He sincerely doubted that, but Lilah was determined while Clara flushed dark red. Then she turned a brittle smile at him.
“Of course, my lord. I should love to experience a Scottish fair day. Unfortunately, we’ll likely be returning home—”
“Actually…” he began. He’d spent some time last night sorting through the logistics. He would have to send a letter to his father as soon as they settled in the inn. Then he calculated the number of days it would take to bring the whole county together for a fair. “I believe there will be games at home this coming week. I’m sure we could attend if Miss Rees’ business does not take very long.” He flashed Clara his most brilliant smile. “How lucky is that?”
She looked at him, her expression steady. He gave her credit for not using a polite phrase that she didn’t mean. Instead, she spoke with blunt honesty, which he appreciated. “I do not want to find Scotland charming.”
“You have something terrible against charm, my lady. I assure you—”
She held up her hand. “Don’t. I have sworn to Lilah that I will give you and Scotland a chance. I know you think I’m being ridiculous.” She swept a hand at everyone in the carriage. “You all do. But London is the only place that I have ever felt comfortable, and it was a long, hard battle to find my place there.” She turned back to Liam. “You are going to show me the best of Scotland, ply me with treats and show me fair days. Aaron and Lilah will remind me that by kissing you publicly, I have lost my reputation. Worse, they are to be married soon and no newlywed wants a spinster sister hanging about.”
“Clara,” inserted Aaron, “you will always have a place in my home.”
Miss Rees was quick to agree. But Liam could see that Clara’s intellect had already written out her future and she already hated it.
“I have some fondness for Lord Loughton,” she said, her tone one of dread. And at Lilah’s happy gasp, she rolled her eyes. “I did kiss him, after all.”
Aaron interrupted. “Then what is all this fuss about?”
She glared at her brother. “Any man, no matter how char—” She abruptly cut off the word “charming” to substitute another. “No matter how delightful, cannot replace the happiness I have found as a spinster in London.” She looked at Liam. “I will not change my mind.”
“So you have said,” he drawled. “Many times.”
“I have to repeat it because no one believes it! And all of you will be terribly upset with me when I want to go home.”
He could see her genuine distress. For all her independence, she disliked being at odds with people, especially with her brother and his fiancé. But most of all, he could see in her the constant pain of being discounted or ignored. She knew her own mind. And he knew how hard it was to stay true to oneself against the constant pressure of others.
“Clara,” he said. “You’ve a strong mind and a good heart.”
“I am immune to flattery,” she said dryly.
He chuckled. “You’re immune to genuine compliments, too, because you think them all lies.” He leaned forward. “I intend to get to the bottom of why that is.”
She didn’t respond. Indeed, she looked as excited as he probably did at the beginning of one of those interminable lectures she loved.
“Lady Clara, I have bet my future upon changing your mind.” Not an understatement. “Can you not take up the bet as well?”
“You want me to bet against you?”
“That is the nature of the game, is it not? But you must fully engage yourself with me and the entertainments in Edinburgh and at my home. For a full week, each location.”
She shook her head. “That’s much too long. A week in the city will be enough.”
“You must see my home to fully play this game.”
He wondered if she would play fairly and was pleased when she nodded. “Very well. One day at…” She frowned. “Where do you live?”
“A day’s travel north in Kipcoille. You must spend several nights—”
“One night—”
“Five nights. My home is large and has many amusements. And you did say you wanted to live in a castle.”
“I said I’dtouredmany a castle,” she corrected. “But that does hold some small appeal if only to argue plumbing with Mr. Russell when I return. Very well, I shall allow for two nights—”
“Five.”
“Three.”
