She saw it as only fair that she be allowed the same consideration.
But she didn’t have much time to wallow about her situation. A soft knock on the door and two young maids entered the room.
“Good morn, Your Grace, my lady. I am Louise and this is Ellie.” Simultaneously, they dipped into curtsies, and set about getting everything ready.
“A bath will be drawn for ye. Then we can style your hair.” Louise’s eyes fell on the blue gown and lit up with glee. “Is this the dress ye are going to wear?” She picked it up. “’Tis beautiful.” She studied Clarissa, her gaze roaming from head to toe. “I can picture it now. Ye will have all the gentlemen of Argyll asking for your hand.”
Ellie shushed her and pushed her towards the door. No doubt to order the bath.
“They arrived quickly.” Gwen waggled her brows. “Seems to me that someone wants to ensure ye have the help needed as soon as possible.”
“Ye are incorrigible. They are here to help ye just as much as me.”
Gwen smiled. “True, but we both ken if it was just me, such a fuss wouldna be made.”
“We honestly have no such inkling.” Clarissa pushed off the bed and padded over to the middle window and pushed the drapes aside. Her breath caught. The view was even more beautiful than Alexander had alluded to. The small waves of the loch lapped gently at the shore. Gulls circled above the water, no doubt in search of fish.
She had the urge to leave the castle and make her way down to the sandy beach. To let her toes sink into the pebbly sand. To feel the water rush over her ankles. She sighed, leaning her forehead against the windowpane.
“’Tis gorgeous, is it no’?” Gwen asked from behind her.
Clarissa nodded. “Verra much so. A walk would be divine.”
“Mayhap tomorrow. After we break our fast, we can go for a stroll.” Gwen squeezed her shoulders in a small hug. “I shall return to my room and prepare for the ball myself. Call for me if ye need anything.”
“I will,” Clarissa promised, knowing full well that she would not. If anything, she was trying to find a way to getoutof attending the ball. She turned back to the loch. Her mind wandered and she saw herself and Alexander floating along the water in a boat that held only two. As he rowed, the muscles of his powerful arms would ripple as he spoke of the faraway lands he’d visited.
She sighed, shaking the vision clear.
She needed to find a way to stop Alexander from occupying her thoughts day and night.
But with the way thoughts of him warmed her insides and stirred feelings unfamiliar to her, it was no easy task.
*
With everyone busypreparing for their evening out, Alexander didn’t have time to seek out the American. He would just have to have Ross introduce him to the man. He’d spent the morning reviewing the books, and though he had set money aside, he needed to use that to pay for the needs of his people.
He had very little to bargain with, and without Ross telling him how much he’d sold the flock for to the American, Alexander was going into the party with none of the necessary information that would help him in regaining his sheep.
Straightening in his chair, he stretched, his back cracking and protesting from being hunched over his desk all morning.
He needed to freshen up. His stomach growled loudly, echoing in the empty study. And eat. He had not eaten since early yestereve, and he and Nicholas had drunk too much while Alexander divulged all his worries.
The brandy had made his tongue loose and he had almost mentioned his attraction to Clarissa. Thankfully, he still had his wits about him, and was able to keep his secret. That was the last thing he needed to tell his best friend after revealing that he was on the brink of losing the estate.
He pushed away from the desk and stood, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tense muscles before exiting the study.
As he passed the library, he noticed the door was open. Surely, it wasn’t Christopher. His brother had no interest in reading anything, except cards of course. And he did that terribly.
Curious, he peeked inside, and his breath caught. Stretched out on the chaise, nose buried in a book was Clarissa. He wastoo far away to see which book she read, but she was completely engrossed. She didn’t notice as he approached.
She was dressed in a beautiful blue gown; the color accentuated her pale skin and dark hair, which had been pulled into a soft bun, with curled tendrils framing her face.
Quietly, he made his way behind her and plucked the book from her hands.
“Hey!” She quickly sat up in protest and stilled when she saw him.
Was that a good response or bad? He was unsure.
