Page 34 of A Stranger’s Kiss

“Randall.” His tone announced it was scarcely a greeting.

“Blair,” Lord Randall acknowledged through clenched teeth.

The two men stared at each in grim distaste. Clearly, something stood between them, but that was no business of hers. She had pressing matters of her own.

Olivia cleared her throat. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen? I must be going.”

Nicholas’s eyes shifted to hers, at once. “My carriage awaits.”

“Allow me, Miss Mackenzie,” Lord Randall said at the same time.

“I can walk on my own, thank you.” She stepped through the willow branches.

Nicholas caught up with her before she got halfway across the lawn. “I shall accompany you, Olivia.”

She didn’t need to turn around to know Lord Randall watched her by the willows. She felt his eyes boring through the back of her head.

“Shall we?” Nicholas offered his arm.

She should have merely thanked him, of course, and then promptly left, alone, but then, he looped her arm through his. The muscles resting beneath her fingertips were stone hard, warm, and imbued with the power to sweep all other thoughts away—even the most worrisome ones. A flush of warmth snaked down her spine as they left the grounds, heading back to Glasgow Green.

At the edge of the park, she regained her presence of mind. “Thank you, but truly, I have no need for an escort.”

“I quite disagree.”

He towered over her. She’d known he was tall, of course, but now, he seemed doubly so. She frowned at her beating heart and schooled her thoughts. He was meant for her cousin. He belonged to Deborah. As much as she found it depressing, it was time to distance herself, set boundaries.

“I understand.” She adopted a formal tone. “Soon, we will be family, will we not? As my cousin, you will—”

“That’s utter tripe,” he interrupted with a snort.

“I beg your pardon?”

He stopped in his tracks and peered down at her, looking rather irritated. “You know very well I am not the father of her child.”

Oh, how she didn’t want him to be. Desire flared. She grimaced. That wouldn’t do. “The roof.” The words had scarcely left her mouth before she winced. Why was she speaking of the roof, precisely now?

“Aye?” Nicholas cocked a brow.

She licked her lips, nervous, feeling quite unlike herself. “I will repay you, after the concert.” Providing she wasn’t a beggar on the streets by then. She glanced up into his face.

His gaze dropped to her mouth before meeting hers once again, and something in his eyes made her heart skip a beat.

“I assure you, that is quite unnecessary,” he said.

Unnecessary? It took her a moment to remember the subject. Ah, the roof. “I do not accept charity, sir. I will be able to pay my debts, soon.”

His sea-blue gaze returned to her lips.

It was dangerous to stand there, so close to him. A little on edge, she dipped her head. “Good day, my lord. I can find my way home from here.”

She’d taken only three steps before he reached her side.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you are running from me.” He chuckled.

“Hardly,” she murmured as he once again captured her arm. “I merely wish to free you from an unnecessary obligation.”

“Escorting you is neither unnecessary nor an obligation, lass,” he replied in amusement. “Allow me to see you to your door.”