The Highlander Is All That (Untamed Highlanders #4)(3)

“It was a long ride,” the baron responded, tugging her attention away from those entrancing green eyes. Like the rolling hills of the Highlands, they were.

“Please, sit,” Anne bestirred herself to say. She hardly even curled her nose.

When they did take their seats, puffs of dust arose; Esmeralda made a sound that was something like a squeak.

Nonplussed, Hamish brushed more dust onto the carpet.

“Do tell us all about your journey,” Mary said, her eyes alight. “I want to hear every detail.” Mary had always been entranced with the prospect of traveling, though she’d had very few opportunities. She’d been but a babe when they’d visited Scotland.

“First things first,” Esmeralda said cuttingly.

“Introductions?” Elizabeth asked.

Her aunt fixed her with a bemused look. Though why she was bemused was a mystery. Anyone who was anyone knew that introductions were always the first thing.

“Oh, all right,” she huffed. “Ranald Gunn. Hamish Robb. These girls are Anne, Elizabeth, Victoria, and Mary,” she said, rudely pointing at them in turn.

“And you are the incomparable Lady Esmeralda,” Hamish said with a wink.

This blandishment had the desired effect. Aunt Esmeralda softened. A tad.

“We’ve heard all about your amazing exploits, all the way up to Duncansby Head,” he continued.

Elizabeth suppressed a shudder at his mellifluous tone. Oh, he had a beautiful voice. And when he was about the business of smoothing ruffled feathers, he was very good.

“Yes, well,” Esmeralda grumbled. “Of course you have.”

“His Grace speaks very highly of you,” the baron said. “He counts himself as very lucky to have you to guide his cousins through the coils of the season.”

“Well, he would.” Esmeralda practically preened.

“And we are honored to be here in his stead.”

This seemed to bring the maven back to the ground. She cleared her throat in a rumble. “Which begs the question . . . Why has the duke deserted us?”

“Och!” the baron said. “’Tis nothing of the sort.” He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “His wife is increasing.”

“Pish,” Esmeralda sputtered. “He could have come without her.”

Hamish laughed and Elizabeth found herself staring at him once more. It was a lovely sound and transformed his face from intriguing to downright irresistible. “If you knew Lachlan, you would understand. He’s no’ leaving Lana. Ever.”

The Baron of Bower nodded. “True love, that. They are inseparable.”

“That is so romantic,” Victoria gushed.

“That is so annoying,” Esmeralda snapped. “The duke promised to attend the season.”

“Dear aunt.” Anne reached over and patted her hand. “The duke has generously agreed to finance us. I think we can be gracious in understanding his regrets.”

“I promise you, we will do all in our power to make him proud,” the baron said.

“But can you reel in the lords?”

The baron paled. “I beg your pardon?”

Esmeralda’s bountiful bosom swelled. “These girls need suitors. Titled suitors. Wealthy suitors. We were counting on the duke’s name to attract them.”

“We still have that connection with the duke,” Anne assured her.

“But it is nowhere near as sensational as having a duke to parade around.” Was that the hint of a pout in Esmeralda’s tone?

“I’m quite certain the duke would not appreciate being paraded anyway,” Elizabeth felt obligated to say.

“Nonsense. Dukes love pomp and circumstance.”

The baron bit back a smile. “Not Lachlan Sinclair, madam. He is a very private man.”

“Well, what good is that?” Esmeralda barked. “What is the point of being a duke if you aren’t going to rub it in people’s faces?”

There was no answer to that. Fortunately, Henley arrived just then with the refreshed tea tray and what followed was a genial conversation as the men tucked in to finger sandwiches and cakes. It was clear they would have preferred something stronger than tea, but neither complained.

As they ate, they shared the details of their journey and answered all of Mary’s questions with an amiable aplomb. For her part, Elizabeth was content to sit and listen to the melodious accents and watch as Hamish devoured his food. He really was a very handsome man. Beyond that, she liked his smile and the twinkle in his eye.

She liked it a bit too much, considering he was here to be her protector during the season. She couldn’t help her mind from wandering. Imagining what it would be like to be held in those muscular arms, to be kissed by those beautiful lips. More than once he caught her gaze upon him and he would smile at her. Each time, her heart fluttered.

She was probably being a silly girl. She knew nothing about him. Certainly not if he was married.

She found she really wanted to know.

But there was no time or opportunity to ask. As soon as the men finished eating, her aunt sprang to her feet and gusted a sigh. “Well, it was lovely getting to know you. You will probably want to be heading off to your lodgings to rest.”

“Oh,” said the baron. “We’ll be staying here.”