"Lady Ross to see you, laird," he said.
"And you back but a day from fighting with Campbells," Cameron said.
Marcus sighed. "I suppose she knows I'm here."
The guard looked uncomfortable.
"You can escape out the back," his father suggested, but the door opened again and Lady Margaret Ross entered dressed in a tightly fitting riding habit that said she'd been in the saddle the better part of the day. "I told ye not to dally with noblewomen," Cameron added under his breath, and stood as she approached. "Margaret, lass, how are you?" He clasped her hands in his.
"Your Grace." She dipped into a deep curtsy.
He shot Marcus a dry look while her head was bowed. "Enough, lassie." He pulled the petite woman to her feet. "We are not in Edinburgh." He released her hands. "You will forgive me, if I dinna' stay. I have a mare that bears attending." He winked. "You won't miss me, I feel sure."
"It is always good to see you, Your Grace."
"It is good to see you, as well."
"You haven't had your supper, Cameron," Marcus remarked.
"Aye, well, I cannot leave Coreen alone too long. She is due to foal any time."
"Craig can watch after her."
Cameron snorted. "The boy doesna' know a gelding from a stallion."
"The next time you geld a stallion, have him watch. He'll remember after that."
His father cast a sheepish look at Margaret. "Well, I do not think—"
"Never mind," Marcus cut in. "As you say, you have a mare to attend to."
"I do," he agreed, and made a hasty exit.
Lady Ross looked to Marcus. "Lord Ashlund." She started to curtsy again.
"None of that, Margaret," he said.
She paused and studied him from beneath her lashes then, with an incline of her head, straightened. She gave him an inquiring look and he stood.
"Gille," he addressed the man seated to his right, "give your seat up to the lady."
The man stood and bowed.
Lady Ross angled her head in thanks, then sat. "You are looking well," she said. "Did you enjoy London?"
Once again, the postern door opened and Marcus paused in sitting to look see who entered. Recognizing the newcomer as another of his men, he seated himself.
"Lord Ashlund," came Margaret's insistent voice.
"My visit went well." He forced his attention to her.
"I'm sorry I could not accompany you as you wanted."
"It was you who requested an escort, Margaret, not I who requested your presence."
"A shame my plans changed," she went on. "Unfortunately, I now must go to London." She smiled. "I would be glad of your company."
He gave a mirthless laugh. "London twice a year is quite enough. I have no wish to make it three."
She laid a hand on his arm. "Not long ago you would have done this for me."
"Made a special trip to London? You're confusing me with another of your admirers."
The women began serving the food and he glanced at the clock over the mantle. The evening grew late. "Did you come alone?" he demanded.
"I did."
Marcus frowned. "Very foolish."
The postern door creaked open again. Daniel stepped in. He looked in Marcus's direction. Amusement flicked across his face before he turned and exited.
"Are you expecting someone?" Margaret asked.
A maid placed a platter of mutton on his side of the table and he reached for it. "I will have one of my men escort you home." He dished a helping of meat onto his plate.
"It is so late, I thought perhaps…"
Marcus paused and looked at her. "You knew you would arrive after dark. Why do it?"
She stiffened. "Sheathe your conceit, Marcus. You were not the only person I visited today." She pursed her lips. "If my staying is too much of an inconvenience…"
He glanced again at the clock. Elise wouldn't journey home in the dark. He sat the platter of meat on the table. If she did, he would clip her lovely wings.
When Elise didn't return the following afternoon, Marcus went in search of his father and found him in the stables keeping watch on Coreen.
"It isn't unusual for her to be gone a day or two when she goes to Michael's," Cameron said. "She likes to make sure he is well-cared-for."
"What the blazes does that mean?" Marcus demanded.
His father stopped mid-stroke as he ran his hand across the mare's distended belly. "Hell, lad, the man is my age. What would he want with a lass Elise's age?"
"Age has not stopped you of late."
Cameron flushed. "A man cannot resist the charms of a woman forever, you know."
"That's exactly what I am afraid of," Marcus muttered.
"Although," Cameron said, his tone thoughtful, "I didna' see young Erin return with you. Did he go directly to Michael's? He has not seen his father in months."
"Yes, by God. How long did you say she usually stays with Michael?"
The mare nickered and Cameron began stroking her again. "She does, on occasion, stay a couple days, but, certainly, never longer."
"And it has been two days."
"It has," Cameron said with such emphasis that Marcus looked at him.
"I'll ride out and make sure she is safe."