* * *
Aidam often found there was only one real way to get one's point across with young men, especially those on the tail end of adolescence like Colin Maguire—complete, unabashed honesty.
“Me cousin, Jemina, over there. She’s been watching ye all night,” he told Colin after a handshake and forceful introduction.
Colin’s eyes widened, and he glanced over Aidam’s shoulder. “Jemina? The Laird’s lassie?”
“Aye, the one and the same,” Aidam nodded.
“Looking atme?Are ye…are ye sure?”
Aidam held back a snort. The young man was blushing like a maiden, and Aidam had suddenly realized how easy winning his bet would be. He could practically taste the lemon pudding. “Aye, I’m sure. If ye ask her to dance—and ye have me permission, as her older cousin—she’ll say aye. I guarantee it.”
Colin blinked. “That cannae be right. Look at her. She’s stunning.”
“She thinks the same of ye, for whatever reason,” Aidam said with a grin. He patted the young man on the back. “Let’s go, aye?”
Dazed, the boy followed. Aidam was already reveling in his victory when he saw something that made him stop.
There were Jemina and Ellie…and they were embracing. When they separated, it seemed that Jemina had a broader smile on her face than Aidam had ever seen. She had a new confidence, one that was alien to the lass.
Lord, it suits her.
He held out an arm. “Wait,” he said, stopping Colin in his path. The prize of allowing Jemina this moment would be far greater than any lemon pudding, even Cook’s.
“Wait?” Colin repeated. “For what?”
Aidam didn’t say anything. He silently said goodbye to his prize as the women approached. Jemina, blushing furiously, asked Colin if he’d do her the honor of dancing with her.
As Colin led Jemina away, Aidam turned to Ellie. She was smirking at him.
“I told ye I’d win,” she said smugly.
“Ye did. How did ye pull that off?” Aidam demanded, hiding his smile.
“She just needed reminding of her value,” Ellie replied, glancing over at Jemina and Colin, who were already lost in one another, dancing as if nobody else existed.
Aidam watched Ellie as she watched them. There was no smugness there, no pride in winning the bet. Instead, she looked…happy. It was clear that she was pleased that Jemina was smiling; she was just glad that she had been part of the event that had caused that happiness. Whatever magic Ellie had worked on his cousin, whatever bond they had formed was well worth it.
Her heart is as good as it ever was. I’ve been fooling meself to think she’s changed as much as I’d thought.
Aidam had been fooling himself about something else, too. How could anyone be entirely free of a woman as good as Ellie? How could he pretend that all he felt was a mere passing physical attraction?
And here she is, the woman who’ll soon marry me own uncle. Och, I’m in trouble.
He sighed. Then Aidam put on his usual smile and tapped Ellie on the shoulder. She turned to him, her bright green eyes shining.
“What is it?” she asked him, raising an eyebrow.
“Well,” he said, holding out a hand. “I do believe, Lady Heloise, that I owe ye a dance.”
Ellie blinked in surprise, then gave a hesitant smile placing her hand in his. Together, they walked onto the dancefloor just as the next song began.
* * *
Aidam’s skill on the dance floor was unmatched. Ellie found herself breathless with little effort.
“Ye’re a natural dancer Aidam Sinclair,” she said as he spun her into the next steps.
