Page 37 of Highland Champion
So Campbell hadn’t lostallof his Scottish burr. Alasdair would have been amused, except the man had a point.
“I was nae there to stop them.”
“Lady Bute should have sent someone along.”
He hated that Campbell was right. It had been Louisa he’d spoken with and she hadn’t seemed concerned that the two of them had gone off, which made him only more suspicious about their Monday outings. “I doona think Lady Bute was home when he arrived.”
“So they took it upon themselves to just go?”
Gavin pretty much was voicing his own thoughts, damn it. They hadn’t been chaperoned when he’d tried following them, either. “It seems so. I intend to have a talk with Lady Bute.”
Gavin drummed his fingers on the table. “Perhaps we should get to know Erik Taylor better.”
Again, the man was right, blast it all. “Aye. I intend to have a talk with him.”
“All that will get you is what he thinks you want to hear,” Gavin answered. “I mean, we need to get to know him. How he thinks. How he reacts when he’s crossed.”
“And how do we do that without a brawl? Nae that I mind fighting,” Alasdair added quickly, “but I ken the English frown on such.”
“They do and it is not necessary.” Gavin looked speculative. “Do you suppose you might get Lady Mount Stuart to invite him to her whist party? A man can be judged pretty quickly by the way he plays cards.”
“Aye, but ’tiswhistwe are talking about.”
Gavin shrugged once more. “Bad hands can be dealt in any card game. How a man loses says a lot.”
Once again, he was right. Having Taylor at the party would give them a chance to glean other information about the man. Alasdair nodded, not quite believing what he was about to say.
“I agree with ye, Campbell.”
…
“Did you know Captain Taylor was going to be here?” Lorelei whispered to Fiona after they’d entered the Mount Stuart’s drawing room Sunday evening where whist tables had been set up.
Fiona blushed slightly. “Nae. He didna mention it Tuesday.”
“He may have received a late invitation.” Lorelei looked around, counting heads. “There needs to be an even number at each table.”
“Aye, and make sure Alasdair and Gavin are nae at the same one.”
“That is probably a good idea.” While she doubted either of them would start a brawl, cold looks and narrowed eyes would certainly dampen the mood at any table. She didn’t have time to say any more, since Erik Taylor was headed their way.
He greeted her and turned to Fiona. “May I have the pleasure of your company at one of the tables?”
She blushed again. “I would like that.”
As he extended his arm and they walked away, a voice behind Lorelei asked, “And may I have the pleasure of yours?”
Turning, she saw Lord Westwood smiling at her and forced herself to return the smile. She’d been hoping that maybe she could partner with Alasdair this evening, but he hadn’t come down yet. Drat! Of course, Lord Westwood—Randolph—had no way of knowing about her attraction to Alasdair. Randolph thought she was trying to prevent him from doing anything to jeopardize the land settlements because of her sister’s marriage. Which is what sheshouldbe doing.
“Of course. I would be delighted.”
“Splendid!” Westwood answered. “I do prefer a partner at card games who has a sharp eye and a quick mind.” He gave her an inquiring look. “Do you, by any chance, play chess also?”
“I do.” Lorelei flashed a smile. “I think it is wonderful that thequeenis the most powerful piece on the board.”
He laughed. “I agree. Men tend to underestimate women.”
Which was the second compliment—sort of—that he’d given her. Men who waxed poetic and quoted flowery fluff were outlandish. Randolph was a sincere man. “Perhaps we should find a table?”
