Damn and blast, he’d hoped nobody had noticed their return to the celebration. “I kissed her,” he whispered.
“That is all?” Grace frowned.
“At least they asked you to remain instead of kidnapping you,” Matthew chuckled.
There was that, Gideon supposed.
Chapter 6
Davina knew her too well and as soon as the vows were spoken and she kissed Ian, her cousin had pulled Arabella back to the manor. They were followed by Sheena, along with Ian’s younger sisters, Fanella and Jesse.
“We are now truly sisters,” Fanella hugged Davina.
“I canna wait for ye to be livin’ at Grant Manor,” Jesse proclaimed.
Instead of answering either of Ian’s sisters, Davina turned to Arabella. “What is goin’ on?”
Arabella blinked at her. “I doona ken what ye mean.”
Davina narrowed her eyes as she fisted her hands on her lips. “We couldna find ye for the longest time, then when ye came out, ye were with Lord Gideon and yer brothers glared at him like they’d rather string him up than give him a whisky.”
Arabella’s face began to burn, but did she dare tell them the truth?
“Tell us,” Sheena begged. “Somethin’ happened.”
“Verra well!” Arabella blew out. They’d keep at her until she told them. “But no’ here.” Then she pulled them away from the doors leading to the terrace, where they could be heard by any of the guests, and across the room. “Lord Gideon kissed me.”
All four of them gasped.
“Which of yer brother’s hit him?” Fanella asked eagerly.
“Donovan. He’s the one who caught us.”
“Well, I hope his fist is smartin’ because there was no cause.” Sheena huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Aye. It was a simple kiss.”
“How simple?” Davina’s eyes lit with suspicion and delight.
Arabella shrugged. “Simple enough, I suppose. I’d never been kissed before.”
“Did yer knees grow weak? Did yer body get warm? Did ye tingle all over?”
Arabella’s face grew hot, but she didn’t answer Davina’s questions, even though she’d experienced all of those things.
“Aye.” Davina nodded knowingly. “It was no’ so simple a kiss.”
No, it was everything and more. It was almost as if her sprit went floating while the weakness of her knees threatened to pull her body to the ground. And, she had gotten very warm, yet she’d nearly shivered. Much like coming down with an illness, but in the most pleasant of ways.
“So, Uncle Aiden is keepin’ Lord Gideon here in hopes of the two of ye makin’ a match?” Sheena asked in clarification.
“Aye.”
“Do ye want the match?” Davina questioned.
“Nay,” Arabella insisted.
“Why no’?” Fanella and Jesse asked in unison.
“He’s English and lives in Cornwall.”
“That’s the only reason?” Fanella frowned in confusion.
“It’s too far away,” Jesse explained. “I wouldna wish to be so far from my family. It’s bad enough that Mary is now in Brussels and Lachlan rarely comes home because of his duties as a marquess. If everyone took off to different parts of England, or the world, the families might not ever be together again.”
“Have ye heard from Mary?” Ever since Napoleon escaped from Elba, Fanella and Jesse had become more worried for their sister. They’d hoped that she’d return home after the surrender last year, but her husband, Captain Soars, remained with the reduced troops on the Continent, and Mary remained with her husband.
“Aye. The army is preparin’ and she is doin’ her best to prepare as well.” Jesse nearly choked on the last of her words.
Arabella reached out and took Jesse’s hand. “I’m sure Mary will be well.”
Jesse just quickly nodded.
“Let’s try not to worry about Mary, but decide what to do about Lord Gideon,” Fanella cast a worried glance at her sister. “Would ye want him if he stayed here?”
As he wouldn’t, it wasn’t even a question to be considered. However, Arabella wouldn’t mind kissing him again and she did look forward to their coming waltz, if the orchestra ever played one, as they hadn’t as of yet.
“Aye, ye would.” Fanella grinned.
“I dinna say that. I doona even ken him.”
“Aye, but yer lips seem to.” She laughed.
“Enough of this,” Arabella insisted. Fanella was the last person she wished to encourage. “And none of ye can say anythin’ about what happened.” She looked at Sheena, Davina, Jesse and then her eyes bore in to Fanella’s, the one she really needed to worry about because her friend was the one who loved gossip the most.
“Verra well.” Fanella let out a sigh. “But that doesna mean I willna be watchin’,” she added with a grin.
As long as that was all Fanella did because Arabella did not need the populace of Bonnybridge gossiping about her kissing Lord Gideon, especially since none of the bachelors saw fit to even dance with her. She’d been humiliated enough for one day.
“We need to return to the celebration,” she finally said. “This is now Davina’s weddin’ day as well, and she shouldna be in here.” The two of them linked arms and started across the ballroom to return outside. “I will miss ye after ye move to Grant Manor.”
“It isna so far away,” Davina reminded her.
She really wished her cousin were at Anagburn for at least as long as Lord Gideon was forced to be here. Grant Manor might as well be in Cornwall for as much as she’d see Davina in the coming days.
“I’ll visit. I promise.”
“And I’ll visit ye,” Arabella insisted, even though travel between the two estates was at least an hour on a good day.
“I’ll be anxious to learn what becomes of ye and Lord Gideon,” Davina whispered.
“Nothin’, I can assure ye.”
“We shall see,” Davina answered in a knowing manner, which Arabella would have questioned had they not stepped back outside at that moment. Instead of waiting with her cousins and friends, Arabella left them and made her way across the terrace and sought out Lord Gideon.
Gideon couldn’t help but smile when he realized that Miss Arabella was coming toward him as soon as she exited the manor.
“I understand that Lord Gideon is going to be a guest at Anagburn,” Matthew said as she drew closer.
Miss Arabella’s eyes panned to his, almost in an accusing manner. It wasn’t as if he were out here gossiping, yet a part of him felt as if that’s exactly what he’d done. “The blackened eye, one I hadn’t arrived with, was a curiosity,” he explained.
She straightened. “Goodness, and I’ve yet to get ye anythin’ for it.” She nodded to Matthew and Grace. “Please excuse us.” Then linked her arm with Gideon’s and practically drug him back toward the manor. “I am verra sorry. I’m certain the housekeeper or Cook has just the thing. My brothers and cousins have sported enough over the years that they have experience in these matters.”
“It is really not necessary, Miss Arabella.”
“Aye, it is,” she insisted as they stepped back inside. “It’s bad enough that my family coerced ye into stayin’, but I willna allow ye to keep sufferin’ for my brother’s brutish assault on yer person.”
Brutish assault on his person? Gideon nearly laughed. “I assure you, I have suffered much worse.”
“Ye should not have to suffer at all.” Then she looked up and frowned at him. “How much worse? Do ye make it a habit of kissin’ lasses and gettin’ punched by their brothers?”
This time Gideon did laugh. “No. That was a first; however, I do enjoy boxing.”
Her blue eyes widened as she took a step back. “Boxin’, as in fightin’ on purpose? What the blazes is wrong with gentlemen that they welcome violence?”
“It’s simply a sport,” he argued.
“So is golfin’ but nobody comes away bruised and batt
ered after they’ve finished a game.”
“As I’ve never golfed, nor know much of the game, I’ll need to take your word on that fact.”
“Ye’ve never golfed?” she said it as if it were sacrilege that he hadn’t.
“I’ve never been given the opportunity,” Gideon explained.
“Well it is a good thin’ ye’ll be visitin’ with us. Now ye can learn.”
Except, he was here to visit with her, not golf with her brothers. Though he supposed that he wouldn’t be with Miss Arabella constantly, even though he preferred her company to that of her male relatives.
Miss Arabella stopped when they reached the center of the room and glanced up at him. “Ye ken, ye doona need to remain. I ken Uncle Aiden pressed ye into it, but if ye left, he wouldna come after ye.”
“I wished to stay, and I agreed.”
“Ye did it to be kind.”
“No, I did it because I wish to know you better.”
Disbelief flashed in her eyes.
“Miss Arabella, I realize that you do not know me well, but let me assure you that I never do anything I don’t wish to do and it’s been a long time since anyone has forced me to go against my wishes. The last time was my headmaster.” He took her hand in his. “Let me assure you that I am here because it is what I wish.”
She stared up at him, her mouth slightly open as if she wasn’t certain if she should believe him or not. Those perfect lips once again begged to be kissed, and they were quite alone…
“I hope yer no’ thinkin’ of kissin’ my sister again,” Cameron called as he came in from the outside. “Uncle Aiden has requested a waltz and ye wouldna want to disappoint him by not dancin’ and makin’ him regret askin’ ye to stay or not demandin’ more of ye.”
As he already had one eye he could barely see out of, Gideon stepped back and offered his arm to Miss Arabella as the first strains of a waltz drifted in from outside. “Will you do me the honor of this dance, Miss Arabella?”
This time there was more of a shyness in her smile, which Gideon found quite endearing. She might enjoy her whisky, falcons and even taking her uncle to task, but Gideon suspected that she’d rarely been treated as a miss, feminine and sweet, to be protected and courted. Something he would rectify over the next fortnight.
As they reached the terrace, Gideon bowed and Miss Arabella curtseyed before he took her in his arms. They glided from one end of the terrace to the other, steps matching as if they’d waltzed together many times before. The waltz had never been so smooth in his experience, and with Miss Arabella, it was like gliding on ice without the fear of falling.
They were a match in more ways than he’d originally comprehended. He hadn’t expected the desire to shoot through his body when his lips brushed hers in the mews any more than he’d anticipated the perfection of her in his arms. No miss had ever felt so right… as if she belonged.
Gideon shut down those thoughts almost immediately. He had just met Miss Arabella, and no matter how perfect she seemed at this moment, he knew little of her and he was not one to fall so quickly. No matter how much he wished to kiss her again, and explore what more they could enjoy together, Gideon reminded himself to think with his head and not his heart or any other part of his anatomy. Impulse had led him to kissing her in the first place, which led to his agreement to remain for a fortnight. Further impulses could lead to marriage and, as delightful as Miss Arabella was, he didn’t know her nearly well enough to contemplate any type of future.
Further, he’d never been a gentleman who acted on impulse. It was rather disconcerting and he must not give into the urge to do so again.
Chapter 7
Arabella wasn’t certain when or if she’d ever catch her breath again. It wasn’t that the waltzing was so strenuous, but being so near Lord Gideon robbed her of breath and her speech. How could anyone think or talk when such a handsome gentleman swept her so effortlessly and expertly from one end of the terrace to the other?
Aye, she’d only learned to waltz in the last month, but nobody she’d danced with at the ball had been so graceful, nor had they possessed such command of their steps.
Command of her.
Powerful, that’s what Lord Gideon was, which must be the reason why her pulse raced and her body grew warm. It was as if every fiber of her being was aware of him and she nearly forgot there were others about when she glanced up into his azure eyes and was unable to look away.
Goodness he was bonny and he was dancing with her.
Of course, he had been rather forced into doing so, but Arabella didn’t wish to focus on that small matter. Besides, hadn’t he assured her that he didn’t do anything he didn’t wish? Could she trust that he spoke the truth?
Oh, she wanted to. Desperately, she wanted to believe him and have faith that he wished to be with her, but what good would that do? He was an Englishman, who would return to England in a fortnight. Not just England, but Cornwall, which is about as far away from her home as one could be and still remain in England.
It was a shame that Lord Gideon hadn’t been born Scottish. Had he been, she’d snatch him right up and keep him for herself.
Shock at her own thoughts registered in Arabella’s mind. Goodness! Now she was thinking like her uncle and one kidnapping in the family was quite enough.
As the music came to an end, Lord Gideon’s steps slowed, as did hers.
“Thank you for the dance, Miss Arabella.”
“I should be the one thankin’ ye, I doona believe I’ve enjoyed waltzin’ so well.”
His smile was slight and there was humor in his eyes. Had she misspoken? Had she been the only one to enjoy it?
Yes, she chastised herself. Lord Gideon had come here from London, where he’d been attending the Season. Of course he hadn’t enjoyed it as much as her. He was used to dancing with ladies, who probably had dancing masters for years before they were presented. She wasn’t skilled, not like they were, and Lord Gideon was probably thankful the music had come to an end.
“Would you care to stroll with me in the gardens?”
“Ye doona have to remain with me,” she assured him as they reached the edge of the terrace. Just because her uncle had decided that Lord Gideon was to remain at Anagburn didn’t mean he should be forced to endure her presence the entire time.
“I wish to spend more time with you.” His voice was low and reassuring.
Well, she was about the only person he knew, outside of his family. But all of the male Trents were in their cups and getting deeper as time went on. Arabella couldn’t really blame Lord Gideon for not wanting to be with them. Heaven knew she couldn’t stand to be around her brothers and cousins whenever they were inebriated.
Arabella took Lord Gideon’s offered arm. “The gardens are this way.”
There were few guests around when she led him down the path, though she shouldn’t be surprised. The celebration had been going on for hours and she suspected many families would wish to return home before it became too dark. Already the sun was dipping in the horizon, casting long shadows.
“Is this how all Scots celebrate weddings?” he asked.
“Nay, only my uncle and cousin, apparently.”
“How would a marriage normally be celebrated?” he asked out of curiosity.
“That depends on if yer a Sassenach or a Scot.” She teased.
“I can assume by Sassenach, you’re referring to the couples who run away and marry as soon as they cross the border.”
“Aye. I hear Gretna is a favorite place among yer people,” she confirmed with a laugh. “But do ye ken that anyone can be married anywhere in Scotland. What do the English find so fascinating about anvils and Gretna Green?”
“I really have no idea but it does seem to be a popular destination.” Lord Gideon chuckled, his blue eyes lighted and creases formed at the corner of his eyes with this smile. “So, how do Scots usually marry?”
“Most go before a vicar and either wed in the church or in front of it,
then have a weddin’ breakfast with family and verra close friends.”
“Yet, your uncle did not.”
“He already had the whisky tastin’ planned, a gathering of friends and neighbors, a picnic with games,” she admitted. “He decided that if all our neighbors were going to be here anyway, that he might as well make it a weddin’ too.” And that was pretty much how everything was decided. “Rose dinna seem to mind and here we are.”
“I wish more weddings were like this,” Lord Gideon admitted after a moment.
“Why?” She couldn’t imagine a lord enjoying something…well, something so informal.
“It is relaxing. Wedding celebrations back home are no different from any other society event, stiff and uncomfortable. I’ve attended few, and they weren’t as celebratory as today. It’s the way of the ton. Few are large celebrations, however. A small wedding in a church and breakfast following, but some have much grander affairs, and those were not to my liking.
Arabella blinked at him. “Ye doona like Society?”
“I doona like London.” He winked at her.
She blinked up at his use of doona. “Are ye makin’ fun of me?” Then again, she had called him a Sassenach and most English do not prefer to be called as such.
Lord Gideon took her hand from his sleeve and then kissed the back of her fingers. Heat shot up her arms leaving tingles in its wake.
“No, Miss Arabella, I am not. I just find myself in exceptionally good humor at the moment, and perhaps I shouldn’t have teased, but I do believe I have you and your family to thank for my altered disposition.”
How was that even possible? “Ye’re being coerced to stay here, even if ye deny anyone is forcin’ anythin’, and ye have a black eye. How can ye be in a good humor? I certainly wouldna be.”
“Because for one, I find you delightful and for the second, I think this is what I’ve needed.”
Kissing the Lass (Scot to the Heart #2) Page 5
