“I believe it would be counterproductive if we paraded ourselves as lovers. In fact, I think it’s chiefly detrimental and takes away our credibility.”
As she spoke, he looked even more amused. He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. When she stopped, he lifted a brow, as if asking,Are ye done?
“What rankles ye so? Tell me.”
The thought of addressing a crowd, of course. The expectation of playing a diplomat. He had not done his duty of informing her of that before she had agreed to the engagement. If she had known, perhaps she would have given it better thought. He had no right to ambush her.
But she could not say all of that, so instead she offered, “I daenae do well in crowds.”
He watched her silently, as though deciding whether she was being honest or jesting.
“Ye daenae have to worry, lass,” he said softly. “I willnae leave ye to speak on yer own. I promise I will be by yer side throughout.”
She stared into those hazel eyes full of warmth, seeing the promise to protect her, and nodded. “I will go make meself look presentable.”
He nodded. “I will do the same.”
“Ye look well enough,” she blurted, then clapped a hand over her mouth when she realized what she had said.
He quirked a brow at her, his lips twitching as if fighting back a smile. “Ye think me handsome, lass?” he asked.
“I…” she stuttered. “I didnae say anything of the sort.”
“So ye daenae think me handsome?” he drawled, looking somewhat hurt.
“Nay!” she cried, then lowered her voice. “Ye’re handsome, me Laird. I…” She swallowed and dipped her head.
“Ye may go now,” he said. “I will wait for ye by the stables.”
“Aye, me Laird.”
She didn’t release the breath she was holding until she had closed the door behind her. Then, she hurried to her room, wiping her hands over her cheeks when she was finally safe behind her door.
How could she have told him he was handsome?
He was, but it was improper of her to tell him so to his face.
“Oh Lord,” she sighed.
How was she going to stand beside him and deceive his entire clan?
On the one hand, she looked forward to walking with him. On the other hand, she was nervous about pretending to be what she wasn’t in front of people who would no doubt see through her.
No, she thought, sitting up. She would not sit here feeling sorry for herself. She would do everything she could to ensure she didn’t embarrass him.
Emily had never seen so many faces gathered in one place.
The streets bustled with people hurrying in every direction. The noise unsettled her, and the cacophony of smells nauseated her, such that her footfalls became unsteady, and the ground tilted beneath her.
She tumbled backwards as she moved out of the way of a moving carriage and hit Adair’s muscular back. If not for her delirium, she would have jerked away and muttered apologies.
Adair placed firm hands on her shoulders and steadied her. She blindly reached out and grabbed his bicep, which instantly tensed beneath her fingers.
He looked down at the slender fingers digging into his flesh. He’d been startled at first when she’d bumped into him. He was always alert, fully aware of his surroundings. His missing the carriage that nearly grazed her was a painful oversight and a testament to the fact that he had something on his mind.
But what?
She was starting to feel anxious as his distraction chipped away at the little confidence she had tried to build up in herself.
