Mistletoe, Whisky and a Rogue: Scot to the Heart, #4

By Jane Charles

One gossiping parrot, a few sips of whiskey, and a sprig of mistletoe will often seal one's fate.

 

Ethan Copeland was only in England at his father's request. It was important that he meet his uncle, and experience other options open to him as the nephew of a duke. However, after five months, Ethan is ready to return home. He, and his companions, two parrots named Rogue and Lady, longed for the warmth and sunshine of the New Orleans plantation. What he hadn't expected was to encounter a Scottish lass who had a taste for whiskey and an adventurous heart.

 

Fanella Grant had little adventure in her life and visiting the ancient castle might be the best thing to happen in a very long time. However, when her first night of exploring finds her locked in a wine cellar with a very handsome American, Fanella realizes this adventure may be more than she could have imagined.

 

Unfortunately, all could be ruined by a parrot not only repeats what he hears, but also what he sees.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Night Shift Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393860778

Jane Charles

Jane Charles has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many fiction novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died.  Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance.  What turned into a hobby became a passion, which has been fully supported by her husband, three children and three cats. JaneCharlesAuthor.com Jane can be contacted at: [e-mail] Twitter and FB: JaneACharle  

Book preview

Chapter 1

I’m pleased to announce that I am to marry Lady Claresta Copeland, daughter and only child of the Duke and Duchess of Ellings. The wedding is to take place on the thirty-first day of December in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and fifteen, at Chatwell Castle in Shropshire, the ancestral estate of His Grace. As the Christmas Season will be upon us, Her Grace has planned a fortnight of activities leading up to the nuptials and looks forward to a castle full of guests to celebrate. It is my wish for your family’s presence at this celebration.

---

Donovan MacGregor

December 18, 1815, Chatwell Castle

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Fanella Grant leaned out the carriage window and craned her neck to take in the centuries-old grey stone of the inner wall that loomed over them, casting wide shadows, nearly blocking out any light as they crossed the wooden drawbridge. Excitement bubbled within as she couldn’t wait to explore the castle, if she were allowed to do so, of course. This was the ancestral home of the Duke of Ellings, and it might not be permissible to go beyond a few gathering rooms and her chamber. Fanella dearly hoped that no such restrictions were placed upon them, for she wished to investigate from the tallest turret to the darkest crevice of the ancient dungeon. . Unfortunately, her sister didn’t share Fanella’s desire for quests into the unknown, though today, Jesse also gawked out the carriage window much as Fanella had done.

Sometimes Fanella felt as if her mind and body were starved for something new. Something exhilarating. She hoped that she’d finally be able to quench that thirst during the next fortnight.

Across from the sisters sat their older brother, Ian, and his wife Davina, and they didn’t seem at all interested in their destination, only each other.

As they entered the bailey, the wind that had buffeted the carriage as they drew near the castle was almost non-existent now that they were inside the protective walls. Duncan, another older brother, had chosen to ride instead of being cooped up in the carriage with family. He must have been miserable upon his horse, though Fanella had little sympathy as he could have ridden in the carriage if he had wished.

How many guests have been invited do ye think? she asked.

I’ve no idea, though I’m certain all of the MacGregors will be here, Ian answered.

Thank goodness it was a large castle since the MacGregors alone could fill an entire manor.

As their carriage finally came to a stop, a footman opened the door and assisted Fanella out before doing the same for Jesse and then Davina with Ian following. Fanella nearly slipped on the cobblestone walk, but that was because she was looking up to the very top of the castle keep, awed by the white stone and number of windows. To the left was a rounded tower and she idly wondered if a princess had ever been sequestered and hidden for protection.

Oh, she did have a fanciful imagination, but how could she not in such a setting?

Come along, Fanella, Davina called as the rest of her family wound up the stairs and stepped into a cavernous entry, far larger than any common room she’d ever been in before. The floor of black and white worn stone resembled a chessboard, long and wide enough to accommodate a game if humans decided to become the pawns, knights, bishops, and all other pieces required.

Had this at one time been the great hall where everyone had gathered?

Harriet, our housekeeper, will show you to your chambers, the butler offered. A maid has been assigned to each female guest and a footman for the gentleman. They await you and any further instruction.

Fanella blinked in surprise. Though they had maids at home, she’d never had one of her own. In fact, before her oldest brother had inherited the title, Marquess Brachton, they’d been too poor to employ anyone above a cook and housekeeper, and even after their finances improved, their maids only assisted the girls when it was absolutely necessary.

If you will follow me.

Harriet led them forward and stopped at the foot of two separate stone staircases facing opposite directions and curving away from each other, both leading to the second level. Did they branch off into separate parts of the castle?

The women and married couples have been given chambers in the east gallery on the second and third floors. Bachelors have been given chambers in the west gallery on the third floor, above the family set of chambers, she nodded to Duncan. I’ll show you the way after I’ve seen that the rest of your family is settled.

I don’t believe His Grace wishes to have his guests mingling after hours, Duncan whispered to Ian, who chuckled.

Fanella simply frowned. Why would the locations of chambers have anything to do with mingling? Instead of asking, as her brother often had odd notions, Fanella followed the housekeeper down a long corridor and then another as she tried to memorize all of the turns so that she didn’t become lost. Not that she still didn’t wish to explore, but Fanella was beginning to believe that with all the different stairs and corridors, it would be quite easy to become turned around and end up wandering for hours until finding her way out, much like a maze she once enjoyed at a house party the year before.

This is to be your chamber, Miss. Fanella, Harriet advised. The next is for Miss Jesse and the one beyond, for Mr. and Mrs. Grant.

She was even to have a chamber of her own? She’d not expected such. When they’d attended house parties in the past, she and her sister had always shared a room. Her own maid and her own room, this holiday would be quite enjoyable indeed.

Thank you, Ian offered.

Your trunks should have already been delivered and servants are waiting within. Dinner will be served at seven. With that, she continued in the opposite direction of where they’d come with Duncan following in her wake.

Fanella gave her sister a smile then entered the chamber she’d been assigned and nearly gasped in delight. The floor, darkened wood and scarred with age, peeked out from beneath a thick rug of blues, greens, roses and yellows. In the center, damask curtains had been pulled back to reveal a bed so high that Fanella would need the wooden steps in order to crawl inside each night. In the fireplace on the inner wall, a fire had been built to ward off the chill and opposite the door, a square window, curtains opened to let in the light.

This was better than she ever imagined. It was almost as if she’d stepped back in time.

Good afternoon, Miss Fanella.

Fanella nearly jumped at the sound as she hadn’t even noticed the slight girl with dark hair and brown eyes standing before the wardrobe.

I’ve begun unpacking your things and will send a dress for pressing before tonight’s supper if you would like.

Fanella hadn’t really thought beyond their arrival and realized she probably should choose a dress. Is it very chilly in the castle and how formal will supper be? They didn’t dress for dinner at home, at least nothing beyond what they’d worn most of the day. Even though the family now had wealth, the habits of wearing one dress a day hadn’t changed, unless they had guests, or their clothing had become dirty somehow.

If you don’t mind, Miss Fanella, I can choose something appropriate after your trunks have been emptied.

Fanella let out a sigh. Thank ye. Yer guidance will be much appreciated.

The maid blushed and turned away as she removed another gown to hang in the wardrobe.

May I have your name?

Iris.

Fanella reached inside the trunk to retrieve another gown.

Oh, you shouldn’t, Miss Fanella. I’m here to see to your things.

I’m perfectly capable of helpin’, Iris, and I doona mind in the least, she assured the maid. While we see to everythin’ bein’ put away, why doona ye tell me about our hosts and the castle. Are there any guests invited other than the MacGregors and Grants?

At the gust of wind, Ethan Copeland pulled his carrick coat tight and flipped the collar high to protect the back of his neck. He’d have worn a hat but it would have likely been lost in the wind.

From his view atop the south tower, the valley and hills stretched out before him, a bleak desolate canvas of white and grey contrasted occasionally with nearly black, naked trees. When he and his family had first arrived five months ago, he’d found the scenery welcoming, with the various shades of green and the carpet of grass dotted with wildflowers. He’d also enjoyed the change of the trees. There wasn’t much to enjoy now. But, in truth, there was little difference in the landscape between here and home. Except, Kentucky was no longer home. It hadn’t been since 1812.

Carriages had begun to arrive this afternoon and Ethan had made himself scarce until he found himself above the castle where he’d not need to converse with strangers. The guests would be here for an entire fortnight and during that time his cousin, Claresta, would marry Donovan MacGregor.

The latest carriage was followed by a man on horseback, and Ethan watched as three women and a man disembarked from within. The first to step out, a blonde, glanced up at the castle but didn’t look to where Ethan observed. Two more misses emerged—three misses, or he assumed they were misses, who would ignore him and cast an appreciative eye toward his older brother—Darius—the future Duke of Ellings and the only reason his family was in England in the first place.

Ethan had at first been amused at his brother’s irritation. They’d traveled across England, and as soon as anyone learned who Darius was, mothers and misses had sought his attention, even though he was a horrible American. Apparently, a title was more important than where one was born and from whence they’d come. Since, Ethan had grown bored and was ready to be done with leisure activities and return home.

This is where you’ve gone!

Ethan turned to find his younger sister, Constance, approach, the wind blowing her cloak away from her body and causing her auburn hair to fly across her face.

Why do you insist on avoiding everyone?

It’s not as if I’m missed, he reminded her. Ethan was fourth in line for the title, after his father and older brothers, and he was of little interest to anyone.

I miss you so you should join me in the parlor.

Or, you could remain here with me.

Not in this wind. She sighed and looked out across the land. I haven’t been this cold since Kentucky.

Me either. Ethan rubbed his bare hands together and then blew into them. He shouldn’t have left his gloves with his hat inside his chamber.

Then why are you up here?

Why indeed?

He’d come up here for the silence, but his face was nearly numb. Besides, there were far warmer places where he could avoid the guests. Let’s get out of this wind, he finally said.

And you’ll return to the parlor with me.

No.

Constance rolled her eyes. What do you have against everyone?

Nothing.

Then prove it by taking tea with me.

I don’t need to prove anything.

She hitched a brow and crossed her arms over her chest. Constance had always been the most obstinate of his nine siblings.

Ethan, it’s rude to our family and the other guests, she argued. If mother and father were here, you’d be taking tea because they’d make you.

But they aren’t here, are they? His father refused to return to England. However, he had insisted that some of his children make this journey, meet his family and come to know the home where he’d been raised. Six of them had been forced to sail to England while four remained happily back in New Orleans. Father had also understood that some of his children might wish to remain, and the others would make this journey one day, once they were older, to decide where they wished to live. As they were the nieces and nephews of the duke and the title would one day belong to Darius, they would know privilege they’d not yet experienced. Ethan knew he wasn’t going to stay, however, Darius didn’t have a choice, unless he wished to turn his back on the title. Of course, Darius could return to New Orleans and live out his life until Uncle Daniel passed away, but even then, their father would be the new duke, if he still lived. Uncle Daniel and Father were in agreement that Darius shouldn’t remain ignorant of what would be required of him and thus Father insisted that Darius become educated for the role he’d inherit after His Grace and Ethan’s’ father were gone.

As for the rest of his family, Ethan wasn’t certain what they’d decide. Was it possible that he might sail back to Louisiana alone?

You will join me, Constance ordered.

It was all he could do not to laugh. At seventeen, Constance was eight years younger than Ethan and he wasn’t going to be ordered about by her.

Please, she begged and then sighed. "You know I’m not comfortable meeting new people and there seem to be so many. The MacGregors are a