“I am now.” He hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her all evening. “And when we danced before.” She blushed, but didn’t say a word. “Other than that, it appears as if I’m expected to do the pretty with all the other ladies here.” He lowered his voice, ensuring only she could hear him. “I am amazed at how forward even some of the young women are.”
“I’ve noticed the gentlemen are the same. It must have to do with the weather.”
His jaw tightened. “If any of them behaves inappropriately, I’ll be happy to refresh their manners.”
It would please him even more to rearrange their features for them.
Her gaze focused on his, and he was lost in her molten silver eyes as she smiled. “Thank you. I shall keep your offer in mind.”
“Shall we make plans for to-morrow?” There might not be a promenade, but he wouldn’t put it past some rogue to ask her to go riding.
“Let’s do.” She smiled. “Shall we visit Holyrood Palace?”
“I think that is a wonderful idea. We must tell Lady Theo so she can return you in time.” Still feeling ill used over the last time they’d made plans, he continued. “I had no idea morning visits would take so long.”
“Neither did I.” Mary grimaced. “It presented problems I was not prepared for.”
So he’d heard. Anna had voiced her disapproval to her husband about the experience. “Perhaps we should make the tour in the morning. That way we won’t have to rely on anyone remembering to return you to the house.”
She nodded as he fought his urge to hold her closer, tighter as they made the turn.
“I don’t believe I’ll be missed on the rounds.”
Which meant, if he planned it right, he could have her for the whole day. If only he could monopolize her evenings as well.
With Finella in tow, Theo returned to the parlor. She glowered at Simon for a moment before taking a chair and pointing to another one. “Sit, lass.”
Finella’s large green eyes, exact replicas of her mother’s, flicked from her brother to Simon, as she sank onto a chair next to the chaise. Simon wondered if she was always this quiet, or if it was merely the circumstances. He could murder Morna’s father for having robbed him of the chance to know his children.
His son stood stock still, staring at the wall, until he refocused his gaze on Simon. “I remember you.” Cormac dragged a chair over close to the chaise. “You were the man who taught me how to tickle a trout and skip stones.”
Simon’s throat tightened as he fought back tears. “You were so young. I never even allowed myself to hope you’d recall.”
“My love.” Morna’s soft voice stole into the moment. “Mayhap we should tell your sister and Finella, and then figure out how we’re going to handle this.”
He made quick work of the explanations.
His sister covered her eyes for a few moments before saying, “I should have known.”
“How could you?” Simon asked. “I didn’t know until recently.”
A soft smile graced her countenance. “I should have known you’d never take advantage of a girl. It’s so easy to marry here, yet it never occurred to me to ask the right questions.”
Brows drawn together, Finella gave every appearance of listening thoughtfully. Finally she focused on her mother. “This means I don’t have to marry right away, and I can go home, doesn’t it?”
“Home is a bit of a problem at the moment.” Cormac grimaced. “I suppose we’ll have to find and contact the rightful baron . . . as it’s not me.”
“Where will we live?” Finella asked.
“I have some ideas.” Simon smiled at her. “However, until the legalities can be worked out, we’ll be safer at my father’s estate near Hull.”
“Aye.” Cormac nodded. “My grandfather will be fit to be tied when he hears about this.”
Several moments passed in silence before Morna rose. “For the time being, we should go back to the town house I leased, and decide how to deal with all of this.”
Theo stood, shaking out her skirts. “Go out through the door next to the fireplace. That will lead you to the hall. I’ll make your excuses.” She glanced at Morna. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to spend the day with Finella to-morrow while you sort this out.”
Simon watched his wife, wondering if she’d know that was his sister’s way of welcoming Morna and the children to the family.
