Page 51 of A Highland Lass for the English Duke

Behind them, Lady Caroline hid a sneer as Alice and Lettie sniggered into their handkerchiefs.

Mentally, Lissie was kicking herself. Once again, she had made herself into a fool.

However, Will did not laugh. He nodded, grave-faced, then ushered Lissie to the side of the room, away from prying eyes. Heart beating, Lissie's head clammed up. They were all watching. But that was not what was bothering her. It was the way he was looking at her. Fear grabbed her, wrenching up from the bottom of her stomach.

She had embarrassed him, she felt sure. Fear prickling its way up inside her stomach, Lissie followed Will blindly to the edge of the room. There, she had a surprise.

Putting his hand on her shoulder, Will leaned in close.

"Lissie, pray do not refuse my request. Prithee, come to the entertainment tomorrow at Lord Sudbury's private house. I will call for you at evensong."

Lissie hesitated. Her heart gave a giant start; she hardly knew what to say. Instead, her eyes wandered over to his.

"Will," she began. Inside, her head worked double speed to try and work out what to say.

Why is it so hard? Just one simple word.

Eventually, it came out. Through the packed crowd, but in the dark, Lissie took his hand.

"Yes."

CHAPTER 12

"Are ye sure his lordship is expecting me? I only hope I dinnae embarrass ye in some way!"

Lissie's voice called down from the hallway as Will waited patiently for her to arrive. He had been there for some time, on his way to collect Lissie for the banquet at Lord Sudbury's home.

Sudbury was well known for his hospitality, throwing some of the most lavish balls in London, complete with mummers, jugglers, and acrobats. This banquet was the event of the summer. However, mother was less than pleased with him for inviting her.

"William! The entire point of this evening is to find a proper English lady. An heiress who can provide a healthy dowry for Mary-Ann!" she had griped. But Will was not listening. He had had enough of duty.

Duty, he reflected bitterly, is my entire life. He spent all day, every day, doing what was best for everyone else. His loyalty to the king and country, the estate, his servants, the yeomen, and the peasants. And last, but not least, of course, his family. There was Mary-Ann to wed, and if that weren't enough, he was obliged to mop up after his foppish brother.

Hardly surprising, then, that Will was tiring of duty. I will do this my way, Mother, he had replied, albeit in his head. But despite his ardor, Will harbored some doubts.

Outside her door, he had a moment. Was taking her to the banquet the right thing to do? What if his mother was right? But in under a minute, Will had his answer.

"Will? How do I look?"

Lissie's voice reached out, echoing down the hallway. It was drafty and dark in the house, and an odd chill inveigled the early summer night.

"Aye," said Will, coming closer. He stopped outside her chamber door, then hesitated. Should he go in? Did he have permission? An uncharacteristic malaise came over him. Suddenly, Will was paralyzed.

"Will? What are ye doing? Come in!" Lissie cried from behind the door. She sounded amused.

Will needed no other introduction. With a hearty push, he was straight in. Then, his mouth fell open.

"Lissie!"

In front of him was Lissie, her hair in an upbraid, wearing a robe that swept to the floor in damask and silks. The light in the room was not good, just a flickering from a lone candle, but it was enough to illuminate her beauty.

"God's bones," exclaimed Will, then immediately apologized. "Pray excuse me, my lady. Such language is not for your ears."

Lissie just grinned.

"I've heard worse," she said, smiling. Through the half-light, he could see a mirror, where Lissie was admiring herself. Coming closer, Will entered the room.

"The clan I'm from is fond o' fighting an' colorful language," said Lissie, her hair shimmering in the candlelight.