Page 27 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"Pray, forgive me, my lady," a voice murmured. Blinking, Lissie came face-to-face with a man.

"'Tis fate we meet again," he said, extending his hand to her formally.

Lissie stopped dead. It was him. She could not stop herself from beaming. Nervously, she began a curtsy, but he just grinned.

"Prithee be seated," he murmured, showing her to her seat. But Lissie could but gawp.

She scrutinized him. He had a thick crown of jet-black hair set against fair skin. This was unusual. Yet, at the same time, he was typically Sassenach; his eyes were a piercing blue that seemed to look through their subject. And his skin was cool and pale with a pinkish tinge.

"It is a pleasure to meet you again, Lady Elisabeth." His blue eyes twinkled. At this, Lissie's heart jumped.

She had forgotten he somehow knew her name; half of London did. However, she instinctively leaped to correct him.

"Lissie…" she began to say. And I am nae a lady.

However, before the words were properly out, she stopped herself. Perhaps it would not do to go announcing her lowly status. And besides, the ladies gathering behind her would only be too delighted to hear it.

Never mind how they all laughed every time she opened her mouth. Wondering how to proceed, Lissie looked around. How she wished they would all leave her alone so she could speak with the gentleman.

"Excuse me," said the man. He removed his hand, backing away slightly. It was only then she truly appreciated his height. Glancing up, she realized he was well over six feet tall. Maybe six-foot-three or so.

The look of surprise must have been conveyed in her eyes as he stepped back and laughed.

"Did I do something to surprise you?" he asked.

Lissie smiled, her eyes glued to his. The man's hand was still resting upon her shoulder, leaving a tingling sensation where it went.

"I dinnae ken yer name," she said, whispering as softly as she could. Behind her, the gilded ladies listened; Lady Caroline, Lady Alice, and Lady Lettice formed a clique that pursued her all over London.

"She doesn't know who he is," one giggled.

Lissie looked around sharply as Lady Caroline's gray eyes met hers. She viewed her scornfully, leaving Lissie in no doubt that the man must be well-distinguished indeed and that once again, she had failed in her quest to fit in.

Anxiously, Lissie's stomach twisted. It was clear she was an imposter, that a true English lady would already know his rank.

The gentleman stood back, startled.

"I beg your pardon, mistress," he said politely.

Lissie blushed. "Yer name, sir?" she said, point-blank. Of course, the clique laughed, but to hell with them. Lissie only had eyes for him then, her gaze fixed squarely on the man's dark blue stare.

Finally, the penny dropped.

"Oh!" said the man. Then he blushed. Lissie had to admit, it was almost worth it just to see him color like that. The sight of him smiling on the back foot sent goosebumps shivering up her spine.

"My apologies, my dear. I am William Rothingham, Duke of Iverst, but my friends call me Will."

Will's blue eyes sparkled, inviting her to laugh as Lissie tried his name out in her head.

Will. How English!

Her thoughts immediately turned to her brother, Billie. His name was also short for William. She could not imagine anyone ever calling him Will.

A smile grew beneath her nose. Then, she remembered he was watching.

"Will, I am pleased to meet you," she said firmly. For a minute, they just stood there, face-to-face. He was close enough to kiss, and out of nowhere, this became the all-consuming thought in Lissie's head.

Will pressed his firm cheeks toward her, lingering near enough to spark a murmur from the ladies behind them.