Page 2 of Saved By the Highland Beast
“My lord,” Libby began as she tried her best to remain calm. “There is nothing more dangerous than a young man whose passion burns brighter than his common sense. Today he sends letters describing her every move. Perhaps tomorrow he will send locks of her hair that he managed to obtain by some or other nefarious means.”
Sophia swallowed heavily as she considered her mother’s words, shifting uncomfortably in her seat across from the viscount.
Exactly what lengths will this stalker go to if he is allowed to continue with his behavior?
The viscount looked from one to the other with his light brown eyes before folding his hands before him on the desk. “There is another possibility. Consider the fact that one of the ton’s thousands of female rivalries has gotten out of hand.”
“I beg your pardon, my lord?” Libby and Sophia exchanged confused glances. “I’m not sure I quite understand your meaning.”
The viscount sat back in his chair and stretched his long legs out under the desk. “The ladies of London are always at each other’s throats over one duke or the other.” He waved the idea away like a fly that was buzzing in front of his face. “Perhaps Sophia batted her eyelashes at a possible suitor whom one of the other young ladies had already set her sights on. You know how these eager mamas and gullible daughters can get when they think they’ve laid claim to a man.”
“Sophia does not bat her eyelashes at any young men,” Libby said as she rubbed her forehead in an attempt to soothe her growing annoyance.
“If I may add,” Sophia interjected when she saw that her mother was close to her breaking point. “I do not have a very close circle of friends in London Society.”
“That would change if you didn’t have your nose stuck in a book all day long.” He rolled his eyes.
The viscount had often commented that Sophia should have been married by now.
“Be that as it may, my lord, there are currently no gentlemen courting me. None of the other young ladies would have any reason to send me letters like this,” Sophia said with an heir of conviction, hoping that he’d abandon his remarks.
“And no lady would be that subtle with their wording,” Libby added again, not missing a chance to defend her daughter’s honor. “You are used to being around Sophia. She is far kinder and sweeter than any other young lady that I know. If these letters were written by another woman, they would be far more malicious in nature. No, these letters were written by a man who cannot fathom the proprieties of Society at large. A potentially dangerous young man…”
“Fine…” The viscount stroked his moustache before sighing heavily and straightening his back. “What is it that you propose I should do about this matter? I have many things to occupy my time. I cannot play the detective and find the man’s whereabouts,” he said tirelessly with yet another sigh.
“My lord,” Libby began, her jaw twitching, a tell-tale sign of her growing annoyance. “In the full year that you have been here as viscount, we have not once asked your assistance in any matter that does not warrant your immediate attention. Do you not agree?”
“No, you have upheld your end of the bargain,” he acknowledged begrudgingly.
“All I am asking of you, my lord, is that you please keep this matter under wraps and help us to find a position for Sophia as soon as we can.”
“What kind of position?” He chewed his bottom lip as he considered her plan.
“I thought it may be best if we sent her off to Scotland as a tutor.”
“This arrangement would be for a few months to a year?” He seemed to perk up at the notion while ignoring the rest of her words.
“More than likely, yes.” Libby bristled at the fact that he seemed eager to be rid of them. “To sweeten the deal, I will go and live in that little cottage by the sea until Sophia returns. We will both be out from under your feet, and you will have the mansion all to yourself.”
“I see,” he muttered with thinly veiled glee.
The viscount had wanted to ship them off to the country as soon as he’d come to London. Being a distant cousin of the late viscount, he never really took to family life with Libby and Sophia. He was a rake who wanted the place to himself.
The only reason that Libby had never accepted his offer of living in the country was that London had presented far more opportunities for her daughter. A fact that had suddenly changed.
“That is if you are able to help me with my little plan,” Libby added to assert her point.
He stared at them both before stroking his moustache and looking back down at the letters. “I think I may know someone who can offer the opportunity you seek.”
“My lord?”
“I know of a laird who is looking for a young woman to tutor his son. Leave it in my hands. I’ll have an answer for you in a few days.”
CHAPTER2
Sophia reinedin her horse near an outcropping of rocks and trees beside a lake that spanned as far as the eye could see, swinging her legs from the saddle and walking around the beast. “There,” she soothed the horse as she ran her fingers over her nuzzle. “You’ve ridden hard, old girl. Let’s have a rest, it won’t be long now.”
The mare snorted and shook her head as Sophia tethered her to a tree, giving her enough freedom to nibble on the fresh grass of the glade. They were both tired and hungry from the long ride across the country. They’d stopped at several inns, sleeping during the day and riding at night.
