The white-haired woman smiled broadly. “She is,” she confirmed. “Please, follow me.”
As they stepped into the drawing room, Alden’s eyes immediately fell on a young woman sprawled out on the settee, a pillow over her face. “Is that you, Mrs. Campbell?” she asked, her voice muffled.
“Yes, and guests have arrived,” Mrs. Campbell replied.
Miss Cowen moved the pillow off her face and quickly sat up. She was an attractive woman with an oval face, pale skin and blonde hair that was tied into a bun at the base of her neck. “Good morning,” she said in an overly cheerful voice. “What a lovely day we are having. Please come sit.”
Elinor gestured towards Alden and provided the introductions. “Miss Maisie Cowen, please allow me to introduce you to Mr. Dandridge, the great-nephew of Lady Edith.”
Alden bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Cowen.”
Miss Cowen offered him a coy smile. “It is not every day that I am able to entertain a son of an earl in my home.”
Elinor glanced at the door. “Will your mother be joining us?”
“No, she went to the apothecary to buy me some powder for this terrible headache I have,” Miss Cowen said.
“I’m sorry that ails you,” Alden remarked.
Miss Cowen brought a hand up to her forehead, her smile dimming. “I am afraid I suffer many inflictions, but I have had the strength to overcome each and every one of them. Some people consider me brave for all the trials that I must endure.”
Alden didn’t quite know what to say to that remark, so he remained quiet.
Fortunately, Elinor spoke up, drawing the attention away from him. “It is true,” she said. “Maisie has endured many illnesses and has shown remarkable resilience in overcoming them.”
Miss Cowen waved a dismissive hand in front of her. “Enough talk of me. I want to learn more about Mr. Dandridge.” She patted the seat next to her on the settee. “Come sit by me. We have much to discuss.”
With great reluctance, Alden approached the proffered chair and sat down. “What would you care to know?”
Leaning towards him, Miss Cowen said, “Your eyes are so blue. They remind me of the Loch Ness.”
“Thank you,” Alden responded, feeling uncomfortable by how close Miss Cowen was to him.
Elinor went to sit across from them. “I do not believe Mr. Dandridge has been to Loch Ness.”
“We must go!” Miss Cowen urged. “The Loch Ness isextraordinary. We could take a rowboat and spend hours on the lake.”
Alden exchanged a glance with Elinor before asking, “Isn’t it rather cold to go on the lake right now?”
“We could always remain close to one another to stay warm,” Miss Cowen said, inching even closer to him.
He abruptly rose and walked to the mantel that hung over the hearth. “I’m afraid I do not have any intention of remaining in Scotland for too long.”
Miss Cowen pouted. “That is a shame.”
“Mr. Dandridge is only here long enough to find a wife before he returns to England,” Elinor explained.
The pout on Miss Cowen’s face disappeared. “I would make an excellent wife,” she declared. “I have been preparing my whole life to be one.”
Alden cleared his throat. “Wonderful,” he muttered. What did one say to such a ridiculous remark?
Miss Cowen rose gracefully and began to dance around the room. “I am an excellent dancer. My dancing master told me that I glide across the floor quite nicely.” She came to a stop in front of Alden. “And I can sing.”
As she opened her mouth, presumably to sing a song, Alden quickly interjected. “That won’t be necessary. I believe you.”
Miss Cowen smoothed down her simple blue gown. “My mother encouraged my education so I wouldn’t be a bore in the drawing room… or any other place, for that matter.” She batted her eyelashes at him, her gaze unwavering.
Dear heavens, he needed a drink. His eyes darted around the room, searching desperately for a drink cart, but there was none in sight.
