Page 95 of Highland Champion
“Well, think of it as an adventure, albeit a perfectly safe one, since we will be out for just a few hours. Not,” he added, “that I expect you to come alone. Bring your friends along.”
“Hmmm. I suppose I could ask them. When would ye want to go?”
“Tomorrow would work.”
“Oh. Louisa willna be able to come on a Monday.”
“That is distressing news, since the weather will be fine and the seas calm.” He smiled again. “What about Lorelei? That should be proper enough for a day sail. I think I remember her wanting to go.”
“She does,” Fiona said excitedly. “We can have Garth drive us down to the docks.”
“No need,” he said smoothly. “Word might get to your brother and then he will want to restrict your movement even more.”
She frowned. “That’s true.”
“It might be best if you told no one, just in case someone decides to notify your brother while you are gone,” he said. “Besides, I will have you home before supper.”
“Ye may be right,” Fiona answered. “We will take a hack then.”
“Allow me to send a carriage for you,” he said. “It is safer when I know the driver.”
“That is very considerate of ye.” Fiona nodded. “’Twill be exciting to be on the water again!”
“I am sure it will.” She had no idea of what awaited. Of course, he had no intention of accompanying them. No one would question his ship departing if he were present in the flesh when the chits were discovered missing.
“I look forward to tomorrow.” Erik forced yet another smile. She had no idea how much he was looking forward to it. His cousin wouldn’t be the only one being avenged.
…
“This kind of feels like old times,” Lorelei said as she and Fiona parted ways with Louisa the next day.
Fiona laughed. “Thoseoldtimes werena that long ago.”
She was right. Their Monday adventures had ended only a few weeks ago and, while Lorelei certainly didn’t want a repeat of the St. Giles incident, she had been feeling somewhat stifled. “At least this adventure will be safe.”
“And Louisa has promised nae to say a word,” Fiona added.
She had looked at them rather oddly when they’d asked to accompany her to the bluestocking meeting but, since she had invited them to attend once before, she had agreed. When they reached the turnoff to Hill Street they told her they had other plans for the day. In a rare display of displeasure, she reminded them they’d promised her mother they wouldn’t take any more risks. To alleviate her concern—and probably to ease their own niggling consciences—they’d told her Erik was taking them sailing and that they would meet her at the Pot and Pineapple at five o’clock. That seemed to appease her.
Fiona pointed. “Erik said he’d have a carriage waiting by Curzon Street.”
“I think it was wise of him to have it park a few blocks away,” Lorelei remarked as they headed in that direction. “It would have been hard to explain to Lady Bute why a carriage drew up in front of the town house.”
“Aye, and heaven forbid if Alasdair had shown up and seen it!”
She hadn’t seen him since the night of the ball more than a week ago. Fiona had gone over to the Mount Stuart’s a few days later, but she hadn’t accompanied her. Fiona had told her he’d been in a foul mood about the betrothal. It brought her small comfort that he didn’twantto marry Melissa but he was going to marry the duke’s daughter. His Grace was too powerful and influential for him to refuse. Fiona had also said Alasdair wanted to come over and apologize to her, but what good would that do? What was there left to say?
“Ye are looking verra somber,” Fiona said as they approached the carriage. “Have ye changed your mind?”
“No. Not at all. I was just thinking… Well, it is not important.” Lorelei put a smile on her face. “It is a fine day for an adventure!”
…
Alasdair checked the clock on the mantel of the Bute’s parlor even though he’d just checked it not ten minutes ago. It was half four o’clock. Where were Lorelei and Fiona? He’d arrived nearly an hour ago to be told by Lady Bute that they had gone with Louisa to her bluestocking meeting. That had sounded a bit strange, but her mother didn’t seem to think it odd, so he’d asked if he could wait.
He didn’t want to put off any longer the talk he needed to have with Lorelei. It might be too late now to change the course of Fate, but he still wanted Lorelei to know how he felt. If he were honest with himself, he also wanted to know if she were going to marry Westwood. Gossip and rumors that they were betrothed had spread faster than fire throughout theton. He wanted to hear it from her and, if he could summon the words, to wish her well. He wasn’t sure that those words would come, but at least Westwood was honorable.
Alasdair looked at the clock again and then at the tea that had grown cold on the table in front of him. It was nearly five o’clock. Where in the world were they? The hair at his nape began to prickle. He remembered one other time sitting on this very sofa waiting for them to return. Was this déjà vu?Had his sister and Lorelei decided to go on another “adventure” even though they’d promised not to? He ran a hand through his hair, tangling it even more. He was certain neither his sister—nor Lorelei—would want to spend a whole day discussing literature, which meant that the two of them had probably gone off on their own. Maybe they’d decided to go to St. Giles to check on Emma and Abby, even though they’d gotten reports that both girls were in school? Or had they gone someplace they hadn’t been before? He could hardly start roaming all over London looking for them. In hindsight, he probably should have paid a street urchin to keep watch on Mondays, but he thought they’d learned their lesson after St. Giles.
