Scandal in Scotland (23 page)

F
ROM
The Laird Who Loved Me

Viscount Falkland gaped at the doorway, then frantically adjusted his cuffs and smoothed his waistcoat.

Alexander MacLean followed the plump young lord’s gaze and found Caitlyn Hurst entering the room arm-in-arm with Miss Ogilvie. They made a pretty picture, and Alexander would wager the family castle that they knew it.

“Good God, she’s—” croaked Falkland, turning bright red. “She’s an
angel
! A true angel!” He subsided into wide-eyed bliss.

“Easy, fool,” Lord Dervishton muttered. “You’ll embarrass us all.” He stood and flourished a bow. “Good morning! I trust you both slept well.”

“I certainly did,” Miss Ogilvie said.

“As did I. I slept until almost ten,” Miss Hurst added in her rich, melodious voice.

Falkland visibly shivered and it was all Alexander could do not to chide the fool. The youth was smitten and, judging from the way Dervishton was watching Caitlyn, he was in no better shape.

Good God, did every man except him fall madly in love with the chit? It was damnably annoying.

Falkland leaned forward eagerly. “Miss Hurst, can I carry your plate at the buffet and—”

“Don’t even try it.” Dervishton slipped his arm through Caitlyn’s. “Miss Hurst needs someone with steadier hands to hold her plate.”

Falkland stiffened. “I have steady hands, and I can also—”

“For the love of God!” Alexander snapped, unable to take another moment. “Leave the chit alone! She can get her own damned breakfast.”

Falkland turned bright red. “I was just—”

“Sausage!” Caitlyn looked past him to the buffet. “There’s only one left and I intend to have it. If you will pardon me a moment, please?” She slipped her arm from Dervishton’s, whisked around him, and began to fill a plate while exclaiming at the sight of kippers.

“Excuse me!” Falkland scurried off to pester Caitlyn.

Chuckling, Miss Ogilvie followed.

Dervishton returned to his seat. “Well! I’ve never been dismissed for a plate of sausage before.”

Alexander had to hide a reluctant smile. He should have been irritated, but his sense of humor was too strong to allow it.

He watched Caitlyn chat animatedly to Falkland about the variety of fruit on the buffet as she filled the plate he dutifully held. Last night she’d been equally enthusiastic about their dinner, her reaction immediate and genuine. Their previous relationship had happened so quickly, so fiercely, that he hadn’t learned her everyday likes and dislikes. Not that it mattered, he told himself, dispelling a flicker of unease. He knew her character, and that was all he needed to know.

“Falkland is a fool,” Dervishton said into the silence. “He is escorting the charming Miss Hurst this way. I’d have taken her to the other end of the table, away from the competition.”

Alexander watched as the weak-chinned viscount assisted Caitlyn to a chair down a little and across from Alexander. Caitlyn was chuckling at something the viscount said, while he watched her with an adoring air that made Alexander nauseous.

When Alexander turned to say as much to Dervishton, he realized that the young lord’s gaze was locked on Caitlyn, too. “Watch,” he murmured to Alexander. “You’ll be glad you did.”

“Watch what?”

A mesmerized look in his eyes, Dervishton didn’t answer.

Muttering an oath, Alexander turned and regarded Caitlyn. The morning sunlight slanted across her, smoothing over her creamy skin and lighting her golden hair. Her long lashes, thick and dark, shadowed her brown eyes and made them appear darker. She looked fresh and lovely, no different than he expected.

Irritated, Alexander shrugged. “So?”

“You’re an impatient sort, aren’t you?” Dervishton flicked a glance at Alexander and then turned back to Caitlyn. “Wait a moment and you’ll see.”

Alexander scowled, but as he did so, Caitlyn leaned over her plate and closed her eyes, an expression of deep pleasure on her face. Her expression was like that of a lover, a sensual yearning.

Instantly his throat tightened and his heart thundered an extra beat. “What in the hell is she doing?”

“Smelling the ham, I believe.” Dervishton’s voice was oddly deep.

Alexander was fairly certain his own voice wouldn’t be normal either as he watched Caitlyn savor the scent of her breakfast.

She smiled and lifted her fork and knife … and licked her lips.

“Good God,” Dervishton whispered hoarsely.

Alexander’s body flash heated, and for one wild, crazed moment, he
wanted
that look—wanted to own it, to possess it, for it to be directed at him and no one else.

Caitlyn slipped her fork beneath a small bit of ham and brought it to her lips.

If he had thought her expression rapturous before, he’d been wrong. There was no description for the blatantly sensual expression she wore now. “Has she never had food before?”

Dervishton answered quietly, “I think it’s the sophistication of the dishes that she savors.”

“Ham and eggs?”

“Seasoned with chives, butter, and a touch of thyme—Roxburge keeps an excellent table. I have seldom—” Caitlyn slipped a forkful of eggs between her lips. “Damn,” he breathed as Caitlyn closed her eyes and slowly chewed, her lips moist.

Damn indeed. The woman was talented at garnering attention, but this was beyond enough! Alexander saw that every man in the room was watching her eat—even Roxburge had a greedy expression on his face.

Alexander’s jaw tightened. Then he leaned forward and said in a clear voice, “Miss Hurst, I’ve never seen a woman eat with such relish.”

She lowered her fork. “I doubt I enjoy my food any more than anyone else.” She turned to Miss Ogilvie, who’d just taken a seat. “Don’t you think that’s true, Miss Ogilvie?”

“Oh, we all have our weaknesses,” Miss Ogilvie said promptly. “For example, no one loves chocolate cake as much as I.”

Beside her, the Earl of Caithness grinned. “I’ve been known to hoard truffles.”

“Don’t let MacLean fool you,” Dervishton added with a wicked twinkle. “He almost fought our host over the last pear.”

Caitlyn blinked. “There were
pears
?”

“I have the last one.” Alexander cut a piece and made a show of tasting it. “Mmm! Cinnamon. Excellent.”

Her gaze narrowed and her lips pressed firmly together, which made the pear taste all the better to Alexander.

Georgiana’s sharp voice cut through the moment. “Lord Dervishton, you mentioned last night that you’d enjoy a ride this afternoon.”

Dervishton nodded, his gaze drifting back to Caitlyn.

“I shall have the horses readied, then,” Georgiana said sharply. She looked at Alexander and her expression softened. “You don’t normally ride for pleasure, I recall.”

He shrugged. “I ride while attending my lands. I don’t normally find it a relaxing pastime.”

Lady Kinloss, seated at Georgiana’s left, clapped her hands. “A ride would be delightful! Though her grace and some others”—she sent a quick glance at Alexander—“are not much for riding, I’m sure the
rest
of us would enjoy it. Perhaps we could even visit the Snaid.”

Miss Ogilvie looked up from a low conversation she was having with Caithness. “The Snaid? Is that a castle?”

Lady Kinloss tittered. “Lud, no! The Snaid is what the locals call Inversnaid. It’s a very small village, but there’s an inn there with exceptionally good fare and some astounding views of the Ben, which is quite a lovely mountain. We could ride to the Snaid this afternoon, have tea, and return in plenty of time to get ready for dinner.”

“Miss Hurst, do you ride?” Dervishton asked.

“Somewhat. I was learning in London when—” Her gaze slipped to Alexander and then, catching his hard look, she colored. “Of course I can ride.”

He lifted his brows, amused at her pink-stained cheeks. Though she was talking about their rides in the park, she was
thinking
about the kisses that had followed. As was he.

Glad to know that those memories still caused her some flustered moments, he allowed his gaze to flicker over her mouth. “Miss Hurst is an excellent …
rider
.”

She flushed a deeper pink, her gaze flying to meet his. “Thank you, Lord MacLean, but I wouldn’t classify myself as excellent.”

“Oh, come now. Don’t be so shy about your talents.”

All eyes turned toward Caitlyn. She flicked him a cold glance before offering a breathless laugh. “While I can ride, I don’t know the horses in her grace’s stables and—”

Alexander drawled, “You are worried they wouldn’t be up to your standards, of course. Having seen you ride, I can certainly understand your concern.”

Dervishton raised his brows. “You have ridden together before?”

“I had the privilege of teaching Miss Hurst when she was in London last season.”

There was a distinct pause in the conversation.

Caitlyn’s cheeks couldn’t be brighter. “Fortunately, I’ve had more instruction since.”

Alexander’s humor disappeared. What in the hell did she mean by
that
? Was she talking about riding, or kissing? Dammit, she’d been ensconced in the countryside for the last three months! Had some country bumpkin dared touch her?

Alexander’s blood boiled at the thought of Caitlyn’s pink and white perfection in the hands of a rough farmer.

Georgiana said, “Miss Hurst, I’m sure we’ll find a mount that will match your ability.”

“Thank you, your grace,” Caitlyn purred, smiling as if she knew the irritation she’d managed to cause him.

“Your grace,” Miss Ogilvie interjected, “I’m afraid my riding skills are quite negligible. I will need a gentle mount.”

Georgiana seemed amused by this artless confession. “Don’t worry, Miss Ogilvie. I have quite a number of smaller, gentler mounts in the stables for just such a reason.”

Miss Ogilvie sighed in relief. “Thank you, your grace!”

“Of course.” Georgiana sent a look at Alexander from under her lashes and said in a lazy voice, “While most of you are enjoying a ride, I will stay here and attend to some correspondence. That should be a lovely way to spend the afternoon.”

Alexander wished she’d try for a little subtlety, but he supposed it was beyond her. To show his disinterest, he turned back to his plate to enjoy his pear. But as he raised his fork, he realized it was gone.

Across from him, Caitlyn lifted the last piece of pear with her fork. She’d stolen
his
pear from
his
plate, the wench!

She smiled at him as she slid the pear between her lips and chewed it with obvious relish. Her eyes twinkled mischievously and an answering spark of amusement lifted one corner of his mouth, but he staunched it immediately.

For a dangerous moment, he’d almost forgotten why she was here. Dammit, he had to be on guard that she didn’t beguile him the way she’d already enslaved the majority of men here. He had a plan for the delectable Miss Caitlyn Hurst that had nothing to do with stolen cinnamon pears or genteel rides through the picturesque countryside. His plan was for revenge, cold and sweet. He owed her a humiliation or two, and before this house party was over, he’d see to it that she got what she so richly deserved—and more.

F
ROM
One Night in Scotland

Mary Hurst glanced at the clock. If she were a wagering sort, she’d say the earl would burst into their room in approximately five more minutes.

She tilted the chair higher the next time, then slammed it down with all of her might.
Yes, that’s quite a bit more—

The door slammed open, causing Abigail to drop her chair and squeak while Mary froze in place.

The earl was framed by the doorway, his broad shoulders almost filling the space, his head barely clearing the door frame. His dark hair was mussed about his stern visage, his lips pressed in fury, a neck cloth knotted about his throat.

He stalked into the room, a man the size of a great black bear, yet with a firm jaw and flashing pale green eyes.

A delicious shiver ran down Mary’s spine.
He arrives like the hero in a play, ready to fight a villain
.

Only,
he
was the villain. Still, she had to admit that the man possessed an unconscious theatrical flair. No one could be immune to the way he moved, all athletic grace and restrained power; the second he walked into a room, he dominated the space and the people without even trying. Added to that was his penchant to dress all in black, and the scarf that covered his jaw and hid a rumored scar … Who could blame her for shivering whenever he was near?

His icy gaze locked on her now.

She dipped a quick curtsy. “My lord, how kind of you to join us.”

“I will not have this racket in my house.”

“And I will not be locked in a room like a mad dog.”

His mouth thinned, his hands fisted at his side. The tension in the room grew so thick that Mary thought that she could walk upon it. She stood behind her chair, ready to resume her noise warfare at a second’s notice.

But Abigail was not so sternly made. She swallowed noisily, looking from her mistress to the earl and back, her eyes wide, her breath swift.

Erroll turned suddenly, his gaze now locked upon the maid. “
You
.”

Abigail let the chair she was holding drop back and dipped a jerky curtsy, her face pale. “Y-y-yes, m-m-me lord?”

“
Out.”
The earl didn’t even glance at Abigail’s heaving chest before turning back to Mary.

He wasn’t an easily distracted man, she’d give him that, for the maid was difficult to ignore.

“Aye, m-m-my lord, but I—I—” Abigail gulped and shot an uncertain glance at Mary.

“It’s quite all right,” Mary said despite her own racing heart. “I wish to have a word with his lordship and this will be the perfect opportunity.”

Abigail needed no more encouragement and she scuttled toward the door.

“Close it,” the earl ordered, his gaze locked on Mary.

With a final, worried backward glance at Mary, Abigail closed the door behind her.

The earl crossed his arms over his broad chest and scowled. “I don’t appreciate being awakened in such a fashion.”

Mary realized that the earl must have dressed in extreme haste, for his waistcoat was hanging open and his shirt was half tucked. His coat, too, was slightly askew, as if he’d pulled it on while walking.

That was odd. One of the servants must have rushed to his apartments and awoken him with a complaint about the noise, which had obviously made him furiously toss on his clothes and race here. But how had he gotten here so fast? His bedchamber was in the opposite wing; Muir had let that fact slip as he escorted her here last night.

Well, however it happened, her ploy had worked, for here he was.

She folded her hands primly before her and smiled. “I can see that we awakened you and it’s put you in an ill mood. I’m not being unreasonable, for I
did
ask to be allowed out, but we were refused.”

“On my orders.”

“Exactly. Therefore, I was forced to more extreme measures. If you’ll unlock the door and leave it unlocked, I promise the noise won’t happen again.”

“No.”

Her calm smile slipped. No explanation, no appreciation of her logic, just “no” in a deadly cold voice. She lifted her chin. “Fine. Then I’ll continue with my concert.” She grasped the chair, rocked it forward on its front legs, then slammed it down onto the floor.

“Stop that.”

“Not until you release me from this room.”

A low rumble remarkably like a growl emanated from the earl. “Do not push me in this manner. You will regret it.”

“Do not push
me
, my lord. I won’t accept such rude treatment.”

His lips were almost white as he attempted to hold back God only knew what sort of improper retort.

Mary’s heart thudded rapidly and she had to quell a childish desire to hike her skirts and run. She’d wanted to ignite him to action, and she had his attention now.
Don’t get rattled. Face your enemy and do not flinch
.

She cleared her throat. “This is an intolerable situation. I’m not happy being locked away.”

“I’m not happy that you’re making so much noise that I cannot even think in peace.”

“Then allow me out. I promise to behave myself. I shall be a perfect guest while we wait to hear from Mr. Young.”

“No. I won’t have you traipsing around, looking for that damned artifact every time my back is turned.”

She frowned, tapping one foot in impatience.

He lifted a brow. “I don’t hear you offering to refrain from such a search.”

“I suppose I could, but it wouldn’t be honest,” she replied regretfully. “However much I wish for my freedom, it would be useless to pretend I’m not desperate to place my hands on that artifact.”

“You are doing your purpose a grave disservice with that announcement.”

“It’s the truth.” She gripped the back of the chair tighter and leaned forward. “Erroll, my brother’s life hangs in the balance. I
must
have that artifact.”

His gaze narrowed. “You are almost convincing.…”

She closed her eyes and counted to ten. “You will see how mistaken you are when Mr. Young confirms my identity.”

“
If
that happens, then the artifact is yours. But until then, you will remain in this room and cease this noise.”

“Erroll, I cannot—”

“No. That’s my final word. There is no more to be said.” He turned and strode back toward the door.

“No.”

He paused, one hand on the knob before he shot her a dark look over his shoulder. “
What
?”

“I said no. It’s not in my nature to sit tamely by and acquiesce to such barbaric behavior.”

His green gaze flickered over her. “You will do as you are told and that’s that.” He reached for the knob and turned it.

Meanwhile, she gripped the chair again, lifted it, and dropped it to the ground.
THUNK!

She did it again. And again. And—

The earl spun on his heel, curses snapping from his lips as he strode across the room toward her, his green gaze furious.

Mary instinctively stepped away, which was fortuitous, as the earl snatched up her chair and strode to the window. To Mary’s shock, he threw open the window, glanced down to the courtyard, and then tossed the chair over the ledge.

With a splintering crash, the chair smashed on the cobblestones below.

Mary blinked.

Erroll turned away from the window, a faint smile touching his mouth. “There.”

“That was—” She couldn’t find the words, couldn’t believe he’d done such a thing.

“Now, you will behave yourself and remain quietly in your room as you’ve been told. I shall see to it that some books are brought for your amusement. Hopefully we’ll hear from Mr. Young in a week or so—”

“A
week
?”

The earl frowned. “I asked Mr. Young to return here and identify you in person, just so there can be no misunderstanding. So it will be a week, at least.”

A
week
? A
whole
week?

Mary clenched her fists at her sides. She was so angry she could have stomped her foot, but she refused to give him the satisfaction. “My lord, I don’t think you understand. I must deliver that artifact to my—”

“To your brother William. You informed me of that fact last night. As far as I’m concerned, your brother can wait; I will not release the artifact until I am completely certain you are who you say you are. I owe Michael Hurst my caution, if nothing else.”

She lifted her chin. “He doesn’t need your caution; he needs your
help
, which you could grant if you’d just give me that artifact and release me so that I can deliver it!”

He scowled, his hands opening and closing at his sides. “You will not be reasonable.”

“If you mean will I accept your bullying, then the answer is
no
.”

“Fine.” He crossed to another chair, swooped it up, and tossed it out the window as well. He did it again, and yet again. The cool outside air began to wash over the room as it emptied, stirring the curtains and making Mary shiver as wood splintered upon the courtyard below.

As Erroll reached for the final chair, this one a lovely cushioned one covered with embroidered tapestry, she could bear no more. “Oh, stop! It’s a horrid waste. Those are beautiful chairs.”

He shrugged. “If I wish to replace them, I’ll order more.” And with that, that last chair joined its fellows on the cobblestones below.

Mary rubbed her forehead. When she was growing up in the vicarage, a chair—especially one as finely made as these—was a treasure to be enjoyed and savored, not something to be tossed away like a broken dish. The wastefulness banished her fear as nothing else could have.

Had Erroll been one of her brothers, she’d have set him to rights with a few well-chosen words. But he was her enemy sworn, so she held her anger like a shield, using her scorn as her bolster in the coming confrontation.

Mary didn’t know what Michael would do in this situation, and suddenly she didn’t care. She’d handle this her own way.
If the furnishings mean so little to him, then let him toss all of them
.

She eyed the remaining furniture, then pointed to a small stool. “I could make noise with that.”

His brows snapped down. “You challenge me, woman.”

“Someone needs to.”

Scowling as blackly as a pirate, he strode to the stool, snatched it up, and tossed it out the window.

She waited until she heard the crash from the courtyard before she pointed to the tapestry-covered seat to the dressing table. “And that.”

Seconds later, it joined the others.

She pointed to the fire poker set. “And those, of course. You wouldn’t believe the noise I could make with iron.”

Without a second’s delay, they joined the tumbled, splintered pile in the courtyard.

“Anything else?” he asked grimly.

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll find something.” She gave him a brilliantly smug smile, her anger hidden behind her teeth. “I don’t cry quit simply because someone else cannot keep their temper.”

For one second, she feared she’d gone too far, for his mouth thinned in a most ominous way. Instead, he turned on his heel and emptied out the remainder of movable furniture, tossing each item one at a time out the window. When he was done, nothing was left in the room other than a large wardrobe, the massive bed, and the heavy, marble-topped dressing table.

Mary looked about the nearly empty room. “That was certainly dramatic.”

His gaze narrowed, as she shrugged. “It may be a bit late to mention this, but I suppose you couldn’t have had the furniture removed and stored, rather than destroying it?”

“I could, but it wouldn’t have made my point.”

“Your point being that you’ve a horrid temper and can act like a complete and utter ass? Yes, I’d say you’ve made your point quite well.”

He was across the room so quickly that she didn’t have time to do more than suck in her breath. He glared down at her, his broad shoulders blocking all of the light from the windows, and she was once again astounded at his size.

His deep voice roiled across her like the hot lick of flames. “Listen to me well: I will not brook insolence. You
will
do as you’re told. Until Mr. Young confirms your identity, you will remain here, in this room, and behave yourself. If you don’t, then you won’t have even the luxuries you have now. Am I understood?”

She straightened her shoulders and tilted her head back to stare up into his haughty face. “Even if you take
all
of the furnishings
and
toss them out the window
and
remove me from this room
and
lock me away in the—the—the stables, I will do what I must to make certain you are every bit as miserable as I. Am
I
understood?”

Angus had never been so furious in his entire life. This woman, this impostor, who’d dared come to
his
home to steal an object entrusted to him by one of the few men he deemed a friend, did not deserve even the kindnesses he had bestowed upon her—a luxurious bedchamber with her maid in attendance. Why, he’d even left his own comfortable bedchamber for the smaller one adjacent to this to make certain she was safe!

Yet the chit showed no gratitude and actively attempted to irk him. Well, she’d succeeded.

He knew some of his anger had to do with being awakened from a rare, deep sleep, but more of it was because she refused to be bent to his will. He wasn’t used to that, and he’d be damned if he’d start now.

Even now she glared up at him as if unafraid and unmoved by his fury. Yet she lied, and he knew it. Her modestly covered chest—temptingly generous—rose and fell quickly, straining at her pale blue gown. Her sherry-colored eyes were slightly dilated, her lips parted, her creamy skin flushed.

Every word she uttered was a deliberate challenge. Well, the chit was about to get what she so desperately desired: an answer for her impertinence.

He grasped her to him, lifted her off her feet, and pulled her curvaceous figure against him. He had intended to simply hold her there until she begged to be released, but once he felt her warm skin beneath his hands, the pressure of her generous breasts upon his chest, the excited gasp from her parted lips, suddenly holding her wasn’t nearly enough.