Courting the Scot

by Jane Charles

  The only question was how long before she gave in?

  “It appears my stepmother will be marrying her kidnapper,” John Trent said as they rode away from Annagburn.

  Before they arrived, John had been tense and ready to take on Aiden. After meeting with Lady Bentley, he was completely relaxed and even smiling, though he shook his head a few times as if he couldn’t quite believe what had happened.

  Ian shared his sentiments, but for a different reason.

  “And, are you as well betrothed?” John asked.

  “Nay,” he finally answered and then gave John a brief history of his and Davina’s courtship.

  “If ye would have done that in England, ye’d be married as soon as her guardian obtained a special license. You Scots are an odd bunch.” John just chuckled. “So, is she going to court you?”

  “We shall see.” Ian blew out a sigh. “But, if she doesna, MacGregor and yer stepmother will be the only ones getting married.”

  Chapter 24

  Two days and nothing. Not a word from Ian and he hadn’t come to call. He had Uncle Aiden’s permission, so why was he taking so long?

  Except, Davina feared she already knew the answer to that question, and it didn’t sit well with her. No doubt he was relaxing back at Grant Manor waiting for her to court him.

  Or he’d decided not to court her at all. Aiden wasn’t going to force Ian to court or marry her so there was no reason for him to call if he’d decided he no longer wished to have her.

  That was Davina’s fear, but she refused to take the blame.

  “I’m sure Ian will call in a day or two, if not sooner,” Rose assured her.

  “He’s probably trying to determine the best way to manage me,” she grumbled. Though she did not wished to be managed, it was better than being dismissed.

  “Your uncle could have chosen better wording, but he was upset with you and not happy with Ian’s behavior.”

  “We did nothin’ wrong.” Even as she said the words, she knew they were a lie.

  “It was disrespectful to your uncle. He is your guardian and the Grants are friends. It wasn’t right for you to carry on in secret.”

  She was even going to be censured by Rose now? “Do ye at least understand my reasonin’ because nobody else seems to?”

  “I do,” Arabella said quietly and looked at Davina, sympathy filling her blue eyes.

  “Does Ian actually expect you to court him?” Rose asked after a moment.

  “I have no intention of doin’ so,” Davina confirmed.

  “Nor should you,” Rose insisted. “Aiden believes you should. I, however, do not.”

  “Does Ian ken ye willna be calling?” Arabella’s auburn eyebrow raised with her question.

  “I told him that the first time he mentioned it,” Davina assured them.

  “Aye, but was that before he met with Uncle Aiden.” Sheena pointed out.

  Davina frowned.

  “I can assure you that he’s waiting at home right now, determined to wait for you to come to him,” Maddie announced as she breezed into the room. “Actually, I’m surprised you aren’t married.” Maddie lifted an eyebrow and stared at Davina. “Do you know what that could do to your reputation if anyone outside of our two families learn?”

  Davina’s face heated again. One would think she carried on like a jezebel from the way everyone was censuring her behavior. All she and Ian had done was kiss, and not tell anyone. Well, except when he touched her, but nobody needed to know what happened on that blanket amidst a carpet of bluebells.

  “So, Davina,” Madeline began, “If you are staying here and Ian remains at Grant Manor, how are either of you going to court the other?”

  “That is something Ian will need to decide because it isna right for a lass to court a man.”

  Madeline snorted. “I am assuming you knew what you were doing was wrong before and didn’t let that stop you.”

  “Aye, I ken Uncle Aiden wouldna be happy.” She hated admitting it, but she knew from the start that she and Ian both could be in a heap of trouble.

  “As I said, you didn’t let that stop you before, and Ian is waiting for you to call.”

  Davina straightened. “He honestly thinks I will court him?” she demanded.

  Madeline winced. “It’s what I heard him tell Lachlan.”

  At least he still wanted her. There was that. However, he would not earn her in the manner he intended. “Excuse me. I have a matter to attend to.”

  Ian knew he should not expect Davina for days, and perhaps not even until after Aiden and Lady Bentley wed, but after two days he was already on edge.

  Worse, all of Maddie’s male relations were in the manor, wondering what he was going to do. Damn and blast, why did he let her convince him to do something that he knew was not right? He should have told her no and gone straight to Aiden. The two of them would have talked sense into her, and they could be married already.

  Even better, he and Davina could be in bed right now. Instead, he was living with the same physical frustration that had plagued him for months with no relief, or release, in sight.

  Blast! What he needed to do was go find her, seduce her, thus ruining her, and then Aiden would have no choice but to make them marry. And, as Ian would be the one guilty of doing the seducing, he’d find his pride, backbone and bollocks again. Further, Davina would be his and he’d finally be in charge.

  As he argued with himself as to whether he should wait or go after her with every intention of seduction, a figure on horseback appeared on the horizon. As it drew closer, he began to smile.

  That was definitely Davina and much sooner than he anticipated.

  With a grin, he strode to the mirror to check his appearance. He wanted to be presentable and it was what the ladies did when a gentleman paid a call on them. Or so he assumed since that was the behavior he’d observed of his sisters in London.

  After finding nothing out of place on his person, Ian made his way to the stairs, finding it hard to believe that she’d actually come to him, and as much as he’d like to gloat, he would not. Instead, he’d set about the seducing so they could both be done with this game and marry.

  Her lying and manipulation of the situation still stung, but after a few days of thinking about the position she’d been put in, the fear for her uncle’s life, Ian did understand why she’d behaved as she had. He didn’t like it, but the situation was extraordinary, and he might have done the same in her position. Family was everything, and he’d forgo his own happiness if it was necessary to save someone he loved, so could he really fault her for doing the same?

  However, she needed to learn that from now on she must trust him and allow him to take care of her, as it should be. And, as soon as they discussed what was expected and came to an agreement, they could finally move forward with a short courtship and then marriage.

  Ian reached the foyer just as she knocked on the door. Instead of waiting for one of the servants, he opened it himself to greet her.

  “Are ye the footman now?” she asked.

  “Nay, lass. I saw ye comin’.” He took in the sight of her. Dark hair mussed from riding and cheeks bright from the wind and sun. Today she wore the clothing he was far more used to seeing her in, a pale blue dress of wool, riding gloves, sturdy boots and a bonnet upon her head. “Ye forgot the bluebells, Lass.” Not that he expected any, but he couldn’t resist teasing her.

  Davina fisted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I am not here to see ye, Ian Grant, but to visit with Fanella and Jesse. Would ye please tell them that I am here?”

  What was she up to? “Ye arena here to see me?”

  “Nay. Why should I?”

  “The deadline has passed. It is time for ye to court me. Even yer uncle understood.”

  She actually snorted. “I willna court ye, Ian Grant. It isna proper.”

  “And me courtin’ ye in secret was?” he choked out.

  Davina lifted her nose and sniffed. “Entirely d
ifferent. Now please, inform Jesse and Fanella that I’ve arrived.”

  “Very well,” Ian bit out before he stomped off in the direction of the sitting room. “Always yer servant, Davina.”

  Well, he’d not beg or plead, that was for certain. If she wasn’t going to do her part in courting him, then he’d not bother with her, and he was done responding to her every whim and request, or would be once he told his sisters she was here.

  Damn and blast!

  After stopping in the parlor and announcing Davina, he stomped down the hall and into the library.

  “She’s calling on Jesse and Fanella,” Ian grumbled as he grabbed a decanter of whisky. “Davina hasna visited my sisters since a month before they left for London, yet she chooses now?” After pouring the whisky into the glass he tossed it back. “Stubborn, obstinate lass.”

  “Do ye often talk to yer whisky these days?” Lachlan asked.

  Ian nearly growled at his brother. Then refilled his glass as he told Lachlan of Davina’s visit.

  “Stubborn lass, indeed, but this shouldna be a shock to ye.”

  Ian blew out a breath. “It isna, but I’m tired of chasing her skirts, then waitin’ for her to chase me. I’m ready to be wedded.” And bedded. “Blast!” He slammed the glass down on a table, sloshing the liquid out.

  “Then force her to come to ye.”

  “How the blazes am I to do that?”

  “By courtin’ other lasses.”

  “I canna do that. It would be unfair to the others.”

  Lachlan slowly grinned. “Not if they ken what yer about.”

  Ian eyed his brother suspiciously. “Ye mean to find someone to help me make Davina jealous?”

  “Aye. It’s a tried and true method.”

  Ian picked up his glass and sipped again, thinking the matter through. “If I were to do this, who would I ask?”

  “There were plenty of lasses at the ball. One of them.”

  “Which one,” Ian asked in frustration.

  “Well, let’s make a list and see who would be most beneficial to yer purposes.”

  The thought had merit and lists were always good. With that, he strode to the desk and took a seat before pulling a piece of parchment before him and dipping the quill in the ink poised to write, but no names came to him. “I canna think of anyone.”

  “There were dozens of lasses at the ball, start with them.”

  “The only ones I can think of are Davina’s sister and cousin.”

  “Write them down,” Lachlan insisted as he poured himself a glass of whisky. “The rest will come to ye.”

  So, that’s where he started. First, he wrote Arabella and right below her name was Sheena. After her, the names flowed as he remembered who was standing around the ballroom and danced. By the time he was finished, there were nearly two dozen names. While taking a sip of whisky, he sat back and studied it, then dipped the quill in ink before he drew a line through the names of the lasses that would not be beneficial or helpful, including the names of Arabella and Sheena. They would be of no assistance, and he had no desire to cause discord within the MacGregor family.

  Chapter 25

  Davina was certain that after she’d not called on Ian that he’d realize he’d need to come to her.

  That had not come to pass.

  It had been three days since she’d called on Fanella and Jesse. Now what was she to do? She certainly couldn’t call on her friends again so soon. They rarely called on the other more than a couple of times a month. If she showed up so soon, then Ian would believe it was because she wished to see him.

  Of course she did, but Davina didn’t want Ian to know that.

  “Davina, you are about to wear a path in the carpet.”

  Rose’s voice pulled Davina from her thoughts and she looked up to find Rose, Arabella, Sheena, Madeline and Rose’s stepdaughters watching her.

  “Sorry.” She took her seat once again.

  She’d stopped writing invitations because she’d smudged the ink on three of them and managed to misspell her own last name on four. She couldn’t continue to ruin stationary and had gotten up from the table, but she didn’t feel like she could leave when others were working.

  The other Trent ladies, whether they were born a Trent or married one of the brothers had arrived yesterday. Seven of them in all had descended on Annagburn and taken over the wedding plans from Rose’s dress, to invitations, flowers, menu plans and every last detail. According to Madeline, when the ransom note had been received, Bentley and the brothers had sent all of their wives to Danby Castle where they’d be safe from marauding Scots. Madeline laughed, and assured them that those had not been Bentley’s words, but the fear they’d experienced at what happened to Rose was not lost on Davina.

  Her uncle was indeed lucky to be alive or not sitting in a cell somewhere.

  Davina was the mistress, and would normally have been put out with total strangers taking over, but her mind wasn’t on the wedding and certainly not on the details, and she was glad not to be in charge for a change. Besides, this was Rose’s wedding, and once the vows were spoken, Davina would no longer be mistress of Annagburn. Also, those who had done the taking over were Rose’s stepdaughters and daughters-in-law, who were intent on making this the perfect day for Rose.

  It was all rather sweet. And perhaps, Davina would be enjoying this more if she were anticipating her own wedding. But with each day that Ian didn’t call, Davina began to fear she might never be with Ian.

  With the arrival of the remaining Trents, Grant Manor had been overrun. Bentley and his wife Eleanor, along with John and his wife Elizabeth, had settled into Annagburn this morning. A Viscount Marston and his wife, Louisa, who happened to be Elizabeth’s’ sister, would be moving their belongings this afternoon.

  Davina stood again. “I’ll see that the remaining guest rooms are prepared.”

  “You’ve already done so,” Rose reminded her.

  Yes, she had, but how could she just sit here and wait? She couldn’t pace because it bothered the others and she didn’t dare touch another invitation or she’d ruin it.

  “Why don’t you go golf?” Rose suggested.

  Davina blinked at her. How could she golf at a time like this?

  “That’s an excellent idea,” Arabella rose from the table, as did Sheena.

  “Not you two,” Rose said gently.

  They frowned and then sat back down.

  “I’m really not in the mood for golf.” Davina started to take her seat once again.

  “Did I mention that Lachlan and Ian were to visit Aiden at the distillery today and show my brothers where they distill whisky?” Maddie said with a small grin.

  Rose’s stepdaughters frowned, wrinkles forming on their brows in confusion.

  “I don’t understand what golfing has to do with Ian’s visit,” Juliette finally said.

  “Part of the course is near the distillery,” Rose answered.

  Hope surged within Davina and she started out of the room.

  “Don’t forget to wear your breeches, dear,” Rose called after her. “You know how skirts are such a nuisance and get in the way.”

  She stopped and turned. “Uncle Aiden says they’re indecent.”

  Rose didn’t even look at her as she said, “That is the point.”

  Her stepdaughters giggled as Davina’s face began to burn. Could she really parade around in breeches? It was one matter when it was her cousins, or brothers, but was she brave enough for Ian to see her dressed in such a manner?”

  “Do you want him to court you?” Rose asked as she turned in her seat. “Or, are you prepared to court him?”

  Resolve shot through Davina. “I willna be the one doin’ the courtin’.”

  “I can assure you that once Ian sees you playing golf, he will not soon forget the sight, and you will not be far from his thoughts.” She laughed. “Just don’t let Aiden see you.”

  Davina strode from the parlor and then to her room. Being d
ressed in breeches may be a bit embarrassing in front of Ian, but they were very comfortable and it was impossible to golf in a skirt.

  As much as Ian wished to see Davina, if he visited now, even though he was with his brother, and they were to see Aiden and his nephews, Ian feared Davina would not know how serious he was about her doing the courting.

  Perhaps his pride was getting in the way of what he wanted, but he still hadn’t reconciled how he could prove to Aiden that he could manage Davina without also making her court him first.

  He slowed his horse to a stop.

  The others did as well and looked at him. Questions in their eyes.

  “Go on. I’ll not be visitin’ today.”

  “Ye’re already on their land,” Lachlan pointed out. “We’ve ridden half an hour and now ye wish to go home?”

  He wanted to see Davina, but his resolve wasn’t strong enough to remain true to what was required.

  “I doona want her to think I’m callin’ on her, and it’s best if I am not there. I’ve a point to prove.”

  Lachlan snorted. “Yer point will see ye without a lass on a cold winter night when they are the most enjoyable to have beside ye in bed.”

  “Winter is a long way off.” He turned his horse from the others. “I’ll just ride some.” That’s what he needed. To ride across the field, tire himself out and then return home.

  Ian turned off the road and traveled down the gentle slope of MacGregor land. The barley fields were in the distance beyond the woods where Davina liked to practice her archery. Was she out there today? The breeze was light and wouldn’t interfere with her aim.

  No, he would not ride in that direction. Instead, he’d ride the land where Aiden had built a small golf course for practicing. Ian was certain not to see Davina there. Plus it lay in the same direction of his home.

  There must be some way to prove to Aiden that he could manage Davina besides making her jealous. Even though Lachlan saw no harm, as long as the lass chosen was willing, it didn’t sit well with Ian. Yet, he couldn’t think of an alternative.