And, of course, Guthrie had to hear. He chuckled.
The ladies split up to sit at two tables since many of the tables seated only four. Julia and Heather sat with Guthrie and Calla. Clotted cream tea was soon offered with sandwiches, oven-warmed scones with jam and cream, toffee pudding, strawberry jam tarts, and lemon curd tarts. Julia loved Scottish fare, but she was always looking for something chocolate to go with her meal.
Calla was happy with toffee pudding and caught Guthrie smirking at her as she licked her spoon. That made her blush anew.
Guthrie had just finished eating his scone when he got a call. “All right. Thanks.” He said to the ladies, “Ethan spotted one of Baird’s brothers and a cousin in town. It doesn’t mean anything sinister. They could be here like anybody else.”
“Did they have bags like they’d been shopping?” Calla asked, feeling suspicious.
“Nay, just…strolling along the street like tons of other Christmas shoppers.”
“Your men aren’t following them, are they?”
“Nay. Their mission is to stick close to us. They know not to split forces.”
“Good.” Yet Calla’s skin prickled with apprehension. “What if they’ve been following us for some time, and they purposely let Ethan and the others know they were?”
“It doesn’t make any difference,” Guthrie said.
But it did. What if they saw Guthrie’s arm around her waist? And they reported it back to Baird? Which they would. What if he became really incensed that first Guthrie’s brother was trying to talk her out of marrying Baird, and now Guthrie was making the moves on her—and she was all for it? Well, worse, she actually had encouraged it!
“Lass,” Guthrie said, watching her expression, “what did Baird say to you?”
“That your family wouldn’t always be there to watch over me.”
Guthrie’s face reddened a bit in anger, his eyes narrowing. “Fine. He wants a fight, he’s got it.”
She didn’t think Guthrie meant he was going to just have a sword fight like he did with Rankin and his cousins, but a wolf-to-wolf battle. If Baird didn’t give up his pursuit, it wasn’t going to be combat practice.
“I don’t want it to come to that,” Calla said.
“I understand, Calla. We don’t take situations like this lightly. But it can’t go on like this.”
She nodded. Then let out her breath on a sigh. She couldn’t always be looking over one shoulder, worried that Baird would become bolder if the MacNeill wolves weren’t there to watch her back. She resolved to learn if Baird wanted something more from her, as Guthrie suspected. Much as it hurt to admit, she couldn’t believe that Baird had just been that infatuated with her. Not any longer.
But her infatuation with Guthrie…that was something else entirely. Which reminded her.
“On a different subject, I’ve talked to Ian about this and…” She paused. She had already made the effort to show she wanted to court Guthrie, but she wasn’t sure he was game for what she had to ask him next. And she really hoped he was. “Next week, I’ll be attending a masquerade ball.”
Guthrie’s brows rose. “So…is this a masquerade party you’re in charge of?”
“Nay, not this time. I’m attending, as in strictly for fun. No work, no planning. Just arriving and partying.”
His mouth quirked up a bit at that.
“But I have a problem.”
“Aye? Your bodyguard detail—”
“Nay. Not about them. I…need a date.” She absolutely hated to mention the next part because she was certain Guthrie wouldn’t like to hear it. But she couldn’t help it. “I was supposed to be attending with my mate.”
He frowned at that. “You were invited as a couple?”
“Nay, I was invited, and I could bring a guest.”
“That means you now need an escort.”
“Aye. That’s what I was trying to say. I couldn’t attend without one.” She brushed off the sleeve of her sweater in an imperious way. “It just isn’t done.”
He leaned over and whispered, “Humans?”
“A mix.”
“Like at the toga party,” Guthrie said, folding his arms.
“It shouldn’t be a problem for you if you don’t offer—”
“I didn’t offer.”
“If a toga-wearing woman doesn’t ask you to move her…things, then it shouldn’t be a problem,” Calla continued in a teasing way. “And there’s going to be dancing. So I need a partner who loves to dance.” She raised a brow. She wasn’t going to make it easy on Guthrie. Courting her had conditions.
“So, can you dance? Logan said he’d take me,” she added, as if that would sway Guthrie. Not that she wanted to take the teen instead. She fully intended to dance the night away. Though she hoped Guthrie would want to be her dance partner all night long.
Julia laughed and shook her head. Calla had forgotten that she and Heather were sitting there soaking up their conversation.
“Logan? He’s not going anywhere with you. You attract danger. He wouldn’t be prepared for it. As to your question, aye, I dance. What about the costume?”
She felt as though they were negotiating a party that she was planning for a client. “Anything, except that you can’t wear your kilt or everyone will know you’re a MacNeill. It’s a masquerade ball so no one is supposed to know who you are.”
“You had this all planned, didn’t you?” Guthrie asked, looking highly amused.
“What do you mean?”
“You dump the fiancé and find someone else to take you to the party.”
She laughed. “Aye, it worked, didn’t it? I can find someone who will dress incognito and dance all night with me. Right?”
He smiled.
“And who will appreciate the venture,” she added, emphasizing this wasn’t a mission and he was to just enjoy himself.
She loved the way the skin crinkled beneath his eyes when they lit with merriment. Or…maybe wolfish intrigue. Like his idea of fun was something a little hotter than just dancing at a ball. But if he passed this test? She’d know she was on the right track with Guthrie.
***
Even though Guthrie sensed Calla was nervous about spotting two of Baird’s kin nearby, he admired the way she was attempting to get beyond Baird’s harassment by bantering with Guthrie about the ball. The ball she was supposed to go to with her mate, which Guthrie thought was significant.
So what if Baird’s cousin and brother had seen her in town with the MacNeills and being cozy with Guthrie?
“We’re courting, remember?” he said, and her look of worry lifted. If they were going to court one another, everyone was going to know about it. Guthrie wouldn’t hide the fact when they were out in public. If it pissed Baird off, so be it.
Guthrie had suspected all along that with the way Baird continued to hassle Calla, he wasn’t going to let go of her ever. That meant dealing with this situation with extreme prejudice. The problem was that Calla had loved Baird once. If it came to having to eliminate him because he became a danger to Calla, could she forgive Guthrie?
The ladies were getting ready to leave and Guthrie slid his arm around Calla’s waist, intending to show the world they were doing this. “You don’t need to ask anyone else to go with you to the masquerade ball, lass. You have your dance partner already.”
Chapter 12
Later that afternoon, Calla got together with Julia to discuss Christmas party plans, but she also had another thought she wanted to run by Julia. Calla’s parents had been lone wolves, having their own pack of sorts, but not coexisting among a large pack like the MacNeills’. She found it fascinating to learn how the MacNeill pack homeschooled its children.
“So you teach writing and English, Guthrie does math, and Shelley is the botanist in the group. What about Aunt Agnes?” Calla asked as she sat down to have tea with Julia.
“She’s the family historian so she handles history classes. Lady Mae teaches about proper etiquette for boys
and girls. Heather is responsible for literature classes, while I share my writing techniques. As for the men—Cearnach handles pet care. Duncan is the weapons instructor and trains in everything from archery to swordsmanship. Ethan and his brothers teach about bovine care, and Guthrie covers math topics, including showing the little ones how to identify bills and coins, and the older ones money management. You missed the class he offered this morning, but he has a class with the older ones again on Friday morning, if you want to drop by and listen in.”
“Actually, I made it to his morning class on earning and saving money, and it got me thinking. I was wondering if the kids could be involved in some kind of a craft bazaar so they could earn money for Christmas. Rather than their parents giving them money to buy gifts, they could earn their own. Then when they went shopping, the value of the money would mean so much more to them.”
“I love it! A whole bunch of us are great with crafts. I’m certain we can even get a lot of the adults to help supervise and spread the word about the bazaar to all the kids in the pack. Maybe even have a food booth like they do at Renaissance fairs in the States.”
“I know Ian doesn’t like to have outsiders visit the castle, but what if we opened it up to everyone? We could charge a small fee to see some of the castle and its grounds since it’s never open to the public. Do something really special for a weekend before Christmas. We’ve already decorated everything.”
Julia took a deep breath. “Guthrie wanted to do something like that to help make money after the theft of the pack’s investments, but Ian said no. He had fits just having the human film crew here for the production of that Highland movie, though the MacNeill clan needed the money. Even so, he wouldn’t agree to opening up the castle to the public. But if we were using the funds for some worthy cause, maybe Ian would agree.”
This was going to be the best Christmas ever, Calla thought. If they could pull it off.
***
Later that afternoon, Ian called Guthrie into his office. “Have a seat, why don’t you?” Ian said.
Guthrie sat down and wondered what this was all about. He wasn’t used to his brother calling him into his office continually like this, unless he really needed to discuss something in private that was of the utmost importance.
Ian looked eager to share some bit of good news. Had someone found a way to put Baird off for good? That’s the news Guthrie would love to hear.
“Julia asked me to allow a Christmas bazaar to help fund college tuition for the kids in the clan.”
Guthrie couldn’t believe she’d asked.
“She wants to open the castle to the public for a special Christmas viewing, since we’re going all out decorating and celebrating the holiday this year,” Ian continued, as if this was an everyday occurrence and he had no problem with it.
“You said nay, aye?” Guthrie said.
Ian cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair. “You know how I hate opening the castle up to outsiders.”
“Aye. Which is why you said nay, right?” Guthrie asked, folding his arms slightly defensively, since all his ideas about doing something like that after they lost money in a scam investing scheme had met with Ian’s strong disapproval. Guthrie thought it was a great concept, but how did Julia sway Ian this time?
“After Calla sat in on your class, during which you were teaching kids how to be responsible with money and savings, she came up with the idea and shared it with Julia. She said if it hadn’t been for what you were teaching our children, she wouldn’t have thought of it.”
Guthrie was surprised to hear Calla would say that, since she hadn’t arrived in time to hear his lecture!
“Many of the adults would be eager to participate,” Ian continued. “If Cearnach still wants to, he can sell some of his sgian dubhs—since the hand-carved handles are so popular. Duncan could teach swordsmanship, at a price. Some of the men might be willing to set up archery competitions for a small entry fee to participants. We could have Ethan and his brothers give hayrides, like riding in Santa’s sleigh or some such thing.”
Guthrie smiled. “You are serious?”
“Aye, Brother. Just agree to it because I’m not in the habit of groveling, and then you can be in charge of it all.”
Guthrie couldn’t believe this was his brother, his pack leader, speaking. Aye, he was all for it. But since Calla had suggested it, shouldn’t it be her show to run? She was great at setting up parties. And he didn’t want her to think he had taken over something that was her idea. “Me? I thought Calla—”
“Nay, she will help coordinate some of the activities for the children, and Cearnach, being second in charge, can help to manage some, but you will be responsible overall for everything to do with the money—how it will be spent, advertising the affair, collecting money, and setting it aside for the tuition fund.” Ian waited, then smirked. “Don’t look so shocked, Guthrie.”
“Is that all?”
“Aye.” Ian frowned. “You will do it, won’t you?”
Guthrie smiled. “Of course, just like I wanted to before, except I’d never considered quite this grand an affair. I’ll keep you informed about the expenses and the like.”
Aye, Julia had influenced Ian to do many things he had never allowed before, but Guthrie couldn’t wrap his mind around this. Especially since Calla had proposed it and given him the credit after she had spoken to his class! He suspected this was her way of getting him back for having her talk to the class in place of his lecture.
After their meeting, Guthrie went to look for Calla and soon found her in the kitchen sneaking a scone. She nearly dropped it when she heard him approach.
“Hungry?” he asked.
Her face flushed beautifully.
He lifted the remaining one off the platter and took a bite. “As long as Cook doesn’t catch us in here, we’re fine.”
She smiled, looking a little guilty. “I’m used to grabbing a bite to eat on my own schedule.”
“Most of us sneak one a time or two. So, you liked my class on saving money, eh?”
Her eyes widened fractionally.
“Ian said you proposed having a festival of sorts to Julia.”
“Aye, but she has to have Ian approve it, and he doesn’t ever open the castle to the public.”
“He did this time.”
“Are you serious?” she asked.
“Most assuredly, and I’m in charge of finances for the affair. So, shall we set up a plan for expenditures? We need to figure out the amount it would take to recoup our losses, then how much will serve as a profit.”
They heard someone coming, and Guthrie grabbed Calla’s hand. “Let’s make plans in the garden room.”
“Wait. We need paper or my laptop first. Don’t we?”
He smiled. “Aye.” This early, he couldn’t get away with kissing her in the garden room, or more of what had happened last night.
In the garden room, he and Calla brainstormed fast and furiously all the events they could have. Periodically, Guthrie stopped to call a pack member to see if he or she could be in charge of one activity or another. After a few hours, they’d made all the plans and contacted everyone to carry them out.
“That worked well,” Guthrie said, satisfied that they had been able to work out Calla’s grand schemes in a cost-effective way. Though he knew it would take some effort to make the event run smoothly, the pack members worked well together and he knew they could do it. If it was a success this year, they might be able to do it again next year, and they’d be able to plan it even better. He grabbed a bottle of wine. “Want some to celebrate?”
“Aye. I think we really accomplished a lot in the short time we worked on this.”
“We did.” And so well together. Between the two of them, they had some great ideas from festivals they’d attended, plus his knowledge of his own pack’s strengths and her experience. Most of all, working with Calla was a real pleasure. He could see how well she planned her parties and other social gath
erings, how he’d been wrong about her apparent frivolity. She actually had a real business sense when she figured costs and revenues. She was just as thorough and detailed as he was. He admired her for all of it.
They sat together on the sofa this time, enjoying their wine, but he couldn’t quit thinking about Baird and his involvement in this business with Calla. He didn’t want to bring it up again, but after Baird had called and threatened her, and with his men still in the area, there had to be something more to this.
“Calla, I’m certain Baird’s angry because you stood him up at the wedding, and female wolves are a rare commodity. So he can’t easily find another she-wolf for a mate. Not only that, but he’s an alpha—the lost honor and pride in losing you after you said yes has to be killing him. His men are probably talking behind his back about how he couldn’t keep his woman. And I know he’s got to be furious that we’ve taken you in—given his kin’s history with the MacNeills.”
“But?”
Guthrie frowned. “It just seems like this goes further than an obsession over the woman he loved and lost.”
She shrugged. “I have a steady income. Some men might find that handy. But I live in the old carriage house behind my parents’ place so I don’t have any properties to call my own, if Baird was hoping to add the manor house to his assets.”
“Your parents have no other children, though, and everything—including their manor house and any other investments they have, their hotels even—would go to you, right?”
“Sure. But he’s not someone who thinks about money a lot.”
“You mean like me?” Guthrie asked.
She smiled a little. “I never heard him talk about finances. We just never discussed them. Though I did talk to Robert, his pack financial manager, for tips on good investments.”
Guthrie grunted. “I hope you didn’t invest in anything his cousin was in charge of.”
She rolled her eyes. “Nay. I was just asking to see if he knew something I didn’t.”