Courting the Scot

by Jane Charles

  At her words Acheson merely nodded. “Where is yer uncle?”

  “Right here,” Aiden answered as he came through the door. “What do you want, Acheson?” Aiden asked, though he frowned in Ian and Arabella’s direction.

  Ian quickly stepped away from Arabella and prayed that Aiden didn’t demand answers.

  Acheson introduced Coutts then focused on Ian and Arabella. “But, I’d keep an eye on those two if I were ye. They were rather close when I came in and interrupted them. So close that Ian had yer niece pressed up against the wall.”

  Arabella’s face flamed and Ian wanted to deny what Acheson thought he saw, but to do so would give away what they were trying to hide.

  “If she were my niece, I’d have her and Grant before a vicar.”

  With that, Aiden narrowed his eyes on Ian. “Is that so?”

  “I can explain,” Ian insisted, as he shot a look at Acheson.

  “First Davina and now Arabella. Perhaps ye havena changed yer ways.”

  “As Davina willna do as she’s told, I thought to consider others.”

  Arabella sucked in a breath, but thankfully said nothing further.

  “We’ll talk of this in private,” Aiden ordered.

  “Of course.”

  “Then I’ll be expecting an invitation to the wedding.” Acheson grinned. “I was waiting for a Grant to marry a MacGregor one day.”

  Acheson would be the last person to ever receive an invitation to any celebration held by the Grants or the MacGregors.

  “Is there anythin’ else ye were wantin’?” Aiden demanded.

  “Nay,” Acheson said as he wandered about the room, studying everything within. “Well, except to make sure yer not makin’ more whisky than ye claim.”

  “Look around, man, it’s all here. I’ve nothin’ to hide.”

  Coutts snorted. “That’s what they’ve all been sayin’

  “And they always will,” Acheson added, then tipped his hat. “Until next time, gentlemen, and I’ll be lookin’ for that invitation to the wedding.”

  Chapter 28

  Davina flattened herself against the outside of the small distillery. What had Ian and Arabella been doing when caught? Even if he’d been serious about seeking another out, it wouldn’t be her cousin, and so quickly, would it?

  As Davina willna do as she’s told, I thought to consider others. Her heart pounded as her stomach tightened. Is this where her stubbornness had gotten her? Now Arabella and Ian would be together because he’d been caught with her and not Davina?

  Nay! There had to be another explanation. Even if Ian was a rake and a rogue, he’d not go so quickly to another and her cousin would never deceive her in such a way.

  “Ye’d better get yerself to yer room and change before Uncle Aiden sees ye.”

  Davina jumped at Alistair’s voice. “Where did ye come from?”

  “The stables, like Aiden, but I stayed back to find out what Acheson was about.” He tugged on her arm and pulled her away from the building. “What I’d like to ken, is what is Ian doin’ in there?”

  “When I saw Acheson riding, I sent Ian to make sure the door was closed.”

  With that, Alistair narrowed his eyes on her. “Ye were meetin’ Ian in secret again and dressed like that?”

  “Nay,” she defended. “At least not intentionally.”

  Her older brother crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at her. “Explain.”

  “I was golfin’ and he rode by. That is all.” Her face flamed at the memories of what she didn’t dare mention to her brother.

  “And now he’s been caught in a compromisin’ position with Arabella.”

  Her eyes widened. “Is it that bad?”

  “Aye. I got here before Aiden and was peekin’ in the window. Ian had Arabella pressed against the back wall with his arms around her.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes. Had they both betrayed her?

  “The door to the tunnels was closed at least,” he grumbled.

  “I’m sure there’s an explanation,” she muttered weakly.

  “There’d better be or ye will be witnessin’ Arabella and Ian’s weddin’ instead of it bein’ ye.”

  Panic shot through her. “Surely, it isna that bad.”

  “It looked bad enough lass, and Uncle Aiden may not have a choice since there were witnesses.”

  How could everything go so wrong?

  “Now get yer arse upstairs and put on something fittin’ for a lass.”

  All Davina could do was nod as she fought back tears. Unable to speak due to the tightening in her throat, she darted past Alistair and made her way to the back of the manor so she could slip into the kitchen and up the servant stairs so that none of the Trents would see her. Once Davina gained her room, she sank down onto the bed and tried to determine what had gone wrong. How did Ian go from kissing her to being sent to check the door to the distillery to compromising Arabella?

  What if Alistair’s concerns came true and Arabella became Ian’s bride instead of her?

  She couldn’t think like that. Neither Ian nor Arabella would betray her in such a way.

  With determination to get to the truth, Davina changed her clothing and headed back down the stairs to confront Ian, Arabella and her uncle.

  The door to Uncle Aiden’s library was closed, but Arabella sat on a bench outside, her face ashen.

  “What happened?” Davina demanded.

  With that, Arabella’s eyes filled with tears. “Ye canna let our uncle make Ian do the right thing. It was all a misunderstandin’.”

  “What was?” Davina asked slowly, as her stomach churned.

  “He was only tryin’ to free my skirt.”

  “I explained that I was tryin’ to free her skirt,” Ian yelled.

  “It looked like more to me,” Alistair accused.

  “Ye werena even there.”

  “I looked in the window just as Acheson walked in.”

  “Bloody hell.” Ian thrust his fingers through his hair and stomped away from Aiden and Alistair.

  The door to the library slammed and Ian looked up just in time to see Donovan stomp toward him with his fist raised.

  “Davina wasna enough, now ye attempt to ruin my sister!”

  “Stop!” Ian yelled with enough anger to give Donovan pause. “I’ve explained twice. None of this is my fault.” Ian had never been this angry before. “If ye, all of ye, werena so careless as to leave the tunnel’s passageway open, none of this would have happened. It was Arabella and me who rushed to see that it was secured while ye were entertainin’ yer future family. Her skirt got caught and I was tryin’ to free it before Acheson arrived and caught us.”

  “Oh, he caught ye all right,” Donovan growled.

  Ian stared at Donovan, Alistair and then Aiden, noting the accusation on their faces.

  “What of my sister’s reputation?” Donovan demanded. “Acheson and Coutts saw ye with her. If ye doona have a reasonable explanation or do the right thing she’ll be ruined.”

  “My explanation is reasonable,” Ian bit out. “Ye just doona want me to tell them the truth.”

  “Then there’s nothin’ for it. Ye will need to marry Arabella.”

  Were they really so mad to think something had occurred between him and Arabella, or that he could easily substitute Arabella for Davina? Shaking his head, he set his empty whisky glass down. “I’m done with all of you.”

  “What do ye mean by that?” Alistair asked.

  “What do I mean?” he nearly choked. “I am done. I wanted to court Davina and between her and Aiden I’ve been met with nothing but resistance.” Ian took a step torward Aiden. “I had made up my mind that I wanted her for my bride and went about tryin’ to court her all proper, instead of behavin’ as I might in London with any other lady. Ye are the one who has made the situation impossible because ye insist that I need to manage her before ye’ll give yer consent.” He pointed at Aiden. “So, now I canna back down on my original jest th
at she court me, and she’s too stubborn to come to me.” Then he focused on Donovan. “What happened between Arabella and me was to save yer bloody neck. Next time I’ll just let the excisemen discover what ye’re tryin’ to hide, or not try to free her skirt and let Arabella get caught.” Striding toward Donovan he stopped as soon as he could look him directly in the eye. “If ye even contemplate tryin’ to hit me again, ye will not wake up until next week.” He turned back to Aiden. “Worse, all of these accusations are from a man who kidnapped a lady and held her for ransom.”

  “I dinna kidnap her,” Aiden argued.

  “Ye kept her,” Ian yelled back. “All of ye did. And I’m done with the lot of ye. Tell Davina she need not come after me, not that she would, and I willna bother her with my attentions again,” he said to Alistair. And to Donovan, “Apologize to Arabella for any embarrassment my saving yer bloody neck may have caused her.”

  As he said his piece, Ian headed for the door.

  “Wait,” Aiden called out. “Perhaps we’ve been a bit unreasonable, but it’s because my nieces are involved.”

  He stopped but did not turn. “I don’t think any of ye have been reasonable since Lady Bentley stepped into Annagburn.” Pulling on the handle, he opened the door. “I wish ye all well.”

  Davina came to her feet as he stepped into the corridor. With a nod, he strode past her and out of the manor for what may very well have been the last time.

  How the blazes had this day gone so wrong?

  “Ian?” Davina called after him, but he ignored her. Not only was he angry with her family, but tired of the game she played as well. The more she fought the courtship, or courting him, the more he was beginning to believe her heart wasn’t as involved as his. While it stung, nay, it hurt, he would survive. Besides, did he really want to marry into a family where madness seemed to run rampant as of late?

  Chapter 29

  “What have ye done?” Davina demanded as she burst into her uncle’s library.

  “Ian will not be calling on ye, nor does he wish for ye to call on him,” her uncle grumbled.

  It was as if someone had punched her in the stomach and forced all of the air from her lungs.

  “Because of what Acheson perceived between me and Ian?” Arabella asked.

  “Nay.” Uncle Aiden blew out a sigh and poured himself a glass of whisky. “And aye.”

  “It canna be both,” Davina insisted.

  “It’s all of it, and I am the one who erred the most and ruined this for ye, lass.”

  It truly was over. Ian wouldn’t be courting her, ever. She’d lost him.

  “I shouldna demanded that he prove he could manage ye.”

  Well, it was a little late for that revelation.

  “I doubt that it’s possible for any man to manage a woman. Rose has me tied up in knots and I’m happy to do her biddin’ without question. I should’ve understood that Ian may have been in the same predicament.”

  “I doona have him tied in knots and I had a very good reason for keepin’ him from the manor, as you well ken.”

  “Aye,” he admitted.

  Davina glanced at her brother and cousin. Neither one of them could look her in the eye. Ian had left for good and she had nobody but her uncle, cousin and brother to blame. And, perhaps herself as well. She’s the one who refused to court him and now Ian was gone for good.

  “I doona even understand why you behaved in such a way to begin with,” she said. “Ye’ve kent Ian all his life, yet ye made it difficult for him instead of just agreeing to the courtship.”

  “Aye, I like him well enough, but that was before he started kissin’ and sneakin’ around with my sister,” Alistair answered.

  “I was angry when I made my decision that he had to prove himself,” her uncle admitted. “Ye are my niece and need to be protected.”

  Davina fisted her hands on her hips and glared at her brother. “So, it is fine if ye go around kissin’ lasses that may or may not have a brother, but not for a lass who happens to be yer sister to be kissin’.”

  Alistair’s face began to darken.

  “And you!” She pointed at Donovan. “Ye should’ve kent better. Ian may be a rake, but he wouldna try to seduce Arabella when he had just got done tryin’ to seduce me.”

  All three of them straightened and stiffened. Perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned anything about seducing.

  “But he said he’d grown tired of waitin’ on ye,” Alistair said.

  Tears spiked at his words. Maybe she didn’t know Ian as well as she thought.

  “He was tryin’ to free my skirt, nothin’ else,” Arabella cried in frustration. “Ian belongs to Davina, not me, and I don’t want him anyway.”

  “Well, since he’s decided he doesna want either of you, it really doesna matter,” Donovan reminded them.

  His words were a knife to her heart. Perhaps Ian hadn’t cared as much as she. It wasn’t as if words of love had been spoken between them. Only courtin’ and a future with wickedness. He couldn’t have loved her if he walked away so easily.

  Davina swiped a tear from her cheek. “I best see to supper.”

  “Doona give up hope, Davina,” Arabella said. “Ian was angry. I’m sure in time he’ll be back.”

  She wanted to believe that as well, but she was afraid that the only time she’d ever see him again was when he had business with her uncle, if they ever did business together again, and for no other reason.

  “Ye could always court him,” she suggested without much enthusiasm.

  “I doona think it matters any longer.”

  “No niece of mine is goin’ to court a man,” Uncle Aiden barked, which only made her stiffen with determination. It was his fault that Ian was gone. His, Alistair’s and Donovan’s, of that she was certain, even if she hadn’t heard their conversation.

  “Ian may no longer wish to court me, but I will decide if I will be courtin’ him.”

  “Damn and blast!” Ian strode into the library and grabbed the decanter of whisky. “The MacGregors are an infuriatin’ lot.” And he was better off rid of them. All of them. Every last one. “Except Davina.” He blew out a sigh and poured a glass of whisky.

  “Many a men has looked for answers in the bottom of a bottle but has never found it there,” Lachlan said as he came into the room.

  Ian just glared at him and grabbed another glass for his brother.

  “What has ye all irritated?” Jordan Trent asked as he followed Lachlan into the library.

  Bloody hell, weren’t the Trents supposed to be staying at Annagburn now?

  As both Jordan and Lachlan were married men, he supposed they may have advice on how he should go forward from here. As he poured a glass of whisky, he explained about the courting, secrets, demands of Aiden, Davina’s refusal, Acheson’s arrival, so that Lachlan would be alert, and Arabella’s skirt. By the time he was finished, his head was pounding and he poured a second glass for all three of them.

  “She reminds me of Audrey,” Jordan said after a moment. “She’d have nothing to do with me because of my reputation.”

  Ian may have been considered a rake, but his reputation would never rival Jordan Trent’s.

  “How did ye make her come around?”

  Jordan frowned. “Determination.”

  “Is it really so important that Davina come to ye?” Lachlan asked.

  It wasn’t something Ian could answer with an aye or a nay. “It’s more to the point that she resisted my attempts at seduction.” That was the crux of the matter. He could have taken her on the golf course, though it wasn’t the best plan being out in the open. But if he hadn’t asked why she hadn’t courted him and continued with his desire for her to do so, they’d be mated and planning their wedding.

  Jordan raised an eyebrow. “Was the seduction meant to arouse or to fully seduce?”

  Ian just stared at him. There was a difference?

  “If you were intent on seeing that there’d be no question as to marrying, an
d it failed, I’d be concerned. If it was to arouse and make her want you in anticipation of what the future holds, then there is less concern.”

  If anyone knew the most about seduction and being a rogue, it was Jordan Trent, and any wise man would listen and take his advice. “I was wishin’ to give her a taste of what was to come if she’d only but give in.”

  “Was she succumbing to your caresses and kisses, or whatever it was you were doing?”

  He couldn’t help the grin that started to form at the memory of Davina’s shortened breaths, arching against him and the tightened nipples against her linen shirt. “Aye, she was succumbing very well.”

  “Your mistake was talking then, wasn’t it?”

  Ian’s face heated. “She’s a stubborn one. I needed to ken where I stood.”

  Lachlan and Jordan nodded.

  “Ye stand where ye did before,” Lachlan finally said.

  “Nay, I’m further from what I wanted than ever.”

  Jordan shook his head. “I don’t believe so. You’ve given her a taste, though I don’t know how much of a taste and don’t wish to, but if it was enough, she’ll remember and won’t be so quick to forget.”

  He had spoken of wickedness and Davina had no idea what more there could be, but she had wanted him, of that he didn’t doubt.

  “Let her have those memories, stirring desires, but let her be until the wedding.”

  “I am not goin’ to the weddin’,” Ian grumbled. “I told Aiden I was done with his family.”

  “Do you want her or not?” Lachlan countered.

  As much as he wished to move on, it was Davina who he wanted as his wife and in his bed. The lass held his heart and she didn’t even know it. However, she was the one who was being stubborn.

  “Stay away until the wedding,” Jordan said as he leaned forward. “This will give her a few days to think and wonder about you. Then, when you attend, focus your attention on others, unless she comes to you. Then, when she does, seduce her and make her yours.”