Yet, the man didn’t seem to notice. Nor did he ever run out of things to say. The sod hadn’t stopped talking since they’d started the dance.
“Ye canna have Clarissa.” Nicholas stated, his voice low in warning. “We have already had this discussion.”
Alexander met his gaze. “I would ne’er do anything to hurt her.”
Nicholas shook his head. “That is no’ my concern. Though your past with the lasses leaves much to be desired,” he quipped. “After our conversation last night, what can ye offer her? Ye yourself said ye were on the brink of financial ruin. Ye could lose your estate. Then what? Ye expect me to want my sister to be destitute?”
“Ye ken I would ne’er let that happen.”
Nicholas sighed, pushed his hands through his hair in exasperation. “Alexander, I love ye like a brother. I ken ye better than anyone. I ken your past. Your fear of commitment. Settlingdown. My sister needs better than that. Nay, deserves better than that.”
Alexander opened his mouth to dispute what Nicholas had just said. But he couldn’t. His friend was right. He didn’t have anything to offer Clarissa.
And she deserved the world.
“Your Grace,” Dougal Ross called from a few paces away as he wound his way through the crowd.
Alexander blew out an exasperated breath. He didn’t want to deal with Ross right now. Nay, instead he wanted to find the largest decanter of whisky within his reach and wallow in his misery. But now wasn’t the time. Instead, he plastered a smile on his face and acknowledged Ross.
“Ross. Thank ye for the invite once again. Your wife is most gracious to allow no’ only myself to attend, but my friends as well. May I introduce ye to Nicholas Gordon, Duke of Gordon?”
“Your Grace,” Ross dipped into a bow. “’Tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope ye and your family are enjoying yourselves up to this point.”
“Aye, thank ye. ’Twas verra kind for ye to include us.”
“Think naught of it. My wife always says the more the merrier.” He turned to Alexander. “Your Grace, may I have a private word with ye? I mean no disrespect to ye, Your Grace,” he said, addressing Nicholas. “’Tis in regard to the matter we spoke of yesterday.”
Alexander nodded. “My friend is aware of the situation, but I appreciate your discretion. Is there someplace the three of us can speak away from prying ears?”
“Aye. This way, if ye will.”
Alexander and Nicholas followed Ross out of the ballroom and across the foyer. Down a long hallway they entered a room with double doors on the left. They entered what Alexander guessed was Ross’s study.
Nicholas’s countenance was stiff. Alexander was certain he was not happy nor done with the conversation they were having when Ross appeared.
Ross shut the doors behind them. “Please, sit.” He pointed to the chairs. “Would ye like a drink? Cognac, wine, whisky?”
“Whisky.” Both Alexander and Nicholas said in unison.
Ross nodded and poured out three glasses, before handing them each one and keeping the third for himself.
“Ye’re certain I can speak freely?” He asked, eyeing Nicholas.
“Aye. He is aware of my situation.” The words tasted sour in his mouth. Clarissa entered his mind. Surely, she was dancing with someone else. Another suitor no doubt. He knew he didn’t have anything to offer her right now. That would change. He felt it was too early for his best friend to dismiss him so easily as a viable suitor for his sister. As if he would ever hurt her. Put her in harm’s way.
He would never.
Ross cleared his throat, and Alexander focused his attention on the man.
“As I said yesterday, your sheep are with the American now in charge of the Kitt estate.”
Alexander nodded.
“He arrived no’ too long ago.”
Alexander pushed to his feet, the whisky sloshing from his glass onto the carpeted floor.
Nicholas rushed up behind him and grasped his shoulder. “Sit down, brother. Ye canna go out there charging like a bull. Settle down and think.”
