Rose In Scotland Read Online Free Page A

set her on her feet once more.
    “Dolt!” Aunt Egidia swatted him with the edge of her fan before lifting her hand to tug at her powdered wig, knocked askew by his embrace. “Not yet six of the clock, and you’re already drunk as a sailor! A shame on your soul!”
    Hugh continued grinning down at her. His entire life had been turned on its head from the moment he’d stepped foot back into Scotland, but here, praise God, was one thing that had remained constant. “If I’m drunk, ’Tis happiness and not spirits that ’Tis to blame,” he told her, reaching out to pull the enormous monstrosity of horsehair and greasy powder into place. “I’m pleased to see you looking so fine, Auntie.”
    Lined cheeks painted the delicate pink of a young girl’s grew even pinker at his compliment. “Wheest!” his aunt exclaimed, her sour expression belied by the sparkle of her dark eyes. “Why are you nae out chasing the hizzies for a wee bit of loving? ’Tis holes in your purse to match theholes in your head you must have, to be wasting your time flattering an old woman!”
    The thought of slaking his passions in one of the many prostitutes had occurred to Hugh, but he’d dismissed it with his usual fastidiousness. He’d seen more men laid low by the pox than he’d ever seen felled by an enemy’s bullet, and he’d learned to control his baser nature.
    “I’ve no time now to dance the reel o’ Bogie,” he said, taking an almost boyish delight in using the scandalous phrase in front of his aunt. “ ’Tis Mairi I’ve come to see, and then I’m to Bath and London to learn what’s to be done about all of this. Do you know where she’s gone?”
    “To call upon the son of an old friend of your father’s,” Aunt Egidia supplied, settling into one of the faded chairs. “I’ve no doubt you remember him: Iain Dunhelm, laird of Ben Denham.”
    The image of a fox-faced man with a sharp nose and shrewd gray eyes popped into Hugh’s mind. “Aye,” he said slowly, “I remember the laird. A clever man, and a mind more devious than that of a wizard. But why would Mairi go to him? Does she think he can be of help?”
    His aunt gave an inelegant snort. “Help? Aye, he could well be that, considering the way he’s helped himself to the lands about him!” she said, her lips pursing in disgust. “He’s more than doubled his holdings since the arrests began, and ’Tis nae a secret he’s been casting his eyes at MacColme land as well.”
    “And Mairi went to him?” Hugh demanded, angry and appalled by turns. “For the love of God, why?”
    “Because I told her to,” came the calm reply.
    “And don’t be looking at me like that, Hugh MacColme! You’re a soldier, and well you know the value of scouting the lay of an enemy’s land.”
    Hugh bit back a furious oath. “And you sent her alone?” he demanded, his hand tightening on the pommel of the sword he wore buckled to his hip.
    Aunt Egidia gave him a look of patent long-suffering. “Dinna be a bigger fool than you can help being,” she told him with a sniff. “I sent a maid and a footman with her, as is proper. He’s his mother living with him, and the poor woman has been sickening this past winter long. Mairi called upon her to inquire after her health and to bring a jar of my tisane. If she can learn what new designs the laird is plotting while she’s there, then more to the better, I say.”
    Hugh digested his aunt’s explanation in silence, grudgingly admitting her actions had merit. “And what makes you think Dunhelm has his eye to Loch Haven?” he asked, wondering if he would need to call upon Iain himself, and let it be known that he was returned and would protect what was his.
    A crafty look stole into Aunt Egidia’s eyes. “He’s already acquired half the land between Ben Denham and Castle Loch Haven,” she said, watching Hugh for any reaction. “ ’twas also rumored he pressed for the seizing of all MacColme land, not just the properties