These Scots were an odd lot. The manor was filled with family members and it wasn’t as if he’d be alone with Miss Arabella, but MacGregor insisted on the distance to avoid temptation. Did MacGregor truly believe that Gideon would try to sneak into Arabella’s chambers as soon as everyone retired? It wasn’t as if he were attending a house party where lovers planned clandestine rendezvous.
Gideon suggested that he go into Bonnybridge and take a room at the local inn, but was told that was too far away. Brachton had offered him a room at Grant Manor, but that was also too far away, according to MacGregor, yet under the same roof was too close.
He shook his head and got out of bed. There was no point in trying to figure them out. In a fortnight, he’d be gone.
It took a moment, but slowly Gideon became aware of the silence. He’d not experienced such quiet in…Gideon wasn’t certain he ever had. It was the kind of noiselessness he’d longed for, especially during his stay in London.
Being in this little corner of Scotland might turn out to be more relaxing than he’d anticipated.
After dressing, he investigated the small space. There was a corner with a cooking stove and sink, as well as a small table. On the opposite wall, not far from the entrance, was a fireplace and sitting area, and on the far wall, the bed. By the window beside the door, sat a table with two chairs, one faced the outside. It was here that Gideon placed his parchment, quill, ink and wax, which were always in his possession along with several pencils he used for writing drafts of his novels. He then sat to write a letter to his family. They’d be awaiting word of Lady Bentley, now Mrs. MacGregor, and Gideon needed to advise his family not to expect his immediate return.
He paused in his writing, wondering if he should tell them the reason he remained at Anagburn, but then he thought better of it. After all, it was only for a fortnight and knowing Sophia, she’d latch on to the temporary situation and ride here to see how she could turn it into a permanent one, especially if Gideon confessed that it was all because of a kiss.
Instead, Gideon wrote that he thought he’d remain at Anagburn to become better acquainted with their distance cousins, which wasn’t a lie since Bentley and his wife, Eleanor, along with John and Elizabeth Trent were also staying at Anagburn. The remainder of the other Trents were at Grant Manor, and Gideon planned on using the next fortnight not only to enjoy Miss Arabella’s company but also to come to know his distant relatives, if they remained so long. He also wrote that he found Scotland lovely and relaxing and that he intended to enjoy a bit of a holiday before he returned home. His only concern in writing those words were that Sophia might become irritated with him since she’d only been in England barely a month and she, along with her husband and children, would return to Italy by the end of the summer.
The guilt at wishing to remain at Anagburn when he should be with his sister and family ate at Gideon. However, upon his return, he’d assure Sophia there was a good reason for his delay and then he’d tell her of Miss Arabella and that he had stayed to see if they would suit. That should placate any of his sister’s irritation with him.
As soon as he’d completed the letter, Gideon sanded and sealed it before sliding it into his pocket. Then he set out for the manor. Even though he wasn’t given a room, he was expected there for all of the meals.
Why Gideon let MacGregor decide what he would and would not do was beyond him. Yet, here he was, being far more agreeable than usual, all because of a most enjoyable kiss.
If he were to be honest with himself, he went along with MacGregor’s dictates because of Miss Arabella, a most fascinating young woman who intrigued him like no other. Her sweet lips had stirred him in ways he’d never encountered and warmed him to his toes.
And, if he was going to be completely honest, had Donovan not walked in on them, Gideon wasn’t so certain he would have had the strength to pull himself away before he truly had compromised Miss Arabella. Not that he’d completely ruin her, but he might have caressed her far more fully than just his hands at her back.
It was if she weaved a spell about him. One he was quite happy to fall beneath, but one that could find him married if he wasn’t careful. With those reminders, he also vowed to remain at a distance and be thoughtful of all words and actions. He’d avoided the parson’s trap by being cautious his entire life and he wasn’t about to slip up now.
Ah, a most pleasant day indeed greeted him as he walked through the small outcropping of woods toward the emerald fields. Above him was a bright cerulean, nearly cloudless sky and the only sounds were the chirps of a few birds who flew from one tree to the next. This was the type of place he’d longed for so often when he’d wished to get his thoughts in order and when concentration was of the essence. Had he really needed to come all the way to Scotland to find it? Or perhaps this was the answer to what he needed to find at home—a cottage along the cliffs, well away from anyone who offered distractions, such as his family. A place where the only sounds were the waves striking the cliffs.
His family had never understood his need to be alone or how Gideon craved silence. They didn’t understand that he was rarely alone and being in his set of rooms in the manor was not distancing himself from others. There were still people within, family and servants, and interruptions could happen at any time, as they often did. Gideon hadn’t even been alone at conception and had to share a womb with his brother Maxwell. Perhaps that was why he craved a space for himself.
This place, this cottage in a clearing was near perfection, and now Gideon was determined to locate a similar cottage and setting upon his return to Cornwall. It was time he moved from his brother’s home. Instead of bachelor quarters in London, he’d build a bachelor cottage along the sea.
After taking the small wooden path, Gideon stepped into the clearing to make his way to the separate path in the trees that would take him to the manor. He paused and looked out at the green valley, bright in the sun; however, it wasn’t the lush land that drew his attention, but an auburn-haired miss a short distance away.
Her tresses were a myriad of colors from fiery to gold. She paused in her actions and quickly braided the curls, then tied the end with a ribbon. Arabella wasn’t aware of his presence as Gideon studied her delicate profile, tipped nose and wayward curl that had escaped, when she turned to a tall bag of sorts and pulled out a club.
He blinked.
A club?
Then, he studied her further, taking in her entire appearance, the vision his brain had not yet registered, nor was he likely to ever forget. Miss Arabella wore a long shirt, one that came nearly to mid-thigh and trousers.
Trousers?
Miss Arabella took something else from a pouch, walked a few feet then placed it on the ground. The object was not what held his attention but the perfectly rounded bottom that was visible when she bent and her shirt shifted.
He shouldn’t be standing here watching her, but Gideon could not pull himself away from the sight. With each encounter Arabella MacGregor became more and more captivating.
She took up a stance, her feet placed nearly a shoulder’s width apart, then gripped the club, pulled back, swung, connecting with the small ball and sending it further into the field.
No, not a field, the golf course.
Miss Arabella shaded her eyes with her delicate hand as she watched the progress of the ball and Gideon watched her.
Chapter 9
A shiver of awareness snaked down Arabella’s spine as the ball flew through the air. She was no longer alone and slowly turned, afraid she’d find that Uncle Aiden or one of her brothers had discovered her, and prepared to be reprimanded for her attire. Instead, Lord Gideon approached.
What was he doing here? How had he found her? Shouldn’t he still be abed?
As each question popped in her mind, Lord Gideon drew closer and her face grew warmer, until it was nearly burning.
What must he think of a lass in trousers? If Uncle Aiden learned that Lord Gideon had seen her dressed as such, he was going to lec
ture and then lock her in her room.
“Good morning, Miss Arabella,” he greeted pleasantly.
“Good morning, Lord Gideon.” She clutched the golf club as if it could offer support somehow. “Did ye sleep well?”
“I found the cottage quite peaceful and comfortable. Thank you for asking.”
Arabella blinked at him and then frowned. “Cottage?”
“Yes. It’s where your uncle said I should stay.”
Why would her uncle do such a thing? There were plenty of rooms in the manor.
“He didn’t believe it was proper that we reside under the same roof,” Lord Gideon answered her unvoiced question with a chuckle.
At least he was in a good humor, but her family had truly gone too far this time. “I apologize for Uncle Aiden. He should not have put ye in that cottage.” She shoved the club back in the bag. “In fact, I’ll tell them that now and insist they release ye from yer agreement. This is not how one treats a guest of Anagburn.”
“I’ve no wish to be released.”
Lord Gideon studied her, a quiet contemplation, as if he saw beyond her features, which she found rather unsettling.
“You intrigue me, Miss Arabella.”
“Is that good or bad?” she asked slowly. The adder was intriguing too, but that didn’t mean she wished to get close enough to learn more about the dangerous little vipers.
“Far better than good,” he slowly smiled.
There was a kindness in Lord Gideon and she’d need to be on guard before he left her heartbroken.
“I intend to honor my pledge to remain a fortnight, and I hope that you and I can come better acquainted.”
The sincerity in his eyes warmed her in ways she’d never experienced. She’d not expected an Englishman to be kind since only the awful ones had crossed their border in the past. The ones who made war and tried to destroy the Scots. Well, other than the Trents, she supposed.
However, Lord Gideon wasn’t one of those Trents and each time she was near him, a little bit more of her melted in his presence. If she were not careful, at the end of the fortnight, she might lose her heart completely, which would never do. That was why distance was necessary whenever possible. “Cook has the morning meal prepared if ye wish to join the others in the breakfast room.”
The corner of his lip twitched. “Are you trying to be rid of me, Miss Arabella?”
“Nay,” she denied, though in truth, a few moments to guard her emotions would be welcome.
“Would you like me to escort you back to the manor or are you going to finish your game?”
She couldn’t golf now if her life depended on it. Her heart was pounding too hard and her hands shook. However, Arabella also couldn’t risk being seen by her family members. “If it’s all the same to ye, Lord Gideon, I’d appreciate ye not mentionin’ that ye’ve seen me, or how I was attired.” Her eyes bore into his, praying she didn’t have to explain further.
His smile widened with his chuckle. “I’ll not say a word.”
Arabella blew out a sigh at his understanding. “Thank ye. I’ll just sneak back to my chambers and change.”
“I’ll see you after breakfast?”
“Aye,” she answered automatically.
“I’ll look forward to it.” With that he took her hand and kissed the back of it before turning and striding toward the manor.
All Arabella could do was stare after him, not certain what do to or think, and the only real conclusion she could come to was that Lord Gideon Trent was just as dangerous to her peace of mind and heart as she’d determined this morning.
As soon as he disappeared, Arabella rushed to her set of rooms and changed into a day dress and made her way to Uncle Aiden’s library.
“Ye really put him in the cottage?” she demanded.
Uncle Aiden’s head snapped up from the papers he’d been reading at his desk. “We canna have him sleepin’ under the same roof as ye.”
“It isna as if this is a crofter’s home where there’s little privacy,” she pointed out. “There are a number of chambers. Many unused, as ye well ken.”
“It’s about propriety,” her uncle explained.
“Pppp…propriety?”
“Aye!”
Sometimes her uncle aggravated her to no end, but his actions had never affected her life as much as they had since Lord Gideon arrived, and it hadn’t even been a full day since he crossed the threshold of Anagburn. Further, she’d never spoken to her uncle with such a tone before. Not until yesterday, at least, but she couldn’t remain silent or hold her tongue. “It’s ridiculous, that’s what it is.”
Instead of taking issue with her anger, Uncle Aiden settled back in his chair. “Nay, lass. He was tempted to kiss ye before and I ken men. If he’s under the same roof as ye, he might be tempted to do other thin’s.”
Arabella’s mouth popped open as she stared at her uncle, and her face began to burn at what he might be alluding to. “I can assure ye, he wouldna be tempted ta do anythin’.” Such matters weren’t discussed and Arabella couldn’t believe her uncle had even suggested that Lord Gideon would behave in such a dishonorable manner or have intimate thoughts about her. “He’s a gentleman, unlike the men in our family.”
Uncle Aiden stared at her in contemplation for a moment. “He could have left, lass. Nobody kent of the kiss. He could have rejected my offer and walked out, but he dinna.”
“Because he’s honorable,” she argued again. “Ye shamed him into it so at least give him a comfortable room instead of sequesterin’ him out to the cottage. If someone must be there, then let it be me.” Her arms crossed over her breasts. “That is not how ye treat a guest.”
“Nay, I canna let ye be there, alone. Who would watch out for ye?”
“Nobody needs to watch out for me,” she nearly screeched.
“That’s because ye doona understand the way a man thinks.”
“Nay, I ken verra well how my family thinks,” she snorted. “Lord Gideon is not like the rest of ye, and I will have him treated with respect.”
Uncle Aiden was silent once again and studied his niece. “Do ye like him, Arabella?”
“Lord Gideon?” she asked in surprised.
“He is the topic of conversation.” Her uncle chuckled, but seriousness still lingered in his eyes as he leaned forward.
“Aye.” Her face began to burn once again. ”But it doesna matter.”
Her uncle nodded. “That’s all I needed.” Then he leaned back in his chair again. “Lord Gideon is here because he chose to remain. I admit to takin’ advantage to give ye the opportunity to be courted.”
“This is not a courtship,” she reminded him. “It’s coercion.”
“I shoulda done better by ye, Davina and Sheena, as Rose pointed out. I failed, but the men of Bonnybridge are also fools,” he added. “I ken the worth of my nieces, even if my nephews doona, and Lord Gideon sees yer worth as well.”
“He is bein’ polite,” Arabella ground out.
“Perhaps that is the excuse he’s also made to himself, but he will remain because he agreed and he’s honorable.” Uncle Aiden sat forward. “He will stay in the cottage because I think he likes ye.”
Arabella stiffened and planted her fists on her hips.
Her uncle held up at hand. “It is a fortnigh’, lass, that is all. Consider it preparin’ for the Season.”
“Preparin’ for the Season?” Outrage rang through her tone.
“Rose will be takin’ ye to London in the spring and ye’ll meet many a gentleman. Ye can learn from bein’ around Lord Gideon what it will be like.”
“I doona want to go to London,” she argued.
He sat back in surprise. “Why not?”
“I doona want to marry an Englishman and I willna live in England so I see no purpose of attendin’ a season.”
“That is yer objection?” MacGregor choked.
Arabella drew in a deep breath. “I will marry a Scot and only a Scot and I will live in Sco
tland. If I must find a husband, I’ll do so in Edinburgh.”
“Nay, ye will live where ye find love. Doona discount a man on account of the location of his birth or home.”
“I will discount a man on what I choose.” With a huff, she stormed toward the doorway. Her uncle was impossible.
“Where are ye goin’?” her uncle called after her.
“The falcons need my attention.”
“Nay, a guest needs yer attention.”
Gideon ducked away from the door and retreated down the corridor. He knew he shouldn’t have listened, but when he heard Arabella’s raised voice coming from the library, he couldn’t help himself. After all, he had gone in search of her after he’d broken his fast because she never did appear in the breakfast room as promised.
At least it wasn’t him she objected to, just all Englishmen. Especially those who didn’t live in Scotland. Not that it should concern him as Gideon didn’t anticipate their relationship going beyond what it was already. Despite how delightful he might find Miss Arabella, he had no desire to marry so at the end of two weeks, he’d return to Cornwall and she’d remain here, regardless of what her uncle my hope to happen.
Once he gained the parlor, Gideon quickly exited out into the gardens and took a deep breath.
What the blazes was wrong with the bachelors of Bonnybridge? Couldn’t they appreciate beauty and goodness? Were they blind?
Gideon shook his head. Sometimes men, as a whole, were fools. He’d encountered it in London and apparently it was no different in Scotland. Of course, in London, the worth of a miss was more focused on dowry and connections, and not whether she was pleasant to be around. The more in need a lord might be of funds, the less likely he’d care if his bride was a shrew. In a village such as Bonnybridge, such things should not hold the same importance, so why hadn’t she been courted?
Well, as far as Gideon was concerned, he would benefit from the foolishness of the Bonnybridge bachelors as he’d be the lucky one to spend a fortnight getting to know Miss Arabella. And, he knew exactly where she’d been going so he wouldn’t have to search Anagburn again.
Kissing the Lass (Scot to the Heart #2) Page 7
