Chapter Eight
For the longestmoment, Clarissa stood stock still on the dance floor, watching Alexander’s retreating figure as he abandoned her.
She didn’t ken what happened. They had seemed to be having a fun time. Even flirting if she dared to say.
Alexander’s soft words so close to her ear had sent shivers down her spine. She felt an awakening in her core and found it so easy to lean into him.
But in a flash, something changed.
She was thankful he had waited until the orchestra had finished the song before he quickly excused himself and hurried away from her like she had the plague or some other vile disease.
People around her stared at his abrupt departure. She could see them whispering behind their hands. Surely, the move would be in the gossip papers in the morn.
No longer on the dance floor, she looked around the room. Saw the pointed glances. But even among them, she could not find Gwen. She saw Alexander talking to Nicholas. They looked deep in conversation.
No doubt her brother was once again warning him to stay away from her.
No reason for that. Alexander had made it clear to not only her, but everyone in the ballroom that he was most definitelynotinterested in her.
She walked the perimeter of the room. A waiter offered her a flute of champagne and she accepted it with a thank you. She sipped as she walked, looking for Gwen, but soon the stares were too much, and the walls of the room felt as if they were closing in all around her.
Fresh air. That was what she needed. After failing to find Gwen one last time, she gave up and made her way outside.
The cool air pimpled her skin and she fought off a shiver. She looked around and was grateful that she was blissfully alone. She rubbed her arms up and down to give them some warmth, careful not to spill her glass of champagne. Even the chilliness in the air wasn’t enough to make her turn around and go back inside.
Nay, the fresh air would help clear her head. She descended the stairs and started a leisurely stroll through the rows of trimmed hedges. She could imagine the garden would be the epitome of beauty in the middle of summer with all the flowers in full bloom. The shapes were something she hadn’t seen before.
It didn’t compare to the beauty of Huntly’s gardens, but she was sure her brother would love it nonetheless if he wandered out here. His love of flowers, especially rare blooms, was strong. He’d painstakingly tended the gardens at Huntly. As a matter of fact, that was how he’d met Gwen. She smiled at the memory of when Nicholas had finally caught Gwen as she snipped his orchids to sell on the streets.
Instead of being angry with her, he was intrigued. So much so that he would wait by the window, watching the garden to get a glimpse of her. She was the first woman that didn’t look at the scars that marred the right side of Nicholas’s face with disgust. She saw him for the handsome person he was, both inside and out.
Even if he was being obtuse when it came to Alexander.
Worried she had wandered too far away from the house, she turned to head back inside when she thought she’d heard her name.
She ducked behind a tall cone shaped hedge and waited. It was Alexander’s voice.
“What does Clarissa have to do with any of this?”
He was talking about her. To whom?
“She’s quite,” the other voice, sounding like it belonged to the American she had danced with earlier, paused. “How do you Scots call it, bonny.”
Clarissa’s breath hitched and her heart beat so loud she was certain they could hear it. Why were they talking about her?
“Ye leave Clarissa alone,” Alexander’s voice came across as a low growl.
“Here’s the deal. You want your stupid sheep back.”
She shouldn’t be eavesdropping. She kenned it was wrong to do so. But she couldn’t move her feet. It’s like they planted themselves in the ground, trying to be a part of the garden themselves.
The American continued. “I want Clarissa. For one night.”
“Aye, right,” Alexander answered.
She sucked in a breath.What?
“You arrange for Clarissa to spend one night with me and you can have your flock back. No money needed. Come now. You’d be a fool to not accept such an offer.”
