“I, um, I apologize.” Thankfully, the song ended, and he broke away with a stiff bow. “Apologies, Clarissa. I must speak to someone.”
He hurried away, leaving her on the dance floor, mouth agape. He felt like an arse for that. But if he continued to hold her, he feared he would never let her go.
Of all the balls Alexander had attended, he’d never had one turn to shite so quickly. When he thought about how the night would play out, it wasn’t like this.
He blamed that bastard, Kitt. The introduction went fine, but the slimy excuse for a man said he had no interest in returning the sheep, nor selling them.
No matter the angle Alexander tried, Kitt shot it down. He was beyond frustrated and stalked away. He thought dancing with Clarissa would ease his mind. Unfortunately, it seemed to make things much too comfortable.
When visions of their future flashed before his eyes, he kenned he was in too deep and needed to extract himself from the situation. But the way he left Clarissa on the dance floor was uncalled for. No doubt it would draw unwanted attention to her. That wasn’t his intention when he had pulled away from her.
Devil be damned, he had made a mess of things.
“What are ye doing?”
Nicholas.
“I’ve no time for your disdain right now, Nicholas.”
“Pardon?”
Alexander snatched a glass off the tray of a passing waiter and downed it in one sip. “I am quite certain ye understand my meaning. I ken ye think I’m no’ good enough for your sister. I’ve got it.”
Nicholas frowned, then shoved him against the wall. “What the hell are ye going on about?”
“Ye’ve warned me to stay away from Clarissa. Ye’ve warned Clarissa to stay away from me. Ye’re pushing her to look at the prospects in attendance tonight when you damn well ken sheisna interested and ye damn well ken that none of them deserve her.”
“I didna realize your feelings for my sister ran so deep.”
Alexander chuffed. “Did ye think I was just after a romp?”
Nicholas dipped his head. “Honestly? Your past with women doesna exactly give me the warmest feeling when it comes to my sister. I love ye, brother, but ye ken I must look out for my sister’s best interests before anything.”
“I meant what I said when I told ye I would ne’er hurt her.”
Nicholas’s eyes bore into his, as if he were searching. Looking for the truth to reveal itself in the reflection of his eyes. He nodded. “I believe ye. I do.”
A wave of relief washed over Alexander. Like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
“But,” Nicholas continued before Alexander could celebrate. “Ye still need to be able to care for her and provide for her needs. Your current situation doesna allow for such provisions.”
“I understand. They will.” He saw Kitt talking to Ross and dipped his head in the direction to show Nicholas where to look. “See the man talking to Ross?”
Nicholas’s gaze tracked to Kitt. “Aye.”
“That’s Kitt. What do ye think?”
Nicholas frowned, his eyes narrowing. “Have ye talked to him?”
“Aye. He isna willing to negotiate.”
Nicholas’s gaze snapped back to Alexander. “He willna let ye buy your sheep back?”
Alexander shook his head. “Nay. It makes no sense. I think he wants something else, but I am no’ sure. I am going to approach him again and see if I canna make any headway with him.”
“Let me know if ye need any help. I hate to say someone oozes crookedness, but that man does no’ look trustworthy in the least.”
“I feel the same way. Wish me luck.”
