Page 8 of Waiting for a Scot Like You
“How did you get up here?” she asked. She hadn’t even heard him in the hallway.
“The staff downstairs seemed preoccupied with making your vehicle and trunks ready. I waited a full five minutes in the entryway without being greeted by a single servant, so I went on reconnaissance.”
He glanced around her parlor. She could just imagine how he judged the room. After she had moved out of Farris House and into this relatively snug town house, she’d indulged her own aesthetics, no longer subject to Edward’s approval. The private parlor, like the rest of the house, was a kaleidoscope of color, and for this chamber, she’d chosen lemon-yellow walls with accents of vivid cobalt ceramics. The ceiling had been painted coral, which wasn’t harmonious with the other hues, but it made her smile every morning to see it.
The major, however, was not smiling. But that hardly mattered.Sheliked it.
“Jeanie,” Beatrice said, making certain to put sunshine in her voice, “this is Major McCameron. Major, my companion, Miss Jeanie Bradbury.”
“Ma’am,” Major McCameron said with a clipped bow in Jeanie’s direction. He turned to Beatrice and said brusquely, “We need to leave soon if we’re to make good time on the road.”
Right. Of course. Despite his attractiveness, he had the personality of an angry, fussy badger.
She laughed at his attempt to force her into obedience. “We leave when I want to leave. No sooner, no later.”
“Tell me about this carriage of yours.” He folded his arms across his chest, causing the fabric of his coat to mold to the taut lines of his arms. “How old is it? Is it sound? When was the last time it was given a thorough going-over by the coachman?”
She blinked at him. “I have no idea. That’s Wiggins’s area of expertise, not mine.”
“Have you packed the right gear for a journey of this duration?”
“If traveling dresses and a pair of cunning kidskin boots count as gear, then yes.” His glowers couldn’t touch her, so she shrugged into her pelisse. “It’s just a trip to Nottinghamshire, Major. We’re not waging war.”
“We need to be prepared for every eventuality. Fortunately, I’ve made certain to bring all the essentials. A flint, my spyglass—”
“None of which will be necessary,” she said as she buttoned her coat. “There are excellent coaching inns along the way which will see to our every comfort.”
“Unforeseen things happen. Circumstances change.”
Frustration welled acidly, but she wouldn’t let it win. Tugging on her gloves, she said brightly, “Major, this journey will be a delightful adventure.”
“You don’t know that, ma’am.”
Oh, for the love of—
She turned in a circle as though trying to see something on her back. “Why, look, I’m no longer in leading strings.” Facing him, she said, “As I said yesterday in His Grace’s study, I’m not in the market for a minder.”
His lips firmed into a line, which was a shame because when he wasn’t frowning he had an extremely fine mouth. “Apologies, ma’am,” he ground out.
“The carriage is ready, and your trunks are aboard, my lady,” her footman said, poking his head in. “Shall I tell Wiggins and Green to wait?”
For a moment, she considered asking her coachman and the postillion to conduct a last-minute inspection of the vehicle. At once, she dismissed the idea. She wouldn’t let the major into her head. He wouldnothave any sway in how she conducted her business. Especially when she saw him looking at her pointedly,as if trying to mentally herd her toward making the choice thathewanted.
It had always been a challenge to accompany Edward out of the house. He’d grow sullen with her if she kept him waiting, but then he’d become snappish and demand patience if she was dressed and ready to go before him. Now it was her turn to let herownclock determine her pace.
“We’re coming down now,” she said, tugging on her gloves. Glancing at McCameron, she added in a jaunty tone that she was certain would annoy him, “With or without you, Major.”
He grunted in response and hefted his pack higher.
Fine, if that’s how he wanted this dance to go, she’d call the steps.
Without another word to him, she walked into the hallway. Jeanie followed at once. A moment later came the major’s solid footfalls.
The carriage waited outside, with Wiggins at his place on the driver’s seat and Green in position on the front horse. The housekeeper and maids stood on the front step, with the footman standing ready to hand the ladies into the vehicle.
“Enjoy yourselves in my absence,” Beatrice said cheerfully to her staff. “I fully anticipate you having some grand parties. Mind, keep the festivities confined to belowstairs.”
“Yes, my lady,” the staff chorused.
