Page 60 of Taming the Heiress
"If this Mr. Stewart comes, it will certainly be more than interesting," Angela said.
"Indeed," Guy agreed. "Baroness, I meant to ask if you met him while you were out in the Isles. You never mentioned him, so I assume you managed to avoid him."
"I... I did meet Mr. Stewart," she said curtly, and picked up her pencil to add some shading lines to a carefully drawn posy of harebells and buttercups.
"Did you leave the poor fellow and his lighthouse still standing?" Guy asked.
"Well, of course," Meg said tightly.
"So, you found it impossible to avoid the fellow after all," Guy said. "Did you discuss the lighthouse situation with him?"
"A little," Meg said. "Well, to be honest, I never quite told Mr. Stewart that I was Lady Strathlin."
"You what?" Guy looked at her incredulously.
"Whoever did he think you were?" Angela asked.
"He believed I was simply a girl from Caransay. I had reasons for keeping my identity a secret."
"Surely he knows now," Angela said.
Meg shook her head mutely, frowning over her drawing.
Guy huffed. "Dougal Stewart is neither a simple nor a stupid man. He will be furious when he finds out."
"I realize that," Meg said. "I know that the truth would have been best before I left Caransay. I planned to tell him, but I had no chance before I left the island. He will know the truth as soon as he sees me. I am not... sure what to do," she confessed.
"So that is why you seem preoccupied and distracted since your return," Angela said.
"In part," Meg admitted.
"Poor Mr. Stewart will be staggered when he realizes who you are," Angela said.
"Staggered? He will be furious," Guy said. Meg flinched. "He may never forgive her. Stewart has a great deal of stubborn pride and cast-iron integrity, I guarantee it."
"He is in Edinburgh now," Meg said. "Perhaps I should try to see him before the party. That might be best."
"Send a servant with a note asking him to call on Lady Strathlin," Angela suggested.
"Or send the man a written apology and explanation," Guy said. "He may decide then not to attend the soiree, or he may be forgiving and have a sense of humor about it."
"He deserves an apology in person," Angela said.
Knowing they were both disappointed in her, and equally disappointed in herself, Meg sighed. "I need to think about it," she said. "Was there anything of note in the mail?" she asked, eager to change the subject.
"Just the tickets for Miss Lind's Grand Full Dress Concert on the Monday evening of your soiree. And Mr. Worth sent his bill for the balance owed for the new gown," Guy said. "I meant to ask—would you like the amount paid by bank draft or deposited to an account? It is... well, a considerable sum."
"I believe Sir John deposited the first payment in Mr. Worth's London account, and we can do so again. No doubt you think it a huge sum to pay for a single gown." She saw his frown.
"That did cross my mind," Guy admitted, and then he shrugged. "But I will leave such choices to you, madam. I am merely willing to be dazzled. I'm sure every penny is well spent."
"You will be more than dazzled, I assure you," Angela Shaw said. "She will look divine."
"I am sure of it. And I am sure that milady's companion will look stunning, as well," he added quietly, gazing at Angela. A soft, sudden blush made her blue eyes sparkle.
Wishing to give them a private moment, Meg picked up her pencil to add some hatched shading to the sketch of the posy of flowers, tinted earlier with water-color. She heard Guy and Angela murmuring quietly as she worked. After a few moments, hearing silence, she looked up to see them not gazing raptly at each other, as she expected, but at her.
"Madam," Guy said, frowning, "may we inquire what exactly happened when you were out in the Isles this last time?"
