“Thank you again.” All amusement left Broadmere, leaving him somber and looking years older. “Jasper told me about the accident in great detail. My sisters would have died had you and your brother not stopped and rendered aid.”
Uncomfortable and awkward with gratitude or praise, Duncan accepted the kindness with a stiff nod. “There was naught else to be done but stop and give aid, Yer Grace. To do otherwise would have been heartless.”
“There are many heartless men in this world,” the duke said as hekept his gaze on his sisters. Then he faced Duncan with a sly grin. “But Merry has deemed you worthy enough. Not many pass her scrutiny. Congratulations.”
Duncan snorted. “I canna understand why she would consider me so. Most think me a growly Scot who wishes to be left alone.”
“Areyou a growly Scot?” Broadmere’s grin stretched into a knowing smile.
“I have been known to growl when it is warranted.”
“Good.” The duke lifted his glass as if toasting the sentiment. “My sister needs a protector. Merry tends to rush in without thinking at times.”
“I have noticed that about her.”
The duke eyed him, staring so long it bordered on rudeness. “If Merry has chosen you, you have my blessing. But know this—if you ever hurt her, I will hunt you down and kill you.”
That oath made Duncan respect the man even more. “I would expect nothing less, Yer Grace.”
One of the sisters whose name Duncan couldn’t possibly remember hurried over. “Come along, you two. Time for dancing blind man’s bluff. We already have Merry blindfolded, and she doesn’t get her birthday surprise unless she gets everyone right.”
“That is a lie, Blessing,” Broadmere said. “We always give the birthday girl their surprise.”
“Hush.” Blessing grabbed him by the arm and pulled. “You always get your surprise, too.”
“Yes, usually frogs or eels in my bed.”
“The wee lass is already cheating.” Duncan pointed his glass at Merry, where she stood peeking out from under her blindfold.
Blessing stamped her foot. “Merry! No cheating!”
Merry bubbled with laughter, quite proud of herself.
Serendipity turned her toward the hallway and retied her blindfold.
Heaven help me.Duncan swallowed hard. Precious Merry was the fairest balm his broken soul could ever ask for, but what in heaven’s name could he offer her?
Then her brother’s words came to mind: protection. Aye, he would protect her with his life. He had decided that back at the coach inn, while she slept curled like a wee kitten on that bench. He would keep her safe as long as she allowed him to do so.
With her finger pressed to her lips to shush him, Blessing waved him forward, then pointed at Merry as Serendipity struck the first notes of a waltz on the pianoforte. But before he could join her on the dance floor, Malcolm, damn his eyes, stepped in and swept Merry into the dance.
She laughed as she spun across the floor, as light as a butterfly flitting from flower to flower.
I will kill him if he holds her any closer.Duncan clenched his teeth, his jaws aching.
Then the music stopped, and Serendipity called out, “Who is your partner, Merry?”
Merry patted Malcolm’s chest, then touched his face. “Lord Malcolm! Even blindfolded, I would know that smile.”
Malcolm had the audacity to laugh and kiss Merry’s hand.
Jealousy consumed Duncan. He hated this feckin’ game.
Everyone clapped, then Merry’s blindfold was put back on, and Serendipity played the pianoforte again. This time, one of the brothers-in-law—gads alive, he needed to do better when it came to remembering names—danced with Merry, but she didn’t correctly guess his identity because the wily man switched jackets with one of the other brothers-in-law, and she thought it was him instead.
She briefly pouted about their trickery, then put her blindfold back in place. “If I guess the next one correctly, I get my surprise. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Serendipity said. “You are the birthday girl.”
