The story came to him quicker than he could write, much like last night, and soon he was lost in the story of his creation, rising only to brew more tea and then returning to the parchment. He became lost in a world of darkness and light, secret castle passages, ancient spells and a valiant young miss set to thwart her evil master, until Gideon was startled by a knock at his door.
Stretching, he rose to answer it only to find Bentley and John on his doorstep.
“Is all well?” Bentley asked.
“Yes, why?”
The two looked at him with concern.
“The morning is nearly gone and we didn’t see you at breakfast,” John answered.
“Nearly gone?” Gideon grabbed his time piece from the top of the table, noting that it was past noon. “I had no idea.”
The two gentlemen followed him inside the cottage and looked around.
John glanced at the bed and frowned. “What have you been doing?”
Gideon placed himself between the table and his distant cousins. Nobody knew that he was G. T. Oliver and he wanted to keep it that way.
“Woolgathering, I suppose.”
They eyed him with concern and surprise.
“All morning?”
Blast! Now he could add them to the list of people who would think him a milksop.
Bentley glanced at the table. “Writing?”
“Catching up on correspondence.” Gideon hated to lie, but given the opinions of his distant cousins were falling by the moment, he wasn’t about to admit he had begun writing a horrid novel. “Was there anything else you needed?” Damn, that came out rude. “I mean, are there any concerns?”
“We wanted to speak with you before the golf lessons.”
“Golf lesson?” Gideon frowned before he recalled that he’d promised to golf after the mid-day meal. “I’d forgotten.”
“Yes, well…,” Bentley started. “It makes no difference. What we do need to discuss is MacGregor and his nephews.”
Alarm shot up Gideon’s spine.
“He’s having you watched.”
Gideon blinked at them and then looked out the window.
“Not here, but when you are with Miss Arabella. He sent Niel after you last night,” John explained. “I think he is hoping to catch the two of you in a compromising position.”
Had Niel been watching when they’d kissed? If so, he’d not said a word. Niel hadn’t even been in the parlor when they returned last evening. Was that because he’d been hiding in the shadows? Behind trees and bushes? If so, Gideon had been completely unware of his presence.
There was a time in his life when Gideon could sense when he was being watched or something didn’t seem quite right. Was that skill now lost to him?
“Are you certain?”
“MacGregor made no secret to anyone in the room that he was having the two of you watched.”
Bloody hell. Gideon thrust his fingers through his hair. Not that he’d done anything untoward toward Miss Arabella, but he didn’t like knowing that he was also constantly under surveillance. However, he was also glad to have the knowledge, as it would help keep him from kissing Miss Arabella, which he feared would lead to more than kissing and then he’d be exactly where MacGregor wanted him.
Perhaps, in time, he’d want to be in that position, but not as yet. Not until he’d come to know Miss Arabella better.
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to guard all of my actions and words.”
Bentley took a watch from the inside of his pocket. “Luncheon will be served in half an hour. You will be joining us?”
At that, Gideon’s stomach grumbled. He hadn’t eaten since last evening. “I’ll see you shortly.”
As the two men left, Gideon moved about the cottage to prepare for the day. He didn’t have much time, barely enough to wash from a basin and change into clean clothing. After running a hand over his face, he determined that he didn’t have enough time to shave. He then decided that it was a distinct possibility that he might not shave at all during this brief holiday. Perhaps MacGregor would take his unkempt state as a reason not to consider Gideon as a future groom for his niece.
Chapter 13
Arabella found a spot on a lush green hillside shaded by the trees to watch the men play golf and settled against a trunk. She wasn’t actually watching her relatives as much as she was Lord Gideon. The game hadn’t started yet as Uncle Aiden was trying to instruct their Trent guests on the proper way to hold a club. Normally she wouldn’t wish to watch anyone play, but as Lord Gideon was present, Arabella felt it her duty to watch over him.
Was he well? Should he be abed instead of out here in the sun, walking the course and hitting a ball? First, he hadn’t shown for breakfast, and then, when he did arrive at the midday meal, he was a bit disheveled. Not that anything was actually out of place with regard to his clothing, but Lord Gideon’s hair was mussed, as if he’d just risen from bed and he’d not shaved. Not that she minded the stubble on his chin. In fact, it gave him a rugged appearance and when his blue eyes met hers this afternoon, the queerest sensation bubbled around in her stomach.
“Wha’ are ye doin’?”
Arabella fairly jumped when Sheena snuck up on her from behind. Placing a hand against her breast, hoping it would calm the fierce beating, she turned to her younger cousin. “Doona sneak up on me like that.”
“I wasna sneakin’. I simply walked and dinna even try to be quiet.” Sheena frowned. “Ye’re actin’ odd.”
“I am not.”
“Aye. Last nigh’ not eatin’, then stitchin’.” Sheena wrinkled her nose and frowned as she took a seat beside Arabella. “Then this mornin’ and afternoon, ye picked at yer food.”
Arabella shrugged. “I’m not verra hungry,” she shrugged. It was if her appetite had disappeared with the arrival of Lord Gideon.
She looked back out at the golf course where her family was instructing the Trents on stance and swing. Was it possible for one person to steal hunger from another?
If so, did that mean that Lord Gideon possessed special powers, like witchcraft?
Alarm shot through Arabella. It would explain why she felt odd whenever he was around, yet desired to touch and be touched…to kiss and to be kissed. Had he cast a spell?
It would explain so much if he were a warlock or sorcerer.
“I think yer fallin’ in love.”
Arabella jerked toward her younger cousin. “I most certainly am not.”
“Then why are ye out here watchin’ the men when ye could be with yer falcons?”
“Why aren’ ye fishin?” Arabella countered.
“The fish werena bitin’.” Sheena leaned back and braced her hands against the ground. “Besides, I’m not the one who has kissed Lord Gideon not once, but twice.”
How did Sheena… Her cousin was searching, but Arabella wasn’t going to give anything away. “I only kissed him in the mews.”
A slow smile came to Sheena’s face. “Are ye callin’ Niel a liar then?”
“Niel? What does he have to do with this?” Niel had been outside last night. Had he seen them? Who did he tell what he’d seen?
“After we left the men in the library, he told Uncle Aiden.”
“How do ye ken if ye were gone?”
“I was in the corridor. I was goin’ to return for my book when I heard them talkin’.”
Arabella turned fully toward Sheena. “About me? About me and Lord Gideon?”
Sheena leveled her eyes on Arabella. “He was sent to spy on ye.”
Arabella gasped as her mouth popped open. “How dare they! It was Uncle Aiden’s idea, wasna it?” Arabella turned forward and narrowed her eyes on her uncle. It could have just as easily been one of her brothers.
“They fear Lord Gideon will take advantage of ye and break yer heart,” Sheena suggested.
Arabella snorted. “Nay. They’re hopin’ I’m compromised then Uncle Aiden can marry me off.”
“Would that be so bad?” Then Sheen
a grinned again. “Lord Gideon is handsome, and kind. Ye could do worse. He’s far superior to anyone ye listed before.”
That blasted list—the one her uncle insisted they write—of potential husbands—might very well haunt her forever. Will those Bonnybridge bachelors always be the comparison when deciding on a future mate? None of those men wanted her and in truth, Arabella had only listed who she believed to be the most handsome and who seemed pleasant. She didn’t really know any of them. Further, none of them compared to Lord Gideon, who would now forever be the comparison to all other bachelors she might meet. And, the men she knew in Scotland, at least in Bonnybridge didn’t even come close to his perfection. Unfortunately, he was English and lived in England so no matter how perfect he might seem to be, he possessed that one single flaw.
Goodness! She might never find a husband. Not many, if any, would be as faultless as Lord Gideon.
“I doona think this is goin’ to be an interestin’ game.” Sheena stood and then brushed over the back of her skirt.
“Why do ye say so?”
“The Trents. They hold themselves wrong. Bentley is far too stiff.”
Which rather fit his personality.
“Lord Gideon is the only one who might actually be any good,” Sheena said after a moment.
Arabella studied him. Her cousin was correct. The other Trents weren’t very good, but Lord Gideon had a natural swing. In fact, she could watch him all day as he turned one way, bringing the club back, then his pivot as he brought the club down and back up again to complete the swing. If his feet were spaced just a bit more, he might become very good at the game.
Blast! Did he have any flaws? Well, other than living in England. Being English was beginning to matter less and less.
“If he could learn to golf, the two of ye could have thrice as much fun.”
Arabella snorted. “Thrice?”
“Twice is overused and thrice is underutilized. It is my word of the day.”
Lately Sheena has been picking a word not often found in conversation around Anagburn and then used it as often as possible, however, not always correctly. Yesterday the word had been glutton, which at the moment could not be applied to Arabella, and probably wouldn’t as long as Lord Gideon had her bewitched.
“Has anyone used it besides you?” Sheena’s goal was not only to broaden her vocabulary, but that of her family as well, especially her brothers.
Sheena’s smile slipped. “Not yet.”
And they were unlikely to do so. Not that Arabella voiced her thoughts, instead she focused once again on the men, more especially Lord Gideon. It was a shame her family was conniving, because as much as she may wish for another kiss, she did not dare allow it. To do so, would see her married and living in England.
The exercise was enjoyable, and certainly not as painful as boxing, but Gideon wasn’t certain if golf was something he’d participate in once he returned home. First of all, there were no courses in Cornwall, and second, he wouldn’t even begin to know how to go about building one. There was certainly more involved than putting holes in the ground, but Gideon had no idea what that would be.
Besides, he already had plans for his return home. A cottage of his own, along the coast, and books to write.
“What did ye think of golfin’?” Donovan asked, clapping Gideon on the back with enough force to knock the breath from his lungs.
“It was pleasant,” he admitted, but probably not with the enthusiasm the man expected.
“Ye really need to loosen up,” Cameron called to Bentley, who just grimaced.
Gideon wasn’t certain it was possible for Bentley to loosen up, though he had seemed rather relaxed drinking whisky at the wedding. Then again, everyone relaxes when they imbibe good spirits.
MacGregor lead the group back to the tree line and up a small incline, coming out at the distillery.
“Now for the best part of golfin’,” announced Cameron.
“What would that be?”
“Drinkin’ and discussin’ the game,” Donovan answered as if Gideon should have already known the answer.
Though he was glad to have learned something about golf, there were two things Gideon would rather be doing. One of those would be visiting with Arabella. He’d spied her watching them play. If anyone was going to teach him the game, Gideon wished it had been her. Though, if he were being honest, his attention would have been more on her backside again, if she clothed herself in the same manner. He’d not learn a thing, but he’d certainly enjoy it much more than golfing with her male relatives.
The MacGregors pulled glasses from a cabinet and then started filling them from one of the casks. They didn’t add a simple splash of whisky, what most gentlemen would enjoy, taste and savor. No, they added what a normal gentleman would drink if he’d been given three separate glasses in any setting.
“To golfin’ and the enjoyment of the sport.” MacGregor raised his glass.
The others followed suit with a “Here, here,” and Gideon did the same before he sipped the fiery liquid.
Perhaps one drink, then he’d excuse himself.
Though, perhaps he shouldn’t seek out the lovely miss. Now that he knew they were being watched, he’d need to guard every action. Or perhaps, just his lips. Unfortunately, every time Gideon was in her presence, all he wanted to do was pull her close, wrap his arms around her and place his lips to hers. As he did not trust the MacGregors and what they’d do if Gideon and Arabella were caught kissing again, it was best to avoid her.
Instead, he’d return to the cottage. A story waited. But, would it be rude to leave his hosts to pursue a dream?
“So, have ye decided if ye like my niece more than before?”
Gideon choked on his drink and looked up at Arabella’s uncle.
“My pardon?”
“Ye kissed her in the mews, then ye kissed her last night. She was watchin’ us play, which she never does, so I’m assumin’ ye two are likin’ each other verra much.” The man grinned, in complete contrast to his concern at the wedding.
Gideon would deny the kiss, but there had been a witness—unbeknownst to Gideon at the time, but he wasn’t one to lie either. “It will not happen again.”
“Why not? If ye like the lass, kiss her,” Cameron insisted.
Donovan nodded and Gideon could only stare at him. A few days ago, Donovan had blackened his eye for that very offense, now he was encouraging Gideon.
They were mad. That was his first impression and the more time Gideon spent with the MacGregors, he only became more convinced.
Perhaps he should explain, clearly, in terms they’d understand, without bringing insult. “In doing so, I offer false hope and intentions. As I am not even courting Miss Arabella, I should not have kissed her either of those time. Please accept my apologies.”
MacGregor frowned. “There’s nothin’ to apologize for. But, if ye are open to a match, I would certainly consider yer suit.”
As it was very clear that a betrothal was exactly what MacGregor was hoping for, Gideon once again vowed to avoid Miss Arabella when he could just so he wasn’t caught up in a trap to land him as a husband for the man’s niece. MacGregor was too encouraging, in a way no guardian should ever be, and Bentley’s words from the night before rang in Gideon’s mind, I don’t trust MacGregor and neither should you.
Would the man go so far as to trap Gideon and Arabella in some manner to force a betrothal, or a wedding? Those were undertakings he feared mothers doing in London, not a male guardian in Scotland.
“I’ll keep that in mind, the match that is.” Gideon finished the whisky in his glass, nearly choking again from the burn, and set it down. “But, I must take my leave.”
Taking a deep breath as soon as he stepped back outside, he paused only long enough to glance around before he intentionally turned to march toward the cottage, where he intended to remain until supper. As much as he’d like to seek Miss Arabella, Gideon was well aware of his own weaknesses where she wa
s concerned, but just as he exited the trees and on the path to the cottage, she emerged not far away, her cousin, Miss Sheena beside her. They both carried a bouquet of flowers.
He stopped before them. “Good Afternoon.”
“Good afternoon, Lord Gideon,” Miss Sheena cast a sly glance at Arabella then took her flowers. “I’ll take these to the house to put them in water and return.”
Miss Arabella frowned in confusion.
“Ye did say it would be nice if Lord Gideon had fresh flowers in the cottage seein’ as how Uncle Aiden is bein’ so unreasonable, as he has a tendency to be.”
“Aye, but…”
“Ye two visit. I’ll be back in a thrice.” Sheena rushed off before either of them could respond.
Slowly Gideon looked back at Miss Arabella. “Thrice?” Apparently, oddities were inherited by the entire MacGregor clan, males and females.
Miss Arabella simply shook her head, as if explaining would be too exhausting. In fact, it was the same expression she suffered from that afternoon in the library after Donovan had found them and she was trying to reason with her family. Were her days filled with aggravation and frustration? If he had to live with the MacGregors, Gideon might be bound for Bedlam. How did Miss Arabella remain sane?
“Walk with me?”
Blast! He wasn’t supposed to walk with her. He wasn’t supposed to spend any time with Miss Arabella, especially unchaperoned. Had he not vowed a short time ago to remain in his cottage to avoid her?
“Nay.” Miss Arabella took a step back.
Had he offended her somehow?
“We are bein’ watched,” she whispered.
Gideon stiffened and looked around. Had someone followed him the moment he left the distillery?
“Maybe not at the moment, but my family is spyin’ on us.”
“I’ve been told.”
Her blue eyes widened. “They told ye?”
“No. My cousins warned me.”
“Then ye understand why we cannot be alone.”
Kissing the Lass (Scot to the Heart #2) Page 10
