Page 50 of A Highland Lass for the English Duke

"Nonsense!" Trenton roared.

It was early, but already his cheeks were flame-red from wine. Feasting was one thing that Trenton took seriously, and calls for moderation did not go down well at all.

"Drink. Drink. Drink," he chanted, slamming down his goblet on the table.

By now, he was making enough noise that half the table turned around. His mother, the dowager duchess, looked on.

She drew her perfect brow into a frown at the sight of Trenton. Then, her gaze went past him and over to her. For the first time, Lissie realized she had the same eyes as her son; clear and blue.

Her stare left Lissie uncomfortable. Dropping her eyes, Lissie looked away. She did not approve. That much was clear. Heart sinking, it became obvious to Lissie that the duchess had never wished to invite her.

But then, that must mean that Will had! This thought brought a smile to Lissie's lips, as Will came nearer. Their eyes connected for a moment as they stood and gazed at one another. He was smiling, just not with his mouth—the glint was in his eyes, dancing as he looked at her.

"What ho, are you going to get us a drink? A man could die of thirst."

Unsure, Lissie looked. Will had not spoken. Beside her, Trenton was mithering and generally acting as if his throat had been cut.

"Some more mead, if you will." He handed her the goblet with a grin.

Taking this as her cue, Lissie smiled and leaned over to the carafe nearby. It was a little out of reach, and she was about to ask the maid to bring it over, but the noise in the room had reached ear-splitting levels. Presently, Will came over.

"Allow me," he said, surreptitiously bringing the carafe over and refilling Lissie's goblet. He was about to pour into the second goblet, then stopped himself. Taking a look toward Trenton, he hesitated.

"Is he behaving himself?" he asked softly.

Lissie rolled her eyes.

"He's braw," she said with a smile. Will looked uncertain. It took some time for Lissie to realize that he did not understand. Sighing, she tried to elaborate.

"Dinnae fash," she said. "He's no problem."

Will's hand hesitated over the goblet. Then, he put the carafe of liquor down and called for the maids. Quickly, the serving girl, a pudding-faced wench with nervous eyes, handed him a jug of water.

His gaze met Lissie closely. Will poured the second goblet full of water before pointedly handing it back to Trenton.

"Here, I say," exploded Trenton, his face a contortion of dismay. It was hard for Lissie not to laugh at him, he was so comical in his disappointment. But right then, she only had eyes for one Rothingham.

"Prithee, if I could have a moment, mistress?" said Will, taking her aside.

Eyes were everywhere. Lady Caroline glared at her with no uncertainty. They hated her. The look on Lettie's face gave it away.

"Will," she began.

But Will batted them away and then returned to her.

"I-I," began Lissie. In the heat of the moment, she found herself open-mouthed. Things were all happening so fast. "I am nae sure it would be seemly, sir."

Then, a strange noise, like a crazed horse, stopped her. Lissie looked to see Trenton face-down on the tabletop, snoring.

Will sighed. "I doubt you could ever be unseemly, madam," he said smoothly. "Unlike my brother, for whom I must apologize."

Lissie could not help but beam. She got the strong impression that apologizing was something Will did a lot for Trenton. She knew the feeling.

"Sir, dinnae fash. I ken what it is like having a brother." She grinned. "More than once, oor Billie has embarrassed nae only me, but the entire clan. Did I ever tell ye he once started a war wi' a clan when he was only sent to return a cask o' whiskey?"

Will blinked in incomprehension. "How?" he asked.

"Well, he delivered the cask empty," began Lissie. She was about to elaborate but stopped herself dead when she saw his face.