Courting the Scot

by Jane Charles

  Ian stopped beside his brother, Lachlan, and his wife, Madeline, and perused the ballroom again. Davina had to be here somewhere.

  The crowd shifted and his mouth went dry. There she was. He’d never seen Davina dressed in such a fine gown. The palest of green complimented her fair skin, dark eyes and hair. Davina’s beauty had never been in question, but this was the first time he’d not seen her in a sturdy, efficient gown with a high neck. The bodice scooped and hugged her in a way that made Ian long to be part of the delicate silk. Her hair, often braided and practical, was curled with little ringlets brushing her nearly bare shoulders, and small buds of white roses were pinned in the curls upon her head. He grabbed another glass of wine when a servant approached, holding a tray. He downed the liquid, wishing it were whisky, then retrieved a third glass after replacing it with his empty one.

  Davina had yet to notice him, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her focus, however, was on someone or something else. Ian turned and then watched as Davina had a silent conversation with Donovan, who didn’t seem very pleased with her at the moment. What could Davina possibly have done to upset him? Alistair joined Donovan and the two spoke before coming toward Ian’s family.

  “Might we have a word, Lord and Lady Brachton, in private?” Donovan asked Lachlan. Both Alistair and Donovan were grim, as if they’d just received news of a death.

  What the blazes was going on? This was a celebration. A ball! Not a wake.

  Alistair was usually easy-going and friendly, though the same could not be said of Donovan. He’d once been in love with Ian’s sister, Mary, but she’d turned down his offer and had gone off to London where she met and married Philip Soars, an officer with the foot guards. Donovan had never gotten over the loss and had turned bitter over time.

  Ian focused once again on Davina MacGregor. She, too, watched her brother and cousin as they escorted Lachlan and Madeline from the ballroom.

  Something was wrong. She was as pale as a ghost and worry marred her brow, as if she was surprised and not at all happy to see his family. Surely, they anticipated their attendance. Unless something else had occurred. The only thing that would upset Davina was if someone were ill.

  Something about this entire ball was odd.

  As the thoughts crossed his mind, her troubled dark eyes met his. He raised his glass in a toast and once more admired her beauty. She barely returned his smile before she slipped from the room.

  Something was most definitely amiss.

  Chapter 13

  Davina checked her appearance in the mirror one last time, confident that she’d washed away the tear-stained tracks on her cheeks and to be assured that nothing else was in disrepair before she returned to the ballroom. As soon as she stepped inside, Sheena and Arabella rushed to her side.

  “What are the Grants doin’ here?” Arabella hissed.

  Since Arabella was as shocked as Davina, that left two people who could have issued the invitation: Sheena or Rose.

  Davina looked at her younger sister and raised an eyebrow. In an instant, her heart sank as the blush in Sheena’s cheeks grew brighter.

  “How could ye?” Davina kept her voice quiet, when she really wished to cry all over again.

  “How was I to ken Lord and Lady Brachton were in residence?” she defended.

  “It shouldna have mattered,” Arabella scolded. “Rose’s daughter has been married to Lachlan for a year and a half. Rose is not a stranger to the Grants. Even if Lachlan and Madeline werena here, we’d need to find an excuse for Rose’s presence for the rest of the family.”

  “I am sorry.” Tears welled in Sheena’s eyes. “I assumed they were in London, but feared they’d be hurt to find out we had a ball and dinna invite them, so I had an invitation delivered.”

  “You fool,” Arabella hissed. “Even if Mrs. Grant, Ian, Jesse and Fanella were still in London, Gara and her husband were not. Any Grant is a danger to Uncle Aiden.”

  “Gara and Magnus doona even live at Grant Manor. How were they to ever learn?”

  “Because Magnus is also Ian’s man of business and would have noted the invitation when he reviewed Ian’s correspondence in his absence.” Davina gave Sheena a pointed look. “I’m assuming the invitation was addressed to the entire family.”

  “Aye.” Her response was barely a whisper.

  “So, they woulda attended even if the others remained in London.”

  Tears welled in Sheena’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  Davina knew her sister hadn’t meant any harm, but Sheena should have at least stopped to consider the consequences. Davina had anticipated that when the Grants learned of the ball they might have been angered, hurt or concerned as to why they were not invited. However, bruised feelings were by far preferable to Uncle Aiden swinging from the gallows.

  She also blamed herself. If she hadn’t been secretly meeting Ian, her cousin and sister would have known that the family had returned.

  The only consolation to this predicament was that Rose hadn’t been the one to send the invitation.

  “I did it for Davina too,” Sheena whispered.

  “What?” Davina and Arabella asked at the same time.

  As neighbors strolled near, Arabella smiled and nodded, as did Davina. They must appear as if nothing were amiss. It was quite possible the family would be ruined before the evening was complete, but until then, Davina wanted to give their guests no reason to speculate as to their odd behavior. Having a sudden ball was curious enough.

  “Ian Grant has shown an interest in Davina but has yet to be brought up to scratch. I thought if he knew we held entertainments like he attends in London, he might finally ask to court ye and fall in love here and stop lookin’ for a bride there.”

  Davina had a mind to destroy every single romantic novel in the manor after tonight because her younger sister needed to learn the difference between fiction and reality.

  “Oh, Sheena,” Arabella groaned.

  Sheena crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her bottom lip as her eyes filled with indignation.

  “Ian has asked to court me,” Davina whispered on a hiss. “It is me who has rejected his suit.” It was a partial truth.

  The mouths of both Sheena and Arabella popped open in surprise. Davina had expected this reaction but knew that if she ever told them the truth, they’d try to change her mind. They wouldn’t understand. As the oldest female it was her responsibility to see to this family. Though, more recently, she’d hoped that Uncle Aiden and Rose would fall in love so she would be free. And, if she read the situation correctly, the two were in love. That was the match Sheena should have been concentrating on, not hers and Ian’s.

  “Why?” they asked in unison.

  “It is not somethin’ that needs to be discussed here.” She smiled and nodded to more neighbors as they glanced in their direction. “What we must do is pretend as if nothin’ is amiss. We will carry on and enjoy ourselves as we intended.” Until it all comes falling down upon our ears.

  “How can we possibly do so?” Arabella worried.

  “Because we are MacGregors and we carry on no matter what.”

  Ian watched as the MacGregor girls conferred. Something most definitely was amiss. Though they smiled and nodded to the guests, tension engulfed them. Though, not so much Sheena, Davina’s younger sister. She was irritated and pouting. Davina had probably given her sister a scolding that Sheena did not appreciate, thus the reaction.

  Thank God his sisters were beyond the pouting stage and had settled into the irritating one. Not Gara nor Mary, however, since neither one lived in the household any longer, and they each had a husband to aggravate. However, Fanella and Jesse still remained and were of an age that they should consider marriage. Except, neither one of them had shown an interest in doing so, even after two Seasons in London, much to their mother’s disappointment.

  While Ian’s mother may have failed at matchmaking for her daughters, Ian fully intended to do his own, and the woman
he sought stood on the opposite side of the ballroom.

  “How are ye this evenin’, Ian?” Cameron MacGregor asked as he approached. Cameron was Donovan’s younger brother. The next born was Niel, who stood by the large windows, glass in hand, observing the crowd. That was Niel’s way. Quiet and observant, but even he was not relaxed.

  “Well. And ye?” Ian studied Cameron. As with the other MacGregors, tension radiated from him.

  “Well.”

  Ian frowned. “Is anythin’ wrong?”

  Cameron blinked. “Of course not.” Then he smiled. “Why would ye even think so?”

  “Because yer cousin seems strained this evening.” Ian nodded to Davina.

  Cameron chuckled, though it sounded more forced than filled with humor. “Ye ken how Davina can be. I’m sure she’s worryin’ about every last detail.”

  It was what Ian had assumed, until he began observing the rest of the MacGregor family. Donovan and Alistair had escorted Lachlan and Madeline from the room. Cameron was tense, and Davina, Arabella and Niel looked as if they wished to be anywhere but here.

  “Why did ye decide to have a ball and give everyone such short notice?”

  “Uncle Aiden suddenly decided that it was time for his nieces to marry. And, ye ken Uncle Aiden, once he makes up his mind about somethin’, he sees that it is done immediately.”

  Hope sparked in Ian’s breast that he’d finally be able to court her officially. “All of his nieces?”

  “Well, I do believe he might give Sheena more time as she is only sixteen.”

  “What will he do without Davina?”

  This time the laugh that came from Cameron was genuine. “It is Davina who fancies herself mistress of the manor. While Uncle Aiden does count on her for many things, we can survive without her, whether she believes that or not.”

  “If Aiden is intent on matching them with a bachelor, why isn’t he here?” It seemed odd that if those were Aiden’s wishes, he’d be here and not in Edinburgh for the ball.

  “Oh, he is around, somewhere,” Donovan assured. “I just canna locate him at the moment.”

  Aiden was here and not in Edinburgh? Had Davina lied to him or had Aiden returned earlier than planned?

  No, she had to have known he was here, and would be here. He probably hadn’t even left, not with a ball coming up. Why the blazes had she lied to him? What game was she playing?

  Chapter 14

  Davina glanced at the far doorway and blinked, her heart pounded and pulse raced as Rose and her daughter entered the ballroom, their heads close together as they spoke quietly to one another. Were they deciding on the best moment to announce that Uncle Aiden had kidnapped Rose and how the entire family was culpable in keeping her captive?

  “I believe I’m goin’ to be ill,” Davina groaned.

  “Doona worry just yet,” Arabella said.

  Madeline smiled at her mother and nodded as the two of them drew apart and then took in the room.

  “I’m not standin’ here to wait and find out.” Sheena pulled away from her sister and cousin and started for the two. Davina and Arabella hurried to catch up.

  “Are ye leaving us, Rose?” Sheena asked with concern.

  Rose smiled. “Not for a few days.”

  Madeline frowned and then focused on Davina and the girls. “Is my mother correct? You’ve never been to a ball?”

  “Nay. We hardly leave Annagburn,” Davina answered as she glanced across the room to Ian. He still watched them as he sipped from his glass of champagne. Her heart clenched knowing that any hope for a future with him would end tonight.

  “It’s a lovely ball. You should be proud,” Madeline offered.

  “We couldna have done it without Rose,” Davina answered.

  “It appears that my mother has made herself quite useful at Annagburn given the circumstances.”

  A part of her had hoped that Rose had made up a story for her presence, but apparently Madeline knew the truth. “She has certainly improved much in our lives,” Davina offered cryptically. “I hope that doesna change.” Oh, please don’t let the Grants have Uncle Aiden arrested. It’s what she wanted to beg of Madeline, but there were too many ears to hear and she’d not be the one to bring scandal and destruction down upon them.

  Madeline’s smile was forced. “My mother’s desire is that this be an enjoyable evening, and I will grant her that pleasure, for now.”

  “Madeline,” Rose warned.

  “I will give you tonight. I cannot promise anything more.”

  “We will discuss this later,” Rose ordered, though she kept a pleasant expression on her face. She then turned to Davina. “Girls, you have a ball to enjoy, we can talk about this later, or tomorrow. Go and enjoy yourselves.”

  They had tonight, at least, but that didn’t settle Davina’s nerves. How could she relax and enjoy herself when tomorrow and the chance of Uncle Aiden being arrested loomed?

  “Come along.” Arabella linked her arm with Davina’s and pulled her away. “We shall enjoy this evenin’. We will worry about tomorrow when it arrives.”

  “Besides, Uncle Aiden doesna seem concerned in the least.” Sheena nodded to the door.

  Uncle Aiden and Lord Brachton stood side by side. She narrowed her eyes on the pair. Lord Brachton actually seemed relaxed and quite happy to be here, as did her uncle. Perhaps all was not lost.

  The musicians took their place on the small dais and Davina stepped away from Sheena and Arabella as the bachelors came forward, each begging them for a dance. This was their night. If the Grants remained silent, her cousin and sister may have a chance at marriage. If the Grants spoke to the authorities, this would be the only night the two would ever have to enjoy themselves as young ladies should, and Davina was not going to ruin it for them by weighing them down with her concerns.

  Nor was she going to allow impending doom to ruin the one night she might have to dance with Ian. He would hate her on the morrow, or possibly before the night was done, but she’d use what time she had to pretend, even for a short bit, the he was still hers.

  With that, she lifted a wineglass from the tray of a servant, sipped and observed the room until she found him again. Ian Grant, the most handsome man in all of Scotland stood just on the other side of the room watching her. A slow, smile came to his lips as his blue eyes darkened.

  Blood heated in her veins and Davina gulped from the glass, hoping it would cool her. Instead, she grew warmer as he said something to his mother and then started across the room toward her.

  Ian could hardly believe his eyes when Lady Bentley stepped into the room with Maddie. Davina had mentioned that Aiden had been thinking about her and hoped the two would make a match. Ian had dismissed the idea because he couldn’t imagine the two together, but if she were here now, perhaps Aiden was more serious about the widow than even Davina had realized. Aiden had to be or he wouldn’t have brought her from Edinburgh for a ball, unless that was the reason he had traveled there, to bring her back to meet his family.

  That still didn’t explain why Davina hadn’t mentioned any of this to him, and she had to have known. Perhaps her nerves stemmed from her uncle and the widow not making a match. Aiden marrying was more important to Davina than her own potential marriage.

  However, all those questions could be answered later. The musicians were beginning to play and he had every intention of having Davina in his arms during the first waltz.

  Ian bowed as he reached her side. Davina offered a quick curtsey and her cheeks blossomed to a rosy hue as Ian raised her gloved hand and placed a kiss upon the back. “Ye are a vision, Davina.”

  Her blush deepened as she glanced down. “Thank ye,” she murmured.

  Ian frowned. Davina didn’t murmur or demure but said what was on her mind.

  Was this the same lass who’d given him a set down more times than he could count? The same lass whose skill with a bow and arrow outmatched any man in the area, save Ian’s? The same lass who challenged him to name the
year of each whisky during a tasting, and beat him? The same lass who challenged him to go a Season in London without kissing anyone? The same lass whose kisses could bring him to his knees?

  When had Davina become shy and reserved? Did this transformation come about as soon as she donned a ball gown?

  Aiden MacGregor approached Lady Bentley and offered his arm before the two strolled away from the other guests. “I can see why you thought the two might make a good match,” Ian said.

  With his words, Davina stiffened. “It is my fondest wish.”

  “Madeline dinna mention that her mother was in the area.” Of course, Maddie may have thought they already knew, much like his mother thought Ian knew of the ball until a few hours ago.

  “She’s been with us for a short time,” Davina answered.

  Ian narrowed his eyes on her. “Ye dinna mention it the other day.” Had Lady Bentley been at Annagburn while Davina was secretly meeting him?

  “They dinna wish for anyone to ken at first.”

  “It seems ye and yer uncle share the same desire to keep courtships secret,” he ground out.

  “It isna the same.”

  “Nay, lass, it is and I am dearly tired of the secrets.”

  Davina glanced up at him with shock, fear in her dark eyes.

  He would take her to task over the secrets, but not tonight. They were at a ball and he would dance with Davina and enjoy himself. Tomorrow, however, she would have much to answer for.

  As the waltz struck up, Ian turned to Davina and smiled. “I’ve waited a long time to dance with ye.”

  Chapter 15

  Davina’s heart leapt. “As have I.”