Page 20 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

“I see,” the earl said. “Shall we adjourn to the dining room?”

Henry hesitated.

Alison quickly said, “Yes, thank you.”

If Henry thought he was going to insult the earl, skip lunch, and promptly take their leave, he was mistaken. That would not please the earl.

“Cook gets very cranky if we keep her waiting.” A hint of humor lit the older man’s eyes, and Alison realized she liked him. He reminded her a bit of her father.

The earl offered his arm to Alison. “Shall we go?”

Alison accepted, and he started forward, leaving Henry to trail them. She hid a smile. She wasn’t sure if it was the earl’s intention, but the gesture was a snub to Henry. The earl led them down the hallway, around a corner and up a half flight of stairs to a modest dining room. Sunlight streamed through windows that overlooked a private garden. Manicured shrubs clustered together, flowers bloomed in the beds, and trees lined the west side of the estate, shading the grounds from afternoon sunshine.

“How lovely,” Alison said. “Do you lunch here every day, sir?”

“When I am here, yes.” He pulled out the chair located to the right of the seat at the head of the table.

She sat. Henry hesitated. Alison could easily guess that he wanted to sit to the earl’s left, but knew that was a position of honor that would have to be offered. He continued past her to the seat next to hers and sat down.

The earl lowered himself into the seat at the head of the table and set the paper he’d carried on the table beside his plate. As if on cue, a maid entered through a door on the left. Moments later, the table was laden with roasted chicken, pheasant, vegetables, meat pies, sweet meats and steaming bread. Wine glasses were filled and, at last, they were left to speak in private.

Henry downed half the contents of his wine glass. “This situation must be discussed. Alison does not wish to marry your son.”

The earl looked up from cutting his chicken and lifted a brow in question. “Indeed?”

“Indeed,” Henry said. “It is impossible. She is engaged to another gentleman.”

The earl forked carrots into his mouth and deliberately chewed, then washed the food down with a swallow of wine. “Lady Alison, you need not fear that Cameron will refuse to honor his obligation. He has pledged to marry you and will do so.”

Alison wasn’t certain how to respond. “Of course, sir, I never thought otherwise.”

He nodded. “Good. Then you need not concern yourself with contriving a husband.”

“You misunderstand, sir. I have no need to fabricate a fiancé. I truly am engaged. I have been for over three years, to Robert Thomson.”

“Three years?” Something flickered in his eyes. “That is a rather long engagement, my dear.”

Alison stiffened. “Robert— Mister Thomson is in the navy. He is to return in six months. We will marry then.”

“What might he think when he discovers you were found with my son in his bedchambers?”

“He will believe me when I say that the meeting was innocent.”

“Society will not be so kind,” he said.

“I will not allow Society to dictate my life, sir.”

He gave her a gentle smile. “That is very brave of you. Will you be able to remain brave when Mister Thomson cannot find gainful employment as a result of your reputation?”

Alison blinked. “I—”

“That is overly harsh,” Henry cut in. “Even so, Robert need not remain in Inverness. He and Alison can go to Edinburgh or even London to find employment, if necessary.”

The earl nodded as if Henry had brought up a point he hadn’t considered. “May I ask what sort of employment Mister Thomson plans to obtain?”

Alison hesitated—even Henry hesitated—and she said, “He is a solicitor.”

The earl paused in lifting the wine glass to his lips. “Please eat, my lady. The pheasant is quite good.”