“ ’Tis nothing, my lord. I but had a thought that distressed me.”
“What thought?” She shook her head.
“What thought?” he repeated, and now he came and knelt by her chair so that he might look up into her face. “What thought, Velvet, distresses ye so greatly that ye cry out against it?”
“I but merely wondered why I had not left you to your pursuit of Lady de Boult instead of interfering,” she said honestly. “Had I not disturbed you, I should not now be in this position.”
“And why did ye interfere, sweetheart?” His voice had gotten softer, and his amber eyes were suddenly gentle and even a touch amused.
She shook her head. If he thought to cozen her with sweet words, then he was very much mistaken.
“Oh, Velvet,” he said quietly, “why do ye refuse to admit that perhaps ye care a trifle for me?”
“Nay!” Her denial was too quick, and she flushed quietly.
He sighed. “I think ye lie, lass, not only to me, but to yerself also. Never mind, for we shall become reacquainted again on the road where we will have no one but each other. I had thought, though, that perhaps ye were beginning to care a little.”
“And you, my lord? Do you care, even a little?” she asked.
“Aye, lass,” he answered her without hesitation, and to her great consternation. “I do care.”
Velvet swallowed hard, but refrained from answering him. For ten years he had ignored her existence, and then, upon entering her life, he had falsely represented himself. He had flaunted another woman at her, no matter that she had known it was only to make her jealous. She strongly suspected that he had enjoyed himself, and that was totally unforgiveable!
The silence about them deepened. Lord Gordon arose from his knees and, going to a table, poured himself some wine from the decanter. “Are ye thirsty?” he asked her, holding out a goblet. She shook her head, so he drank deeply of it himself. The minutes ticked slowly by, and the tension about them was so thick that she thought she would scream. Finally, when she believed she could bear it no more, the door of the apartment opened, and Dugald entered with Pansy, who ran directly to her mistress.
“This brigand dragged me from the Maiden’s Chamber where I was awaiting you, mistress. He says we are going to Scotland. Is it true then?”
Before Velvet could answer, Alex spoke for her. “We will leave as soon as ye can pack, Pansy. We are riding. There will be no carriage. Lord Southwood’s servants can pack yer mistress’s things for shipping later on, but she will need some necessities for now. I expect ye can ride?”
“Yes, m’lord.”
“Very well then, go along, lass, and hurry.”
“I must go with her,” Velvet said.
“Why?” he demanded harshly. “My lord, have you no delicacy?”
He flushed. “I beg yer pardon, Velvet. Of course, go with yer woman, but Dugald will accompany ye.”
“As you will, my lord,” was her cool reply.
Ignoring the grinning Dugald, Velvet left Alex’s apartments and, with Pansy following, hurried through her brother’s house to her own rooms. As Dugald attempted to step into the apartment after them, Velvet firmly barred his way. “I will have my privacy!” she said sharply.
“The earl said I was to stay wi’ ye, mistress.”
“There is only one way into or out of my rooms, and we are three stories up,” Velvet snapped. “You’ll stay here in the hall, or I’ll scream the house down! Lord Gordon will not thank you if I create a scene.” Then she firmly slammed the door in his face.
“What is happening?” Pansy begged to know.
“It is all my fault,” Velvet said, distraught. “I came upon the earl and Lady de Boult this afternoon. He was caressing the creature most ardently. It was infuriating. I could not help myself, Pansy. I created a terrible fuss. When my temper had cooled, the earl’s temper had heated considerably. He dragged me back here, and insists that we leave for Scotland today to be married. I had hoped that Robin and Angel would intercede for me, but they have gone to Devon. What am I to do?”
“It appears, mistress, that there is nothing to do but go with the earl,” replied Pansy. “He is your rightful betrothed. Don’t be afraid, for I shall come with you.”
“Nay, Pansy! You must ride for Devon and send my brother after us! ’Tis my only hope!”
“I’ll do no such thing, Mistress Velvet! Why, me ma would have the hide off me if I left you now. She would, and that’s a fact! Always stay with your mistress, she’s told me. Why, she would be with m’ lady Skye this very minute had not her ladyship forbidden her the voyage. If, however, you’ll write a note for Lord Southwood, I’ll see that it gets delivered. Me cousin, Elvy, is a footman here in the house.”
“I’ll write it immediately!” Velvet hurried to the desk.
