His Lass Wears Tartan (11 page)

“No, I’ll come down with you, if you don’t mind. I’m just in the way up here.”

Bruce kept his arm wrapped snug around her waist, his head leaning against hers. He was going to soak up any minutes she could offer him.

That night at dinner, Rogue ensured the group of writers found no empty chair at the end of the table, the place settings spaced equally apart. She paused a few moments listening to the low murmurs of questions and concerns running through the small group. She stepped back through the doorway with a sigh.

“I heard Mr. Leatherton and that woman had known each other, maybe even intimately, for a long time. Teacher’s pet most definitely during all this. As much as I paid for this round-the-clock lunacy, I am grateful he cut class short today. I’m thoroughly exhausted.”

“You may be right. I got the impression they may have been very close at some point. He sure gave her more leeway during class than the rest of us. He practically fawned over some of her dreadful essays, and I rarely understood her metaphors.”

 “Poor thing, I’m sure the overseas travel and damp weather did her tiny heart in. I couldn’t imagine my mother enduring literary torture like this. I wonder if her doctors knew she was traveling out of the country to a drafty old castle.”

After the five-course meal, as the waitstaff brought in the trays of coffee and tea, Rogue stepped through the velvet-curtained doorway. “Mr. Olson, I just wanted to see if everything was going well this evening.”

“Quite, under the dark, sad circumstances.” Jonathan stood and excused himself quite loudly to the others, linking his arm through Rogue’s and rushing her out of the Great Hall.

Her eyebrows raised, Rogue nearly stumbled over the edge of her skirt. Her muscles tightened, ready for another round of angst with the man. “What is the meaning of this?”

Once away from the staff and the group, Jonathan slowed his pace, patting her hand on his arm, and practically purred in her ear, “I wanted to apologize in private for my inexcusable behavior this morning. I became quite overwhelmed with the demise of Miss Beatrice, I’m afraid, and took my piggish behavior out on you. Such a ghastly thing has never happened before at any of our conferences and events over the years; I utterly lost all rational thought. I do hope this has not tainted your thoughts toward me.”

How did he turn his furnace of a hot temper on and off like the flick of a switch? His typically genteel ways and smooth, silky voice began washing away the harsh effect of his reaction in the kitchen this morning.

“I guess I can understand what a shock it must have been for you, sir, being responsible for groups of various ages throughout different countries. ’Tis my own first death of a guest in my bed and breakfast as well, and I am not familiar with the protocol.”

“Jonathan, please, just call me Jonathan, my dear. We are past the formalities of strict manners, are we not?”

His meandering gaze had an air of confidence. She bit the inside of her cheek, nodding her head. She’d never met someone with such a flash of temper quickly cooled. His confidence and attentive manners felt like a perfect diamond at the end of this chaotic day. A hardness of what, experience, class? Having traveled around the world as he so often mentioned, the man had surely faced other situations and crises. He oozed a grave professionalism. Her heartbeat escalated.

He led her into a softly lit room. Escorting her expertly to an overstuffed settee, he carefully sat next to her, unbuttoning his jacket. “You must truly forgive me, or my heart will break from causing you such anger.” He raised his hand and gently brushed a stray curl from her face.

Rogue’s stomach lurched then dropped to her toes, sudden, nervous like.
What are these feelings stirring inside me?
The man’s warm fingers against her skin sent strange chills through her body, making her heart pound. She couldn’t breathe; it was as if she’d slipped under fast-moving water with no sense of which way was up or down.

His custom-fit brocade dinner suit gave him a mysterious and romantic appearance, she had to admit. This man was used to getting want he wanted, a characteristic she’d met many times in other gentlemen, yet an aura about him pulled her closer, entranced, a fly to the spider. Her eyes searched his face, starting with the well-groomed beard and pausing at his blue eyes. She lost her train of thought in their intensity.

“Please let me make it up to you.” He leaned closer, his words caressing her ear. “Since I am tied to responsibilities here and cannot whisk you off to adventures and glitz in a big, fascinating metropolis, come have dinner with us tomorrow night. I’ll be on my best behavior, and afterward you may lead me through an intimate tour of the castle. Show me every nook and cranny of this ancient splendor you call home. I want to know more about its history and, most importantly, you.” The last word came out as a whisper.

Rogue started to nod, hypnotized away from any thought of Bruce or reality, unable to break her gaze until a bounding gray mass leapt toward her. Diva planted her giant front paws on Rogue’s lap and her nose against her cheek. Surprised, Rogue giggled, rubbing briskly behind the dog’s ears. “Where have you been, girl? The pads of your feet are cold. Out chasing the foxes again?”

Jonathan’s initial shout at the sudden disruption melted into a rigidness as she noticed his stiffness around the dog. Did he not like dogs? The dog’s lips pulled back slightly, showing her teeth at the man, making him cringe deeper into the back cushions.

“Is this mongrel yours?” He brushed his hands on the front of his jacket at invisible dog hair and wrinkled his nose. “That breath would destroy Superman. It’s worse than kryptonite, I swear. He’s doesn’t bite, does he? He looks ready to shred my jacket. Please make him leave, dear. He’s a horrible distraction, and I wanted privacy with you tonight.”

Rogue stared as if he’d slapped her. First he dismissed her horses as unnecessary, filthy creatures, and now he faulted her wee dog for being excited to see her? Okay, maybe in his jet-set world of fancy restaurants and Hollywood glamor, he’d never experienced animals. But that was no reason to snap at Diva. Restraining herself not to bolt from the room, she whispered, “Lie down.”

The dog grumbled but left her lap and folded her lankiness into a large gray rectangle at her feet. A snort followed before she rested her head on her front paws.

Jonathan blinked and ran his hands across his smooth hair. “Where were we before such a rude interruption?” He edged closer in the moment of silence. “You were about to accept dinner with me tomorrow night, yes?”

“I hardly think I would be decent company.”

“Now, now, please don’t judge me harshly.” He leaned in more, closer to her face, his eyes awash with innocence. “I was never raised with a dog as a boy, my dear—strict military schools and isolation from any four-footed animals. Do not hold against me a lack of fondness for dogs. I have never lived with the creatures as you have. Actually, I’m a bit jealous. How I would love to leap into your lap for sweet, soft, comfort, with your hands caressing my heart and soul.”

She blinked, resisting his charm. He was trying to be attentive, classy, and she felt like scooting over. The man epitomized the cultured, luxury lifestyle in a gorgeous package
. Don’t I want to be wined and dined in international fashion? I should be flattered at his interest, right?
She was so confused. Gillian and the girls would have shoved her straight into his arms to soak up as much exhilaration as she could. Throw caution to the wind and experience life filled with bright lights and paparazzi.

I don’t know if I’m cut out for luxury and indulgence.

Desperate to change the subject, she said, “Are you working on something while you’re here?”

“Indeed, I am not. My attention must be focused on Mr. Leatherton and our latest stable of students.” He leaned against the back of the seat, looking like the cat that ate the canary. “Now Mr. Leatherton’s latest work in progress ... well, we’ve seen its like before, I’m afraid. His current pages and plot are only privy to myself, of course.”

She nodded. “I havena read any of his books, I’m sorry to say.”

“A woman of excellent taste.” She noticed his smile didn’t reach his eyes, but as Rogue watched his face, she almost missed the change. Though it was barely perceptible, his eyes became more engaging and his demeanor gentle, coaxing.

“Do come to dinner with me and let me show you off to the writers, please. Your wit and charm will soothe their stress of today and bring a touch of Scots heritage to their trip.”

“Put that way, I donna see how I could refuse.”

“And you will escort me on a private tour afterward, won’t you?” His lips seemed close to hers on the word
you
. She tried not moving, not encouraging anything. “I find the creative aura inside these stone walls fascinating. Oh, the tomes I could create seated at a seventeenth-century, hand-carved desk with quill and ink, outlining a plot as William Shakespeare must have. Your beauty is from the very essence of the gods, a natural, intoxicating joy that would encourage pages of scintillating dialogue for my protagonist as I hunched over the paper.”

She blinked, grateful he had not tried kissing her before that last soliloquy. She struggled for something to say, but her mind blanked at his fantasy.

“One special request on my tour: I want to see the secret passages nestled behind these stone walls. Can’t you imagine how thrilling to know of dark tunnels where lovers could slip from one end of the castle to the other without notice? He smiled. “This is almost a wonderland all of its own. Secret doors and gardens, I’m sure. My dear, the fun we will have.”

Sitting up straight and regal, he whispered, “May I ask your aunt’s permission to court you? I have waited it seems ages to have a moment alone with you, and I’ll not squander these precious minutes.”

“I beg your pardon?” A cold tension struck through her body, an unknown warning of something wrong, something feeling amiss. Confused with his absurd question and a bit alarmed at this new icy feeling, she folded her hands in her lap. Too late, she realized Jonathan took her movement as a positive sign and covered them with his own.

“When love grips the fragile vessel called a heart, a mere man’s logic abandons the mind.”

“Uh, I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
Did he just bat his long, thick lashes at me?
Surely, she was dreaming the odd goings on next to her. He couldn’t be serious—ask her aunt’s permission to do what? Courting? Jonathan?

Squeezing her hands, Jonathan sighed. “I won’t take no for an answer. I’m sure you and your aunt will see the honor and romance of my dedicated heart. Fate brought me across the ocean and introduced me to the most beguiling woman I’ve ever met.”

She stared at him blankly. A trickle of sweat coursed down her back as her breathing became more rapid. Did she miss something? One minute she’d felt butterflies from his flirtatious notice of her, and now they seemed more like harsh crows.
He wants to be my boyfriend?
She tried to inhale slowly. Where were Gillian and the girls when she needed them?
Say something, quick, anything.
“I, I’d best see to tomorrow’s menu. I still have much to do this evening.”

Diva’s head rose; on alert, the dog sprang into a full stance, her eyes zooming in on Jonathan. Rogue broke her hands free and placed one on Diva’s back, holding her connection to a semblance of normalcy.

“Certainly, my dear. I will count the minutes until our dinner tomorrow. I know you will plan something wickedly delicious for us, a memorable hunger to be satisfied.”

“Aye, tomorrow then.” As she stood, he rose, dropped into a deep theatrical bow, and must have realized his face was not that far from the dog’s muzzle. Her eyebrows rose, and she bit her lip to keep from giggling at his shocked, pale face. It looked like he’d lost all color in that moment, being inches from a dog. He stood tall, adding distance between Diva and him. “Please, my dear, make sure the dog is outside during dinner tomorrow. My writers may not be as accommodating as myself.”

She couldn’t exit the room fast enough, with Diva by her side. Drained of energy, her mind couldn’t wrap around his amorous notions. Did he seriously think he was God’s gift to women and she should melt at his feet as he threw bits of attention at her?

Rogue leaned on Diva and made a slow, deliberate path to her room. The dog, glued to her side, matched her sluggish march. When she closed the door to her room, the dog made herself comfortable in front of the fireplace, stretching out in the warmth. Rogue’s face ached as she smiled at the view.

“What a day, Diva.” Undoing the back of her gown, she eagerly took off each layer of the costume, removing her further from Jonathan’s untoward advances. Loosening her hair from the decorative combs, she gathered her night things and headed into the petite privy for a much needed hot shower. As the steaming water poured over her head, relaxing her aching muscles, visions of Bruce in the stable yesterday filled her thoughts.

Sharing the miracle of birth with him by her side had been wonderful, touching. She loved the wide-eyed, innocent look on his face showing his excitement for Scotlynn. Shampooing her hair, Rogue closed her eyes as the memory of his kisses slammed into her body. One minute it seemed they would just be friends, and the next, magic. The fullness of his lips had been searing and left her wanting more. She ducked her head under the rushing hot water yet shivered at the memory. She wished he were with her now.

Had that just been yesterday? It seemed innocent and far away now.

Wrapped in her full-length terry-cloth robe, she curled up on top of her bed, and Diva immediately jumped on the comforter, nuzzling next to her. “Surely one dinner willna kill me, aye, girl? And yet, it’s like a moth driven to a flame; I can’t help being drawn to the man. Maybe it’s because for all his blustery, self-centered ways, I believe the man is truly lonely inside, ya know, Diva? And I know far too many things about being lonely.” She fluffed up a pillow and squished it behind her. “Maybe my company is like a salve to his pain, one he doesn’t admit he has.” Diva crawled into her lap.