Page 28 of A Highland Lass for the English Duke

He stayed there, half-smiling, half-staring for a few minutes, making her wonder if he was going to ask her to dance—or maybe he really was going to embrace her.

Don't be silly, Lissie. As if he would do that, and here!

All the same, crowd or no crowd, Lissie could not help wishing that he would. The scent of the man moved nearer, intoxicating her with his heady perfume.

"And I am most charmed to meet you again." Will nodded and smiled enchantingly.

Lissie giggled. It seemed like he only had eyes for her, and from the ripple passing through the room, everyone had noticed it too. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Lady Caroline's face, frozen in disbelief. She had to stop a smile rising to her nose.

"Indeed, you are more beauteous than the day before; the fairest flower in any field," declared Will.

Holding a giggle, Lissie thought hard about all the things that Annice had told her to do and not do in just this situation; Don't stand with arms folded. Get him to make the first move. Ensure he woos you with costly gifts. Affect a turn with a laugh. Do not laugh overly. Eat little, and speak less.

Nothing about dragging him into the corner for a kiss, then. Drawing her brow into a frown, she pondered her predicament until Annice's voice cut into her brain.

Do not frown, ever!

Swiftly, she adjusted her face. Smiling, she waited for him to act.

"Perchance you might wish to dance again with me sometime, my lady?" he asked, his face cool and cautious, but his eyes were glowing and intense.

Lissie forgot all about etiquette and almost leaped on him. "Aye, sir, I would very much like that."

If only she had left it at that. But no, her stupid mouth had to add, "Och, if yer feet have recovered from last time, of course!"

Will's expression wavered. Lissie should have shut up then, but didn't. Burbling, she continued.

"Ye've got e'en muckle bigger left feet than me," she yapped. "Ye ken, my big toe has been throbbing e'er since our dance."

To Lissie's horror, Will's face fell flat, leaving her in no doubt that she had offended him. Lissie's heart was beating in panic. Behind her, the triumvirate cackled.

"I mean, ye're nae such a bad dancer, really," she added, in the hopes this would be enough to restore things.

It was not.

Will looked at her blankly. Panic rose in Lissie's throat, spreading hotly across her cheeks. She was mortified. How could she have addressed a duke in such a way?

Desperate to get away, she mumbled hurriedly. "Och, dinnae fash, I-I'd better be getting along."

Shame burned her. She had made a major miscalculation. Clearly, Sassenachs had a different sense of humor.

Or none at all.

She had to get out of here. Without a second look, she turned and almost bolted out of the door, leaving a frankly stunned Will in her wake.

"Elisabeth?" called Will uncertainly. But Lissie was long gone. She did not stop running until she was outside.

Pumping hard, Lissie's heart battered its rib cage like a scared bird. Viciously, she berated herself. How could she have been so stupid? Cousin Annice was right.

Someone like her could never marry a lord.

CHAPTER 7

"Lady Elisabeth? Elisabeth!"

Pushing through the packed hall, Will followed Lissie.

To begin with, he did so slowly; the last thing he wanted to do was make a scene, especially in front of the noble set, sporting more miniver than the entire squirrel population of London.