“I’ve no worry of your brother.” Gwen laughed. “I’ve found he is much like a sweet puppy under that tough exterior.”
“I dinna believe he would be happy to hear ye describing him as such,” Clarissa quipped.
Gwen swatted the statement away and refocused her attention on the gown. “I think ’tis perfect. Most certainly we will attend a ball or two whilst we are visiting.
“Ye think so?” The thought of attending any event with Alexander Campbell made Clarissa’s heart jump in her chest and had her pulse accelerating.
Her mind kept jumping to when Alexander had arrived at Huntly for Nicholas’s party several months ago. When their eyes had locked, heat had surged through her body. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen her brother’s best friend. Quite the opposite. He’d visited often in their younger years. But it had been some time since they’d seen each other.
Time away in which they’d both grown. He’d always been handsome. Tall and broad, with thick, wavy black hair. The curlsmade it unruly and often, she wanted to tuck a wayward curl behind his ear. She would admit to sneaking many a glance at her brother’s best friend as she watched the pair run around the grounds from afar.
But when she’d seen him after his return, those feelings flooded her tenfold. She was no longer a young lass. She was of marrying age. And her body flared to life with such a force it scared her. So much so that she had grabbed Gwen’s hand and yanked her in the opposite direction.
“Have ye decided?”
Gwen’s voice broke into Clarissa’s thoughts, and she shook her head to clear her memories.
Gwen and her brother, Nicholas, had been married for a few months now. Gwen was her brother’s match and equal in every way and she’d never seen him happier than when he met Gwen. And she’d fallen into the sister role naturally and happily. Clarissa surmised it was likely due to Gwen only having brothers. It was nice to have someone near her in age to talk to.
To discuss things with. Things such as men and marriage. It was also nice to have someone to share the care of her younger siblings with. While her brother was away, their mother seemed to forget she had children, and the care fell to Clarissa. She didn’t mind overmuch. She loved her family dearly. But she would admit that she was looking forward to the respite and just enjoying herself while she was away. She would have no one to watch over other than herself.
Clarissa sighed. The gown was too beautiful to be left behind. “I must take it with us. Mayhap ’twill be of use.”
Gwen clapped her hands in glee. “Excellent choice, Clarissa. Now, hurry, we mustn’t keep Nicholas waiting.”
They set to work packing the rest of Clarissa’s items and then sent word to have the trunk loaded on the carriage. Clarissa’s heart thumped a steady staccato as the time to leave neared.
Would Alexander take notice of her? Or would he still see her as Nicholas’s younger sister? Only time would tell. And she vowed to make him see her as the woman she was. She was getting older and soon would be considered too old for the marriage mart. But she would not just settle for anyone. Nay, she wanted Alexander Campbell. He would be her husband.
He just didn’t ken it yet.
“Ready?” Nicholas poked his head in the room, smiling wide when Gwen turned her attention to him, his eyes softening with affection. “We’ve a good stretch of road ahead of us afore we arrive at Millwool. Let us begin our journey.” He held out his hand and Gwen hurried to him and scooped it up into hers.
As they made their way down the hall, Nicholas spoke again. “Who kens. Mayhap ye will find a worthy suitor for ye whilst there.”
Clarissa rolled her lips inward to stop her from blurting out Alexander’s name. She already kenned what Nicholas’s answer would be. He had warned her numerous times to stay clear of his best friend. The man was a true rake. But rakes could be reformed.
