Page 12 of A Marriage of Necessity

“It was very kind of you to fetch us yourself, my lord,” her mother said.

He gave her a polite smile. “It is my pleasure, and, please, ma’am, call me Kennedy.”

Her mother angled her head in acquiescence and started to reply, when Dorothy and Fiona entered the room. They stopped short as if in surprise, and Dorothy’s hand flew to her mouth.

“Oh my,” Dorothy exclaimed. “We didn’t realize this room was in use. Forgive the intrusion.”

They realized it quite well, Anne wagered. The girls were not typically in this part of the house at this time of day. But all the better.

Anne smiled. “It’s no intrusion, Dorothy. Ladies, may I introduce Viscount Buchanan. My lord, this is Miss Williams and Miss Evans.”

The girls curtsied and the viscount gave a slight bow.

“How wonderful to finally meet you, my lord,” Linda said. “We didn’t have the chance to meet you when you attended Lady Peddington’s ball last week.”

Anne stiffened. The little vipers thought they would expose her to her mother.

“Which ball would that be again?” the viscount said.

“Lady Peddington’s ball, last Saturday evening,” Dorothy said.

The viscount frowned as if in thought. “Ah, yes, I believe I did drop by, but arrived later than intended, during Lady Peddington’s Midnight Ball.”

Anne stared. Was he giving them a set down for trying to embarrass her?

The girl’s faces turned ashen.

“Sir, you must be mistaken,” Linda quickly said. “We did not attend the Midnight Ball.”

His frown deepened. “Then perhaps it wasn’t me you saw.” He faced Anne and her family. “Forgive me, but we should leave if we are to reach the church on time.” His gaze shifted to Anne. “Have you any trunks, my lady?”

“Nothing to take with us to the church, sir,” she replied.

“And you are dressed for the ceremony?”

Her cheeks warmed. “Aye, sir. The lace is the finest in all of Scotland and the pink satin,” she smiled, “pink is a favorite of mine.”

“It is a stunning color on you,” he said. “Shall we go?”

They nodded and he stood aside as they walked past Dorothy and Linda and proceeded him out of the room. He caught up to Anne and her heart thundered with the fear that he would mention their meeting at Lady Peddington’s. He didn’t, however, and he helped them into the carriage, and they started forward with a creak of the carriage wheels. Anne was all too aware of the heat from his body. He remained a perfect gentleman, but made no effort to sit far away from her on their side of the carriage. Was he was taunting her? Was he one of those men who needed a woman to stay close at his side?

“Do you live in Edinburgh?”

Anne started at the sound of Louisa’s voice. To her surprise, the viscount smiled gently at Louisa. “A great deal of the time, aye. We have a castle in Inverness, which I used to visit every year.”

“Not anymore?” she asked.

“Not as much as I’d like,” he said. “Perhaps you will like to visit.”

Louisa smiled. “Indeed, sir, I would.”

He looked at Anne and her face heated. “Do you like Inverness, my lady?”

“I have never been.”

“It’s quite beautiful.”

Had that been a wistful note in his voice?