Page 26 of Almost a Countess

She leaned forward suddenly, reachingacross the table and touching his hand. A shock crashed through hisbody, and he stiffened all over. “Won’t you please call me Dora? Ifeel as though we know one another too well now to stand onceremony.”

The shock turned into a warmth thathad nothing to do with the wine he’d drunk. “I would be honored t’dae sae, Dora. If ye will call me Finn. All my friends dae.” Hisfamily as well.

“Wonderful, Finn.” Shebeamed at him, her cheeks prettily pink. “This is a good start forus if my plan is to succeed.”

“What plan?” Dora alreadyhad a way of catching him off guard.

“My plan to thwart thesoldiers when they arrive tomorrow.”

Chapter 11

“What’s gotten into youthis morning, Miss Harper?”

Dora turned this way and that beforeher mirror as Larkin tried to put the finishing touches on hercoiffure.

“If you keep fidgetinglike this, you’ll never be ready to go downstairs.” The harriedmaid had hairpins in her mouth and the curling iron in her hands.“I’ve never seen you like this before.”

“Forgive me, Larkin.” Doraturned toward the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of a column ofsoldiers in the driveway. As she twisted, she pulled her hair outof the tongs yet again.

“Miss Harper!” The maidspat the pins out, and they pattered onto the carpet. “You musthold still, or your hair will be a fright on this side.” She kneltto retrieve the pins.

“I can’t help it, Larkin.So much depends on this morning.” If the soldiers decided to comethis morning. They might not arrive until afternoon, and then she’dbe fit only for a room in Bedlam. Taking advantage of Larkin’sinattention, Dora rose and strode to the window.

The rain had washed the whole of theoutdoors, the remaining droplets making everything sparkle in themorning sun. If only the soldiers would put in an appearance, theycould get on with the rest of the day’s work, which would includeFinn writing that letter to his uncle.

Finn. She liked the sound of that. Itsuited him so much better than the rather staid Phineas. She alsoliked that she’d been invited to call him by the name his friendsused. It made her feel more of a companion to him, rather thansimply an acquaintance.

Still no soldiers.

“Miss Harper.” Larkin hadreheated the tongs and held them up. Best to yield to theinevitable. She wanted to look well for the little subterfuge shehad planned.

Dora went back to her chair andpatiently counted to two hundred as Larkin plied the tongs to makeher hair curl in pleasing ringlets beside her cheeks. “Is it doneyet?”

“Just a moment.”Carefully, Larkin began to unwind the tongs.

At a rap on the door, Dora tried tobound up, but the maid pushed her back down.

“Miss Harper, if you move,these tongs could burn the hair right off your head.” The maid’svoice was sharp as she continued to unwind the curl. “Now staystill. I’m all but done.”

Resigned, Dora sat as still as shepossibly could, though she twitched with impatience to leave. “Comein.”

The door opened and there stood Finn,looking splendid once more in her brother’s clothing, his eyesshining, grinning for all he was worth. “Good morning, Miss Harper.How are ye this fine day?”

Heart suddenly aflutter, Dora jumpedto her feet just as Larkin removed the tongs from the final curl.“Finn.” She glanced at the maid. Perhaps a more formal address wascalled for whilst they were in her bedchamber. “Er, Lord Aberfoyle.What are you doing here? Is there something wrong?” She gasped.“Have the soldiers arrived?”

“Nae, dinna fash yerself.I dinna think they would be here sae early.” He shifteduncomfortably, one hand hidden behind his back. “’Tis somethingelse entirely. And, well, it came tae my attention after I retiredlast evening, that I had no’ properly apologized for my behavioryesterday.”

“Your behavior?” Dorafrowned.

“Disobeying yer order no’tae ride wi’out yer presence. I am truly sorry tae have done it,especially as it worried ye sae.”

Somehow, in all their planning for thesoldiers’ inevitable visit last night, she’d quite forgotten thatpiece of impertinence. She straightened, her smile dimming. “Well,I thank you for making a formal apology for conduct that could havecost you your life, my lord. Consider your apologyaccepted.”

“Will ye also accept thissmall token o’ my appreciation for all ye’ve done for me?” Hewithdrew his hand from behind his back, revealing a sizeablebouquet of wildflowers, still wet with morning dew. “I dinna thinkit proper tae pick the flowers in yer formal garden, sae I went outearly this morning tae gather some o’ the ones I had seen at theend o’ yer driveway yesterday.”

Any sternness she might have harboredvanished as Dora’s heart melted. “What a thoughtful gesture, LordAberfoyle.” She reached out to take the bouquet from his hand butduring that simple action, as they tried not to drop the flowers,their fingers became intertwined. A wave of heat overtook Dora ashis warm hand clutched at hers. She gasped then laughed as theystruggled to contain the stems. “There, I’ve got them. No, catchthat one.”

Finn stooped to grasp the singleflower that had escaped them then straightened and offered thebloom to her. “No’ bad for a man with all thumbs this morning. Idropped them more than once when I was picking them.”