Page 12 of A Scottish Lord for Christmas
“There’ll be no crying off, especially not after kissing you like that, lass. I want you and I’m not going to change my mind.” He brushed the pad of his thumb over her lips.
“I don’t want this to be a dream when tomorrow comes.” That damnable hope in her eyes made him feel wretched. She wanted to be loved, to be wooed, and he could only give her half of what she craved. Seduction, but no love. Yet he would claim Rowena as his, as selfish as it was.
“I would visit your father tonight, but I cannot miss out on the dowager countess’s dinner. I promise, first thing on the morrow, I’ll go to Pepperwirth Vale. What do you say to a wedding in one month?”
She beamed up at him. “I think that sounds wonderful.”
He leaned down to press his lips to her forehead in a chaste kiss. His body shouted for a hundred other, not-so-innocent kisses, but tonight he would be the gentleman, even if it killed him.
“Good. It’s settled, then. Now.” He nodded at her. “Have your maid draw you a hot bath and warm up before dinner.”
Quinn left Rowena’s chamber, not looking back. He knew his soul was black for taking advantage of her open heart, but she was the best choice for a wife and he could not let another man have her, not after he’d kissed her.
Rowena washis.
***
I’m going to marry Lord Forres. Quinn…
Rowena hugged herself and stared at the open doorway where he’d vanished moments before.
He does not love me; we are strangers after all. But I can win his love.
She believed this and ignored the dark little whispers at the corners of her mind. She relished the challenge of mending his broken heart. The romantic deep inside of her craved winning his love and knowing she’d helped him. Because, if she was being honest, he was an easy man to love, and she knew with certainty it was only a matter of time before she fell in love with him.
After a minute, she’d walked to the bathroom and rang for the maid to draw her a hot bath as Quinn had suggested. While she waited for the maid to arrive, she sat at the small desk in her room and wrote a hasty letter to Milly. She knew her sister would be concerned about her own wedding, but she hoped Milly would be happy that she, too, was to be married.
A young maid entered as Rowena blotted her letter and got up from the desk.
“Supper is at six, miss.” The maid turned the taps on in the bath and tested the water with one hand while she talked. Rowena listened, but her mind was distant. Thoughts of the future already formed from the nebulous clouds of her daydreams. She was to be the Countess of Forres. And she was to be a mother to a darling child. She would be living with a man who needed her and a daughter who needed her. She couldn’t stop smiling as she climbed into the bath and soaked her cold muscles.
Two hours later, she was feeling refreshed and warm as she donned one of her favorite gowns. She had to look perfect tonight because she didn’t want Quinn to regret proposing to her. The train was embroidered with gilt-colored peacock feathers, and black beadwork accented the blue bodice. It was one of her post-court presentation gowns, which she’d worn only once before. The last time she’d walked into a room wearing this gown, every man had gazed at her with longing and every woman with envy. Tonight, she cared only about Quinn.
Rowena checked her bodice carefully, tugging at the slightly risqué neckline before she pulled on her sapphire-blue silk elbow-length gloves. The young maid behind her worked in concentrated silence on her hairstyle before adding a headpiece. A trio of feathers made of white gold and diamonds was tucked securely in the back of her coiffure like a Spanish comb.
“The gentleman will be speechless.” The maid smiled.
“I look presentable, then?” she teased the maid. They were close in age and Rowena was never shy about making friends, no matter their social status.
“Oh yes, miss. Like as not, they’ll forget all about dinner when they see you.”
“Good.” Rowena rose from the vanity table and tweaked her gloves before exiting the chamber.
This time she would face the main stairs alone. No Milly would be there to guide her. She was on her own.
I ought to get used to this if I am to be mistress of my own house in a few months.
A flutter of nerves stirred like restless bees in her stomach at the thought. She paused at the top stair and looked down. The party had shrunk to six: Leo; Ivy; Ivy’s father, Mr. Leighton; and the dowager countess. And then there was Quinn, of course. All of the guests were gathered at the foot of the stairs. Quinn was deep in discussion with Mr. Leighton. He cut a dashing figure in his black evening dress suit. The white pique shirt and black trousers were perfectly pressed and he wore a white tie. It was the costume of a gentleman, but his dark hair was a tad long and ruffled, as though he’d gone riding upon the open moors before dressing for dinner.
Rowena took a moment to drink in the sight of him. This handsome Scottish lord was to be hers, just in time for Christmas. A silly smile curved her lips as she watched Quinn throw his head back in laughter at something Mr. Leighton said. The two men clapped each other’s shoulders in a warm gesture before talk quieted. Quinn turned toward the stairs.
Her heart gave a little flip in her chest when their eyes met.
Hunger darkened his silver eyes as she descended the stairs and drew closer to him.
He will love me. I know he will.She would win her future husband’s heart. It was a promise she would do anything to keep.
Chapter 5
