Page 2 of Tempting the Highland Spy
“You think not?” Grace cocked a brow. “I should not have come here tonight. I should have followed my instincts.”
Her aunt waved away her words. “Your instincts? You’ve been listening to me for years, and everything has been splendid. Couldn’t be better.”
“I beg to disagree. We’re taking chances we can’t afford to take.”
“What’s got into you? It’s not like you to harbor such doubt.”
Grace resisted the urge to glance in Harrison’s direction. “Something’s come up…something I had not anticipated.”
“I believe you meansomeone.” Aunt Thelma’s voice was a raspy whisper. Her eyes narrowed in accusation. “I saw him come in.”
For a heartbeat, Grace wished she could simply slip away from her aunt’s penetrating gaze. “Did you know MacMasters would be here?”
“Of course not,” Aunt Thelma said. “Not that it would have made any difference. Our best chance at getting what we’ve come for is tonight. All eyes are on the bride.”
“True.” Grace composed her thoughts as she studied the intricate lace of her fan. “Still, we may need to reconsider our plan for the evening.”
“You’re not getting soft on me, are you?” Aunt Thelma’s eyes hardened. “Don’t try to hide the truth from me, Gracie. I saw how you looked at that man last year…during that Scottish wedding.”
“Your imagination is running wild,” Grace replied quickly. Too quickly. And too defensively. “But the fact remains, if he sees me tonight, he’s bound to have questions.”
The lines around Aunt Thelma’s mouth deepened. “You were a blonde at that wedding. He may not remember you.”
Grace shook her head. “Hewillremember me.”
Of that, she was certain. After the Highland wedding nearly a year earlier, she’d shared an all-too-brief interlude with the Scot. Every cell in her body had craved a connection with him. She’d seen no harm in indulging her yearning, if only for one delectable night.
Within hours of their encounter, she’d left the Highlands.
Seeing him again had not been part of the plan.
Her night with Harrison MacMasters was supposed to have been a delicious memory. Nothing more.
She never should have returned to Scotland. But there was nothing to be done about it now. It wouldn’t be long before she was home—for good. She’d purchase a modest house in Virginia and ensure that her younger sister would never have to tread the path fate had laid out for Grace. Claire would enjoy the benefit of a fine education. Someday, her sister would follow her dream of becoming a teacher. And perhaps, when the time was right, the darling girl who looked so very much like their mother would meet a fine, respectable young man who’d cherish Claire’s gentle laugh and kind heart.
Aunt Thelma’s brow furrowed. “Well, Gracie, you can’t just lurk here, hiding behind that fan. You’re not going to let us down, are you?”
“Of course not.” Grace let out a breath. “But I will not take foolish chances.”
Her aunt briskly waved away the notion. “When have I ever asked you to take an unnecessary chance?”
“To your way of thinking, the end justifies the means, no matter what thosemeansentail. I’m not certain I agree.”
“After all these years, I still need to know I can depend on you. I meant what I said—don’t let me down.”
“I’ll take care of my part of this scheme.” The words tasted bitter on Grace’s tongue.
“Make sure you do.” Her aunt’s expression softened. “And Gracie—do be careful, dear.”
“You’ve no reason to worry about me.”
“Now that’s what I want to hear.” With a hint of a smile, Aunt Thelma turned back to the silver-haired noble. “I’d best be on my way. I have a feeling the count and I should become better acquainted.”
With an enthusiastic swish of her hips, she wove her way through the crowd.
Snapping her fan closed, Grace plastered on a pleasant expression and surveyed the ballroom. She had to maintain the sweet-natured façade she’d perfected, the mask that enabled her survival—even if the very last man on the planet she’d wanted to see just happened to be under the same roof, in a fancy hotel in the heart of the city, in the same blasted room.
Drat the luck, why did Harrison have to behere—of all places?
