Page 14 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

In a bid to make herself look presentable, she ran her hands along her dress to make sure there were no unseemly wrinkles. She touched her hair to make sure it was still in place when she realized the boutonniere of lilacs was missing. It must have dislodged when she collided with Aleck. She looked around the floor for it, felt Aleck’s burning gaze on the back of her neck and straightened up. She lifted her head in haughty indifference and sauntered down the hall.

From the steady footsteps behind her she knew Aleck was following her. A dark cloud had encompassed her happiness and rained all over her excitement. Aleck Bryce would make sure he was attached to her like a second shadow and ruin her first ball. Trust Aleck to make her life miserable. What had she ever done to deserve this treatment from him?

Clara was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. She gasped when she saw Evanna.

“You look stunning! Mama! Come see.”

Lady Ashby walked into the hall, and her face broke into a proud smile. Evanna’s heart swelled to be the recipient of that look. She could tell Lady Ashby was proud of the outcome. She had often seen Lady Ashby look at Clara that way. It gave her a sense of security that there was someone to look upon her that way too.

“You look absolutely splendid, my dear.” Lady Ashby cupped Evanna’s cheek in her palm. “I can now say with certainty that you will be the belle of the season.”

“Ye really think so?” Evanna flushed with pleasure.

“I do.” Her gaze swept past Evanna. “Why Aleck! This is a pleasant surprise.”

“Lady Ashby.” Aleck stepped forward and took Lady Ashby’s hand and lightly kissed her knuckles. “Always a pleasure.

“It is not.” Evanna hmphed. “He isnae here to bring Da’s approval. He’s just now managed to catch me up.”

“Now, Evanna,” Lady Ashby reprimand. “He is a guest, and your father’s loyal man. A lady does not dismiss gallantry even if it is for duty and not for regard.”

A sharp stab of shame pierced Evanna. Aleck stood with a haughty expression on his face, but Evanna could tell he was enjoying this.

“Come join us for tea, Aleck. Cook makes wonderful cream buns. Does she not Evanna?” Lady Ashby placed an arm around her shoulder and led her to the stairs.

Evanna didn’t dare look at Aleck, but she noticed him hesitate. Clara was waiting for him to enter the parlor while Lady Ashby was guiding her to the stairs. Aleck wanted to follow her, to fulfill his duty, but he was also dictated by social custom to oblige the request of his host.

“Evanna,” Lady Ashby whispered as she tucked a stray curl behind Evanna’s ear. “Please don’t take my words to heart. They were not ill meant.”

“Nae, Lady Ashby. Ye were only trying to help groom me, and I appreciate yer efforts.”

Lady Ashby touched Evanna’s chin lovingly. “This will be a great lesson for you. Tonight, you must sit next to Aleck at supper, and entertain him after. You must learn how to deal with unwanted attention from gentlemen you don’t necessarily find pleasing.”

Evanna thought about this. Before she had worn the dress, she would not have believed she would be getting any attention at all. However, now she was sure she would get a little, and not all of it might be savory. Lady Ashby was right as always.

And as she thought on the evening ahead, a wicked grin involuntarily spread across her face. “Yes, Lady Ashby. I had better go change for supper.”

This will be fun, she thought as she slammed her bedroom door shut. I can finally get him back for every torment he has thrown my way. Father Gilmore was right. Every cloud does have a silver lining.

Chapter Seven

Dinner was a nightmare.

If Aleck had known Evanna would make his life hell as soon as he landed in England, he would have refused the Laird’s command and taken whatever punishment was deemed apt.

Every time he tried to put a spoonful in his mouth, the minx would ask him a question. And not simple ones that a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ would suffice. She needled lengthy answers out of him, and while he talked, she ate with gusto. He’d had to stare down the footman who wanted to remove his soup after the first course to get a decent taste of it.

“Why do ye suppose we wait till night to call it a day?”

“What is the virtue of patience?”

“Why do we dream?”

“What, in yer humble opinion, is the meaning of life?”

“To eat,” Aleck had finally growled.

Evanna had smiled in that wicked way she had and taken a delicate sip of her water.