“Oh!” The mother collected herself. She flushed before waving her arms to lead Ronan forward. “My apologies, right this way. Lacey, dearest, you mustn’t raise your voice like that.”
“But you were taking so long,” the voice complained, a whine through an obvious smile.
This particular voice belonged to Lacey McLaren then. He recalled vaguely that she was the youngest at ten or so years, there had been an accident that caused her blindness, and she loved a good story. What else had Isla said?
His eyes caught on her, leaving the young girl dressed in bright yellow to note there was a middle daughter in blue and then Isla in green.
The color worked wonders with her eyes. He bided his time, taking her in from head to toe. Those pretty auburn curls practically glowed in the candlelight. She rocked back and forth subtly on her heels, a hand at little Lacey’s shoulder, like she was protecting the girl.
And when she looked up at him, he felt a silent but serious current rush through his veins all hot and ticklish.
He wished he had brought his cane, something to hold on to, and instead only had his hands to ball into fists. How she could make him feel this, let alone anything, wasn’t right.
“Your Grace! I am utterly delighted to be of your acquaintance!” Lacey charged forward like he was a deaf party. Her sisters didn’t stand a chance. With one hand thrown out toward him, she was ready to run into the wall.
Acting on instinct more than anything else, Ronan snatched her hand even from being a fair distance apart, and then gave her a quick yank that sent her into a twirl that slowed her to a stop.
“I say! What a marvelous thing to do. Can you do it again?” The girl demanded even as he let go of her tight grip.
“Lacey, what do you think you’re doing?” Mrs. MacLaren stood back with a hand over her heart.
The other two girls offered quick chuckles and quiet smiles. “I beg your pardon,” the middle daughter said. “And so does Lacey. Don’t you, Lacey?”
“It was great fun. I like him, Isla,” the child announced. “Your Grace, what shall I call you?”
She turned her head about, eyes widening and then narrowing like she was searching for him. Perhaps there was something she could see. Eventually, her gaze narrowed down on his right shoulder before she beamed up at him.
It took him a moment to think. He was usually quick on his feet but the girl’s energy took him by surprise.
Clearly related to Isla, though. I can see the impertinent nature clearly.
Ronan considered the answer a moment before he said, “Westvale would be perfectly acceptable, or Ward, I suppose.”
“Can I call you Robert instead?”
“What?” Mrs. MacLaren squawked. “Lacey, do be polite! I am terribly sorry, Your Grace. Lacey here promised to present her best manners this evening. I believe you should take your supper in your room after all, child.”
Pouting, Lacey said, “I can’t do that all on my own! I’d be awfully lonely. And what if I made a mess? You don’t like messes,” she added in a wheedling tone before suddenly looking sad once again. Her eyes widened as she turned in his direction. “And Westvale surely would like my company at supper. Wouldn’t you?”
He was in over his head. He would rather take the army and a dozen battles than try to manage this situation, whatever it was. The girl was clearly playing games here. But what could that earn her? He tried to look away from her for more than a second with that doe-eyed pout.
The one second he could look away was at Isla who shrugged and hid her hand over her mouth.
“I… wouldn’t mind the company,” Ronan said at last.
Mrs. MacLaren muttered under her breath before reaching for her daughter’s hand. “Very well! Isla, do offer His Grace a drink, would you? I’ll settle the table with Lacey here and you may follow in a few minutes.”
Unconventional, but he supposed nothing about this union with Isla was conventional after all. It never would be.
But it still supports my plan. I can manage a child if need be, she’s perfectly harmless and will surely calm down over supper.
“That was very kind of you, Your Grace.” He turned toward the middle daughter. Margaret, he recalled just as Isla offered them introductions. The girl had to be about ready to leave the schoolroom, he supposed. She’d be a lovely thing out there and he wondered if he needed to include her into the plan. After all, a gentleman didn’t simply marry a lady. He married into an entire family. One that was going to need him.
He offered a short bow. “I am simply glad to have the opportunity to meet Isla’s family.”
Shifting a little closer to him, Isla murmured, “Thank you for your patience. Lacey is a spirited girl. You’ll adore her as we do soon enough. I’m certain supper should be very pleasant for us all.”
Ronan responded with a nod before Margaret asked him about his day. After ignoring the offered drink, he managed a polite conversation with the two young ladies before they made their way into the dining room to sup.
