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With a heavy sigh, Adele had agreed.
“And he is handsome and well-behaved,” Edith had remarked, watching her friend most carefully.
Another heavy sigh had followed. “He certainly is.”
Edith had grinned a wide grin, unable to help herself. “And he bored you to tears, did he not?”
“Yes, he certain—” Adele’s head had flown up, her eyes wide as she had stared at Edith.
Edith had laughed. “Oh, dearest Addie, if you could only see your face! You look positively shocked. However, it is only the truth, is it not?”
With yet another heavy sigh, Adele had flung herself onto her bed, burying her face in her pillows. “What am I to do?” she had moaned. “What am I saying? There’s nothing to do!” Flipping onto her back, she looked up at Edith. “I’m doomed. I’m absolutely doomed.”
Seating herself beside her friend, Edith had patted her hand reassuringly. “Now, now, now, don’t be so glum. Nothing is ever as bad as that. Indeed, there’s a simple solution to your problem.”
Hope had blossomed in Adele’s eyes against her will.
“Don’t marry him!”
And hope had died an equally quick death as Adele had once more slumped back onto her bed. “But I must!”
Again, Edith had patted her friend’s hand. “We shall see,” she had whispered. “We shall see.”
Indeed, ever since that moment, Edith had been determined to prevent Adele’s betrothal from going forward. The only problem was that she had no idea what to do about it. Clearly, both Adele and Lord Aberley cared deeply for their parents and did not wish to disappoint them. Of course, Edith knew that Lord and Lady Ashbrook adored their daughter. Were they completely unaware that she did not wish to marry the man they had chosen for her? What would they do should Adele decide to tell them? Would they understand or be shocked to see this alliance prevented?
Yes, Edith could speak to them. However, she suspected Adele would be less than helpful in facing her parents, in speaking the truth, so long as she did not have another incentive.
And then, most unexpectedly, that incentive had materialized in the form of a tall, dark-haired Scotsman.
Stepping away from Lord Whickerton, Edith cast him another teasing smile over her shoulder before she returned to her friend’s side. “I could do with a little refreshment. How about you?” She slipped her arm through Adele’s, pulling her along without waiting for a reply.
“I suppose,” Adele mumbled, her spirits subdued and the look upon her face one of resignation. Still, every so often, her down-turned gaze slid outward and across the ballroom…to linger upon the tall, dark-haired Scotsman.
Edith cheered inwardly, struggling to maintain a straight face. “Did you enjoy your dance with Lord Aberley?”
Reaching for a glass, Adele shrugged. “He is quite the proficient dancer,” she said in a tone of voice that showed she was upset with him for not, at least, granting her the opportunity to say something displeasing about him.
Beyond her friend’s shoulder, Edith’s gaze followed Lord Whickerton as he approached the Scot. She loved watching him, loved seeing the determined set of his jaw, the way he would every so often glance in her direction, his eyes lighting up in that utterly adorable way of his. He had been jealous, had he not? And he had been tempted to kiss her, was that not so?
Something deep inside Edith danced with joy. He had thought her interested in the Scotsman, and he had not liked that thought.Interesting, Edith thought.Most interesting.
“I believe I shall turn in early tonight,” Adele remarked, stifling a yawn. “Perhaps I’m still a bit fatigued from our journey.”
Edith laughed. “Nonsense. You are merely trying to escape Lord Aberley’s company.”
Adele huffed out an annoyed breath. “So, what if I am?” Her lips thinned as she looked across the ballroom at her betrothed. “This is what my life will be like from here on out, won’t it? How can you fault me for escaping from it for at least one evening?”
Edith wanted to dance on the spot when she saw Lord Whickerton approach with the Scotsman by his side. “I cannot find fault with you at all, dearest friend. However, if you leave now, you might come to regret it.”
“I rather doubt it.” Setting down her glass, Adele turned…only to pause, her entire body going still, as her eyes fell on the two approaching men. “Edie?” she gasped before managing to tear her eyes away from the man who had undoubtedly caught her attention and turn them toward her friend. “What is this? What did you—?”
And then the two men stood in front of them.
Lord Whickerton still had that scrutinizing look in his brown eyes as they moved from the man beside him to Edith, a question there that made Edith’s heart pound against her rib cage. “Ladies,” he began, and his eyes remained on hers, “allow me to introduce Cameron MacKinnear, Laird of clan MacKinnear in the Highlands.” He forced his gaze from her before letting it sweep from Mr. MacKinnear to Adele. “Mr. MacKinnear, these are Lady Edith and Lady Adele.”
Mr. MacKinnear inclined his head, and a dark lock fell into his face. “’Tis a pleasure to make yer acquaintance.” A cheerful smile rested upon his face, and Edith was pleased to see that his gaze lingered upon Adele.
Who at present could not manage so much as a simple greeting!
