Page 37 of The Widow Wore Plaid

Had anyone asked Bella, she would have said the day’s excursion to the Heights of Brae and Knockfarrel could not have been bettered. They’d had an easy trek up to the Heights, which she’d elected to do on horseback. She’d always loved to ride and the beautiful day had decided her, even though Maria had asked her to accompany her and her friends in the carriage. Of course, the fact that her light blue riding habit showed off her figure to best effect had had a hand in that decision. Intrigued by her exchanges with Lord Harold at the luncheon, and more than a little excited by his attentions, she’d decided to get to know him better. Her ploy had seemed to work, for he’d sat with her and Maria and Hugh as they ate the picnic lunch, making very polite conversation all the while making mention of the words “sweet” and “tart” with such frequency she’d been hard-pressed not to blush. A very bold, very charming gentleman to be sure.

“A pleasant prospect, wouldn’t you say, Miss Granger?” They had just arrived at the summit of Knockfarrel when Lord Harold rode up beside her, his face all smiles.

“Indeed, my lord.” The view was breathtaking from this high hill, a grassy square surrounded by strange black rocks. “Do you know what loch that is?” She pointed to a smallish body of water in the distance. “I assume it’s a loch, anyway.”

“I’m as in the dark as you, Miss Granger.” Lord Harold smiled easily, his pleasant features making her heart thump rather oddly. “I’ve never been in these parts either. But I’m sure the driver can tell us. He has to have come here more times than we could imagine with parties such as ours.” His brilliant blue eyes, almost the exact same color of the sky above them, seemed eager to please. “Would you care to dismount and walk about? I’ll go fetch the man to answer your questions.”

“Thank you, my lord. Yes, I think stretching my legs would be a good idea before the long ride back to the castle.” She had no way of knowing how far they were from Castle Kinellan; however, she’d not miss the chance for him to help her down off Athena.

“Very good. Just a moment.” He quickly dismounted, showing off his blue and buff riding clothes, cut extremely well so as to accentuate his broad shoulders and tall frame. “Here you go.”

She unhooked her leg from around the head and Lord Harold reached up and clasped her about the waist. His hands were strong and almost spanned her waist, which startled her. He must have extremely large hands. Leaning forward, she jumped down a little too hastily it seemed, for her half-boot landed squarely on one of his polished Hessians. She wobbled, but he grasped her more firmly and pulled her toward him trying to give her back her balance. She landed against his firm chest, a sudden heat searing all parts of her body, even those not actually touching him. Gasping, she stumbled back into Athena, who snorted and shied away.

“Are you quite all right, Miss Granger?” The wretch was grinning into her heated face.

He’d probably engineered that little fumble, just so he could hold her in his arms. That thought brought her up short. “Yes, Lord Harold, thank you.” She straightened her skirts and avoided his eyes. “I am so sorry to have stepped on you.”

He waved the apology away. “I have been tromped upon by much heavier and much less enchanting creatures than you, Miss Granger. Here, if you’ll hold the horses”—he handed her both sets of reins—“I’ll go ask the driver to come here a moment.” He strode away, every movement easy, graceful, seductive.

Bella’s mouth dried, unable to tear her gaze away from the sight of Lord Harold’s backside.

“This outing has been the perfect ending to our journey to Scotland, I think.” Suddenly Maria was by her side, causing her to stumble back and almost lose the reins.

“Goodness, Maria, you should not sneak up on a person so.” Bella gathered the reins and stroked Athena’s neck, carefully keeping her heated face hidden by the horse.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Bella.” Maria turned to gaze out at the lovely vista. “This is quite the loveliest prospect we’ve seen today, don’t you think?”

The words might be heartfelt, but Bella could tell from the carefully composed look on her sister-in-law’s face she was interested in something other than the view.

“You and Lord Harold seem to have been getting along well.” Maria still stared out at the grassy farmlands and the distant loch, yet the air suddenly seemed charged with some strange tension.

“He is an amiable gentleman.” A bland statement that could be applied to half the ton, although it did indeed pertain to Lord Harold also. Maria might be her chaperone, but that didn’t mean Bella had to tell her everything she thought about a gentleman.

“Georgie says he’s given to wild larks, but thinks he will settle down admirably when he finds the right young lady to inspire him to do so.” The smaller woman turned to Bella. “He’s a younger son, it’s true, but Lord Blackham is a powerful man, a good social connection. And like Georgie and Lord Brack, Lord Harold will inherit quite a substantial amount from his mother’s settlements when he reaches the age of thirty. His father administers it until then, so you could still live quite comfortably.”

“And is a man’s means the only yardstick by which he should be measured?” Bella hated the cold, hard sound of Maria’s voice when she spoke thus. Her regard for Lord Harold should be based on more than merely pounds, shillings, and pence.

“No, not the only one, but a consideration certainly.” Her sister-in-law frowned, looking puzzled more than angry. “You must weigh more than just regard or affection for a gentleman into the bargain, Bella.”

“I suppose you had to do that when you married Hugh?” There had been a big question as to whether or not Maria and Hugh would be able to marry, although Bella had assumed it had to do with her elder brother’s scandalous death more than their means.

“We did.” Maria spoke matter-of-factly. “For a while we despaired of ever being able to marry because I had no inheritance and your brother’s death, had it been ruled other than it was, would have stripped The Grange and all your possessions from you and Hugh. Everything came around all right in the end, but you cannot marry a man who cannot provide for you or your children.” She gripped Bella’s arm. “All I am saying is that these considerations are already taken care of. With an income assured, you need not see money as an impediment to marriage with Lord Harold, should you find your affections engaged.”

Bella nodded, oddly comforted by that last statement. It was good to know that Maria and apparently Georgie too would look favorably on a match between her and Lord Harold.

The object of their conversation approached, a ready smile on his lips, but no driver to be seen. “Lady Kersey.” He nodded, then turned to Bella. “Gray, the driver, said the body of water is named Loch Ussie. Lord Lathbury had him in conversation or I’d have brought him here to act as guide for you.”

“Thank you, my lord. You have satisfied my curiosity.” Bella smiled, conscious of their audience.

“Does he mean that loch there, Lord Harold?” Maria pointed to the only water visible that could have possibly been considered a loch.

“Yes, my lady. He said it was a braw place to catch pike and perch,” he laughed, “if you’ve a mind to fish, that is.”

Maria’s eyebrows rose alarmingly. “Certainly not, although Mr. Granger is a good hand at fishing, so he tells me.” She peered at Bella and seemed to make up her mind. “Let me go inform him of this excellent opportunity to prove his prowess to me.” She excused herself and hurried back toward the carriage.

“Your sister-in-law is quite a sweet lady. My sister thinks highly of her. Let me take the reins. You’ve been holding them an inordinately long time.” He slipped the reins for both horses out of her hand and in doing so, dropped a pinkish gray rock into her gloved palm.

“What is that?” She brought the curious thing closer, turning it this way and that in her hand. Oblong, about the size of an egg, the object was a pearly gray color with streaks of pink wrapped around it.