Read Online The Highlander's Woman (The Reckless Rockwoods #3) by Monica Burns - Free Book Online Page B

since the family had retired to the salon. Her brother’s unrelenting sorrow had been evident to her all evening. She shook her head with concern.
    “I think the one we should all worry about is Caleb. It’s been a year since Georgina’s death. Every time I see him, he’s drinking.” The most handsome of her brothers, Caleb’s excessive drinking was beginning to take its toll on his health and appearance.
    “We’ve tried to convince him to stop, but it only enrages him when we mention it,” Louisa said with an unhappy frown. “And he wants nothing to do with the children.
    “Aye, the poor bairns did no’ lose just a mother, they lost their father too.” Aunt Matilda’s expression was one of sorrow as she shook her head in dismay.
    “Does he even visit the nursery?” Patience asked as her gaze shifted to Caleb who was pouring himself another drink. The youngest of her three brothers had been devastated by the loss of his wife in childbirth, and she hated to know that his children were suffering for it.
    “Seldom,” Louisa said. “I know they miss him terribly. Although I’m not Caleb, I make sure to give Alma and Braxton as much attention as I do Charlie and William. Greer is too young to understand, but it is Caleb who is missing out. They’re all growing so fast.”
    “Well, perhaps I can at least coax him away from the liquor cart for the rest of the evening,” Patience said as she rose to her feet.
    “Tread lightly, Patience,” her aunt warned as she touched Patience’s arm. “Ye brother is no’ always pleasant when he’s been in the drink.”
    “I’ll avoid any mention of our concern for him.” With a squeeze of her aunt’s hand, Patience crossed the room to her brother’s side.
    “Would you indulge me in a game of cards, Caleb?” she asked. With as cheerful a smile as possible, she tucked her arm in his. “You used to trounce me easily, but I think my skill has greatly increased since we were children.”
    “You know good and well I had to earn every one of those games,” her brother said with a small smile. From across the room, Sebastian’s wife, Helen, laughed.
    “Patience, if you’re able to convince Caleb to play cards, I insist on playing as well. It’s been too long since I’ve enjoyed a good round of Euchre.”
    “I’m in as well,” exclaimed Percy, the second oldest of the Rockwood clan. He pressed his fingers to his temple and closed his eyes as if thinking hard. Eyes opening, he grinned. “And I predict I shall win.”
    For the first time since leaving London, Patience laughed. Beside her, Caleb chuckled as well. He looked down at her, and the sorrow in his hazel eyes made her heart break. She had a small inkling of what he was feeling. Patience forced a smile to her lips.
    “Well, are you going to play or are you afraid I shall beat you,” she asked as she arched her eyebrows. Caleb’s eyes narrowed as he met her gaze then nodded.
    “You know bloody well I wouldn’t be a Rockwood if I let that challenge go unanswered,” he said with a quiet resolve and slight smile.
    At his agreement to participate, Helen clapped her hands and Louisa went in search of cards, while Caleb pulled away from Patience to pour himself another drink. She knew better than to protest his doing so. The fact that she’d convinced him to play cards was an achievement itself. To push for another change so quickly could easily undo the little she’d already accomplished.
    With cards in hand, Helen joined Caleb, Percy, and Patience at the card table. Sebastian and Devin were deeply involved in their game of chess and waved them away. Despite her protests, Louisa convinced Aunt Matilda to join her, Constance, and Lucien at another table. For the next hour, laughter filled the air as everyone merrily taunted one another when a hand or game was won.
    Despite his brooding demeanor, Caleb seemed to be enjoying the game. But to Patience’s dismay, he continued to drink more and more wine as