Page 16 of The Highlander Is All That

“I heard you were sifting through the invitations,” Anne said. She glanced at the men and then pointedly took a seat on the other side of the room.

Hamish was reminded of what Elizabeth had told him, and indeed, he could see a hint of pain and distrust in Anne’s eyes. It really was a shame because she was quite pretty.

“What fun,” the other blonde said.

“Ah, Catherine, do sit.” Esmeralda waved vaguely in the girl’s direction. “This is Catherine Ross. Catherine, Ranald Gunn, Baron of Bower, and Hamish Robb.”

“So good to meet you,” she said with a smile. “I understand you’ve come in lieu of the duke.”

Both men nodded and Esmeralda snorted. “The duke promised to come.”

“He sends his regrets,” Ranald reminded her.

“He would know which parties to attend.”

Hamish held his tongue because that fact was patently untrue. Lachlan would rather be fishing in a stream than attending a stuffy ball any day. Besides which, he eschewed anything having to do with London society. But there was no harm in letting Esmeralda have her delusions. In fact, it was easier that way.

“Where shall we begin?” Catherine said, picking up several of the invitations. She immediately made a face. “Ugh. This one is a no.” She handed the paper to Esmeralda, who responded with a grunt.

“Definitely not. Preeble is a pompous ass.”

“Here’s one from Tiverton,” Anne said in a dry tone.

Catherine made another face. “You can go, if you like. I prefer not to encourage him.”

“Nonsense, gel. How could you encourage him? You are betrothed to Mackay.”

“Tiverton seems to think he can change my mind.”

Anne laughed. “I can only imagine what Mackay thinks about that.”

Esmeralda barked a laugh. “Not one to keep his thoughts to himself, that boy.”

“He’s hardly a boy,” Anne said. Her lip curled, just slightly.

“Well, he’s a boy to me,” Esmeralda said. “Most men are anymore.” She shot a glance at Hamish, and he shifted in his seat.

Just to be helpful, or occupied at least, he picked up a piece of paper. “How about a house party at Lord Mulberry’s?”

“Don’t be absurd.” Esmeralda snatched it from his hand and tossed it into the fire.

Then she effectively nixed every invitation in his pile. Honestly, why did she need them present if she was going to make all the decisions anyway?

Then she found one that made her light up. “Oh. This masquerade at Lord Daltry’s tomorrow night is a must.”

“I do love a masquerade,” Catherine said.

“I find them annoying,” Anne said.

“Yes, well, you would,” Esmeralda responded. “Ah. The Moncrieff ball.”

“Ooh,” Catherine cooed. “The Dark Duke.”

Anne frowned. “We can’t go to that one. He’s far too scandalous a character.”

“We dare not miss it, for that very reason,” Esmeralda huffed. “Besides, he’s married now, and everyone knows what they say about reformed rakes.”

Hamish frowned. He didn’t know. “What do they say?”