Gunn shrugged. “Are ye going to tell us what ails ye or no’?”
“Your Grace? Sorry to interrupt,” Ross appeared from behind Alexander. “I, er, are ye ready for the introduction we spoke of earlier?”
That question piqued his friends’ interest. They all looked at him, eyebrows raised, waiting for him to explain.
He didn’t. He couldn’t. It was too embarrassing.
“If ye’ll excuse me, my brothers. I’ve some business to attend to.”
Malcolm gave him a questioning look. “Need my assistance?”
Alexander shook his head. “Nay. Thank ye. I shall return shortly to continue with our catch up.”
Following Ross, they passed the couples dancing, Clarissa and Nicholas amongst them. He couldn’t resist the urge to catch Clarissa’s attention. But her eyes met his right away. She gave him a small smile, and then frowned at whatever Nicholas whispered in her ear.
He sighed. He would prove to Nicholas that he could provide for his sister. Clarissa would want for naught if they were to wed.
“Ah, Baron Kitt. I’d like to introduce ye to the Duke of Argyll, Alexander Campbell.”
Alexander assessed the man in front of him. The same man that he’d rescued Clarissa from earlier.Hewas the American?
“Your Grace,” Kitt addressed him, giving him a low, flamboyant bow. He was dressed all in brown from head to toe. Suit jacket, trousers, boots. Everything. How dull. “I am happy to finally make your acquaintance.”
Alexander gritted his teeth. The urge to throttle the man right then and there strongly pulled at him. Technically, the man had done naught wrong. He’d bought the sheep fair and squarefrom Ross. His next moves would determine whether he was a man of upstanding ethics or a weasel, as Ross had suggested.
“I believe we have some matters of importance to discuss,” Alexander paused and assessed the man. “If ye have the time, of course.”
*
“Truly, Nicholas, yeare being the most insufferable man on the planet right now.” Clarissa complained. Every time her eyes happened upon Alexander, he would quickly spin her around so she couldn’t see him anymore.
“There are plenty of other marriage prospects in attendance tonight, sister.”
The song ended and she made her way over to Gwen, who held out a glass of champagne for her to quench her thirst.
“Thank ye, Gwen.” She turned and addressed her brother. “I have told ye repeatedly, no’ only tonight, but past nights as well, I am no’ looking for just any husband.”
“But ye need one.”
She nearly stomped her foot as insistence. “I verra well dinna.”
Gwen stepped up to Nicholas and placed her palm on his chest and Clarissa could see him visibly relax. “Dinna push her, dearest.”
“We are running out of time before she is considered a spinster.”
Clarissa choked on the sip of champagne she was in the process of swallowing. Whooping coughs escaping her lungs as she tried to catch her breath. She pointed a finger at her brother once she got the fit under control, ignoring those around her that were staring. “I will no’ have ye calling me a spinster, brother. That is uncalled for.”
Nicholas sighed and rolled his eyes. “I didna call ye a spinster, sister. I said that soon ye will be kenned as one. There is a difference.”
“Why,” she inhaled a deep breath to calm herself. Her voice came out much louder and more frustrated than she meant. “Then why do ye insist on saying such things, brother? Ye clearly ken I am no’ interested in anyone here.”
“Anyone?” He asked. “Sister, do ye mistake me for a blind man?” He lowered his voice. “I see the way ye are looking at Alexander. And I verra well see the way he looks at ye.”
“’Tis naught.”
“Bollocks.”
Clarissa’s eyes widened at his oath. People were starting to watch them. She did not need an audience to break down in front of. Grabbing Nicholas and Gwen’s hands, she pulled them into an alcove where they could speak with some semblance of privacy.
