He’d swung around to face her and had nearly shouted, “Her what?”
She’d frowned at his incredulous expression. “You didn’t know they have a baby son?”
“Nay, how could I know? I’ve never seen her wi’ any bairn.”
“Then I’m sorry—at least, that you learned of it from me.” And then she’d added gently, because she was regretting more the reason she’d told him, “All of England knew, Lachlan. It was in every paper, and just about all the gentry was talking about it for a while. I thought you knew, that surely your aunt would have mentioned it at sometime or other, but it just didn’t make a difference to you.”
“No difference that ’tis no’ just the tae of them, that they’re a blasted family?”
He’d laughed, but it was a hollow sound, and then he’d walked away. And she hadn’t seen him again that evening. But she’d been disturbed, because the look he’d given her before he’d disappeared could have implied that she’d insulted the hell out of him with her last remark, or that he found her contemptible for pointing out what he felt was trivial. And she really wished she knew which it was.
19
“Itell you I don’t care! I want the Scotsman, Mother. I’m sick and tired of hearing whatyouwant!”
Kimberly had just entered the breakfast room when Jane Carlyle had started her screeching. And screeching it was. It was likely she’d been heard as far away as the stables. And everyone in the room, at least fifteen of the current guests, the Scotsman included, was a little bit in shock over this unprecedented outburst from what had previously appeared to be the perfect lady.
There was a cough, then another, then an outright snicker. And into the silence that followed, a Scottish brogue drawled thickly, “I’m thinking the Scot may have something tae say aboot it.”
Conversation burst forth now from everyone at the table in an effort to pretend that little outburst hadn’t happened. Jane, standing at the sideboard with her mother where a buffet was laid out, glanced back at the table with a look of bewilderment, as if she weren’t even aware of what she’d done. Her mother certainly was though. Red-faced, the lady grasped her daughter’s arm and marched her out of the room. Kimberly just barely got out of the way before they bowled her over.
The conversation returned to a normal level as soon as they were gone. And Edith, that little nitwit, said in her usual loud tone, “But I thought she was sweet-tempered. Her mother said so.”
Kimberly happened to meet Lachlan’s gaze at that moment, and almost burst out laughing when he rolled his eyes. She restrained the laugh, fortunately. She would have been mortified if she hadn’t under the circumstances. But it was impossible to keep from smiling, briefly, and that audacious man winked at her.
Moving on to the buffet now, which had been the standard setup each morning since the house had filled up with so many guests, Kimberly passed Jane’s brother at the end of the table and heard him remark to Christopher in a snide aside that shouldn’t have been overheard, “I could’ve told you what a little bitch she is. My father’s always said the same about my mum. It’s been bloody hell living with the two of them all these years, I don’t mind saying.”
Monica’s brother, to give him credit, appeared embarrassed to have been given that confidence. Kimberly tsked to herself and mentally crossed Hector Carlyle off her list. Telling tales about his own family…
Having heard that, however, she actually felt sorry for Jane. A man might not mind at all that his wife was a bit dense, might even prefer it that way, to assure himself that he was more intelligent. But most men didn’t want a wife with an uncontrollable temper, which could be socially embarrassing.
It wasn’t surprising that Jane’s mother, poor woman, packed her daughter off that very afternoon. Jane had ruined her chances with the crop of eligibles at Sherring Cross. It was just too bad that they hadn’t taken Hector with them.
There were two activities planned for that afternoon. The duchess was heading an excursion to the nearest pond for some ice-skating for those who enjoyed the outdoors in fair weather or foul. And for those who didn’t, there would be charades in the parlor.
Kimberly elected to go ice-skating. It was a difficult decision to make, and made finally because she simply didn’t like charades anddidlike ice-skating. But what with Megan chaperoning the excursion, it was guaranteed that Lachlan would also be there.
Finally, she simply determined to enjoy herself despite his presence. Besides, she’d purchased a new winter coat in London, one much more fashionable that conformed nicely to her figure, and she hadn’t had much opportunity to show it off. And she was rather good at ice-skating, it being something she and her mother had enjoyed doing together.
And Megan had a large selection of skates in all sizes on hand, as well as providing wood-burning stoves to be set up along the bank of the pond for when the cold got to be too much. A number of servants had also come along to roast a continuous supply of chestnuts for treats, and there were mugs of hot chocolate, and warmed spiced brandy for the gentlemen.
Kimberly was rather surprised that Howard Canston didn’t come along, as athletic as he was, and surprised yet again that James did, especially when she learned that he’d never worn a pair of skates in his life. But she had a rousing good time trying to teach him, even when she ended up on her backside several times because he couldn’t find his balance. She had to admire him though, for he was absolutely determined to get it right. He even elected to continue practicing when she headed in for some hot chocolate and a little heat from one of the woodburners.
Kimberly joined John and Monica, but they returned to the ice after only a few minutes of excited chatter. She’d been out there too long herself without a break though, so the burner was welcome, and she took her hands away from it only long enough to wave to James each time he passed. He didn’t much take his eyes off the ice though, so he didn’t notice.
Megan was skating between a pair of her older guests, their arms all locked together. Quite a few people had elected to come along for this outing, including several families with young children. And Lachlan…
Kimberly had no sooner been handed a mug of chocolate by one of the servants than the fellow was called over to another burner. And the minute she was completely alone, Lachlan came to a perfect stop on the edge of the pond and climbed the low bank to join her.
“Faith, but you looked fair enchanting out there, darlin’,” he remarked as he removed his gloves to extend his hands toward the fire.
For some reason his compliment warmed her even more than the fire did and she blushed becomingly. But that seemed to be a regular occurrence when this man was around. And she assumed he was referring to her ice-skating skill, since she was certainly not looking her best after those two falls. Her coiffure had come undone with the second fall, the pins scattering on the ice, and it had been pointless to even try and put her hair back in order.
But she was pleased enough to say, “Thank you, I’ve been skating since I was a child.”
She ought to return the compliment, since he was quite skilled himself. But she refrained. Saying so would be admitting she had covertly watched him, when that was the last thing she wanted him to know.
But he surprised her by correcting her assumption. “’Twas your hair I was admiring, Kimber. All loose and flowing about you like that, it reminds me…”
