“She is quite bonny, Miss Gordon, isna she?”
Alexander perked up at the question. He knew it was a trap. She would not ask such a question if she didn’t sense something there.
Unable to lie, he agreed. “Aye. Verra bonny indeed.”
She moved about the kitchen, picking up the tin of tea leaves and setting the teacup and saucer on the table in front of him. “She had a couple of callers this afternoon.”
“What?” He straightened, his back stiff. “Who?”
Who the hell had dared to come calling for Clarissa at his house? Somehow, this felt like a slap in the face to him.
“I dinna ken. James turned them straight away since all of ye had gone into town.” She retrieved the kettle and poured the water into the cup, over the leaves. “I do believe they are going to return tomorrow.
Hell’s teeth they willna.
Alexander would have to make sure he stayed home tomorrow. It would be rude of him to turn away a caller, especially since he had no right to Clarissa. She was not his betrothed. Nicholas had forbidden it.
He may not turn them away, but he would be sure to be present in the parlor when whoever called today came back.
Not that he was a betting man, that was his brother’s area. But if he were he would bet his estate that one of the people panting on his doorstep tomorrow would be Kitt. That leech would have the nerve to show up and make an offer. Alexanderalmost laughed. Little did he ken that Clarissa had heard his offer.
No way would she accept him. Thankfully, Nicholas knew of Kitt as well and would not allow him to get close to Clarissa, let alone agree to any type of union between them.
Speaking of unions, the thought of Clarissa marrying another man drove a spear through his heart. He wouldn’t survive seeing her promised to another. Hopefully, Finlay was having luck with Allen. They would need to announce the auction as soon as possible and execute their plan quickly. The longer they delayed, the more he would lose Clarissa.
And his flock. But as the time passed, Clarissa was more forefront in his mind. He needed to ensure he could care for her.
And he would.
