Page 3 of Reckless Desire

“You are correct, of course, my lord,” Lady Fiona said in a too-sweet voice. “Well, if you will excuse us, tasks await us.”

Sir Stirling bowed, but Lord Newhall only watched until the women brushed past them. Lady Chastity and Sir Stirling began walking, and Kenna fell into step when Lord Newhall started forward.

They took half a dozen steps before the silence closed in around her. “Forgive me, Lady Chastity, I was rude.”

“Were you rude, my dear?” she asked.

“I was, as you know—but you are too kind to point out my flaws. Which is exactly why I should return home.”

“Return home?” Lord Newhall cut in.

Kenna looked up at him. The furrow in his brow had returned and deepened.

“Where is home?” he asked.

“Skye,” she replied. “I am only here for a visit.”

“When will you return?”

“Tomorrow, if I can.”

“Tomorrow?” He halted.

Kenna and Lady Chastity stopped and looked at him in surprise. Sir Stirling, however, clearly struggled to control a smile. What had gotten into the man?

“Perhaps that can be arranged,” he said.

Kenna’s heart surged with hope.

“Stirling,” Lady Chastity admonished.

He blinked at her. “What is amiss, my dear?”

“You know full well—" She broke off and glanced their way.

Lord Newhall’s muscle tensed beneath Kenna’s fingers. She shifted her gaze to his face, but he stared at Sir Stirling. A group of people came around the path’s bend ahead of them—Mrs. Stone and Miss Stone, accompanied by Mister Stone. Kenna had met the down-to-earth family three days past and liked them. Probably because they weren’t nobility, she thought with a mental snort.

The family reached them and stopped.

“How lovely to see you, Lady Chastity,” Missus Stone said. “Sir Stirling.” She and her daughter curtsied.

“We will have none of that.” Sir Stirling smiled. “We are all friends here. You know Lord Newhall?”

“We haven’t had the pleasure,” Mister Stone said.

Stirling made the introductions. Of course, Miss Stone blushed when the viscount bowed over her hand. Something he hadn’t done with the previous ladies, Kenna noted.

“I know you remember Miss Ramsay,” Stirling said.

Mister Stone bowed. “Miss Ramsay.”

“It is wonderful to see you again,” Mrs. Stone said. “We are so looking forward to seeing you—and Lady Chastity and Sir Stirling, of course—at our luncheon tomorrow.”

Kenna smiled. “Lady Chastity says we will be there.”

The two women smiled.

Mrs. Stone’s eyes shifted to Lord Newhall. “We would be pleased to have you, as well, my lord.”