As far as Callum knew, Angus had other plans, but that wasn’t the answer Jennie wanted to hear. “And have Angus glowering at me all night? Honestly, I will be fine. Nothing will happen, Aunt Jennie.”
Jennie nodded like she wanted to believe it. “Very well. The coach is waiting for you outside. It has the Strathmore crest on the door, so if there is any question about your origins, people will be able to see you come from quality. You should not be made to feel lesser than them.”
“I have never felt lesser than anybody until I came to London,” he said wistfully.
She gave him another hug, and finally he was free to leave the house.
Once he was aboard the coach, Callum leaned back against the soft leather seat, feeling relieved. A ball wasn’t something he was going to enjoy—he had never attended one before—but he knew all of the reasons he was attending. And more importantly, Penelope would be there with him. He smiled as he imagined her beautiful face as he danced with her. Tonight he hoped to have many dances with her in his arms, and perhaps he might even stumble a little or take a wrong step, just to ensure she paid more attention to him.
He was certainly a sad case where she was concerned.
As the coach rumbled over London’s streets, Callum wished Angus were with him to share his pithy comments. But he had seen his manservant slipping out of the house in his best coat, with his hair washed and combed, which meant he was meeting a woman. Angus would not bother to smarten himself up for anyone else.
Callum smiled at the thought of the teasing he would give his friend when he returned.
Chapter Thirteen
Angus strode withhis usual confident swagger along Jasmyne Street. His boots rang out. He wasn’t wearing his kilt because he didn’t want to be noticed—he was still amazed that such an ordinary piece of clothing had caused such a stir at the park. He might look self-assured as he neared Miss Armstrong’s front door, but he wasn’t. This was the first time in a long while he had set out to win over a woman, and never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he would set his sights on an English woman.
He hesitated as he lifted his hand to the knocker, and then told himself not to be a coward, and let it fall. She might have changed her mind anyway, he told himself. All of his primping was probably for naught. Mabbe he should find a quiet drinking house and drown his sorrows.
The door opened and Selina smiled up at him.
Angus was struck speechless. He wondered what it was about her that turned him glaikit. She wasn’t a beauty like her mistress, and she wasn’t curvy like the lassies he usually favored. She was tall and skinny, and there was a sparkle in her blue eyes that suggested he wouldn’t always get his own way with her. Not without some persuasion. But weren’t the best things in life worth working for?
Tonight she was wearing a cloak, the hood thrown back so that her fair hair reflected in the glow of the streetlamp. And she was smiling.
They had made this arrangement as soon as they’d learned about the Bohemian Ball. Callum and Penelope would both be elsewhere, so why shouldn’t Angus and Selina meet up? It was innocent enough, which didn’t explain Angus’s jitters.
“Good evening,” Selina said, when the silence drew on.
“Good evening to you, Miss Halliday,” Angus replied, and took her hand and tucked it into his bent elbow. Inside her glove, her fingers were cold, and he kept hold of her with his larger hand, warming her.
They set off for their stroll.
Selina was tall enough for him not to crick his neck when he met her gaze, unlike Miss Armstrong, who was so wee a decent sized man would have to pick her up to kiss her.
He rather thought Callum wanted to do just that.
Guiltily, Angus admitted to himself that he should be keeping an eye on his young master, as the duke had ordered him to, but Callum was a grown man. And Angus was certain if he had suggested going along to the ball with him, Callum would have told him no. He could only hope Callum would not do anything that might further damage his good name in the eyes of the Londonton. The boy—well, he was a man now—was a gentle soul with a kind heart and a strong sense of right and wrong. If he had a fault, it was being too impulsive. He jumped in when it would be better for him to wait and consider other options.
As for finding Callum the sort of wife his father wanted for him... Angus could only see unhappiness in that plan. The thought of having one of those sneering ladies living in Bonnyrigg, looking down on the MacKenzies, made him shudder.
“You are very quiet,” Selina said at his side, as they strolled.
“I am thinking about my young master,” Angus admitted. “I hope he doesna get up to any foolishness tonight.”
“Ah.” She snuggled close to his side and rested her chin on his arm so that she could look into his face. “I have a feeling he is partial to my mistress.”
He raised his brows as if in surprise, although he had thought the same.
“And that is a good thing,” Selina went on quickly. “She is beautiful and clever, and her life has not been a happy one. You saw what her brother is like?”
“I did,” Angus growled.
Selina paused, choosing her words carefully. “She has perfect manners and knows which knife and fork and spoon to use at dinner. She can make conversation from the lowest of the low to the highest in the land. I have known her since she was a child, and as a young woman she could hold a room full of people in the palm of her hand. Her parents had friends who were peers of the realm, and they all found her charming. I assure you she would have no trouble in a duke’s castle.”
He gave her a faint smile. “I think I know where you are going with this.”
