Page 9 of To My Scot, With Love
“Would you like me to discreetly ask around in London? Perhaps I could invite some gentlemen here—a house party of sorts—and if you get along with any of them, we can see if they would be amenable to an arrangement.”
She picked at the blanket in her lap, pulling the fabric over the book and off it again. “I actually had someone in mind,” she ventured.
Lydia met Freddy’s gaze, his eyebrows disappearing into his riotous amber curls. His lips split into a disarming grin, dimples popping. “Why, you sly minx. Who, Lyddie?”
She let out a soft snort and rolled her eyes. His smile softened and turned fond. He ran a finger down her nose. “I love that Felicity acquired that trait from you.” Then his amber eyes sparked with devilry again. “But I must know who.” He bounced slightly. Excitable as a child even at seven-and-forty. She hoped he never lost that exuberance. And she hoped it was a trait the children inherited.
“Mr. Campbell,” she said nearly inaudibly. Heat splashed across her cheeks. And intensified when Freddy burst into laughter. She glared at him. “Why are you laughing at me?”
“Apologies, Lyddie,” he said between chuckles. “He’s a dashing man, if I’m allowed to admit that. And a kind one, too, not something easily found in this world. But goodness. He’s brawny and burly and a big ol’ Scot. And you’re…you’re a little slip of a thing.”
She frowned harder at him. “Does that matter? Why should our size difference matter?”
He squeezed her hand. “I’m sure it won’t. If you two are…compatible. It shan’t matter. I just am surprised, is all. Would have thought you’d have been interested in a more soft-handed gentlemen.”
She cocked her head and narrowed her eyes at him. She was feeling woefully uneducated at the moment. “Freddy. Are you telling me…size matters in relations?”
And her husband lost it. Snorted and guffawed and choked on his laughter.
She blew out a frustrated breath. “I would appreciate some seriousness,” she gritted out. “I have only ever been with you, Freddy. And we both know those instances were not what a typical coupling is like.”
He sobered instantly, the sparkle in his eyes dimming. “I’m so sorry, Lyddie. I hope I haven’t marred your view of intimacy.”
She waved him off. “Don’t apologize, Freddy. I just meant to say I have very little experience. I’m a married woman with three children, and I feel about as knowledgeable as a maiden.” She pursed her lips. “Goodness, do you think I’ll be a disappointment to him? I have no idea how to please a man. He’ll probably have expectations.”
Freddy’s brows slammed together, and the Earl of Bentley materialized before her. “If he ever even gives the slightest indication he feels that way, he’ll find him out of a position before he can blink. If the man is worthy of you, Lyddie, he’ll not give one bloody damn about your past experience—whether it exists or it doesn’t. All that should matter to him isyou. Your pleasure.”
He leaned forward, his lips flattening, his forehead a map of serious lines. “You will accept nothing less, Lyddie. You deserve nothing less. You have made a monumental sacrifice for me. I do not take that lightly.”
“You speak like it is not common amongst our class.”
“Just because it is common does not make it acceptable.”
Her heart softened. “You are a good man, Frederick Jennings. And I am blessed to have you as a husband and best friend.”
“I’m not too bad, am I?” He shot her a lopsided smile. The one that made him look like a mischievous puppy. The one her sons had inherited, and she knew would be the cause of all sorts of trouble as they got older. “Now, let’s discuss your Scot. Do you have a plan?”
“He’s not my Scot, Freddy,” she said with a huff of laughter.
He winked. “Not yet.”
7
Mal
Thump.
Thump, thump, thump.
Malcolm jolted up in bed. He scrubbed his palm over his face and tried to blink away the sleep.
Thump, thump.Pause.Thump.
He peered blearily at the door. What in the blazes? He slipped from bed and hurried to don a pair of trousers.
More erratic thumping.
His heart skipped, stalled, then took flight. Whoever was in the hall was panicked. He sniffed the air as he buttoned his falls while swiftly making his way to the door. He didn’t smell fire. But the stables were large. The servant’s quarters were above a portion of it but didn’t cover the entire building.
