by Jane Charles
As the chords of another waltz struck, Davina realized it was the supper waltz.
“Shall we?” Ian held out his arm.
“Aye. Thank ye.”
He led her to the floor and after he bowed and she curtseyed, drew her into his arms before bending near her ear. “Ye arena goin’ to run out on me again are ye?”
Her face heated. “I willna.”
“Ye promise?”
“Aye.”
All around her, the guests twirled as Ian led her from one end of the dance floor to the other.
“Did ye ken that a lady and a gentleman arena to share more than two dances at a ball?”
She blinked up at him. “Aye.”
“I just want to make sure for the next ball.”
“I doona believe there will be another.”
Ian glanced over at his mother and frowned. “I fear ye may be mistaken.”
Davina also looked to Mrs. Grant who stood whispering to Lachlan and nodding. The Grants had never held a ball before. However, Mrs. Grant had done everything in her power to find husbands for her daughters when they traveled to London.
She then took in the room. There were a number of bachelors in attendance. Most were from the area but others, friends of her brothers and cousins, had traveled from Edinburgh. Had what Mrs. Grant been looking for been nearer than she realized?
“Do ye ken why a gentleman only dances with a lady twice?”
Davina blinked back up at him. “So as not to call a lady’s reputation into question or so as not to announce a courtship?” She was not really certain.
“If I were to dance with ye a third time, others will suspect we are soon to be betrothed.”
Her stomach tightened. They could not dance again. At least not tonight.
“Which leaves me with a dilemma.”
To her, the answer was simple. They’d already discussed how Ian wouldn’t approach Uncle Aiden for two more days, which she knew was not likely to happen.
“I could dance with ye a third time, then yer uncle will ken where my feelings lie. Or…”
He didn’t finish, which Ian very well knew aggravated her to no end. “Or?” she repeated.
“I could wait for ye to ask me to dance at my mother’s ball.”
“Why would I ask ye to dance?”
Ian smiled down at her, an irritating twinkle in his green eyes. “I simply assumed ye’d ask me if we arena courtin’ yet.”
“Here me well, Ian Grant. I willna be the one courtin’ ye,” Davina hissed only loudly enough for him to hear, then she tried to pull away.
“Ack.” Ian held tight. “Ye promised not to run out on me again, lass.” And then he had the audacity to wink at her.
“I should’ve made ye promise not to aggravate me.”
His chuckle rumbled deep in his chest, which only further irritated her.
“Ride with Maddie and me,” Lachlan said as their carriages pulled up in front of MacGregor’s manor. They’d brought two because there were a total of eight Grants who attended the ball.
“Gara and Magnus can ride with Fanella and Jess. Ye and mother should be with us.”
“Very well,” Ian slowly answered. He certainly didn’t mind not being in a carriage with his youngest sisters, but assumed their mother would wish to be.
“It’s important,” Lachlan said quietly to their mother.
She frowned but nodded.
“What is it?” their mother asked after the carriage had pulled away from the manor.
“What I am about to tell you will not leave this carriage. I especially doona want Fanella and Jesse to learn of it. At least not yet.”
“Yer worryin’ me.”
“Ye should be, but not for us.”
“Then who?” Ian asked.
“The MacGregors!”
Maddie slipped her hand into Lachlan’s; however, it felt like someone had just squeezed Ian’s stomach. He’d known something was wrong tonight, but dismissed it on the fact that it was a first ball, and one given with little notice.
“You are far more alarmed than I am,” Madeline said to her husband.
“Of course I’m alarmed,” he barked. “I ken yer brothers. They willna take this lightly no matter what ye or yer mother says.”
Would Bentley and the Trent brothers object to Aiden marrying the dowager? Did they even know Aiden?
Madeline blew out a sigh and rolled her eyes. “As soon as they realize what I have, they will not do anything rash.”
Lachlan snorted. “Just in case, I’ll make sure all the ropes at Grant Manor are hidden.”
Ropes? “What the blazes are the two of ye talkin’ about?” Ian finally asked.
“Did either of ye think it odd that Maddie’s mother was at the MacGregors’?”
“She explained they were friends and after meetin’ at Stirling Castle that she decided to visit,” their mother answered.
“If they are friends, why wasn’t the Dowager Viscountess Acker with her? The two left London together weeks ago for a holiday.”
“Lady Acker wasna there?” Ian asked. He’d assumed she was, but as he’d never met her, he wouldn’t have known if she was present or not.
“She preferred to remain in Edinburgh,” his mother answered.
Lachlan looked at Maddie. “They prepared an answer for everythin’.”
“They weren’t prepared for us at all.” She chuckled before looking at Ian and his mother. “We were not supposed to have received an invitation or to have even known about the ball at all.”
“Of course we were,” Ian’s mother dismissed.
Suspicion settled into Ian’s gut. When he met with Davina four days ago, she made no mention of the ball, but asked vague questions about Lady Bentley. Davina certainly had been surprised to see him. Had she honestly not expected to meet with him again until tomorrow?
“Nay,” Lachlan insisted. “After Rose explained to Maddie why she was at the MacGregors, Alistair explained to me that we most certainly were not supposed to be present and for good reason.”
Ian let this sink in. “Why would they not invite us?” If that were the case, no wonder Davina never mentioned the blasted ball.
“Because Maddie’s mother wasna there as a guest. She had been kidnapped, and Aiden is still waitin’ for her ransom to be paid.”
“What?” Ian demanded as his mother gasped.
Madeline blew out another heavy sigh. “Apparently, my father had obtained jewels that belonged to the MacGregors.”
“Ye remember how Beathan had a weakness for gamblin’,” Lachlan reminded them.
Davina’s father brought the family to the brink of ruin a few times. At least in Ian’s memory.
“When the debt was paid, my father decided to keep the jewels as interest,” Maddie said. “Mr. MacGregor, Aiden, tried to get my father to release the jewels but he refused.”
“That’s why she was kidnapped?” his mother asked as if she still couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Ian wasn’t sure he wasn’t being told a fanciful story.
“Actually, it wasn’t Aiden who’d done the kidnapping,” Lachlan explained. “That was Fergus!”
That one name set Ian on edge. Fergus was foolish and spontaneous. He also hated the English. Whenever there was trouble, Fergus was usually involved.
“Aiden first saw Rose on the walk outside Stirlin’ Castle. When he realized who she was, he was goin’ to speak with her about the jewels, and inquire about Bentley, hoping he was more reasonable than his father had been. But when Aiden was distracted by an acquaintance, Fergus up and took off with her. It took Aiden nearly an hour to catch up to them and by then, accordin’ to Aiden, it was too late to take her back.”
“So he kept her?” Ian yelled in disbelief.
“Aye. And demanded ransom from Bentley.” Lachlan answered.
“Why didn’t Aiden just appeal to Madeline?” his mother asked. “She would have spoken to her brother about returnin’ the jewels or at least comi
n’ to an agreement.”
“Aiden dinna ken that the former Bentley was Maddie’s father,” Lachlan answered.
“How could Aiden not know that Madeline is Bentley’s daughter? She’s a Trent.” Ian demanded.
Lachlan shrugged. “I had assumed he kent, but in thinkin’ over all of my conversations with him, I never mentioned her family. I introduced her as my wife, told him how we met, but I cannot recall one time mentionin’ that she was a Trent. It dinna seem important.”
Ian never discussed Maddie’s family either. It never came up in conversation. In their little part of Scotland, connections were not of importance. Not like in places like London. It was something Ian hadn’t even realized until he attended his first Season. Ian was of little importance until his bachelor brother became the Marquess of Brachton. Suddenly, Ian became significant, especially since he was next in line for the title. Of course he knew who Madeline’s family was, but it wasn’t something they’d feel the need to point out at home. She was simply Lachlan’s wife.
“What excuse did Aiden give his family as to why Lady Bentley was there?” Ian asked. “How long has she been there?”
“Over a fortnight,” Lachlan answered. “His nephews knew the first night. It was Ewan he sent to deliver the message.”
“So his nieces have no idea?” Mrs. Grant asked.
“They kent.” Lachlan shook his head. “Davina overheard Aiden telling the boys that night.”
“Davina kent,” Ian practically shouted. “And she did nothin’ to help Lady Bentley?”
His mother, Lachlan and Madeline all speared him with a surprised and questioning look.
Bloody hell. “She’s the most reasonable. I would have thought she’d see the matter ended.”
The three relaxed at what he hoped they accepted was a reasonable explanation. However, the next time he saw her, Davina would have a lot of explaining to do.
Kidnapping!
No wonder she was shocked and nearly panicked when he showed up in the stables, then she’d insisted he couldn’t talk to Aiden because Fiona had been sick.
Ian snorted, he’d wager Fiona had never been ill but an excuse to keep him from the house, where he would have discovered Lady Bentley.
Davina insisted on secrecy, allowed him to believe Aiden was in Edinburgh and not available to meet with him until Saturday. She’d been lying to him since he returned from London, and he’d been foolish enough to grant her two more days. In hindsight, perhaps they were a gift because he wasn’t certain where his feelings lie for Davina at the moment.
“Does the entire family ken?” his mother asked.
“Every family member and every servant. I think the only innocents in this particular predicament are Aiden’s children. Even if they did understand, the oldest is only twelve and is hardly in a position to be of assistance to Maddie’s mother,” Lachlan explained.
“My mother needs no assistance,” Madeline insisted.
“How can you be so sure?” Mrs. Grant asked.
Slowly, Maddie smiled. “I believe my mother has fallen in love. She was free to leave with us tonight. Aiden long ago concluded he’d been wrong to keep her, but there was little he could do to change the situation after he’d sent Ewan away. When we arrived, he said she could return to Grant Manor with her family. My mother wished to remain.”
“I’m surprised Bentley and his brothers have not arrived by now,” Mrs. Grant said.
This time Lachlan laughed. “That is because that fool, Ewan, delivered the message to the wrong family, but I’m certain the Trent brothers will arrive any day. Lady Acker would have written to her son, who is married to one of Maddie’s half-sisters. So, even if Bentley doesn’t receive the letter demanding ransom, he’d learn from Acker of Rose’s kidnapping.” He turned to look out the window. “And the very reason we need to hide all the ropes so they don’t hang Aiden from the highest tree.”
Chapter 18
Davina stared into her cup of tea and found it difficult to focus on any one thought. Her sleep had been fitful and filled with dreams last night. Some pleasant, with Ian holding and kissing her, and other parts were nightmares of Ian leading Uncle Aiden to the gallows.
The sideboard was loaded with breakfast foods, as it normally was at this time of the day, but none of the aromas from the fresh, warm bread or fried ham tempted her. Davina couldn’t even get a cup of tea past her tight throat, let alone food into her knotted stomach.
By now, Ian knew what they had done, and she was certain that if he did call on Uncle Aiden tomorrow, it would not be to ask permission to court her.
“Wasna last night marvelous?” Sheena practically skipped into the breakfast room.
“I believe the ball was a success.” There was no reason for her disheartened mood to ruin Sheena’s exuberant one.
“Oh, my feet are killin’ me,” Arabella said as she walked in. “Not that I’m really complainin’.” She grinned. “I wouldna give up even one dance if it meant my feet wouldna feel bruised on the bottoms today.”
Both Arabella and Sheena had danced nearly every set as bachelors approached them, one after the other. Davina hadn’t drawn the same amount of attention. The only man who had asked her to accompanying him was Ian, which meant she only waltzed twice and had sat out the rest as she watched others participate.
Davina frowned down into her tea. Why hadn’t anyone even seemed interested in asking her to dance? It wasn’t until this morning that she realized that no other bachelor had even approached her. Not one, save Ian.
It was all rather disheartening. Not that she was interested in any of the other bachelors, but a lass does like to be noticed.
“Did ye enjoy yerself, Davina?” Arabella asked after she filled her plate with eggs and took a seat at the table.
“Aye.” Her response lacked the same enthusiasm of Sheena and Arabella, but she couldn’t muster any of their excitement.
“Ye probably woulda had more fun if ye’d distanced yerself from Ian.”
Davina snapped her head up and looked at Sheena. “What do ye mean?”
“Why, every time a gentleman started in your direction, Ian sent the man a scathin’ look. I’ve never seen the like.”
“And he brooded when ye werena by his side,” Arabella smiled knowingly and nodded.
It was impossible for Arabella to know anything for certain, but her supposition caused Davina to wonder if others had drawn a similar conclusion. “Brooded?” Davina hadn’t seen Ian brood at all, and she was with him most of the night, well, except when she was called away by a servant, or when talking to neighbors.
Arabella giggled. “I heard Brice Campbell ask Alistair when Ian had already claimed ye.”
“Claimed me?” She wasn’t a piece of property to be sold, auctioned or settled upon.
“Ye were the reason Brice attended, but he was afraid Ian would shoot him if he came near ye.”
Davina tilted her head in thought. Brice Campbell? He was right handsome, but he’d not shown any interest in her before, nor she him. Still, it was pleasing to know at least one other bachelor wished to dance with her last night. “What did Alistair say?”
“He said he didn’t ken anythin’ about Ian and ye, but intended to find out.”
Davina groaned. That was all she needed, her older brother asking questions and demanding answers.
“Ewan then said that at least one of us was out of the way,” Arabella grumbled.
“Out of the way?” Sheena asked. “I thought ye said it was Alistair talkin’ with Brice.”
“Aye.” Arabella sighed. “Ewan was standin’ with them and took it upon himself to tell the rest of the bachelors that the reason for the ball was to find husbands to take us off Uncle Aiden’s hands and that he’d consider all offers.”
Outrage spiked, for herself, her cousin and her sister. It was one thing to have Uncle Aiden ordering them to find a groom, but it was quite another to have her younger brother make such an announcement to the men
. Ewan made last night seem more like the horse auctions she’d heard about in London than a pleasant ball. “Why would he do such a thing?” Sheena demanded. “Did he wish to humiliate all of us?”
“Just ye and me, since everyone else assumed Davina had chosen Ian.” Then she grinned. “Or that he had claimed Davina so the others needed to look to us.”
“Ewan needs to learn not to talk out of turn,” Davina complained. At least the bachelors hadn’t avoided her because of her but because Ian had apparently staked his claim as if she were a piece of property.
“We want to ken about Ian askin’ to court ye, and ye turnin’ him down,” Arabella said.
Davina supposed it wouldn’t hurt to tell them now, though she still didn’t wish for the MacGregor men to ever learn. “Ye canna tell anyone,” she warned.
Sheena impatiently bounced in her seat with excitement while Arabella watched her suspiciously, as if wondering what she’d done.
“I am serious. I willna tell you a thin’ if ye doona promise to hold my secrets.” After all, it was Sheena who didn’t always hold her tongue as she should. Much like Ewan.
“I promise,” Sheena answered anxiously.
“As do I,” Arabella responded with more reserve.
It wasn’t as if she and Ian had done anything terribly wrong, though her brothers may not see it that way. “Remember when Ian went off to London to prove that he could go a Season without kissing?”
Sheena nodded.
“That was because he kissed me.”
Their mouths popped open.
“He was wantin’ to court me.” Then she went on to tell them about the kiss and their discussion and challenge. “I told him I wouldna consider him until he could prove to me that he could go to London and do no kissin’.”
Arabella covered her mouth as she laughed. “I kent there had to be another reason besides one of yer usual challenges.”
Davina was surprised nobody asked before now.
“He proved himself, so why are ye not courtin’?” Arabella asked.
