Mari had a good mind to kick him, but she remembered the non-effect her slippered foot had on him earlier. How dare Jamie give her orders like she was some errant child in need to admonishment? And in front of the duke, no less. She reined in her rising temper with an effort. This was not the time nor place to hold the rogue to account, but he would account to her later.
“Fine,” she muttered, since it was obvious he wanted an answer.
He nodded, looking quite pleased with himself, and turned away with the duke.
“It looks like we are alone at long last,” Nicholas said, ignoring the fact that Yancy, Nevin and Maddie were still standing there, “although your keeper made it quite clear you were not allowed out of the room.”
“He is not my keeper.”
Nicholas raised a brow. “Non? He is always at your side.” He paused. “But perhaps that is what you prefer,mademoiselle?”
“No. I do not prefer it.” Lord, how many times had she tried to explain to Jamie what his constant hovering would look like? “He gave his oath to my sister that he would protect me. From what exactly, I do not know, but he takes his word very seriously.”
“Most men take their oaths seriously,” Nicholas said agreeably, “but how is another man to have a chance at courting you?”
Mari felt a thrill of pleasure run down her spine. Nicholas had alluded to courting her before. Were his intentions serious? Did she dare ask him what he meant?
He seemed to read her thoughts, because he picked up her hand and swept a kiss over her gloved knuckles. “Ma chèri,I have been enchanted with you since we met.” He turned to the young men. “Do you not agree that Miss Barclay would make a fine wife for me?”
Maddie gaped at him while both Yancy and Nevin muttered something that sounded like assurances, and then they all looked at her. Mari wanted to grab Maddie and do their special little jig, but she remembered where she was and decorum won out. “I should be pleased if you were to court me.”
Nicholas bowed. “It will be my pleasure to claim that exclusive right.”
Yancy and Nevin excused themselves quickly while Maddie looked around. “I see Abigail over in the corner. I think I will go speak to her,” she said and hurried away.
Mari smiled at Nicholas. “Now we truly are alone.”
“Except we are in a crowded room.” He held up his hand as Mari opened her mouth to answer. “I would not presume to ask you to go back on your word to the Highlander and venture out on the veranda.”
How sweet that Nicholas was so understanding. He was such a gentleman not to tempt her to go back on her word to Jamie. Although the more she thought about it, the higher her temper began to rise. Jamie had no right to expect her to stay in the room and not venture out for some fresh air. “I think I would enjoy a stroll,” she said as she lifted her chin defiantly.
Nicholas’s eyes lightened imperceptibly, but he shook his head. “I am quite sure the Highlander would embarrass you by creating a scene. Perhaps, though, we could arrange for a carriage ride and a picnic tomorrow?Sansyour bodyguard?”
Mari furrowed her brows. “I do not know how to get Jamie—oh, wait. Could we go the day after tomorrow? I think Ian is due in town that morning.”
“Absolutely perfect,” Nicholas replied. “Perhaps we could select a spot for your portrait to be done while we are out as well.”
“I would like that,” Mari answered happily. “Of course, I will have to bring my maid as chaperone. Aunt Agnes will never consent to the outing otherwise.”
“Of course,” Nicholas said and smiled slightly. “That will be no problem.”
The lass was up to something, Jamie thought two days later as he ushered Ian into the library so they could talk. Mari had been all sweet smiles when Jamie had returned from his conversation with the duke at the party. He had half expected—actually, he hadfullyexpected—she would defy his request to stay inside the ballroom, but he had found her talking to Maddie and the rather serious-looking daughter of the Earl of Sherrington. Nor had Mari balked when he suggested it was time to leave, although he wondered where the damned Frenchman had gone off to.
Jamie might have dismissed the whole thing except Mari had actually asked his permission—that was the word she used—to take some clothing and food to the orphanage near London Bridge. He’d accompanied her and, instead of her usual refrain that she did not need his protection, she had simply smiled and nodded. She had even greeted Ian earlier with more enthusiasm than he felt was warranted.
The lass was definitely up to something.
“Since I have nae said a word about problems at Cantford or Newburn, something else must be troubling ye,” Ian said as he removed a small, silver flask from his top coat and added a nip of whisky to the tea the maid had delivered. He held the flask up. “Would ye like a wee dram?”
“Nae.”
One of Ian’s brows rose. “Nae to a dram or nae to a problem?”
“Nae to both.”
Ian set the flask on the small table beside his armchair. “The estates seem to be doing well, even with the new butler at Newburn, although I admit when the messenger arrived saying ye had hied off to London, I had a mind to box yer ears when I saw ye.”
“I would like to see ye try,” Jamie replied in brotherly fashion and then shrugged. “I gave ye and Jillian my oath to protect the lass. I wasna able to persuade her to stay at Newburn.”
