“Yes, exactly. And now he will get you the royal seal as well.”
She snorted. She wasn’t a crate of whiskey waiting for Prinny to slap a mark on her. And yet, if Prinny declared her interesting, she’d receive a huge boost. Other women—courtesans and mistresses—had done the same, but it carried a social taint. She would become infamous, which was the opposite of what Lord Heath wanted.
She shouldn’t care, but she did. She’d thought she hated him, but at today’s picnic, she found him unbearably attractive. He doted on his children, and they adored him. Many men appeared kind in public, but were cruel in private. Lord Heath’s childrenloved him to the point of giving him no peace. And he was at sea because he desperately wanted to protect them.
In short, he loved his daughters. He was a good father and would make a kind husband. Even if he never loved his wife, he would be careful with her, honor her appropriately, and…
But whomever that woman was, it would never be Sadie.
“Oh you Scots,” the countess sighed. “Always gloomy, no matter what happens. Never mind whatever you’re thinking. We must discuss what you’re wearing tonight.”
“We already—”
“Hush! We must plan three nights of seductive attire, each more alluring than the last. Lord Heath must see what a wild Scotswoman offers. I vow you’ll have him down on one knee within the week.”
*
Lord Heath didnot show up at that evening’s ball. Sadie hadn’t expected him, though the countess appeared disappointed. He’d said as much that afternoon, and Sadie wouldn’t have respected a man who broke his word to his children.
He may not have been there in person, but they were the talk of the ball. There was a hot debate about whether a lady should expose her legs for any reason. Most thought that a true lady would find a better way to rescue a child. Sadie didn’t understand how that could even be a question. There had been lots of ladies at the picnic who hadn’t found a way to help Lacy.
Was there nothing better to discuss than the state of her ankles? At least she had plenty of dance partners that night. Everyone wanted to ask her thoughts on the matter, so she began inviting a discourse on the Corn Laws or Napoleon. Anything of more importance than the fact that she’d climbed a tree in public. Which was to say—everything.
She was not loved for her stubbornness.
Even the countess had commanded her to stop killing the discussion. Didn’t she realize that some sensations were helpful?
Only she knew Lord Heath hated all such sensation. He wanted a quiet, respectable wife. Which is exactly what he told her after the ball when he appeared at her window.
She’d been awake. Indeed, she’d been staring forlornly out her window as she thought of the quiet Scottish moors. Then he appeared, a dark form who began steadily climbing the ivy.
She wouldn’t have believed it if she hadn’t seen it. He appeared much too proper to do such a thing, but when she hauled open the window, he squeezed into her bedroom as if summoned from her thoughts.
“God, that was fun,” he said with a grin. “Though that ivy needs to be removed before it damages the house.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked. “And what about your children?”
“I have a neighbor woman who stays sometimes. She needs the money and I need the help.”
“But why are you here?” And looking so dashing in shirtsleeves and boots.
“I came to see if you were all right. You’d think the Queen herself had climbed that tree for all the gossip that is swirling. I cannot understand what the countess is thinking to let this scandal go on.”
“Can’t you? She thinks you will be dashing to my defense.”
He frowned. “Well, I have been, but that’s hardly dashing. It’s just common sense.”
She rolled her eyes. “As if you English have ever been known for common sense.”
“Hey now!” he exclaimed. “No need to get mean. The Scots aren’t exactly a practical people.”
“What are you talking about?” she huffed. “We’re completely practical. You’re the one climbing into my bedroom just to see if a bit of scandal has left me weeping!”
“Has it?”
“Never.” Though she had teared up at the thought of him despising her because of the gossip.
“Good.”
