Page 47

The sisters were both so different from what little he knew of their parents. But then again, he had both been told and had seen for himself during his time among Society that many upper-class parents had little to nothing to do with the raising of their children.

“I do hope we’ll see you this evening,” he said to them both. “In the meantime, I need to get back to my work. Crops and animals tend to misbehave when left entirely to their own devices.”

“And Shadow’s likely crying her poor little heart out with you away,” Cordelia said, comically shooing him away.

He made the journey home, whistling a jaunty tune and feeling rather pleased with life. Everything was far from perfect, but there was more than enough to be happy about.

He still felt every bit as pleased by the time the three families began trickling into the fallow field. They greeted him warmly and in friendly tones. They seemed quite happy to be there. More to the point, they seemed at ease. No matter that he was certain the laird had made this arrangement with him in order to be rid of him; the strategy was, in fact, working. Sebastian knew the people of this area better than he would have had his original vision of his return to Teviotbrae proven reality.

A few instruments were present. A few offerings of food to be nibbled on had been brought as well. The youngest members of the families were already running about, chasing each other and having a merry time. He received greetings aplenty. Shadow, too, seemed to be a particular favorite.

Mr. Breckin asked after the little creature.

“She hardly needs any milk lately,” Sebastian said. “She seems pleased as can be to nibble on grass and wander about.”

Breckin nodded. “Sheep are happiest in flocks, though. You may find as she gets a bit older that she’ll be a wee bit lonely.”

“As long as she has Sebastian of the Home Farm, she’ll think herself in heaven,” Archie said, joining them.

All three of them laughed, knowing it was more true than it likely ought to be.

“Oh, I don’t doubt the wee thing thinks of you as part of her flock,” Breckin said. “Keep an eye on the girl. If she starts to grow forlorn, you’ll want to consider finding her a companion.”

“Another sheep?” Sebastian couldn’t entirely help a hint of horror in his voice.

The sound of it set the other two men laughing once more.

“It seems you’ve a love for this little one but nae for sheep in general,” Archie said.

“Will she suffer for not being part of the flock?” Sebastian didn’t like the idea of Shadow being unhappy, no matter that she was often terribly inconvenient.

“Hard to say, that. Some sheep are perfectly content being a pet, even not part of a flock.”

Glenna McCrory passed by and dropped a word to them. “The Misses Wakefield are coming this way.”

Sebastian worried for just a moment about the reception they would receive. He needn’t have. The McCrory family rushed over, thanking Cordelia effusively for the little drawing she’d given them of the tree in the Burnwick House gardens. Breckin asked her if she’d consider drawing a sketch of his family’s humble home.

Miss Seraphina, with her sweet and open manner, had made herself a favorite as well. Sebastian had seen her make friends at the chapel on Sundays and whilst visiting the local village.

The sound of instruments began filling in the background. It wasn’t a formal gathering. There’d be no insistence that music be enjoyed one moment and stories the next and something else after that. They’d all linger around, chatting if they wished, nibbling on shortbread biscuits, or singing along to the music. It was meant simply as an opportunity to be with each other.

To his delight, after amicably making her way around the gathering, Cordelia sat on the chair beside him. Perhaps she longed for his company as much as he had been longing for hers.

A bit apart from them, Miss Seraphina joined the musicians in singing a song she had, apparently, heard before.

“You told me your sister had musical talent. It was not an exaggeration inspired by sisterly affection. She has a lovely voice.”

Cordelia nodded. “She has been praised often for the beauty of her voice. The music instructor she had when we lived in London was renowned throughout the Continent, and even he expressed his very real pleasure at hearing her sing.”

While that reflected very well on her sister, something in the story gave him a little pause. “That musical instruction must have ended when you left Town.”

She nodded and her expression turned a little sad. “I suspect that is why she’s been heavy hearted of late. She no longer has the opportunity to indulge in and study music. She misses it more than she realized she would.”

“Did London offer you similar opportunities for studying and enjoying art?”

She gave him a somewhat sad smile. “It did, but I found I have chances to indulge in my art here. I’m hopeful Seraphina will discover the same about her music.”

“Having new things to paint and draw isn’t the same as having all the benefits you had in London,” he said.