Rebellion & In From The Cold (18 page)

“That’s enough.” Hot and flushed, Serena struggled to step into her gown. “It wasn’t romantic at all, it was infuriating and, and—” She wanted to say unpleasant, but couldn’t get her tongue around the lie. “I wish he would go to the devil.”

Maggie lifted a brow. “If you wished him to the devil, why didn’t you tell me he had kissed you?”

“Because I’d forgotten all about it.”

Gwen started to speak, but was hushed by a quick gesture from Maggie. “Well, I daresay there
wasn’t anything special about it, then.” Calmly she began to hook Serena’s gown. “My cousin Jamie is coming tonight, Rena. Perhaps you’ll find him more to your taste.”

Serena only groaned.

* * *

By the time Brigham escaped from Parkins’s perfecting hands, he was frazzled and impatient. With the rumors and the unrest in both Scotland and England he felt little like partnering a bunch of simpering girls and plump matrons at a country ball. His summons back to London weighed on him. The support the Prince expected from his English followers wasn’t as immediately forthcoming as he had hoped. There was a chance that adding his own voice would sway those who were straddling the political fence, but it would be a dangerous mission.

He had no way of knowing how long he would be gone, how successful he might be or, if he were found out, what would be the fate of his lands and title.

There would be dozens of Highland chiefs under the same roof that night. Loyalties would be tested, oaths would be sworn. What he learned here he would take with him to London in hopes of stirring fighting blood among those English loyal to the Stuarts. It was a war that still dealt more in talk than in the sword. Like Coll, he was growing weary of it.

As he descended the steps toward the ballroom, he was the picture of the fashionable aristocrat. His lace was snowy, foaming from his throat, falling over his wrists. His buckles gleamed, as did the emerald on his finger. A matching one winked out of the lace at his throat. His black waistcoat was threaded with silver, topped by a silver-buttoned coat that fitted without a wrinkle over his shoulders.

At a glance, it would have appeared that he was a young, wealthy man, used to the finer things and unhampered by any care. But his thoughts were as bright and as dangerous as his dress sword.

“Lord Ashburn.” Fiona curtsied as he entered. Since that morning she had been fretting over what her husband had told her of Brigham’s feelings for her oldest daughter. More than Ian could, she understood the warring emotions Serena must be experiencing.

“Lady MacGregor. You look stunning.”

She smiled, noting that his gaze was already sweeping the room. And she thought as she softened that the love in it was unmistakable. “Thank you, my lord. I hope you will enjoy the evening.”

“I shall, if you promise me a dance.”

“It would be a pleasure. But all the young ladies will be angry if I monopolize your time. Please, let me introduce you.”

She laid her hand on his arm and led him into the room. It was already scattered with people, dressed in their best. Satin gowns glimmered and silk shimmered in the light of the hundreds of candles that floated in the chandeliers overhead or rose from high stands. Jewels gleamed and winked. Men were wrapped in dress kilts, plaids of bright reds and greens and blues contrasting with doublets of calfskin. Buckled brogues and silver buttons caught the light, vying for brilliance with the shine of women’s jewels.

For the ladies’ part, it was apparent that in the Highlands French fashions were watched closely. The more opulent styles were preferred, with an abundance of tinsel and silver lace in evidence. Hoops swished and swayed like bells. Heavy brocades in vivid shades were worn by both men and women, with thick gold ornamentation worked into dress coats and huge cuffs that covered the elbows. Stockings were white or clocked and worn with dressy garters.

Glenroe might have been remote, with the nearest shop half a day’s ride away, but the Scot’s love
of fashion was no less than that of the Frenchman or the Englishman.

Brigham was introduced to the pretty and the plain by his hostess. When the music began, he would do his duty. For now, he curbed his impatience as he continued to scan the room for the one face he wanted to see. Willing or not, he was determined to lead her out in the first dance, and for as many others as he could manage.

“The little MacIntosh lass has the grace of a bullock,” Coll confided in his ear. “If you find yourself shackled with her, best to offer to fetch her a drink and sit out the dance.”

“I appreciate the warning.” Brigham turned to examine his friend. “You look quite self-satisfied. Shall I take it that your interview with MacDonald went as you wished?”

Coll’s chest puffed out. “You may take it that Maggie and I will be wed by May Day.”

“My felicitations,” Brigham said with a bow. Then he grinned. “I shall have to find someone else to drink under the table.”

Coll snorted and fought off a blush. “Not likely. I wish I could ride with you to London.”

“Your place is here now. I’ll be back in a matter of weeks.”

“With cheering news. We’ll continue to work here, but not tonight. Tonight’s for celebrating.” He clapped a hand on Brigham’s shoulder. “There’s my Maggie now. If you want a turn with someone light on her feet, ask Serena to stand up with you. A foul temper she might have, but the lass can dance.”

Brigham could only nod as Coll strode away to claim his betrothed. Beside the demure Maggie MacDonald, Serena stood like a flame, her hair dressed high, the rich green silk of the dress trimmed in gold and cut square at the neck to reveal the smooth swell of her breasts. There were pearls around her throat, gleaming dully, no whiter, no creamier, than her skin. Her skirts flared out, making her slender waist seem impossibly small.

Other women were dressed more opulently, some with their hair powdered, others with jewels glistening. They might have been hags dressed in burlap. Serena looked up at Coll and laughed. Brigham felt as though he’d taken a stroke of the broadsword across his knees.

As the strains of the first dance began, several young ladies cast a hopeful look in his direction. Brigham found his feet and moved across the room to Serena.

“Miss MacGregor.” He made her an elegant bow. “Might I have the honor of this dance?”

She had made up her mind to refuse him, should he ask. Now she found herself wordlessly offering her hand. The strains of a minuet floated through the room. Skirts rustled as ladies were led to their places by their partners. Suddenly she was certain she would never remember even the most basic steps. Then he smiled at her and bowed again.

It seemed her feet never touched the floor, and her eyes refused to leave his. She had dreamed of this once, standing in the chill air of the forest. There had been lights there, too, and music. But it hadn’t been like this. This was like floating, like feeling beautiful, like believing in dreams.

His hand held hers lightly, fingertips to fingertips. It made her feel weak, as though she were caught up in his arms. They stepped together sedately, moved apart. Her heart thundered as though they were wrapped together, tumbling into an intimate embrace. His lips curved as she sank into her final curtsy. Hers warmed as if they had been kissed.

“Thank you.” He didn’t release her hand, as they both knew was proper, but brought her fingers to his lips. “I’ve wanted that dance since I found you alone by the river. Now, when I think of it, the only difficulty will be deciding whether you look more lovely in your green gown or in your breeches.”

“It’s Mother’s. The gown—” she said quickly, and cursed herself for stammering. When he led her off the floor, she felt like a queen. “I want to apologize for this morning.”

“No, you don’t.” Boldly he kissed her hand again. More than one murmur arose because of it. “You
only think you should.”

“Aye.” She shot him a quick, amused look. “It’s the least I can do after you saved me from the threat of a beating.”

“Only the threat?”

“Father only has the heart to threaten. He’s never taken a strap to me in my life, which is probably why I’m unmanageable.”

“Tonight, my dear, you’re only beautiful.”

She flushed and lowered her eyes. “I don’t know what to say when you speak like that.”

“Good, Rena—”

“Miss MacGregor.” Both Brigham and Serena looked impatiently at the intruder, a young son of one of the neighboring Highland lairds. “Would you honor me with this dance?”

She would have preferred honoring him with a kick in the shins, but she knew her duty too well. She laid a hand on his arm, wondering how soon it would be proper to dance with Brigham again.

The music played on—reels, country dances, elegant minuets. Serena danced with elderly gentlemen, sons, cousins, the portly and the dashing. Her love of dancing and her skill kept her in constant demand. She had one other set with Brigham, then was forced to watch him lead out one after another of the pretty guests.

He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Damn it, it wasn’t like him to resent watching a woman dance with another man. Did she have to smile at them? No, by God, she didn’t. And she had no business flirting with that skinny young Scot in the ugly coat. He fingered the hilt of his dress sword and fought back temptation.

What had her mother been thinking of to allow her to wear a dress that made her look so … delectable? Couldn’t her father see that that young rake was all but drooling on his daughter’s neck? Her bare neck. Her soft, white, naked skin, just at the point where the fragile line of her collarbone swelled into her breast.

He swore under his breath and earned a wide-eyed stare from Gwen. “I beg your pardon, Brig?”

“What?” He dragged his eyes away from Serena long enough to focus on her sister. He had no notion that his stormy looks had prevented half a dozen young swains from approaching Gwen for a dance. “Nothing, Gwen. It was nothing.” He drew a deep breath and struggled for a casual tone. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Very much,” She smiled up at him and secretly wished he would ask her to dance again. “I suppose you go to many balls and parties.”

“In London, in the season, you can barely turn around without one.”

“I would love to see London and Paris.”

She looked very young at that moment, and he was reminded of how devotedly she had nursed her brother back to health. Some man, one day, he thought, and delighted her by kissing her fingers. “You, my dear, would be all the rage.”

She was young enough to giggle without simpering. “Do you think so, really?”

“Without a doubt.” Offering his arm, he led her onto the floor again and told her as many stories as he could recall about balls and assemblies and routs. Even as he spoke, his eyes were locked on Serena as she danced with her skinny partner. When the dance was over, Gwen had enough to dream on for years. Brigham had worked himself into a fine, shining, jealous rage.

He led her off the floor, watching as Serena was led in a different direction by her partner. One who was wearing, in Brigham’s opinion, a particularly hideous yellow brocade. While the coat might have offended him, the possessive manner in which the man clutched Serena’s hand did a great deal more.

“Who is that Serena’s talking with?”

Gwen followed the direction Brigham was scowling into. “Oh, that’s only Rob, one of Serena’s suitors.”

“Suitors?” He said between his teeth. “Suitors, is it?” Before Gwen could elaborate, he was striding across the room. “Miss MacGregor, a word with you?”

Her brow lifted at his tone. “Lord Ashburn, may I present Rob MacGregor, my kinsman.”

“Your servant,” he said stiffly. Then, taking Serena’s elbow, he dragged her off toward the first convenient alcove.

“What do you think you’re doing? Have you lost your senses? You’ll have everyone staring.”

“To hell with them.” He stared down at her mutinous face. “Why was that popinjay holding your hand?”

Though she privately agreed that Rob MacGregor was a popinjay at his best, she refused to accept any slur on a kinsman. “Rob MacGregor happens to be a fine man of good family.”

“The devil take his family.” He had barely enough control left to keep his voice low. “Why was he holding your hand?”

“Because he wanted to.”

“Give it to me.”

“I will not.”

“I said give it to me.” He snatched it up. “He’s no right to it, do you understand?”

“No. I understand that I’m free to give my hand to whomever I choose.”

The cool light of battle came into his eyes. He preferred it, much preferred it, to the grinding heat of jealousy. “If you want your fine young man of good family to live, I wouldn’t choose him again.”

“Is that so?” She tugged at her hand and got nowhere. “Let me go this instant.”

“So you can return to him?”

She wondered for a moment if Brigham was drunk, but decided against it. His eyes were too sharp and clear. “If I choose.”

“If you choose, I promise you you will regret it. This dance is mine.”

Moments before, she had longed to dance with him. Now she held her ground, equally determined not to. “I don’t want to dance with you.”

“What you want and what you’ll do may be different matters, my dear.”

“I will remind you, Lord Ashburn, only my father can command me.”

“That will change.” His fingers tightened on hers. “When I return from London—”

“You’re going to London?” Her anger was immediately eclipsed by distress. “When? Why?”

“In two days. I have business there.”

“I see.” Her hand went limp in his. “Perhaps you had planned to tell me when you saddled your horse.”

“I only just received word that I was needed.” His eyes lost their fire, his voice its roughness. “Would you care that I go?”

“No.” She turned her head away, to stare toward the music. “Why should I?”

“But you do.” With his free hand he touched her cheek.

“Go or stay,” she said in a desperate whisper. “It matters nothing to me.”

“I go on behalf of the Prince.”

“Then Godspeed,” she managed.

“Rena, I will come back.”

“Will you, my lord?” She pulled her hand away from his. “I wonder.” Before he could stop her, she
rushed back into the ballroom and threw herself into the dancing.