Page 49 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

For a moment, Will was lost, staring. Then something nudged him.

"Your brother has found a comely piece. But will he understand her?"

Will looked around to see Lettice eyeing Lissie intently. But more than that, now that the crowd around them had thinned, he saw what Lettice had been referring to.

Trenton.

Will's heart popped again. Then he sighed. The sight of his brother with his arm around Lissie jarred horribly. Nevertheless, he had secured her invitation on the proviso she would keep Trenton busy.

Mother had not been so keen to invite the "comely Scottish piece," but Will had insisted. Using the pretext that she would help calm Trenton down, she had agreed reluctantly.

The only problem now was that Trenton was anything but calm. In fact, he was most excited. Leaning into her ear, he whispered something to make her laugh uproariously. Lissie threw her head back and laughed without a trace of a care.

Will's heart leaped.

There was something about this girl that got him. Maybe it was the way she did not seem to give a fig about anything, including the conventions of London life.

A space opened up around her, allowing Will the chance to better look. Unlike the others, Lissie was vital and alive.

It was impossible for Will not to eat her up with his eyes. All he could think about was how to get her to himself. But there was one problem. She was there to occupy his brother, and occupy him she did—and everybody else.

Once again, Lettice cleared her throat. "So, is that who she is chasing today?" she snarked.

Will did not listen. He was staring so hard at Lissie that Lettie almost hit him. Coughing, she dragged his attention back to her.

"Are you alright?" Will asked finally. He looked at the lady warily. Lettie looked point-blank at him.

"Look at that wench. Naught more than a serving wench in her mistress's hand-me-downs!"

A tart look flashed across her face. Will saw the jealousy laid bare. Really, he should apologize. It was bad form for him to so openly stare, but somehow, it was impossible. Instead, irritation gripped him.

"That's Lady Elisabeth; she's no servant," he said curtly. Then he turned to Lettice and tried to smile. But it was too late, the damage had been done. Sniffly, Lady Lettice turned to him.

"She is no lady, and they say that her clan is a viper's nest," tutted Lettie.

"A bit like London, then," flashed Will, his quick-fire remark unforgiving. "At least Scotland is a friend to the true king, unlike here, where there are so many snakes on the ground!"

Almost as soon as the words were out, Will regretted his outburst. But really, he could not help it. The current situation was not something that could be brushed aside. He had to be careful. London was full of Yorkists. Being loyal to the true king was a lonely place to be right now.

A bit like his loyalty to Lissie. Unfortunately, it had not endeared him to Lady Fortescue. Lettice stared at him as if he sprouted a second head. But Will did not care. Pushing up from the table, he made his choice. To hell with his mother's control, he was going to do what he should have done right from the start.

He was going to ask Lissie to be with him.

* * *

Will pushed his way through the melee and gluttony of dancing and headed straight toward her. Watching him, a thrill tingled through Lissie from her midriff to her thighs.

He was looking good.

Of course, she pretended not to look. But she had noticed him from the moment he entered the room. Now he was smiling, pressing forward into the room. As he passed, he greeted the other ladies courteously; he did not linger. Instead, he was locked on to her.

"My sweeting..."

A hand scaled her back, delving behind her shawl. The hairs stood up on the back of Lissie's neck, and she flinched.

Then a voice called, "My sweet leof, return your eyes to me and refill my cups, what-ho! I demand your sweet obedience."

It was not him. Composing herself, Lissie turned around.