Page 4 of The Highlander Is All That

The Baron of Bower nodded. “True love, that. They are inseparable.”

“That is so romantic,” Victoria gushed.

“That is so annoying,” Esmeralda snapped. “The duke promised to attend the season.”

“Dear aunt.” Anne reached over and patted her hand. “The duke has generously agreed to finance us. I think we can be gracious in understanding his regrets.”

“I promise you, we will do all in our power to make him proud,” the baron said.

“But can you reel in the lords?”

The baron paled. “I beg your pardon?”

Esmeralda’s bountiful bosom swelled. “These girls need suitors. Titled suitors. Wealthy suitors. We were counting on the duke’s name to attract them.”

“We still have that connection with the duke,” Anne assured her.

“But it is nowhere near as sensational as having a duke to parade around.” Was that the hint of a pout in Esmeralda’s tone?

“I’m quite certain the duke would not appreciate being paraded anyway,” Elizabeth felt obligated to say.

“Nonsense. Dukes love pomp and circumstance.”

The baron bit back a smile. “Not Lachlan Sinclair, madam. He is a very private man.”

“Well, what good is that?” Esmeralda barked. “What is the point of being a duke if you aren’t going to rub it in people’s faces?”

There was no answer to that. Fortunately, Henley arrived just then with the refreshed tea tray and what followed was a genial conversation as the men tucked in to finger sandwiches and cakes. It was clear they would have preferred something stronger than tea, but neither complained.

As they ate, they shared the details of their journey and answered all of Mary’s questions with an amiable aplomb. For her part, Elizabeth was content to sit and listen to the melodious accents and watch as Hamish devoured his food. He really was a very handsome man. Beyond that, she liked his smile and the twinkle in his eye.

She liked it a bit too much, considering he was here to be her protector during the season. She couldn’t help her mind from wandering. Imagining what it would be like to be held in those muscular arms, to be kissed by those beautiful lips. More than once he caught her gaze upon him and he would smile at her. Each time, her heart fluttered.

She was probably being a silly girl. She knew nothing about him. Certainly not if he was married.

She found she really wanted to know.

But there was no time or opportunity to ask. As soon as the men finished eating, her aunt sprang to her feet and gusted a sigh. “Well, it was lovely getting to know you. You will probably want to be heading off to your lodgings to rest.”

“Oh,” said the baron. “We’ll be staying here.”

Esmeralda’s eyes went wide. Her nostrils flared. “You’re not staying here.”

The baron pulled a crumpled letter from his pocket and handed it over. As Esmeralda scanned it, her face puckered. “Why, yes ma’am. We are,” he said. “The duke insisted upon it.”

Chapter Two

Ach. This was going to be difficult, Hamish thought as the disgruntled butler and young footman—who carried their bags—led them up the sprawling staircase to their rooms, which, for some reason, were at the far end of the east wing, a portion of the mansion that was apparently very rarely used.

And by difficult, he did not refer to the mission the duke had given them. Not even to an unwanted visit to London.

But her.

He hadn’t expected to be this attracted to one of his charges, and it had hit him like an anvil.

It had been all he could do to maintain a placid demeanor. To not stare.

But damn, she was beautiful.