Page 65 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

They found seats on a corner chaise and Erin patted her hand. “Tell me what is amiss.”

Alison shook her head. “I cared for Robert—I believed I loved him—and he is dead.”

“I know. It’s very unfair,” Erin said. “But I wager there is more. You feel guilty because you also care for Lord Weston.”

Alison snapped her head up. “Am I that obvious?”

“Does a best friend not know her friend?”

Alison blinked back tears. “When did you grow up?”

Erin smiled. “When you locked me in that closet.”

”What? I cannot believe that.”

Erin laughed. “Not all at once, mind you, but it was a start.” Her expression sobered. “Father’s lack of kindness to me these last two years has forced me to grow up.”

“Oh, Erin.” Alison wrapped an arm around her cousin and gave her a squeeze. “I knew he was stern, but you never said anything.”

“He can be decent, when he wants to be. At least, he used to be.” She shrugged. “I didn’t want anyone to know. I was ashamed.”

“You need never be ashamed with me.”

“I am not free of him. I will not be until I marry, and he will force me to marry someone of his choosing.” They spoke quietly enough that the other ladies couldn’t overhear them, but Erin leaned closer and lowered her voice, “I did not really want to marry Lord Weston, though I would have, if only to escape my father.”

“Promise that is the truth,” Alison begged, and hugged her tighter. “I never meant to hurt you.”

“I promise.” She hugged Alison with equal ferocity. “You belong with him.”

They separated. “Then surely, we can find you a nice gentleman your father would approve of.”

“I doubt it,” Erin said. “He has his reasons and he does not tell me what they are.”

“I can speak with Cameron. He will surely have an idea.” She smiled. “Perhaps we could persuade Mister McIntyre to whisk you off and marry you.”

Erin’s cheeks pinked. “He, no doubt, is already in love with another woman. He is too dashing. Or, perhaps he has many women who keep him company. Men like him always do.”

“Men like him?” Alison asked.

Erin nodded. “Handsome men.”

Alison had a feeling Mister McIntyre was not in love with anyone at the moment. Erin clearly had a tenderness for him. How difficult would it be to get them to fall in love?

“Perhaps we should return to the party,” Erin said. “I do not want my father to worry if he cannot find me.”

Alison stood and Erin followed suit. They left the retiring room and returned to the ballroom.

“Is your dance card filled?” Alison asked.

Erin shook her head. “Aside from an introduction to Mister Napier, Father has left me mostly to myself, so I didn’t bother.”

“But why? There are many eligible gentlemen here. Perhaps Mister McIntyre is here.”

“It matters not if I want to marry—even Mister McIntyre. To be quite honest, I would have preferred to stay home tonight.”

They slowly made their way around the perimeter of the room.

“It is a nice party,” Alison said.