Not long later, Liam strode up to her. “Shall we stroll?” he inquired. “Or do you fear being alone with me?” The challenge glinting in his eyes was unmistakable.
She notched up her chin. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said archly. “I fear no man.”
“Hear! Hear!” Blackmore, who had just walked up, said.
Cecelia glared in his direction, noting Aila’s and Aldridge’s amused smiles. “Besides,” she said, “we are hardly alone in Hyde Park, Lord MacLeod.”
“I’ll follow behind, if you wish it,” Blackmore offered, his hard gaze pinning Liam, then landing on her with questioning eyes.
She should agree. This was the perfect way to avoid giving in to her desires. “There is no need,” she said, narrowing her eyes at Liam. “Is there?”
A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “Not in my mind, Miss Cartwright.”
Not a half hour later, after managing to touch on every topic from the weather, to embroidery, to how she had learned to cook and barter, she had to pause to give her poor throat a moment’s respite. When she did, Liam grabbed her hand, and her eyes flew first to his face, then scanned around them. With total amazement, she realized they were quite alone on the trail. She had been so preoccupied with keeping control of the conversation and talking continuously so nothing else could occur that she had not even noticed that he had guided her off the main path.
As he turned her purposely to him and tilted up her chin, her heart began to hammer in her chest. “This is not wise,” she said, her voice wobbly.
“Because you desire me?”
She nodded, then gasped. “No,” she murmured.
Cecelia said one thing aloud, yet her body implied another. Her half-open eyes made him groan. He had not intended to use the walk as an opportunity to get her alone, but he had suddenly found himself here with her. He imagined they had a few short minutes, at best, before Blackmore came looking for her. The duke was no fool, of that Liam was certain, but neither was he. This might be the one chance he would get to learn if she desired him as he hoped, and he was going to take it.
He leaned in and captured her soft lips with his, and when she pressed her body against him and soft mewling sounds came from her, he knew that her craving matched his. As he slanted his mouth over hers, he gathered her into his arms and held her close. She felt so right, as if she fit him perfectly. He traced his tongue over the crease of her lips, and she parted them on a throaty exhalation. When he tasted her sweetness, lust shot through him.
“Cecelia, are you down here?” a voice called like cold water being thrown on them.
With a gasp, she wrenched away from him and scrambled backward, her hands already busily straightening her hair and gown. “Here,” she called back, her gaze sweeping around them. “Just admiring the flowers,” she added, her voice breathless.
Liam did not stop her from trying to cover the truth of what they had done, but when Blackmore appeared and his keen gaze moved from Liam to Cecelia and back to him with a murderous look, Liam simply smiled pleasantly at the man. Liam had staked his claim, and Blackmore knew it. Now it was up to Cecelia to go with her heart and not her mother’s.
Typically, Liam loved to hunt and be outdoors. Yet the day after he shared the kiss with Cecelia, was not one of those days. He found himself in the frustrating position of having to leave for the country for a hunt with Aldridge to which Liam had previously committed. He considered begging off and staying to see Cecelia, but he knew how much it meant to Aila that he and Aldridge become close.
On the first day of the hunt he replayed his kiss with Cecelia a thousand times in his mind. He wished they would have had a chance to speak privately after, but she had immediately claimed she had to return home that day, after Blackmore had found them alone.
By the second day of the hunt, he irritably decided that being such a good brother was a bother. If only he did not love his sister so dearly, he would depart immediately and return to London to see Cecelia.
On the third day of the hunt, he thought of nothing but Cecelia. He was undeniably attracted to her, in both mind and body, but none of that mattered if she chose to follow her mother’s wishes. He could tell Cecelia the truth of his situation, but he wanted her to choose him without knowing of his wealth and status.
By the end of the week, his frustration vibrated through him, and he knew he could not stay away from London one more day. He glanced around the group of three men and noted a fourth man riding up. Liam turned his attention to Aldridge, dismissing their newest addition for the moment and focusing on the objective of today’s hunt. Thus far, Aldridge had chosen said objective every day, and Liam assumed today would be no different. Liam had forced himself to hold back on the entire trip and allowed Aldridge and his friends to pursue the foxes, because if Liam had really employed his hunting skills, he would have tracked and cornered the foxes every day before Aldridge and his friends even managed to crest the first hill toward the woods. It wasn’t that the Englishmen were bad hunters, but they had never had to hunt to survive. Liam had, and that taught a man skills that merely hunting for pleasure could never teach.
But his consideration had come to an end. His patience was depleted, and he wanted to find the prey, corner it, and return to London as quickly as possible. “Aldridge, what’s our mark for today?”
Aldridge offered an easy smile. “Two red foxes.”
Liam nodded. “Once I have them trapped, I’m heading back to London. I’ll see ye there, so no need to concern yerself about me.”
Aldridge chuckled. “You’re awfully certain you will be the one to trap the foxes.”
“Aye,” Liam agreed, not bothering to soften his tone.
“That may have been the case yesterday, as I was not here,” an unfamiliar voice said from behind him.
Liam turned and acknowledged the newcomer. The man was as tall as Liam but not nearly as great in size. His dark eyes reminded Liam of a fox’s—clever and calculating. Liam felt an instant distaste for him. The smug look the man gave him and the man’s next words firmly sealed Liam’s dislike.
“I am the best huntsman in England,” the man said, cocksure.
“Only England?” Liam replied, which elicited chuckles from the small group of men.
The man scowled. “You’re not English.”
“Verra perceptive of ye,” Liam responded. “I’m Liam MacLeod, from the Isle of Skye.”
A look of disdain crossed the stranger’s face. “That explains your boastfulness, but you cannot best me. I’m Viscount Hawkins, and I have been hunting all my life.”
“Careful, Hawkins,” Aldridge said. “Liam here is the laird of the MacLeod clan, and he has been hunting all his life, as well. He is also my betrothed’s brother and my honored guest, so mind the few manners you possess.”
Liam sensed that Aldridge did not care for Hawkins, which in Liam’s mind made Aldridge an even better man for his sister. But why, then, had Hawkins been invited?
Hawkins’s eyes narrowed, but then he seemed to remember himself as a false smile was forced to his lips. “I do apologize, and Aldridge, I appreciate the invitation to hunt.”
“Northington here says you are the best hunter he knows, and that piqued my interest,” Aldridge replied with a nod at Lord Northington. “Now we shall see.”
Aldridge gave Liam a pointed look and understanding dawned. Aldridge wished him to best Hawkins. But how did Aldridge know Liam was capable?
Aldridge stared at Liam as he spoke. “Aila has spoken often of your hunting skills, and even boldly informed me when I met her that you could teach me a thing or two.”
Liam grinned. So Aldridge had suspected Liam had been holding back and wanted to test him? By the smile curling the man’s lips, Liam knew the answer.
Within seconds, all the men had mounted their horses. Hawkins maneuvered his horse in front of Liam’s and then said over his shoulder, “You may wish to stay back, MacLeod. I’d hate for you to get the dust from my hors
e’s nimble hooves in your eyes.”
Liam simply smiled.
When the master of the hounds sounded his horn for the start of the hunt, the foxes were released, and the wildly barking hounds took off, Liam easily moved past Hawkins. He could have left him a great distance behind immediately, but it gave him wicked pleasure to allow the man to ride in his dust for a spell. But when an errant thought of Cecelia entered his mind, he increased his pace, coming closer to the master of the hunt, the rest of the riders far behind them.
They raced through streams, brush, and growth, and jumped several fallen logs to keep up with the hounds in pursuit of the foxes. When Liam looked over his shoulder, only Aldridge and Hawkins remained in sight, and Liam was so far ahead that they’d never catch up.
The master of the hounds waved a hand toward a den where the hounds had circled and were digging the foxes out. He called praise to the pack, followed by promises that the hounds could soon rip the foxes to shreds. But Liam did not wish to see the foxes killed. Unnecessary killing had never given him pleasure. Killing an animal for food or so they would not overpopulate a land was one matter, but to kill simply for sport? That bothered him.
“How does the population of foxes fare here?” he shouted over the hounds’ loud barking.
“Scarce currently,” the master of the hounds answered.
Suddenly, the foxes darted out, and when the master of the hounds moved to block their escape with his horse and signaled Liam to do the same, Liam let them slip by him.
The master of the hounds gave him a surprised look but did not comment.
Hawkins, who had just ridden upon the scene, bellowed, “Why the devil did you do that?”
Liam narrowed his eyes at the man. “I don’t abide killing simply to kill.”
Hawkins glared at him. “Perhaps you should have considered that the rest of us wanted to see the foxes killed by the hounds.”
“Then ye should practice yer hunting skills so ye can be the first to the hounds. As it is now, ye’re fair, at best.”
“Do you insult me?”
“Nay,” Liam replied, working to bring his temper under control. “I merely state the truth. Now, if ye’ll excuse me.”
He turned his horse to head back to the house and found Aldridge behind him.
Damnation. He needed to apologize to his sister’s betrothed for ruining his hunt. Liam moved his horse close to Aldridge’s. When the two men were face-to-face, Liam spoke in a low voice. “I do apologize. I should have made it clear that I don’t hunt merely for sport, only out of necessity.”
Aldridge smiled and glanced toward the others. “A moment, gentlemen. MacLeod needs to return to London, and I must discuss business with him for a minute.”
Liam frowned but followed Aldridge when he turned his horse and walked him a good distance away. As they headed for some trees, they passed the two other men in the party, and Aldridge asked them to wait with Hawkins and the master of the hunt.
Once they were alone, Aldridge gave Liam an amused look. “Aila warned me,” he replied, surprising Liam.
“Then ye knew I’d not want to see the foxes killed?”
Aldridge nodded and flicked his gaze to where they had left Hawkins standing. “I don’t care for Hawkins, and he’d been bragging at White’s about being the best huntsman the day before we were to leave for the hunt. I recalled Aila mentioning your skill and your strict personal rule about only killing animals you intend to eat, and I could not resist the opportunity to see Hawkins bested and angered. I am sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Liam replied with a chuckle. “I enjoyed both, but why do ye not care for Hawkins?”
Aldridge cocked his eyebrow. “Beyond the man’s arrogance, I don’t believe for a moment that Miss Cartwright, whom I have known since we were children, betrayed him—as he has loudly proclaimed to anyone who will listen—by kissing Lord Tarrymount,” Aldridge said in an angry whisper.
Liam’s own blood heated at Aldridge’s revelation. So this was Cecelia’s former betrothed…
He glanced over his shoulder at Hawkins and found the man staring in their direction. Liam faced Aldridge once more. “What else can you tell me?” he asked, wishing to have all the facts.
“Unfortunately, my mother and a group of her cronies caught Miss Cartwright with Lord Tarrymount in our library at a party,” Aldridge replied.
Liam recalled Cecelia’s mention that no one had believed her innocence. He’d heard the heartbreak in her voice, and he knew she had been telling the truth. She had no reason to lie to him. She had not been trying to get him to court her, nor had she even told him what had occurred.
“What happened after they were discovered?” Liam asked.
“I was off at war, but my sister told me that Hawkins immediately broke the betrothal and started courting Miss Cartwright’s former best friend within a sennight. They are now betrothed. He apparently made it well known that Miss Cartwright had broken his heart, but I find it odd that a man who claims such a thing would court another woman a mere sennight later, and conveniently the lady he chose to court had a greater dowry than Miss Cartwright’s, who I’m sure had a decent one but not a large one. Something just seems false to me, but I cannot deduce exactly what. Perhaps it’s simply because I happen to know Hawkins needs to marry a woman with a large dowry, or maybe it’s the fact that I don’t care for the man.” Aldridge shrugged.
Liam’s mind turned with all he had just heard. Cecelia and her mother were financially strapped, but apparently that was not known among the ton. Perhaps Hawkins had learned of it? He didn’t doubt Cecelia would be forthright and honest with her betrothed if her dowry was gone. Had she told Hawkins, and then the man had—
“What sort of lady is Miss Cartwright’s former best friend?” he asked.
Aldridge’s brows drew together. “An heiress. Shy. Not half as pretty as Miss Cartwright. Very sweet and a tad naive.”
“In other words, easily duped?” Liam asked.
“Exactly,” Aldridge replied.
“Is it common knowledge in the ton that Hawkins is in need of a bride with a large dowry?”
“No,” Aldridge replied. “I only recently discovered it upon my return to England when my father brought me into the business of running our estate. Hawkins’s father has multiple notes of credit that my father has extended him, which are all past due.”
“What do ye think would induce a shy, rather mousy lady, who is a bit naive, to accept an offer from her friend’s former betrothed?”
Aldridge rubbed at his jaw for a moment. “I suppose if she had been convinced the man truly had been brokenhearted and that her former friend truly had willingly kissed another man.”
Liam nodded. “And it would be so much easier to convince her of that if the lady’s friend was made to look like she was a wanton woman…”
Aldridge’s mouth parted in obvious shock. “Do you think that Hawkins set Miss Cartwright up to be found in another man’s arms?”
“I do. But I’m not sure how to prove it, nor that proving it would make anything better for Miss Cartwright.” There was, after all, the secret of her own dire financial situation.
“I wish there were something we could do,” Aldridge said.
“Oh, but there is,” Liam replied, already turning his horse back to Hawkins.
“What are you doing?” Aldridge bid from behind.
Liam turned in the saddle. “I’m going to give Hawkins a bit of justice. When I give ye the signal, start a conversation about boxing.”
“Boxing?” Aldridge repeated, his brow furrowed.
Liam nodded, his blood now rushing through his veins in anticipation.
“What’s the signal?” Aldridge asked.
“I’ll touch my finger to my nose,” Liam hastily replied.
When Liam reached the circle of gentlemen, he announced that he had decided to stay, and then he touched his nose as he purposely met Aldridge’s gaze.
“Say,” Aldri
dge said, “I really need to get to Gentleman Jackson’s. I’ve missed the boxing matches we all used to have. Who is the man to beat these days?”
“Hawkins,” Aldridge’s other guests said in unison.
Liam had to fight the urge not to laugh. He could not have asked for a better lead in to his plan.
“I’m somewhat of a boxer myself,” Liam said casually, but with enough of a hint of boastfulness that he felt certain Hawkins would take the bait.
As expected, Hawkins gave a derisive laugh. “When we return to London, we can meet in the ring. I’ll show you how a gentleman boxes.”
“I see no need to wait until we return to London,” he replied, the challenge clear in his words. “We need nothing but our fists and a space within which to box, and we have both right here.”
Hawkins’s eyebrows shot upward. “We’ve no gloves.”
Liam met the man’s surprised gaze and held it. “I’ve no need of gloves, but if ye’re scared, I certainly understand.”
Wariness flashed in Hawkins’s eyes, but in a breath, Liam surmised that the man was too cocky to decline the challenge. “And what are the stakes?”
“Let us say fifty pounds?”
Liam saw the man flinch, but then Hawkins smirked. “If you wish to be relieved of fifty pounds, I am more than willing to take the funds from you,” he replied and moved to dismount his horse.
“And if ye lose?” Liam asked. “Ye do have the funds to pay the bet, don’t ye?”
“Of course,” Hawkins replied smoothly.
As Liam dismounted his horse, Aldridge caught his gaze, and they exchanged a knowing look. Hawkins was a liar and was about to engage in a bet he was not going to be able to satisfy. Such a man was likely one who would scheme to rid himself of his betrothed, yet ensure he still look like a gentleman in order to capture a new, wealthier bride.
Christmas in the Scot's Arms (Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts Book 3) Page 8