Opening weekend at the Whittier Inn could have turned into a disaster, but Colin had agreed with Luna that they should invite all the major players, including her grandparents and as many of the Trevelyan pack as could make it, including George. On top of that, Colin had decided to go for broke and invite Duncan and his mother, Brigit.

His father was too ill to make the trip, but Duncan and his mother had arrived right on schedule, eager to meet the half-breed Were Colin had claimed as his mate. He’d told his mother everything and had let her decide how much to tell his father. He suspected she hadn’t revealed much.

But none of that mattered on this bright August day as the guests gathered outside for the croquet tournament Luna had organized as an ice breaker. Colin stayed in the background, content to watch his lady shine. And shine she did, moving through the crowd in her bright flowered dress.

Guests, including his mother and brother, buzzed around her like bees seeking nectar. Colin understood. He wanted to do the same, but he resisted the urge. Later tonight he would have his turn. He could wait.

Hector, looking sporty in a polo shirt and crisp navy slacks, sauntered over to where Colin stood. “So she talked you into wearing your kilt, I see.”

“Aye.” Colin didn’t add that Luna could talk him into anything, anything at all. Hector probably knew that already. “Thank you for agreeing to mingle with the guests. I know it’s not your favorite thing to do.”

Hector chuckled. “It seems to mean a lot to her. And it’s not so bad. In fact, it’s good to see how some of those boys turned out.”

“Hors d’oeuvres, gentlemen?” Dulcie, dressed in a sequined top and tight white pants, appeared bearing a tray of bite-sized delicacies Janet had spent the afternoon creating.

“Thanks, Dulcie.” Colin picked up a still-warm pastry that oozed fragrant cheese.

Hector helped himself to a cracker with a swirled topping. “Don’t mind if I do.” Then he reached down with his free hand and pinched Dulcie’s bottom.

“Hector, you old reprobate!” Dulcie pretended outrage, but her color was high and her eyes sparkled.

“Catch you later, Dulce.” Hector winked at her.

“Only if you’re fast enough, Hec.” She walked away, hips swaying.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t see that,” Colin said.

“Hell, at my age, I don’t care who sees it. I’m just grateful that I still have lead in my pencil.”

Colin almost choked on his cheese-filled pastry.

“Don’t hurt yourself, son.”

“Right.” Colin swallowed the last of the pastry and wiped the moisture from his eyes.

“By the way, I’m also grateful that you and Luna haven’t instituted any rules against fraternizing among the staff members.”

“Would it matter if we did?”

Hector shrugged. “Not really. We’d just get sneaky about it.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“The dynamic around here is better, now that Dulcie and I have something going. Sexual frustration makes folks cranky. I do believe I suffered from that problem a bit, although I doubt anyone noticed.”

“I doubt they did.” Colin controlled the urge to laugh. The rest of the staff was overjoyed that prickly Hector had been replaced by mellow Hector. Dulcie seemed quite happy with the turn of events, too.

“It’s all coming together,” Hector said. “Sybil’s ready to take over temporarily when you and Luna are in Scotland, and Janet gets a kick out of bossing her new recruits in the kitchen.” He paused. “Geraldine would have loved this.”

Luna walked over, smiling as she approached. “What would Geraldine have loved?”

“All of it.” Hector swept an arm to encompass a landscape filled with cheerful guests against a backdrop of green grass, flowers, the bright sea, and a magnificent castle. “She intended to fill this place with family, and when that didn’t happen, I don’t think she knew how to correct the situation.” He gazed at Luna. “But you did.”

Luna flushed with obvious pleasure. “Thank the Laird of Glenbarra for taking a chance on me.”

Colin knew an opening when he heard one. Walking toward her, he held out his hand. “And I want to thank the Lady of Glenbarra for taking an even bigger chance…” He drew her close. “On me.”

“Ah, go ahead and kiss her,” Hector said. “It’ll do you both good.”

“I believe it will, at that.” Leaning down, Colin savored the sweetness of Luna’s mouth for as long as he dared. Then he drew back. “Later, lass.”

With a knowing smile, she returned to her guests.

“See?” Hector gave him a sly wink. “Nice to know you have lead in your pencil, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Colin willed his erection to subside. “Except when you’re wearing a bloody kilt.”

Hector’s laughter was contagious, and soon Colin was laughing with him. Yes, he thought, Geraldine would have loved this. All of it.