Page 8 of In the Highlander's Bed

She placed her gloved hand in his, and this time her curtsey was flawless. “It is a pleasureto meet you, sir. I’m Miss Constance Cameron, formerly of the Ohio Valley.” She said this last with pride.

“I had thought your family was from London.”

“My sisters chose to live there.I’man American.”

It was as if she was declaring herself and daring him to find fault.

Gordon didn’t. As a Highlander, he understood being an outsider. “I understand American women are of an independent spirit.”

“Yes,” she said, her lips curving into a smile. “We are.”

And for a second Gordon was transfixed.

No one smiled like Constance Cameron. It lit her face. Her skin even seemed to glow. A man would perform any feat to see such a smile, especially if it was directed toward himself—

“Are you two joining the dance or not?” Lady Mary Alice interrupted. “We are waiting for you.”

Her shrill voice broke the moment between them. Miss Constance—Constance, he amended, dropping the fussy “Miss” from his mind, because her name sounded more independent,moreAmerican, without it—broke away as if suddenly realizing they were not alone. She hurried past him to take her place among the line of women ready for a lively reel.

Gordon moved to stand across from her, finding himself between Captain Ardmore and the young lieutenant. He could feel the tension in both men. They wouldn’t look at him, but were aware of him.

Across from them, Lady Mary Alice and Miss Heloise were giving Gordon their best dimpled smiles. He couldn’t help but savor the moment, capping it off with a wink at Lady Mary Alice.

Constance’s stomach hollowed with disappointment.

Mr. Lachlan had winked at Lady Mary Alice, her nemesis, and he’d done it right in front of her.

The music started. She moved her feet with the rhythm. She was too proud to let anyone know she’d witnessed the wink.

Of course, what bothered her most was that Mr. Lachlan almost had her fooled.

Yes, she found him physically attractive—what woman with two eyes wouldn’t?—however, in those brief, private moments between them, she’d thought she’d discovered somethingmorein him. He’d not looked down his nose at her as so many others did when she mentioned her American upbringing. He’d actually appearedto respect her for it, to understand her pride in it…to accept her.

Unfortunately, that wink evaporated all goodwill she had toward him.

And when Captain Ardmore and Lieutenant Nelson sought retribution for Mr. Lachlan’s flirting in the form of a well-timed shove out of the line, Constance didn’t bat an eyelash as the captain took the Scotsman’s place. She even smiled brilliantly at Ardmore as they reeled their way down the center of the other clapping dancers.

Mr. Lachlan was left to partner Lady Mary Alice.

In fact, Constance thought it would be poetic justice if Mr. Lachlan ended up marrying Lady Mary Alice and had to wait on her hand and foot forever. That would teach him to keep his winks to himself.

Nor did she balk when the dance was over and Captain Ardmore led her to the punch table on the other side of the room.

Mr. Lachlan was stuck with Lady Mary Alice and Miss Heloise.

Not that she cared, Constance told herself.

She’d mentally drawn a line through Mr. Lachlan’s name. Let the other girls fight over him. She was running away. She’d best not forget it.

Unfortunately, Captain Ardmore had decided she was now his, and his comrades had gathered around, each begging for a dance. They would keep her busy all night. She’d never have a moment to slip away.

Constance took a sip of the punch Captain Ardmore offered her and decided the time had come for extreme measures.

She dropped the cup, groaning loudly as she did so.

“Miss Constance, is something the matter?” he asked.

“Yes, I’ve suddenly taken—” She hesitated. “—violentlyill. Please excuse me.” Dramatically, she threw her hand over her mouth and charged through the ring of soldiers, heading for the stairs leading to the upstairs living quarters.