful," Darren echoed, rising and walking over to Mary. "I love music. I hope you'll consider playing for us on a regular basis. Edinburgh isn't that far, but it would be wonderful to have our own musician."

"Of course I'll play," Mary said, pleased at the look in William's eyes. Clarissa McLeod might be a battle-ax who controlled everything her son thought, and Chancey Darnel was a spiteful troublemaker, but Mary wasn't going to let the neighbors spoil her life at Mayfair.

"Mayfair will be filled with the sound of music, laughter and children," William said. He was smiling, but his eyes also dared anyone to correct him. "Mary has agreed to marry me, and we intend to make our home here. Like the MacEacherns before us."

"And what of Erick?" Darren's question was softly put. "Will he stay?"